Author Topic: Live streaming a Custom Keyboard in 5 Weeks (Read 5566 times)

woodkeys · « **on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 13:58:21 »

This is a 5 episode weekly live stream to design and build a keyboard from scratch. I will start with a layout, refine that using KLE, then design the PCB using KiCAD and the case using Fusion 360. These will then be built and assembled on the stream.

Follow me on Twitch for notifications

2 hours each week, Mondays 9-11pm CDT - April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Week 1: Layout in KLE and PCB design.
Week 2: Case design in Fusion 360. Will include CAM tool paths and rendering if time permits
Week 3: PCB assembly. SMD components will be soldered using a stencil to apply solder paste and an electric griddle to reflow the PCB.
Week 4: Machine the case from wood using a CNC router. Sand the case, apply initial coat of finish.
Week 5: Complete case and final assembly, programming, and testing.

I want to get some input from the community on the design. To start, what layout? Post a KLE link or image of the layout you'd like to see below. Later this week I'll collect all the submissions and have a vote on the design.

No, it won't be a castle. No, it won't have cup holders.

I'd like to keep it around 60% or smaller, but I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Update: Vote on the layout.

MatchstickMan · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 14:11:59 »

Go big or go home! Give us a Dactly!

But really, this is awesome. I'll definitely be tuning in!

woodkeys · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 15:18:28 »

Quote from: MatchstickMan on Mon, 26 March 2018, 14:11:59

Go big or go home! Give us a Dactly!

But really, this is awesome. I'll definitely be tuning in!

Yeah, dactyl is a different beast. Looking for something a little more conformist

Acereconkeys · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 15:20:08 »

Could you maybe do something with split spacebar?

p_blaze · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 15:23:37 »

ortholinear ergo with hinges in the middle for tenting

woodkeys · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 16:36:07 »

Quote from: Acereconkeys on Mon, 26 March 2018, 15:20:08

Could you maybe do something with split spacebar?

Yeah, if I do a 60% size it would most likely have split spacebar.

woodkeys · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 16:37:24 »

Quote from: p_blaze on Mon, 26 March 2018, 15:23:37

ortholinear ergo with hinges in the middle for tenting

Sounds interesting. What if you wanted to tent and rotate though?

p_blaze · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 17:05:44 »

Quote from: woodkeys on Mon, 26 March 2018, 16:37:24

Quote from: p_blaze on Mon, 26 March 2018, 15:23:37
ortholinear ergo with hinges in the middle for tenting
Sounds interesting. What if you wanted to tent and rotate though?

Detachable hinges, with a clasp or snap-in assembly? I'm not familiar with detachable hinges, but I know there should be a couple that are easy to machine.

gr4v3m4n · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 26 March 2018, 20:12:00 »

i really want to learn to use kicad and fusion, i definitely going to watch this. if you can save it on youtube so i can watch it over and over again that would be great

i dont know if you can do that on twitch i’m a noob twitch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

woodkeys · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 27 March 2018, 15:22:32 »

Quote from: gr4v3m4n on Mon, 26 March 2018, 20:12:00

i really want to learn to use kicad and fusion, i definitely going to watch this. if you can save it on youtube so i can watch it over and over again that would be great i dont know if you can do that on twitch i’m a noob twitch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome, look forward to seeing you there. Yes, it will be available on twitch and youtube shortly after the live broadcast.

pixelpusher · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 27 March 2018, 15:32:21 »

very cool. Following.

Are you planning to make more high profile wood cases at some point? I'd love a tada an a 60% case.

jimirolln · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 28 March 2018, 11:05:20 »

woodkeys · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 28 March 2018, 16:17:40 »

Quote from: reececonrad on Tue, 27 March 2018, 15:32:21

very cool. Following.

Are you planning to make more high profile wood cases at some point? I'd love a tada an a 60% case.

