[Oddforge] VE.A

[roostrc0gburn]

For anyone doing the Holtite mod, how did you handle keys such as Caps Lock or some of the bottom row keys where the sockets won't fit - just solder those specific switches in?

I saw several people use plain ol' SIP sockets for the lock LEDs.

Ah I meant the actual keys themselves - the hole in the PCB seems to be large enough to accommodate the switch pin but not a holtite socket, unless I'm doing something wrong?

nope, you are correct. depending on the layout you have chosen, there are a couple switch leg holes that are slender, and oval-shaped. no way you are getting a holtite in there. they will have to be soldered

[ceflame]

You have to make the oval shaped holes bigger either by drilling it out a bit (recommended) or pushing soldering iron in to make the hole bigger (might wreck your pcb).
I did the soldering iron method and it was a bit messy but it still worked.

[JDragon]

Thanks everyone!

Will just solder in those few switches, shouldn't be too much of a pain to desolder if I want to switch out the switches.

I'm currently looking into getting my B stock kit powder coated and was thinking about leaving the screws in so the threads don't get powder coated - anyone got any better ideas? Worried that the powder coating would fill in the screw heads causing me to be unable to remove them, so was going to put some tape over them but then the powder coating will miss some spots unless I get the tape over the screw heads exactly.

[exitfire401]

Thanks everyone!

Will just solder in those few switches, shouldn't be too much of a pain to desolder if I want to switch out the switches.

I'm currently looking into getting my B stock kit powder coated and was thinking about leaving the screws in so the threads don't get powder coated - anyone got any better ideas? Worried that the powder coating would fill in the screw heads causing me to be unable to remove them, so was going to put some tape over them but then the powder coating will miss some spots unless I get the tape over the screw heads exactly.

Powder coating will fill the threads, but any good powder coating place will cover the threads before spraying

Edit: A few of the places I know of use a low melting point wax. so while spraying, the threads are protected, and while it's baking, the wax leaves the threads

[jal]

I'm currently looking into getting my B stock kit powder coated and was thinking about leaving the screws in so the threads don't get powder coated - anyone got any better ideas? Worried that the powder coating would fill in the screw heads causing me to be unable to remove them, so was going to put some tape over them but then the powder coating will miss some spots unless I get the tape over the screw heads exactly.

I've done some powder coating. Anyone competent will plug holes like that so isn't a problem.

If you do tape anything, you need to use thermal tape that can handle the temperatures - again, anyone who does this professionally should have it on hand. They may charge you a fee for masking, especially if it is fiddly.

You could always have it Cerakoted, too.

Edit: Beaten to the punch.

[JDragon]

I'm currently looking into getting my B stock kit powder coated and was thinking about leaving the screws in so the threads don't get powder coated - anyone got any better ideas? Worried that the powder coating would fill in the screw heads causing me to be unable to remove them, so was going to put some tape over them but then the powder coating will miss some spots unless I get the tape over the screw heads exactly.

I've done some powder coating. Anyone competent will plug holes like that so isn't a problem.

If you do tape anything, you need to use thermal tape that can handle the temperatures - again, anyone who does this professionally should have it on hand. They may charge you a fee for masking, especially if it is fiddly.

You could always have it Cerakoted, too.

Edit: Beaten to the punch.

Thanks, I'm in the Bay Area also - do you have any recommendations for good places? The place I've been talking to at the moment seems sort of hesitant (and didn't even suggest plugs or anything, which I had to Google myself).


I also tried to look up the differences between powder coating and cerakoting and couldn't figure out if there's a strong reason to go one or the other for a keyboard that will see mainly desk use. Any expertise that you can offer there?

Really appreciate the help.

[jal]

Thanks, I'm in the Bay Area also - do you have any recommendations for good places? The place I've been talking to at the moment seems sort of hesitant (and didn't even suggest plugs or anything, which I had to Google myself).

I actually tried two different local places, and was unhappy with both. There is an outfit in Oklahoma I used for kind of a hard, oddball job, and they were very good, but kind of expensive. Also, that was a few years ago, I don't know if things are the same with them. Let me know if you want a reference and I'll dig up the paperwork, I can't remember the name offhand.
[/quote]

I also tried to look up the differences between powder coating and cerakoting and couldn't figure out if there's a strong reason to go one or the other for a keyboard that will see mainly desk use. Any expertise that you can offer there?

Really appreciate the help.

Cerakote is a ceramic coating. It is used frequently on guns. It is very hard and scratch/heat resistant - substantially harder than powder coating. It is also  thinner - it is possible to coat threads, down to some tolerance I can't remember. It costs a fair amount more because it is proprietary, requires special equipment, etc.

My comment about that was a bit of a joke, if not funny. There's really no good reason to use it on a keyboard, in terms of what it is used for - if you're abusing your keyboard that much, there's something else wrong. But, if you like the look of it (it does look distinctive, depending on the color), go for it. Some shops out there also do really fancy stencils and whatnot with it. If you want to look at example fancy applications and don't mind looking at guns, see https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/ . Of course, you'll pay for fancy.

I'd offer to help, but I'm really not very good at powder coating because I hate doing it and the shop I do it at has a poor setup that sometimes causes botched jobs due to people opening the wrong door at the wrong time.  And I would hate to do a crappy job on your VE.A.

[JDragon]

Thanks, I'm in the Bay Area also - do you have any recommendations for good places? The place I've been talking to at the moment seems sort of hesitant (and didn't even suggest plugs or anything, which I had to Google myself).

I actually tried two different local places, and was unhappy with both. There is an outfit in Oklahoma I used for kind of a hard, oddball job, and they were very good, but kind of expensive. Also, that was a few years ago, I don't know if things are the same with them. Let me know if you want a reference and I'll dig up the paperwork, I can't remember the name offhand.

