This is a easy and fun mod - inspired by the "Blue LED Customizer" Mod thread but for lazy people:





- I ordered online a Unicomp Spacesaver and just put in checkout comments "add a bag of black keys for $20".
- Get a keypuller

http://hooleon.com/miva/merchant.mvc...Category_Code=

- Pop out greys and put in blacks as desired
- You will inevitably have a key missing or broken so do this:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=82480#post82480

- Change the label. Ugh.


I just peeled the original label, cleaned it, turned it over and stuck it back on with double stick tape. Notice the "ghost" Unicomp effect:


EDIT: If you want to spiff it up a bit get this from Ebay....
Listing here. When it expires check for seller or keywords. (I tried 10 for $10. He came back with 10 for $20. I just bought 2).





So that was a basic mod. If you want to do more get one of these.


Local RC hobby shop or from Amazon. Grab your favorite power tool and...

Maybe:
- put on a red key (wait, hasn't that been done before?)
- go multicolor LED crazy
- removeable USB cable mod
- wireless mod?
- saw off the numpad

Unicomp keyboards are the best value out there - have some fun with yours.

Part Two - LED MOD

OK, it's time to invalidate that warranty. I found some retro red LEDs in my toolbox to match the old school look. Remove the 4 screws and the case nicely pops open. Hmm,, not a lot of extra room in there, maybe that's why they call it a "Spacesaver".

Also note the clean soldering - iOne take notice.


Gently push in the left plastic tab and pull up and out the PCB. Use needlenose pliers to pull the white connector. Notice that I stuck black electrical tape on the ground plate - one geekhacker said his Unicomp would short sometimes if flexed.


Short LED lead to ground (flat side on PCB symbol) or in other words short LED lead on right looking down. Remember the trick of using old leads (or bare wire) inserted and pulled through the holes to remove solder.


Crappy fluorescent lighting hides the true beauty of my mod. I was too lazy to take upstairs for daylight pics.


Al Gore needs to talk to Filco about their wasted energy.


Hope this inspires others to try something interesting. The removable USB cable mod looks pretty easy with the right connector. A wireless mod might better wait until the wireless USB "dongles" are widespread. The Unicomp Customizer would also give you more room to work in (but not as nice looking IMHO).
- Ripster

Attached Images

	FLA_3113.jpg (242.9 KB, 3409 views)
	FLA_3115.jpg (259.7 KB, 3743 views)
	FLA_3111.jpg (205.7 KB, 3238 views)
	FLA_3116.jpg (225.5 KB, 3293 views)
	!BpVV(TQBWk~$(KGrHqYH-EYEu,IBc6wYBLq6wpHClw~~_12.JPG (24.3 KB, 1507 views)
	FLA_3323.jpg (354.5 KB, 1698 views)

Contributors: ripster, iMav

Created by ripster, 04 April 2009 at 02:16 Last edited by ripster, 20 April 2010 at 18:33 Last comment by shmithers on 20 November 2010 at 08:01 17 Comments, 6,679 Views