NEW! Alps-based TKL Keyboard Project

[agodinhost]

Sorry, not possible without a major change in the current version, as you can see below.

Short Circuit:

[CPTBadAss]

But but but....it was so beautiful!

[jdcarpe]

Yeah, looks like the only way to do it would be to standardize on one layout only. ANSI 125, maybe. The dream remains elusive.

[agodinhost]

Yeah, looks like the only way to do it would be to standardize on one layout only. ANSI 125, maybe. The dream remains elusive.

Yes, I figured it out too.

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

I think this project should be kept Alps only so the pcb can support many layouts. Like Photekq said, we already have the Phantom for anyone that wants a tenkeyless Cherry board.

[CPTBadAss]

I also agree. JadeCarp, we'll make a dream board one day

[calavera]

Yeah make this Alps exclusive, there's already an alps/mx hybrid in the works in a different layout.

[jdcarpe]

Yeah make this Alps exclusive, there's already an alps/mx hybrid in the works in a different layout.

I DO WHAT I WANT!

j/k

This will be Alps-only. To preserve more layouts.

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

This will be Alps-only. To preserve more layouts.

Yea! Now let's get the PCB done so I can order a proto case. 

[Photekq]

Okay there is something I feel we should do. We need to make a standard plate design for this. We don't want to be cutting different plates for each case so I think we should standardise the shape/number of screw holes.

This is the plate at the moment :


This is how I think it should look. I think currently there is an excess of screw holes which will only add to costs :


Another thing we should do is fill any gaps in the case arsenal. Currently we have

-Simple layered case by Raccoon. Should probably be made from acrylic.
-Simple CNC case by me. Could be made from aluminium, polycarb etc.
-Three-piece CNC case by me. Could be made from aluminium, polycard etc.

Are we missing anything? A more complex acrylic/layered case?

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

Okay there is something I feel we should do. We need to make a standard plate design for this. We don't want to be cutting different plates for each case so I think we should standardise the shape/number of screw holes.

This is the plate at the moment :

Show Image

This is how I think it should look. I think currently there is an excess of screw holes which will only add to costs :

Show Image

Another thing we should do is fill any gaps in the case arsenal. Currently we have

-Simple layered case by Raccoon. Should probably be made from acrylic.
-Simple CNC case by me. Could be made from aluminium, polycarb etc.
-Three-piece CNC case by me. Could be made from aluminium, polycard etc.

Are we missing anything? A more complex acrylic/layered case?

Awesome! Can you provide a .dxf file for the plate? Also you mentioned a more complex layered case. Well my plan is to offer one with a ridge/frame and one with exposed switches. This is just the addition or subtraction of one part so it will provide customization with no extra costs. There really isn't any way to make the layer case more fancy though.

[Photekq]

Awesome! Can you provide a .dxf file for the plate? Also you mentioned a more complex layered case. Well my plan is to offer one with a ridge/frame and one with exposed switches. This is just the addition or subtraction of one part so it will provide customization with no extra costs. There really isn't any way to make the layer case more fancy though.

I sure can. I'll post it here once I've gone over a few small things with the three piece CNC case. I just need to make sure the plate will work.

I think I must've been really tired when I saw your case because I thought it had exposed switches. Ok so we have four cases. Simple & complex, layered & CNC. Sounds good

So.. the question remains.. are we missing any cases?

[agodinhost]

Yeah make this Alps exclusive, there's already an alps/mx hybrid in the works in a different layout.

If you mean that one that I did for Matt3o sorry but no one is using it.

[calavera]

No, I'm talking about a project from another forum. It's already in testing stage.

[agodinhost]

No, I'm talking about a project from another forum. It's already in testing stage.

ahhh, could you link it for me? please?

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah make this Alps exclusive, there's already an alps/mx hybrid in the works in a different layout.

Is it the Kingsaver?

So.. the question remains.. are we missing any cases?

I think there's enough options mate

[agodinhost]

I think there's enough options mate

Yup, I do agree too.

[calavera]

No, the Kingsaver is almost done with production and ready for shipping. This hybrid is a personal project from someone in KBDmania.

[Photekq]

I have a few questions I'm hoping someone could answer regarding alps.

Are the stems in the absolute center of the switch?
Are the stems on the keycaps in the absolute center of the keycap?

