Thinkpad keyboard mod (super early stages)!

@nrp I hope something similar will be posted for the Framework 16? I think Harley has a Framework 13, but I’m holding out for a 16 :slight_smile:

Those hinge drawings for the 13 look pretty reasonable, though. I don’t have a 13 in hand so I don’t have the full context needed, but assuming that the hinge “main part with spring” is in the base, and the “L part” is in the screen, it looks like all that would be necessary to gain another millimeter in clearance is to drill out the two rivets attaching the “L part” and attach a new “L part” with a short leg which is another 1mm longer.

To get a rough ballpark I extracted the existing “L” from the STEP file for the 13 using freecad and submitted it to JLCPCB for quotes both CNC machined from aluminum as well as 3d printed in stainless steel. They want only $8 (+$1.50 s/h) to print the right side L from 316 stainless; or $10.80 (+$1.50 s/h) to CNC machine it from Aluminum. So say ~$20 to print or machine both sides. That seems reasonable!

Probably the hardest part for the home hacker is going to be attaching the new L to the existing hinge piece. I’ve got a couple of ideas here: (1) printing the new “L” with protruding “rivet” pins already integral, and then using a ball peen hammer to deform them in place and then grinding flush with a dremel; (2) brazing or soldering; (3) using soft copper rivets and a hammer.

This is a little more involved than simply swapping a keyboard out, but still seems within reach of anyone with a drill and a hammer.

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