356CL - The Korean DIY Keyboard Kit

[sixty]

This one totally got my attention when another geekhacker found that $500 keyboard from Korea on eBay.

I did a bit of research after that (since I was sure I had seen the case design before on kbdmania and OTD) and finally found out that it is the result of a DIY kit.

It seems that those have been circling the Korean keyboard community for quite some time, since the latest revision just finished shipping now.

Below is information about the 356CL keyboard kit.
The pictures are taken from Miinan on OTD, the questions have kindly been answered by ohdh2003 on KBDMania, when my Korean has been too weak. Thanks again!

Pictures

Set content:


Metal plate and PCB:


Frame (Gunmetal):


Information

Originally Posted by 이상한나라의동화

Q1. Today I found a picture on OTD indicating that this keyboard is some kind of devkit or DIY (Do it yourself) kit for a keyboard?

A1. Yes, it is a DIY product. (One who want to make a keyboard have to prepare cherry switches, keycaps, stabilizers, and a PS/2 cables. He or she can make using soldering tools and hexagonal lench(right spell?).)


Q2. Could anyone please enlighten me with some more information on the 356CL

A2. 365cl is similar to previous editions:

* is the last edition of 356 series. (`cl' means classical, since it doesn't have windows keys)
* It is limited as the same as previous edition.
* It is tenkeyless.

Different things from previous editions:

* It has no windows key.
* It has a bronze chunk to increase weight.
* It is inclined.


Q3. What does the set include?

A3. It contains:

1. (anodized) aluminum housing (two kinds of color exist, black and gun-metal.),
2. a bronze chunk to increase weight,
3. a pcb board,
4. a mouting plate (anodized aluminum),
5. chips for the controller,
6. a rubber band to reduce noise due to vibration of metal plate, and
7. a lot of bolts.

(Am I missed something?)


Q4. Is this still available?

A4. Delivery was just finished. (In some sense, it isn't available.)


Q5. How much does it cost?

A5. It priced around four hundred thousand won (approx. 310 USD).

I guess this explains why the eBay one is already so expensive. At a base price of over 300 dollars its not surprising. But damn, how cool is this? You can basically almost come up with your dream board (assuming you like the layout and can solder). I totally want one.

[timw4mail]

That's really expensive for how labor-intesive that is...I'd love a metal case custom keyboard, but that's really pricey, especially when the switches are another $75-100.

[doornail]

Any idea how do you specify key locations? By programming the controller chip? I would have guessed jumper wires but it looks like all the foil runs are already in place.

[rdh]

The one on ebay used pink Alps switches, though, not Cherry.

Perhaps a different version of the kit?

[sixty]

Originally Posted by rdh

The one on ebay used pink Alps switches, though, not Cherry.

Perhaps a different version of the kit?

Yes, there have been a few different versions already. I assume there have been PCBs for ALPS switches before.

Originally Posted by doornail

Any idea how do you specify key locations? By programming the controller chip? I would have guessed jumper wires but it looks like all the foil runs are already in place.

I believe it uses the LIMKB controller, which is also available separately. If that is the case then it should be freely programmable with software.

[ripster]

I really like the red PCB. I'd put that in an acrylic case to show it off. But... for $300 it better come with a Red Esc key too.

[rdh]

Originally Posted by ripster

I really like the red PCB. I'd put that in an acrylic case to show it off. But... for $300 it better come with a Red Esc key too.

It's pretty all right.

Given the above pictures and description, it doesn't look like it comes with any keycaps.

[Hak Foo]

I've got to wonder if the price is competitive with some sort of "one-off prototype building service" at 400,000KRW + the cost of keycaps and switches and apparently the cable.

[msiegel]

if you guys stay on this track, i smell an open-source keyboard brewing...
an open pcb design, firmware, parts supplier lists, etc :)

[ch_123]

What's the minimum order size for switches from Cherry?

[JBert]

Originally Posted by ch_123

What's the minimum order size for switches from Cherry?

According to Digikey, it's a batch of 250 for blues.

Source:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...&name=CH197-ND

[cb951303]

the matrix design looks pretty clean. also aluminum chassis looks really good.
but it's just too expensive considering extra the cherry switch / keycap prices.

ps: anyone knows what MCU is used in the controller?
ps2: I was thinking about a collaborative custom geekhack project kit but after seeing those switch prices I realised it doesn't make sense.

[talis]

Originally Posted by JBert

According to Digikey, it's a batch of 250 for blues.

Source:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...&name=CH197-ND

Digikey sells singles of them, there's just price breaks at various quantities. The 250 "standard package" is just how many cherry boxes up in a single unit, digikey will break those packages and sell you however many you want.

I've got to wonder if the price is competitive with some sort of "one-off prototype building service" at 400,000KRW + the cost of keycaps and switches and apparently the cable.

A PCB that size from a no tooling PCB house would probably run close to $150-200US by itself, not to mention the case.

[ripster]

Here's a pic of finished version - wild choice of keys.

[cb951303]

superb builds. although I don't like the transparent keycap thing.

what do you think, would be the minimum order for cherry corp to produce us a custom keyboard? considering we have a ready to manufacture design from mechanics to electronics.