I'm only asking because the alps plate is completely centered and the top design is taken from the TEK-80. The switch holes should be centered in the cutouts but they aren't.

[alaricljs]

Alps datasheet here.

[Photekq]

Alps datasheet here.

Thanks. Turns out it was just an error in the top.

[Hak Foo]

To me, the dream would be for this sort of thing to come-- all parts, out the door, say with a stock of Matias switches-- for about the price of buying a quality pre-made board.

[agodinhost]

Are the stems in the absolute center of the switch?
Are the stems on the keycaps in the absolute center of the keycap?

"The switches are mounted at 0.75" which is 19.05mm, from center-to-center. That is 1U."

[Photekq]

Okay both CNC cases are finished for the moment. They are 'ready for use' (aside from the usb hole). If they were produced they would be functional but I know for a fact there are some features JD would like to add.

The simple CNC case is as pictured in the OP. It's just a tray with screw holes for the plate.

Here are some more pictures of the complex CNC case. Note that one set of screws holds all three pieces together :






As you can see it's very simple and should be cheap to produce. M3x16 screws should be used.

[agodinhost]

Awesome work man!!
Awesome!

[bueller]

Count me in for this one, just got an Apple M0115 off eBay for $10 so I'll only need a PCB and case

[Tarzan]

So, is it time to start ordering Matias switches from 7bit?  That three-part case design looks beautiful!

[CPTBadAss]

So, is it time to start ordering Matias switches from 7bit?  That three-part case design looks beautiful!

Matias has switches for sale right on their site as well ^__^

[jdcarpe]

So, is it time to start ordering Matias switches from 7bit?  That three-part case design looks beautiful!

Matias has switches for sale right on their site as well ^__^

Link? I couldn't find them...

[missalaire]

So, is it time to start ordering Matias switches from 7bit?  That three-part case design looks beautiful!

Matias has switches for sale right on their site as well ^__^

Link? I couldn't find them...

http://matias.ca/order/index1.php#matiaskeyswitches

[bazemk1979]

$50 for 200 switches is pretty damn good price

[bazemk1979]

Okay both CNC cases are finished for the moment. They are 'ready for use' (aside from the usb hole). If they were produced they would be functional but I know for a fact there are some features JD would like to add.

The simple CNC case is as pictured in the OP. It's just a tray with screw holes for the plate.

Here are some more pictures of the complex CNC case. Note that one set of screws holds all three pieces together :

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

As you can see it's very simple and should be cheap to produce. M3x16 screws should be used.

its awesome that you can buy them separate, but if the price of the top is not too hefty might change my mind and go for full alu case instead waiting for acrylic, time will tell.

[jdcarpe]

Yeah, if we could hopefully offer the simple "tray and plate" aluminum case for $150 or less, and the PCB for around $40, wouldn't that be great? I custom keyboard with aluminum case for less than $200. Plus like $25 for switches.

[Photekq]

Yeah, if we could hopefully offer the simple "tray and plate" aluminum case for $150 or less, and the PCB for around $40, wouldn't that be great? I custom keyboard with aluminum case for less than $200. Plus like $25 for switches.

I think $150 is a good estimate. I seriously doubt it would cost more than $100 for the tray since it's so, so simple. I would also be surprised if the complex case costs more than $200-250.

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

So, is it time to start ordering Matias switches from 7bit?  That three-part case design looks beautiful!

Matias has switches for sale right on their site as well ^__^

Link? I couldn't find them...

http://matias.ca/order/index1.php#matiaskeyswitches

So the order would have to be in multiples of 800 so everyone gets 88 switches. So if we order 800 switches that is enough for 9 people at $27 each based on the price of $60 for 200 switches. So $27 plus keycaps, stabs, pcb, and case.

[bueller]

Hell if they're that cheap I probably won't bother desoldering the caps from my Apple board, not worth the effort!

[y0fate]

I am very interested  If only I was useful and could help 

[Photekq]

Wow. Those Matias switches are cheap.

[bueller]

I've been doing some searching around for the cabling solution and I came across this USB breakout board, anyone think it will prove worthwhile? Seems like it would be a bit more solid as you could screw it into the case, so long as the SMD soldering is good it shouldn't be any worse than production boards. Thinking about the case design that you've done up as well Photekq, do you think it would be a good idea to put a couple of screw threads on the back of the case so we can screw some feet in?

http://www.mindkits.com.au/store/prototyping/breakout-board-for-usb-mini-b

Wound up having to completely rethink my layout today when I realised the function keys from my Apple keyboard are much higher than usual, decided to go for a FC660 clone instead! Want to knock up a plate design in draftsight but I've only got a template for cherry mx switch sizes, anyone got something figured out for the alps switches?

