Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 23 June 2014, 03:35:00
It all started with the idea of saving some bucks with layered custom keyboards, so I decided to try ply wood that is relatively inexpensive to laser cut.
This was the idea:
(http://i.imgur.com/AwV9FSp.png)
and this is exploded to see how it works. No visible screws.
(http://i.imgur.com/eN2NQhw.png)
Basically everything is held together by glue. The top frame holds the plate that lays inside an 1.5mm inset.
After one week I had all the raw layers
(http://i.imgur.com/lsq7aR0.jpg)
Wood is a bastard. It takes a lot of carpentry job to make it look nice, and ply is not the nicest of the wood options. Also, while with metal you can be very tight with your measurement, with wood you need a good millimeter of margin. So if you are going to design something similar remember to make everything 1mm larger than it needs to be.
Glued together this is how it looked (still no finish)
(http://i.imgur.com/CkivEDK.jpg)
I added two layers of something that here is called "pore filler" (I don't know the English term, sorry), it is basically a base coat to make the wood water and bugs proof. Then stained with a natural dye.
(http://i.imgur.com/GTQHW8i.jpg)
Lastly I added some wood oil for final protection and also weathered the aluminum plate a little to make the end result uniform.
(http://i.imgur.com/Gg76U12.jpg)
The hole you see under the spacebar is for the teensy.
Time for the home-made PCB.
Before the treatment.
(http://i.imgur.com/qxUoNLp.jpg)
And ready to solder
(http://i.imgur.com/FFctcVu.jpg)
Everything soldered and ready for firmware!
(http://i.imgur.com/E2xUDRO.jpg)
To hold the bottom steel plate to the wood case I used these bad boys. They are wood nuts with just 2mm thread!
(http://i.imgur.com/wE0pLet.jpg)
And this is how the back looks like with those micro-screws
(http://i.imgur.com/W14I3V8.jpg)
A lot of blood and sweat later I finally I have the best keyboard I've ever built (so far) :)
(http://i.imgur.com/G3NEB7a.jpg)
and here with Granite
(http://i.imgur.com/s839c7D.jpg)
If you are interested I will post the full CAD files, I have to make some changes to the prototype to make it perfect first. But as I said, wood is bìtch :P Very easy to work but it took me a lot of time to make it look half decent.
Now since everyone seems scared about how a wood keyboard sounds, this is a sample with MX Blue: https://soundcloud.com/matt3oaudio/robot-65-custom-keyboard-sound-test
The steel bottom seems to add a lot of stability (and ballast) and at the end it eliminates reverberation completely.
Thanks for watching. See you next time!
Post by: Pacifist on Mon, 23 June 2014, 03:48:29
Post by: andares on Mon, 23 June 2014, 04:12:08
Do you have any pictures of the front of the board? The back looks so beautiful that I'm curious about the front!
Also, how did you decide on the spacing for the keys when you made the plate? And could you put the CAD files up?
Thanks!
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 23 June 2014, 04:27:52
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 23 June 2014, 04:51:54
I've been enthralled with your keyboard since you posted on reddit! Thanks for the full writeup.
Do you have any pictures of the front of the board? The back looks so beautiful that I'm curious about the front!
Also, how did you decide on the spacing for the keys when you made the plate? And could you put the CAD files up?
Thanks!
which "front"? you mean the side with the USB port?
If I remember correctly the gap on the arrow cluster is 0.25u, the cad files soon to come (once I made some corrections)
Post by: qwack on Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:12:03
Also, did you have the aluminium plate and wood frames cut by a local shop or did you use an online service?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:19:36
Do you have any pictures of you etching the PCB? I'd love to see more of those pictures.
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:26:43
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:28:30
And I love how the PCB traces look afterwards. It's like you drew them by hand. :D
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 23 June 2014, 07:12:43
And I love how the PCB traces look afterwards. It's like you drew them by hand. :D
I did...
Post by: osi on Mon, 23 June 2014, 07:33:38
Post by: Dubsgalore on Mon, 23 June 2014, 07:58:40
Post by: agodinhost on Mon, 23 June 2014, 08:13:32
:)
Post by: adventurepoop on Mon, 23 June 2014, 09:36:27
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 23 June 2014, 09:36:51
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 23 June 2014, 10:18:54
So the plate is wood? How Much did that cost??
wood case, alu plate, steel bottom. All in all is about $90
Post by: Kakkun on Wed, 25 June 2014, 17:16:31
I know next to nothing about working with wood, but why is a 1mm margin needed?
Thanks!
Post by: Matt3o on Wed, 25 June 2014, 17:19:39
I'm planning to make a wood/steel case as well.
I know next to nothing about working with wood, but why is a 1mm margin needed?
