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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:28:39 »
Hi everyone, I've been lurking here for a while but after seeing this thread and my coworker's Flico, I felt like I really had to build my own keyboard.

I'm still in the design stage but this is what I I hope it will look like (still need to model the keycaps but you get the idea):


I got a teensy usb controller and keycaps ordered but I need to find a place to order the key switches and the stabilizers that I will need. I would like to use cherry mx blue switches. Anyone know where I can find some?

Thanks,
Dox
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:30:56 »
Yes one of my good friend is a machinist.
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Offline keyboardlover

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My keyboard project
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:33:12 »
Welcome, looks cool!
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:35:26 »
Quote from: ripster;333892
Awesome!  That is the hardest part for me.

Order codes are in the Cherry Wiki here.  Not sure if Mouser/DigiKey ship to Canada.

Thanks, I'll take a look.
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Offline HoboBob

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« Reply #4 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:36:07 »
Holy crap! Might it be a source of custom boards in the province of Quebec? I think I'm dreaming...
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Offline Lpb45

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My keyboard project
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:37:59 »
Pretty sure you can order them from Armygroup.

If this works out for you and your friend wants to make some money on making another case send me a pm.
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Offline Cata1yst

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My keyboard project
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:51:06 »
Hell make that 2. I want a casing too if youve already got the CNCing layout
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:09:01 »
Quote from: Lpb45;333896
Pretty sure you can order them from Armygroup.

If this works out for you and your friend wants to make some money on making another case send me a pm.

Quote from: Cata1yst;333903
Hell make that 2. I want a casing too if youve already got the CNCing layout

I'll look into that with my friend but for now I still haven't fount the switches I need... MX1A-E1DN is what I need but the only keys that I found with diode / plate mounted have black switches.
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Offline audioave10

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My keyboard project
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:49:33 »
InB4...not Blacks! Get browns...no, get clears....no, get blues...no, get reds.
Anywho...Good Luck!
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:58:21 »
Quote from: audioave10;333949
InB4...not Blacks! Get browns...no, get clears....no, get blues...no, get reds.
Anywho...Good Luck!

Haha thanks. If I cant find them, I will redesigning my pcb to mount the diodes on the board. I'm pretty stuck on the blues for now.
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Offline molto

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« Reply #10 on: Thu, 21 April 2011, 18:49:43 »
Keep up the work ! I want to see the final keyboard ;)
If you cant buy the switches try to buy a cheap g80-3000 with blues .... I think that this will even be cheaper.

Btw. you should post this into the modifications section ... its a more worthy place for this project.
« Last Edit: Thu, 21 April 2011, 18:51:51 by molto »
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Offline Findecanor

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« Reply #11 on: Thu, 21 April 2011, 19:33:13 »
You could snip off the extra plastic pins on "PCB - mounted" Cherry MX switches to get "Plate-mounted" switches. Those extra pins are the only difference.
You could open any Cherry MX switches and install diodes in them yourself, but it would be quite a bit of work.

What key caps are you planning to use?
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Offline NormaJean

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My keyboard project
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 21 April 2011, 19:47:02 »
Do you have a paypal account where I could put some money and maybe get a keyboard sometime?
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Offline calavera

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My keyboard project
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 21 April 2011, 20:15:42 »


you had me at Hi.
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 21 April 2011, 20:17:37 »
Quote from: molto;335165
Keep up the work ! I want to see the final keyboard ;)
If you cant buy the switches try to buy a cheap g80-3000 with blues .... I think that this will even be cheaper.

Btw. you should post this into the modifications section ... its a more worthy place for this project.
Thanks definitely not turning back now. I had the chance to try a keyboard with cherry MX clear today I I really liked the feel. Turns out the clear switches are available without diode/plate mounted so i will go with those and modify my PCB to receive the diodes.

Quote from: Findecanor;335195
What key caps are you planning to use?
I've ordered a set of PBT 104 keycaps from Imsto dark gold on black.

