Eighty 2022

• Carefully place the Eighty facedown.

• Use the provided 2.5mm hex tool to remove the plastic placeholder screw and remove the bottom case from the assembly.

• Align one end of the foot in one corner of the recessed channel, then gently lower the strip into place. Take care not to stretch the foot.

• Press on the feet to ensure they are properly adhered, smoothing out any raised areas.

• Open VIA, navigate to the Key Tester tab, and enable Test Matrix mode.

• Place the PCB facedown, connect the daughterboard to the PCB, and plug it in.

• Touch the ends of your tweezers to the metal contacts under each switch position, lighting up each key in VIA. Note that the function key may not light up.

• In the rare event that keys do not light up, pause your build here and contact support@modedesigns.com.

• Insert the non-threaded end of the stabilizer into the larger cutout on the PCB, then pivot the threaded ends into place.

• Ensure that your stabilizers are completely flat on the PCB before screwing them in.

• While bracing the front of each stabilizer, screw it into place from the underside of the PCB. Repeat for the remaining stabilizers.

• Disconnect the daughterboard cable from the PCB.

• With the cable connected to the daughterboard, fasten it into the bottom case using the M2x3 screws (4 total).

• Take care to not overtighten the screws, or you may damage the daughterboard.

• Install your first few switches around the plate as shown, this will help ensure the plate stays aligned during the installation process.

• Install remaining switches, working your way in from the corner switches.

• Before installing your switches, inspect them to ensure the two metal pins on the underside of each switch are straight. Straighten all pins with tweezers if any are bent.

• If you plan to use the optional plate foam for a more dampened sound, lay it on top of the PCB now.

• Insert switches into the plate/PCB. Take care to brace the back of the hotswap socket with a finger while pushing the switches into place with your thumb. Do not apply downward pressure to the surface of the plate itself.

• If you have a solder PCB, solder your switches now.

• Check that the plate is not sagging below the tops of the switches.

• Check that each switch pin is fully seated into the PCB.

• Slide the silicone plate caps onto the plate tabs (seven total).

Place the top case facedown.

Gently lower the plate/PCB assembly into the top case.

Secure the plate to the top case via the tabs along the top and bottom edges with the black M2x5 button head cap screws (seven total).

Take care to avoid over tightening screws such that they go past the silicone plate caps.

• Place the top case facedown.

• Gently lower the plate/PCB assembly into the top case using the three alignment posts.

• Lay the Poron base on the underside of the PCB. Align the cutouts with the hotswap sockets if using the hotswap PCB.

Hold the bottom case firmly in one hand and align it with the notch on the bottom edge of the top case.

While still holding the bottom case, use your other hand to attach the daughterboard cable to the PCB.

Close the bottom case onto the top case, ensuring that the cable sits inside the recessed area of the bottom case.

Fasten the bottom case to the top case with the black M3x12 socket head cap screws (two total)

• Install your MX-compatible keycaps.

• Test the stabilized keys for any undesired rattling noises.

• If rattle is detected, lift the corresponding stem up and inject lube into the slider around the ends of the stabilizer wires.

If using QMK, you may enter bootloader mode by pressing the physical reset button on the board or pressing Fn + Esc.

If any of the keys do not actuate properly, it may be due to a bent switch pin during installation. Remove that keycap and switch using a keycap/switch puller. If any metal pins are bent, straighten them with a pair of tweezers.