Author Topic: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom  (Read 26019 times)

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Offline Matt3o

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The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 03:35:00 »
I'm finally ready to show my latest creation to the world :)

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:



and this is exploded to see how it works. No visible screws.



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



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)



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.



Lastly I added some wood oil for final protection and also weathered the aluminum plate a little to make the end result uniform.



The hole you see under the spacebar is for the teensy.

Time for the home-made PCB.

Before the treatment.



And ready to solder



Everything soldered and ready for firmware!



To hold the bottom steel plate to the wood case I used these bad boys. They are wood nuts with just 2mm thread!



And this is how the back looks like with those micro-screws



A lot of blood and sweat later I finally I have the best keyboard I've ever built (so far) :)



and here with Granite



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!

Offline Pacifist

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 03:48:29 »
65 is very beautiful

Offline andares

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 04:12:08 »
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!

Offline Melvang

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 04:27:52 »
That is one damn nice looking board.
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Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #4 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)

Offline qwack

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:12:03 »
Great work! I love your home-made PCB, dis you just draw the wires with a marker-pen then etch the board? It looks much easier than the usual ironing method.

Also, did you have the aluminium plate and wood frames cut by a local shop or did you use an online service?

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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:19:36 »
Best keyboard you ever made? I don't believe it. Steelbeauty or Happy Hacking fox are my favorites! But this one is quite nice :D.

Do you have any pictures of you etching the PCB? I'd love to see more of those pictures.

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:26:43 »
no, sorry no pictures of the etching phase... but you know it's just the PCB in some acid.

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 06:28:30 »
But it's so cool and mad scientist-y! :(

And I love how the PCB traces look afterwards. It's like you drew them by hand. :D

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #9 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...

Offline osi

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 07:33:38 »
She's a beaut!

Offline Dubsgalore

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 07:58:40 »
ooo I like

Offline agodinhost

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 08:13:32 »
Again, awesome work Matt3o!
 :)
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Offline adventurepoop

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 09:36:27 »
So the plate is wood? How Much did that cost??

Offline jdcarpe

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 23 June 2014, 09:36:51 »
Instant classic, as always.
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Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #15 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

Offline Kakkun

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 25 June 2014, 17:16:31 »
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!

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #17 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 :)

Offline Kakkun

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 25 June 2014, 17:27:10 »
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 :)
Ah, okay. That makes sense.
And Matt3o, all your keyboards have been super inspiring, and it's what led me to try and create my own.
Thanks :D

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #19 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 00:41:14 »
you are most welcome. that's the reason I'm posting them here :)

Offline Wildcard

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #20 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 :)

Offline HotKillerZzz

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #21 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 11:50:31 »
can we have the cad files?

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #22 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 11:57:15 »
yes, sorry I've been swamped these weeks. I have to make some corrections to the CAD files and I'll post everything. Promise!

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #23 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 14:23:00 »
Not sure how I missed this, but this is pure awesome.

Offline sakai4eva

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 16 July 2014, 04:25:15 »
Still waiting on the CAD files :P

No pressure or anything :D

Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 17 July 2014, 05:57:23 »
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.
Wish I had some gif or quote for this space, but I got nothing

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #26 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!

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #27 on: Thu, 17 July 2014, 08:50:07 »
Where do I buy Robot-65?

Offline heedpantsnow

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #28 on: Thu, 17 July 2014, 09:35:46 »
Wow, beautiful job!  I'm making a little KB base right now but this blows me away both in the way you made everything including the KB internals and also the result is so perfect and professional looking.  Awesome!  :thumb: :thumb:
I'm back.

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Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 17 July 2014, 11:51:15 »
If you treat it nicely, I wonder what the longevity of a wood case would be with regular use.
Wish I had some gif or quote for this space, but I got nothing

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #30 on: Thu, 17 July 2014, 12:01:39 »
Downright beautiful board. I love homemade PCBs, everything always looks so organic.
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Offline neverused

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:06:41 »
I know that is an old post, but this is beautiful.

Matt3o, would you still mind posting the CAD files as mentioned?

Thanks!

Offline wakko

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:10:39 »
That's awesome. Love the layout
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Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #33 on: Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:14:37 »
it is going to be available soon!

Offline merrysnail

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #34 on: Fri, 15 May 2015, 13:39:01 »
Nice work! I like it!
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Offline neverused

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #35 on: Fri, 15 May 2015, 18:55:36 »


it is going to be available soon!

Eagerly looking forward to it

Offline Yoe

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #36 on: Sat, 16 May 2015, 04:34:26 »
Gorgeous board! And I want to learn how to make PCBs like that. Looks absolutely awesome!

Offline tjweir

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #37 on: Sat, 16 May 2015, 09:00:26 »
This looks amazing, great work matt3o!

Offline berserkfan

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #38 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...
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #39 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.

Offline azhdar

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #40 on: Mon, 18 May 2015, 02:51:25 »
I hope it will be avaible with ISO compatibility and fullsize backspace !
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Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #41 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


Offline azhdar

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #42 on: Mon, 18 May 2015, 03:21:22 »
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 !
Azerty Propagandiste

Offline feizor

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #43 on: Mon, 18 May 2015, 05:10:44 »
That winkeyless layout is perfect!

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #44 on: Mon, 18 May 2015, 07:51:40 »
Matteo sold one of his builds of this keyboard to me awhile back.  Love it.  I think it's the best layout you can have without feeling like you are sacrificing anything (unless you really love F-keys), and it's compatible with most keysets with that 6.25 spacebar and 1.25 mods.
Wish I had some gif or quote for this space, but I got nothing

Offline Wilba

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #45 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, but sourcing keycaps for that winkeyless layout is a bit easier (no hard-to-find 6U spacebar).

Offline Matt3o

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #46 on: Mon, 18 May 2015, 09:21:49 »
the PCB will come with an optional keycap set to cover all the layouts

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #47 on: Mon, 18 May 2015, 13:54:28 »
I can
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.
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline neverused

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #48 on: Sun, 24 May 2015, 15:14:23 »
Hi Matt3o,

Any progress on the files?

Offline t8c

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Re: The Robot-65 (aka: Elf Board): Wood + Alu + Steel custom
« Reply #49 on: Tue, 26 May 2015, 13:07:57 »
Very excited about this one as well. You are doing god's work for us 65-75 %-ers!!