My first hand wired mechanical Keyboard

[RevLinux]

https://imgur.com/a/FJuFO

Thanks to everyone here.

I did a LOT of lurking, reading, and swearing; but I finally got it finished.

[animal]

Looks good. I like the plate.
Do you have your modifiers upside down?

[RevLinux]

Thanks, it was a good time building this.

I don't think anything is mounted upside-down.

Also, if you like the plate I have plenty of spares (there was an MOQ when I had them made)

[regack]

Thanks, it was a good time building this.

I don't think anything is mounted upside-down.

Also, if you like the plate I have plenty of spares (there was an MOQ when I had them made)

I was about to ask where you got them, but I guess you had them made?  I imagine you could move some of them in the classifieds if you have a bunch of extras, they look good.

[RevLinux]

That's a great idea, I'll have to look at the posting guidelines in the classifieds and put a post together.

Thanks

[RevLinux]

Well, I guess being a filthy  lurker isn't all sunshine and roses.   

My post count isn't high enough to make a post in Classified.

Maybe later.

[regack]

Well, I guess being a filthy  lurker isn't all sunshine and roses.   

My post count isn't high enough to make a post in Classified.

Maybe later.

I forgot all about that, sorry...

[RevLinux]

No need to apologize! 


As a matter of fact, every time you needlessly apologize, I get to needlessly reply, and my post count goes up!

So, thanks! 

[suicidal_orange]

That looks really smooth with the bent plate as a case and the wiring's nice and tidy too - good work!

Are the blues louder without a case around them or less loud as they don't have an echo chamber?

[evangs]

nice looking board, good job!

[RevLinux]

That looks really smooth with the bent plate as a case and the wiring's nice and tidy too - good work!

Are the blues louder without a case around them or less loud as they don't have an echo chamber?

Thanks!  I worked hard on it, and it was a blast to build.  I've built about 4 more since I did this one (trying to burn thru all of these left over plates), and the are all getting easier and more "tidy" as I go.

I'm not sure "less loud" is right, but it seems ... less.  Just less. No echo.  It doesn't seem to "ping" from bottoming out like blues in a case do. It feels more solid than any other (inexpensive) keyboards I have used because of the heavy steel.

Overall, it's the best board I've could hope for.

[RevLinux]

nice looking board, good job!

Thanks!  That means a lot coming from this group.

[studentben]

How long did it take you?

I know you said it was your first hand wired mech, but did you have any soldering experience before?

I was considering starting out a hand wired project, but I'm not sure how long it would take. Someone gave me a soldering iron for Christmas, and it's just been sitting at my desk unused... Haven't soldered since like grade 8 which was a long time ago, so I'm kind of worried about that.

[RevLinux]

How long did it take you?

I know you said it was your first hand wired mech, but did you have any soldering experience before?

I was considering starting out a hand wired project, but I'm not sure how long it would take. Someone gave me a soldering iron for Christmas, and it's just been sitting at my desk unused... Haven't soldered since like grade 8 which was a long time ago, so I'm kind of worried about that.

It took me a looooong time only because I wanted it to be my afternoon hobby. It was really relaxing to work on it (2 of them) every day after work for a few weeks.

If i were to put it into hours, I'd say 10ish. 30 minutes here, 20 minutes there.

I can finish one a LOT more quickly now.

[neverused]

Looks great, do I see both dsa and oem/dcs/cherry profile caps together?

[RevLinux]

Looks great, do I see both dsa and oem/dcs/cherry profile caps together?

Yup, you do.

I was just throwing on leftover caps to get a picture.

[thatllbeme]

That looks great!  What was your technique for bending the metal like you have?

[RevLinux]

That looks great!  What was your technique for bending the metal like you have?

It was part of the custom design I had made. So, the fabrication shop took care of that for me.

[RevLinux]

Thanks, it was a good time building this.

I don't think anything is mounted upside-down.

Also, if you like the plate I have plenty of spares (there was an MOQ when I had them made)

I was about to ask where you got them, but I guess you had them made?  I imagine you could move some of them in the classifieds if you have a bunch of extras, they look good.

I still do not have enough posts to make a thread in Classifieds, so I started a thread on r/MechMarket

https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/44z87d/usoh_h_steel_60_plates_w_paypal/

[regack]

Good luck!  I like that shot of the box of plates

[funderburker]

Really a wonderful build. Wanted to ask about the plate a bit more because I'm searching a shop where to do my own custom plates. Is it cut with a laser cutter/waterjet or CNC'd?
 

[RevLinux]

Really a wonderful build. Wanted to ask about the plate a bit more because I'm searching a shop where to do my own custom plates. Is it cut with a laser cutter/waterjet or CNC'd?

It's laser cut.  I asked about the other methods, but they said that the laser cutter was the most cost  effective and had the tightest tolerances.

[xondat]

I really like the plate/case. I think it's brilliant - I believe GON sells this as the 'skinny' case.

Would you consider other layouts, or PCB compatibility for your future?

[RevLinux]

I really like the plate/case. I think it's brilliant - I believe GON sells this as the 'skinny' case.

Would you consider other layouts, or PCB compatibility for your future?

Never saw that "Skinny" case before. It looks nice.

I think next time I do this, I'll try to make the plate with a hole for the USB port on a PCB.