I got a JIS format 701 keyboard, I’m not willing to ruin it but If you have most of the model I can’t imagine adding a few extra buttons is a large lift. I would say if the goal is to just get a 701 style split keyboards trying to make membrane switches could be hurtle. low profile mechanical switches wouldn’t look to out of place on such a thick laptop and since its all getting 3d printed the design could be tweaked or moved to membrane OEM style down the road. I’m focused on getting this first one made out of a parts laptop but I’m hoping it can be repaired by a freind of mine. also a 1995 keyboard so wouldn’t wanna type on it all day so a new build keyboard to go with the machine would be nice. The QMK adapter could get a second set of newer connectors for a 2024 made keyboard/trackpoint.
I can’t imagine adding a few extra buttons is a large lift
I’ll leave that task to you, as is there isn’t a whole lot of room for the keys on the US English layout, at current I have no idea how to account for the half-sized function keys, no companies are making compact half length mechanical key switches at the moment.
Pin by pin I had to remake the matrix. so if anyone else wants to try this not exactly a small amount of work.
@Karl_Buchka Hi Karl!
I’ve been lurking and following this thread for a while now, and finally decided to start building a framework 701c for myself! This project is absolutely awesome.
I’m looking at the 3D models right now, and it seems like there will be some protrusions from the framework battery tabs. Did you end up cutting off the tabs on the framework battery to make everything fit properly?
Thanks for all the detailed updates - they’ve been super helpful!
Looking at Karl’s original image, it appears he did trim the battery, this is so incredibly dangerous, not sure who needs to hear this but DO NOT MUTILATE YOUR BATTERY EVER! THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS!
Hi Karl…great work! On the other hand… I recently purchased a thinkpad 701c… but terrible:
… some stupid person ruined the motherboard scrapping the memory chips pins and traces… maybe you still have the old motherboard of your 701c to sell ??? Pleaseeeeee?
Thankssss !!! Regards from Barcelona.