Funny you should ask that. I just got a tada 68 to make a case for it.

pixelpusher · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 28 March 2018, 16:32:31 »

Quote from: woodkeys on Wed, 28 March 2018, 16:17:40

Quote from: reececonrad on Tue, 27 March 2018, 15:32:21
very cool. Following.

Are you planning to make more high profile wood cases at some point? I'd love a tada an a 60% case.

Funny you should ask that. I just got a tada 68 to make a case for it.

Huzzah! pretty please make it high profile and I'll buy one if not two

woodkeys · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 31 March 2018, 16:53:46 »

Be sure to Vote on the layout!

jimirolln · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 31 March 2018, 17:20:34 »

jimirolln · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 31 March 2018, 18:30:56 »

woodkeys · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 31 March 2018, 22:00:40 »

Quote from: jimirolln on Sat, 31 March 2018, 17:20:34

i realize being lazy with the kle may have left the door open to interpretation for the top of the layout

if that is not the reason my entry was invalid feel free to disregard...if i misinterpreted the conditions of entry for valid layouts or this thread was not intended to be a platform for entries...please forgive me...ty

My apologies, I missed your submission in my rush post the poll. Adding it now.

jimirolln · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 01 April 2018, 08:19:11 »

woodkeys · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 06 April 2018, 10:54:36 »

If you missed the stream, we are building an HHKB with arrows. The videos are archived on YouTube if you can't watch it live. This week we will be designing the case, which should go much more smoothly than the PCB design. I hope to have all the technical kinks with the streaming worked out as well.

Giorgio · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 07 April 2018, 11:39:41 »

Quote from: jimirolln on Sun, 01 April 2018, 08:19:11

...

That's the most intelligent thing you've ever said.

jimirolln · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 07 April 2018, 16:15:41 »

Quote from: Giorgio on Sat, 07 April 2018, 11:39:41

Quote from: jimirolln on Sun, 01 April 2018, 08:19:11
...

That's the most intelligent thing you've ever said.

dude...are you following me around just to let people know you can't get off my pecans...bruh...it must hurt to be so wise and smart and ish...let it go...your makn yourself look bad

woodkeys · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 10 April 2018, 13:14:03 »

Week 2 stream is up on youtube if you missed it: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxgHppdvkbTYTnRF63Blz3DVFKMa9-mus

emenelopee · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 10 April 2018, 14:15:50 »

The first ep. is a little hard to follow - it seems some of the windows are appearing off screen (the component auto-numbering in particular), and we can't see your cursor when you are I assume pointing to items your talking about. The auto-generation of the layout in the script you were using also lost me.

Otherwise looking great so far!

woodkeys · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 10 April 2018, 14:50:31 »

Quote from: emenelopee on Tue, 10 April 2018, 14:15:50

The first ep. is a little hard to follow - it seems some of the windows are appearing off screen (the component auto-numbering in particular), and we can't see your cursor when you are I assume pointing to items your talking about. The auto-generation of the layout in the script you were using also lost me.

Otherwise looking great so far!

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, there were some technical issues with the first episode. I plan to do another series just on the PCB design, it's way more than I could cover in the 2 hours.

KaidaT · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 23 April 2018, 03:48:23 »

Darn, I missed the first four sessions. I'll try to catch up before the 30th. Looking forward to learning!

woodkeys · « **Reply #26 on:** Thu, 26 April 2018, 10:59:47 »

Quote from: KaidaT on Mon, 23 April 2018, 03:48:23

Darn, I missed the first four sessions. I'll try to catch up before the 30th. Looking forward to learning!

I still need to get weeks 3 and 4 posted. Thanks for the reminder.

woodkeys · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 02 May 2018, 03:06:56 »

All videos are now available on YouTube. A few people asked, and yes, these will be available for sale. Here is a link to the product page where you can join the waitlist if you are interested.

News:

Author Topic: Live streaming a Custom Keyboard in 5 Weeks (Read 5566 times)