Quote from: ripster;335197
Better to wait until it's a bit closer to reality.  The Mods subforum is filled with unfinished projects.
That's my plan. this thread is more of a preview and to get some more info I needed for the switches.

Quote from: NormaJean;335200
Do you have a paypal account where I could put some money and maybe get a keyboard sometime?
I don't plan to sell any complete keyboards. Mainly because the cost would be ridiculous and I really don't have the time with my current job to start a keyboard production. The best I could do is to share my design when it's finished and I still have to ask my machinist friend if he could build a some extra metal cases for those interested. But if really want to send me some money don't hold back!
« Last Edit: Sat, 12 May 2012, 17:14:34 by Dox »
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 21 April 2011, 20:20:51 »
Quote from: calavera;335210
Show Image


you had me at Hi.

Hahaha thanks for the Avatar!
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Offline K5Doom

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My keyboard project
« Reply #16 on: Sun, 24 April 2011, 09:10:54 »
Bonne chance avec ton projet :D
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Offline bpiphany

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My keyboard project
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 01:30:18 »
It is always nice to see someone else pursuing the quest of designing their own keyboard. This looks great =)
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Offline domin8r

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My keyboard project
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 05:38:13 »
Gonna keep an eye on this thread, keep us inforrmed! Love to see the progress in pics!
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 11:27:01 »
The project is taking form. Sadly, my machinist friend got fired so I had to find somewhere else to get my cases. I should receive them in 2 weeks. I will then post an article in the mods subforum when it will be all done.

I'm now wondering witch switches to use. I will be making 2 boards and I got 3 interesting switches to choose from; Ergo clear (clear stem blue spring), blue, Ergo black (black stem, blue spring).
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Offline Wibox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 11:29:07 »
Quote from: Dox;357342
The project is taking form. Sadly, my machinist friend got fired so I had to find somewhere else to get my cases. I should receive them in 2 weeks. I will then post an article in the mods subforum when it will be all done.

I'm now wondering witch switches to use. I will be making 2 boards and I got 3 interesting switches to choose from; Ergo clear (clear stem blue spring), blue, Ergo black (black stem, blue spring).

What're you doing for the cases? Are you going with one of those rapid prototyping type companies?

Also, I suggest ordering a few of each switch from Mouser- if you buy them in small quantities they're usually around $1 each. Then you can try each of them before you make any decisions.
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Offline litster

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  • rare caps?! THAT'S A SMILIN
My keyboard project
« Reply #21 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 12:22:11 »
I like the compact design.  Keep us posted.  How much does it cost you to get the cases made?  Is it from a Canadian company?
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Offline Lanx

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My keyboard project
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 12:25:50 »
Quote from: ripster;357305
Boy, who IS this skeptical *******?

I know right! makes me wish i could have a 25hour day so i could get it finished! (but if you are gonna leave stuff unfinished, have good notes, i looked at my notes and i can still pick up where i left off)
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 14:10:30 »
As my machinist friend got fired from his job in Quebec, an other machinist I know in New Jersey will make the cases for me in Aluminium 6061. My 2 complete cases will cost around 350$
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Offline Lpb45

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My keyboard project
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 14:59:31 »
how much to make me 1?  I'll make it ****in rain
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Offline litster

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My keyboard project
« Reply #25 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 15:20:37 »
I would love to build one as well.  It sounds expensive for a keyboard.  But as a hobby or project, the fun value is worth it.
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Offline jpz

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My keyboard project
« Reply #26 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 15:26:12 »
Quote from: Dox;357415
As my machinist friend got fired from his job in Quebec, an other machinist I know in New Jersey will make the cases for me in Aluminium 6061. My 2 complete cases will cost around 350$
The high price could be due to your tolerances.  I would take a look at how tight you want them to be compared to the cost.
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #27 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 17:29:19 »
Quote from: Lpb45;357433
how much to make me 1?  I'll make it ****in rain

When I'll be done, I'll post all the stuff that is needed to build one yourself. This will include the cad files for the PCB, a version of the case drawn on  emachineshop.com software ready to order, and the full solidworks model. All you'll need is money and soldering skills.