Thanks!
you probably need to sand the wood... you know where I'm going?
if on paper a side should be (say) 100mm make it 101mm. You'll thank me :)
Post by: Kakkun on Wed, 25 June 2014, 17:27:10
Ah, okay. That makes sense.I'm planning to make a wood/steel case as well.
I know next to nothing about working with wood, but why is a 1mm margin needed?
Thanks!
you probably need to sand the wood... you know where I'm going?
if on paper a side should be (say) 100mm make it 101mm. You'll thank me :)
And Matt3o, all your keyboards have been super inspiring, and it's what led me to try and create my own.
Thanks :D
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 26 June 2014, 00:41:14
Post by: Wildcard on Thu, 26 June 2014, 00:44:25
no, sorry no pictures of the etching phase... but you know it's just the PCB in some acid.
Turned out very steam punk. Good work!
Let's see your DSA Retro set on this :)
Post by: HotKillerZzz on Sun, 13 July 2014, 11:50:31
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 13 July 2014, 11:57:15
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 13 July 2014, 14:23:00
Post by: sakai4eva on Wed, 16 July 2014, 04:25:15
No pressure or anything :D
Post by: vivalarevolución on Thu, 17 July 2014, 05:57:23
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 17 July 2014, 08:48:54
Still waiting on the CAD files :P
No pressure or anything :D
working on it... I just got my CNC router and I'm busy setting it up :D
I believe the English word for "pore filler" is sealer or sealant. The substance "seals" all the gaps and protects the wood, like you described.
thanks!
Post by: awong on Thu, 17 July 2014, 08:50:07
Post by: heedpantsnow on Thu, 17 July 2014, 09:35:46
Post by: vivalarevolución on Thu, 17 July 2014, 11:51:15
Post by: user 18 on Thu, 17 July 2014, 12:01:39
Post by: neverused on Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:06:41
Matt3o, would you still mind posting the CAD files as mentioned?
Thanks!
Post by: wakko on Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:10:39
Post by: Matt3o on Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:14:37
Post by: merrysnail on Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:39:01
Post by: neverused on Fri, 15 May 2015, 18:55:36
it is going to be available soon!
Eagerly looking forward to it
Post by: Yoe on Sat, 16 May 2015, 04:34:26
Post by: tjweir on Sat, 16 May 2015, 09:00:26
Post by: berserkfan on Sun, 17 May 2015, 14:06:07
it is going to be available soon!
I hope you mean the files, and not the massdrop group buy. I sense more wallet hackery in progress if you make it too easy for geeks to get hold of your wooden casing...
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 18 May 2015, 02:46:41
it is going to be available soon!
I hope you mean the files, and not the massdrop group buy. I sense more wallet hackery in progress if you make it too easy for geeks to get hold of your wooden casing...
everything will be released (PCB, 3d files, etc...)
the keyboard (in plastic, not wood) will be released soon.
Post by: azhdar on Mon, 18 May 2015, 02:51:25
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 18 May 2015, 03:00:18
I hope it will be avaible with ISO compatibility and fullsize backspace !
Some (but not actually all) of the compatible layouts
(http://i.imgur.com/Kjf8se5.png)
Post by: azhdar on Mon, 18 May 2015, 03:21:22
Seeing the layoutq you posted, there's a lot of combinations possibles, and my dream layout is part of it !
Post by: feizor on Mon, 18 May 2015, 05:10:44
Post by: vivalarevolución on Mon, 18 May 2015, 07:51:40
Post by: Wilba on Mon, 18 May 2015, 09:20:01
That winkeyless layout is perfect!
I agree... I've been wanting a 65% since I saw Matt3o's Brownfox (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45139.0), but sourcing keycaps for that winkeyless layout is a bit easier (no hard-to-find 6U spacebar).
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 18 May 2015, 09:21:49
Post by: berserkfan on Mon, 18 May 2015, 13:54:28
Nice Matt3o, really excited for this.
Seeing the layoutq you posted, there's a lot of combinations possibles, and my dream layout is part of it !
the PCB will come with an optional keycap set to cover all the layouts
I can barely believe it. Matt3o managed to get so many different layouts on the same PCB?
Most fortunately for me I will not be losing any money because this is not a split layout. Whew! But if Matt3o ever started into split layouts... I'm so screwed.
Post by: neverused on Sun, 24 May 2015, 15:14:23
Any progress on the files?
Post by: t8c on Tue, 26 May 2015, 13:07:57
Post by: KHAANNN on Thu, 04 June 2015, 03:13:21
Also thanks for the inspiration, I don't know whether I'm going to use it, but it inspired me to try different materials for a keyboard case, lego being the leading one of them
I was looking for a keyboard to go with your True Retro set, it seems this keyboard / layout would be an awesome choice
Post by: neverused on Sun, 12 July 2015, 03:02:18
it is going to be available soon!