[Photekq]

I've been doing some searching around for the cabling solution and I came across this USB breakout board, anyone think it will prove worthwhile? Seems like it would be a bit more solid as you could screw it into the case, so long as the SMD soldering is good it shouldn't be any worse than production boards. Thinking about the case design that you've done up as well Photekq, do you think it would be a good idea to put a couple of screw threads on the back of the case so we can screw some feet in?

http://www.mindkits.com.au/store/prototyping/breakout-board-for-usb-mini-b

Wound up having to completely rethink my layout today when I realised the function keys from my Apple keyboard are much higher than usual, decided to go for a FC660 clone instead! Want to knock up a plate design in draftsight but I've only got a template for cherry mx switch sizes, anyone got something figured out for the alps switches?

I don't think there's a need for the breakout board. There will be a usb header on the PCB which should be solid enough. It'll make things more simple because all we'll need is a single hole in the case instead of a mount for the breakout board. If I were to add a mount for the breakout board it would really ruin the case. I'd have to make it deeper otherwise the pcb would touch the breakout board etc.

The only time you'd really use a breakout board is if you wanted to convert a pcb with a dedicated wire into a pcb that allows for a detachable cable. Check my signature for my other case project. I will be using a breakout board in this to allow the Phantom PCB to have a detachable cable.

Also, yes jd and I both think feet should be added. They'll be added at a later date.

I can send you the plate file but how come you want a FC660 layout? This is a TKL board not a 60% board.

[bueller]

Fair call on the breakout board! I probably should have explained the FC660 layout better, I plan on building this from hand making everything myself for some practice and then will build a full TKL layout when the PCB's, switches and cases etc are ready. Realistically just doing it to use up the caps and switches I've salvaged from other boards

[Photekq]

Fair call on the breakout board! I probably should have explained the FC660 layout better, I plan on building this from hand making everything myself for some practice and then will build a full TKL layout when the PCB's, switches and cases etc are ready. Realistically just doing it to use up the caps and switches I've salvaged from other boards

Oh I see. Send me a PM if you want the plate file.

[AKIMbO]

I'm foaming at the mouth for this project.   

[bazemk1979]

I'm foaming at the mouth for this project.   

wtf? 

[bazemk1979]

Very curious if DSA profile can be done for Alps switches

[fohat.digs]

I'm foaming at the mouth for this project.   

In the olden days, rabid animals were seen to be "foaming at the mouth" since they were panting heavily and the spittle was agitated.

Clearly, AKIMbO is rabid and panting for one of these boards.

[agodinhost]

I'm foaming at the mouth for this project.   

In the olden days, rabid animals were seen to be "foaming at the mouth" since they were panting heavily and the spittle was agitated.

Clearly, AKIMbO is rabid and panting for one of these boards.

Camels also do it when they want sex - I saw it on discovery channel a few days ago ...

[calavera]

Didn't read the whole thread but what's your situation for stabilizers and matching key caps? I found the stabilizers to be the most trouble some. The quickest/easiest solution I found was to just source them from old boards.

Also, not to thread crap but I currently have a mini in the works that's between the GH60 alps and this awesome TKL project you guys have going on. Check sig.

[Techno Trousers]

Wow, I'm not sure how I missed this thread before, but I'm most definitely interested as long as the price doesn't climb too high (probably a cap of $200 max for me).

Sorry I'm a total noob when it comes to custom keyboards and design considerations, but has anyone ever tried to source standard cases from a manufacturer before? I bought a replacement black top for my QFR from Cooler Master for $10. Maybe they'd be able to sell entire TKL cases to us for $30? If so, a big bonus would be a prefabbed detachable cable point.

To me the most important parts of a keyboard are the solidity of the plate and the feel of the keycaps. A stainless steel plate in a typical plain black plastic case would suit me just fine.

I'll be watching this thread with great interest as it progresses.

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

Though I would let everyone know, AcidFire quoted me $80 to laser cut the acrylic case. Anyone know of anywhere it can be done cheaper?