Quote from: litster;357442
I would love to build one as well.  It sounds expensive for a keyboard.  But as a hobby or project, the fun value is worth it.

Yeah those will be expensive but as you said, it totally worth it as a hobby/project.

Quote from: jpz;357443
The high price could be due to your tolerances.  I would take a look at how tight you want them to be compared to the cost.

Cherry corp recommend some pretty tight tolerances and I want it to conform to the specs. I've asked some prices with some lower tolerances but the saving wasn't worth it.
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Offline noodles256

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My keyboard project
« Reply #28 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 18:30:55 »
i never saw the problem either. I was very confused. If you cock your head sideways, the keyboard is sideways.

I then saw the problem, it's hard to type on a sideways keyboard
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Offline jpz

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My keyboard project
« Reply #29 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 20:48:05 »
Quote
Cherry corp recommend some pretty tight tolerances and I want it to conform to the specs. I've asked some prices with some lower tolerances but the saving wasn't worth it.
Yeah your completely correct you should at least meet their tolerances.  Why did you choose 6061 aluminum?
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Offline Dox

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My keyboard project
« Reply #30 on: Wed, 08 June 2011, 20:50:19 »
Quote from: jpz;357640
Yeah your completely correct you should at least meet their tolerances.  Why did you choose 6061 aluminum?

It's light and stiff and I want to keep the weight down for the portability.
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Offline Dox

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Update!
« Reply #31 on: Thu, 23 June 2011, 16:51:56 »
I've received the cases yesterday and sadly, the bottom part of the case is not a good fit with the top part. All the bends in the plates are too far out. I'll have to get at least the bottom part redone. Anyway, I've already build one and here are some crappy pictures. I'll take more pictures and will post a thread in the mod section when I'll build the second one.

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 19539[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 19538[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 19540[/ATTACH]

edit: Other than the bend thing, this keyboard ROCKS!!!!
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Offline Bilbin

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« Reply #32 on: Thu, 23 June 2011, 16:54:07 »
Quote from: ripster;357543
More distortion than a grunge record.

Would've been better if you said DSBM band.
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Offline dreamingftw

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My keyboard project
« Reply #33 on: Thu, 23 June 2011, 17:01:07 »
Looks pretty awsome, good job!
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Offline domin8r

  • Posts: 162
My keyboard project
« Reply #34 on: Fri, 24 June 2011, 02:48:38 »
Quote from: Dox;366484
I've received the cases yesterday and sadly, the bottom part of the case is not a good fit with the top part. All the bends in the plates are too far out. I'll have to get at least the bottom part redone. Anyway, I've already build one and here are some crappy pictures. I'll take more pictures and will post a thread in the mod section when I'll build the second one.

(Attachment Link) 19539[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 19538[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 19540[/ATTACH]

edit: Other than the bend thing, this keyboard ROCKS!!!!

I had to squint a bit at the pics.. but that is looking SWEET!

Not only jealous of that keyboard but that alienware laptop makes me jealous too hehe..

Thanx for the update!
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Offline Lpb45

  • Posts: 481
My keyboard project
« Reply #35 on: Fri, 24 June 2011, 11:07:25 »
Quote from: Dox;366484
I've received the cases yesterday and sadly, the bottom part of the case is not a good fit with the top part. All the bends in the plates are too far out. I'll have to get at least the bottom part redone. Anyway, I've already build one and here are some crappy pictures. I'll take more pictures and will post a thread in the mod section when I'll build the second one.

(Attachment Link) 19539[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 19538[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 19540[/ATTACH]

edit: Other than the bend thing, this keyboard ROCKS!!!!

This looks really nice,  still interested in building one of these.  Eagerly awaiting your info!  I dont know where id get the help to get it CNC milled though.
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Offline Dox

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Update!
« Reply #36 on: Sun, 26 June 2011, 01:56:32 »
Thread posted in the modifications subforum
Here
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