I hope you mean the files, and not the massdrop group buy. I sense more wallet hackery in progress if you make it too easy for geeks to get hold of your wooden casing...
everything will be released (PCB, 3d files, etc...)
the keyboard (in plastic, not wood) will be released soon.
Hi Matt3o,
Is there any chance these files will be released soon?
Thanks!
Post by: yehoshuaf on Sun, 12 July 2015, 09:55:35
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 12 July 2015, 13:39:38
This is just an early prototype
(http://i.imgur.com/k9fbdcw.jpg)
PCB will be white :)
(http://i.imgur.com/goSLfUR.jpg)
Post by: KHAANNN on Sun, 12 July 2015, 13:42:22
can't wait
Post by: neverused on Sun, 12 July 2015, 14:24:05
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 12 July 2015, 16:33:21
Will the original files be made available as you had mentioned before?
yes. it's an open source project.
Post by: neverused on Sun, 12 July 2015, 16:39:37
Awesome! Looking forward to it... Will those be available soon?Will the original files be made available as you had mentioned before?
yes. it's an open source project.
Thank you so much for all you do for this community!
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 13 July 2015, 00:57:13
Post by: whmeltonjr on Sat, 29 August 2015, 01:36:21
Post by: Matt3o on Sat, 29 August 2015, 03:26:47
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sat, 29 August 2015, 07:45:20
Is this still a thing? Looking for a 65% keyboard and like the looks of this one quite a bit.
Lol. This will be a decently big thing. The world needs more 65%.
Post by: neverused on Sat, 29 August 2015, 14:26:31
Post by: jd29 on Sat, 29 August 2015, 15:38:03
10/10, awesome board, especially in granite.
Post by: whmeltonjr on Sat, 29 August 2015, 22:02:17
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 30 August 2015, 08:30:43
Any chance you have a ballpark price on it?
not yet, but it should cost less than you'd expect :)
Post by: Frigid on Sun, 30 August 2015, 14:09:01
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 30 August 2015, 14:50:19
Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/k9fbdcw.jpg)
Hm, how did you made the screws sink in the steel plate that far to be flush with the top surface?
Post by: neverused on Sun, 30 August 2015, 14:53:02
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 30 August 2015, 14:58:04
Post by: neverused on Sun, 30 August 2015, 15:00:18
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 30 August 2015, 15:02:34
Post by: neverused on Sun, 30 August 2015, 15:07:10
See the photo from the OP:
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/d3c7958402e6ec28c90f74eb55bc330a.jpg)
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 30 August 2015, 15:09:27
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sun, 30 August 2015, 15:43:31
Any chance you have a ballpark price on it?
not yet, but it should cost less than you'd expect :)
That sounds enticing.
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 30 August 2015, 17:06:53
So there is no thread left in the steel plate?
the top plate has no threading. no need to.
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 30 August 2015, 18:01:50
Post by: neverused on Sun, 30 August 2015, 18:04:16
Post by: Eszett on Sun, 30 August 2015, 18:13:38
Post by: i3oilermaker on Sun, 30 August 2015, 23:13:53
Love the concept - count me in.
Post by: whmeltonjr on Wed, 23 September 2015, 08:22:49
Post by: neverused on Wed, 23 September 2015, 08:56:16
Post by: Matt3o on Wed, 23 September 2015, 10:21:19
(http://i.imgur.com/ivosmv2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PlvBasw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uqXpQVP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XSdPwgl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8mBLpTO.jpg)
Post by: neverused on Wed, 23 September 2015, 10:23:13
Post by: azhdar on Wed, 23 September 2015, 10:24:53
Post by: neverused on Wed, 23 September 2015, 10:51:37
Post by: whmeltonjr on Wed, 23 September 2015, 11:13:15
Post by: mashby on Fri, 25 September 2015, 16:37:12
Post by: Norman_the_Owl on Fri, 25 September 2015, 18:31:41
How did you make that original PCB?
Is that just the toner onto copper board method? If not, is there a guide you followed (or made, knowing you) to whatever you did?
Post by: ccc24 on Sat, 17 October 2015, 20:08:40
Post by: zlittell on Sun, 18 October 2015, 13:18:48
Post by: ccc24 on Sun, 18 October 2015, 13:52:20
Oh sorry I meant Matt3o's 2mm inserts for attaching the PCB.
ahh ok lol
Post by: zlittell on Sun, 18 October 2015, 15:17:38
Post by: blueangel2323 on Mon, 19 October 2015, 00:15:25
Post by: b4d_tR1p on Thu, 22 October 2015, 09:10:37
Oh that's nice
very nice mate, I want one too :D!
Post by: Norman_the_Owl on Thu, 22 October 2015, 20:43:15
Amazing work! How did you do the green treatment on a DIY PCB?Solder mask, a bunch of diy tutorials on YouTube. Relatively simple, depending on how you do it
Post by: trenzafeeds on Fri, 23 October 2015, 06:24:58
Post by: ccc24 on Sun, 08 November 2015, 17:51:46
Post by: whmeltonjr on Sun, 08 November 2015, 17:54:18
Post by: neverused on Sun, 08 November 2015, 17:54:25
any updates on a GB yet?(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/08/5f4bb57ea556acbef0b71a5dc20557dc.jpg)
Emphasis on ish
Post by: yowaffle on Sun, 08 November 2015, 17:57:58
Post by: phosphoric on Tue, 10 November 2015, 14:43:54
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 12 November 2015, 08:58:41
Anyway we are on track for Christmas. I will really soon post a report of all the process with a lot of pictures!
Post by: Steezus on Thu, 12 November 2015, 09:00:07
the keyboard is ready in all its parts. We just have to put everything together and check that all components fit nicely. Unfortunately every small error requires a lot of time to be fixed (change the project, send to China, wait for the production of the prototype, ...).
Anyway we are on track for Christmas. I will really soon post a report of all the process with a lot of pictures!
Thanks for the update, glad to see it's still on track for Christmas time. :thumb:
Have you thought of a more definite price yet?
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 12 November 2015, 10:55:41
I'm also working on a "special edition" that probably will be a tad more expensive... but it's so darn sexy! You'll see
Post by: Steezus on Thu, 12 November 2015, 10:59:06
I'm aiming at $150 all included, but don't quote me on that :)
I'm also working on a "special edition" that probably will be a tad more expensive... but it's so darn sexy! You'll see
Ooh very exciting, I've always been a fan of your projects so I'm curious to see what you're coming up with. Anywhere around $150 sounds fantastic in my opinion, it seems relatively cheap for a nice custom.
Post by: whmeltonjr on Thu, 12 November 2015, 14:38:08
I'm aiming at $150 all included, but don't quote me on that :)
I'm also working on a "special edition" that probably will be a tad more expensive... but it's so darn sexy! You'll see
Meaning case and PCB? Or?
Post by: Matt3o on Thu, 12 November 2015, 16:18:38
Post by: Rodgaroon on Fri, 13 November 2015, 17:31:41
I'm aiming at $150 all included, but don't quote me on that :)
I'm also working on a "special edition" that probably will be a tad more expensive... but it's so darn sexy! You'll see
Ooh very exciting, I've always been a fan of your projects so I'm curious to see what you're coming up with. Anywhere around $150 sounds fantastic in my opinion, it seems relatively cheap for a nice custom.
Steezus, you better sleep with one eye opened, your wallet is coming for you. Every thread I open you're buying something. :thumb:
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 13 November 2015, 17:35:27
keycaps
Something besides DSA?
Post by: Steezus on Fri, 13 November 2015, 18:04:03
I'm aiming at $150 all included, but don't quote me on that :)
I'm also working on a "special edition" that probably will be a tad more expensive... but it's so darn sexy! You'll see
Ooh very exciting, I've always been a fan of your projects so I'm curious to see what you're coming up with. Anywhere around $150 sounds fantastic in my opinion, it seems relatively cheap for a nice custom.
Steezus, you better sleep with one eye opened, your wallet is coming for you. Every thread I open you're buying something. :thumb:
Haha I can't control myself. I keep telling myself that I'm going to stop but I dhow no signs of it :p. I told myself 2-3 boards a year but I'm already at 6 since late April.
Post by: Matt3o on Sat, 14 November 2015, 01:24:07
keycaps
Something besides DSA?
They are cherry replica in PBT.
Post by: swill on Sat, 14 November 2015, 20:12:56
Keycaps included for 150$ total? This is a very interesting layout and if that is your targeted price point you will likely run a very successful buy with this.keycaps
Something besides DSA?
They are cherry replica in PBT.
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 15 November 2015, 02:35:26
Keycaps included for 150$ total? This is a very interesting layout and if that is your targeted price point you will likely run a very successful buy with this.
well, of course a lot depends on how many we sell... but that would be the target
Post by: whmeltonjr on Mon, 16 November 2015, 21:03:41
Post by: Matt3o on Sat, 28 November 2015, 11:10:48
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=77434.msg1950664
Post by: neverused on Sat, 28 November 2015, 11:14:04
Any hopes of posting the cad files as mentioned?Still waiting on the CAD files
No pressure or anything :D
working on it... I just got my CNC router and I'm busy setting it up :DI believe the English word for "pore filler" is sealer or sealant. The substance "seals" all the gaps and protects the wood, like you described.
thanks!
Post by: Matt3o on Sat, 28 November 2015, 11:38:06
Post by: neverused on Sat, 28 November 2015, 11:44:31
the keyboard will be 100% open source! We just want to release it first. As soon as it is out you'll get all the filesAwesome!