I also tried to look up the differences between powder coating and cerakoting and couldn't figure out if there's a strong reason to go one or the other for a keyboard that will see mainly desk use. Any expertise that you can offer there?

Really appreciate the help.

Cerakote is a ceramic coating. It is used frequently on guns. It is very hard and scratch/heat resistant - substantially harder than powder coating. It is also  thinner - it is possible to coat threads, down to some tolerance I can't remember. It costs a fair amount more because it is proprietary, requires special equipment, etc.

My comment about that was a bit of a joke, if not funny. There's really no good reason to use it on a keyboard, in terms of what it is used for - if you're abusing your keyboard that much, there's something else wrong. But, if you like the look of it (it does look distinctive, depending on the color), go for it. Some shops out there also do really fancy stencils and whatnot with it. If you want to look at example fancy applications and don't mind looking at guns, see https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/ . Of course, you'll pay for fancy.

I'd offer to help, but I'm really not very good at powder coating because I hate doing it and the shop I do it at has a poor setup that sometimes causes botched jobs due to people opening the wrong door at the wrong time.  And I would hate to do a crappy job on your VE.A.

Haha ok powder coating it is. Which were the two local places that didn't pass muster? Would like to avoid them to make sure my VE.A turns out nicely.

[clappingcactus]

For anyone doing the Holtite mod, how did you handle keys such as Caps Lock or some of the bottom row keys where the sockets won't fit - just solder those specific switches in?

I literally threw a hotlite on the socket without doing anything. Works flawlessly on Caps Lock and backward slash. You don't even need to use a soldering iron to heat it into place. For bottom row keys where the sockets won't fit, the keyboard works without a second socket actually! Switches work directly in the provided horizontal pads!!

[clappingcactus]

Done building!







Taking it to a meetup on Sunday and will take better pictures in sunlight!

[clappingcactus]

oops double post

[Gatix]

Done building!

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Taking it to a meetup on Sunday and will take better pictures in sunlight!

Nice build! Silver case with the Penumbra works perfectly!


I'm not much a fan of LEDs in general but I love the backlighting on this keyboard. Here's my VE.A with Carbon:

[alienman82]

removed.

[alienman82]

removed.

[litster]

I designed some wood stands if anyone is interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/5odqm8/ic_wood_vea_wrist_wrests/

alienman82, please make it happen!  I want 2!

[MajorKoos]

Thanks, I'm in the Bay Area also - do you have any recommendations for good places? The place I've been talking to at the moment seems sort of hesitant (and didn't even suggest plugs or anything, which I had to Google myself).

I actually tried two different local places, and was unhappy with both. There is an outfit in Oklahoma I used for kind of a hard, oddball job, and they were very good, but kind of expensive. Also, that was a few years ago, I don't know if things are the same with them. Let me know if you want a reference and I'll dig up the paperwork, I can't remember the name offhand.

I also tried to look up the differences between powder coating and cerakoting and couldn't figure out if there's a strong reason to go one or the other for a keyboard that will see mainly desk use. Any expertise that you can offer there?

Really appreciate the help.

Cerakote is a ceramic coating. It is used frequently on guns. It is very hard and scratch/heat resistant - substantially harder than powder coating. It is also  thinner - it is possible to coat threads, down to some tolerance I can't remember. It costs a fair amount more because it is proprietary, requires special equipment, etc.

My comment about that was a bit of a joke, if not funny. There's really no good reason to use it on a keyboard, in terms of what it is used for - if you're abusing your keyboard that much, there's something else wrong. But, if you like the look of it (it does look distinctive, depending on the color), go for it. Some shops out there also do really fancy stencils and whatnot with it. If you want to look at example fancy applications and don't mind looking at guns, see https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/ . Of course, you'll pay for fancy.

I'd offer to help, but I'm really not very good at powder coating because I hate doing it and the shop I do it at has a poor setup that sometimes causes botched jobs due to people opening the wrong door at the wrong time.  And I would hate to do a crappy job on your VE.A.

Haha ok powder coating it is. Which were the two local places that didn't pass muster? Would like to avoid them to make sure my VE.A turns out nicely.

I've been on a similar quest in to find somewhere in the bay area to powder coat/re-anodize a couple of keyboards for me.
I'm keen to know how your search turns out.

[zefyr]

I designed some wood stands if anyone is interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/5odqm8/ic_wood_vea_wrist_wrests/

Man! This is cool!

[JDragon]

Thanks, I'm in the Bay Area also - do you have any recommendations for good places? The place I've been talking to at the moment seems sort of hesitant (and didn't even suggest plugs or anything, which I had to Google myself).

I actually tried two different local places, and was unhappy with both. There is an outfit in Oklahoma I used for kind of a hard, oddball job, and they were very good, but kind of expensive. Also, that was a few years ago, I don't know if things are the same with them. Let me know if you want a reference and I'll dig up the paperwork, I can't remember the name offhand.

I also tried to look up the differences between powder coating and cerakoting and couldn't figure out if there's a strong reason to go one or the other for a keyboard that will see mainly desk use. Any expertise that you can offer there?

Really appreciate the help.

Cerakote is a ceramic coating. It is used frequently on guns. It is very hard and scratch/heat resistant - substantially harder than powder coating. It is also  thinner - it is possible to coat threads, down to some tolerance I can't remember. It costs a fair amount more because it is proprietary, requires special equipment, etc.

My comment about that was a bit of a joke, if not funny. There's really no good reason to use it on a keyboard, in terms of what it is used for - if you're abusing your keyboard that much, there's something else wrong. But, if you like the look of it (it does look distinctive, depending on the color), go for it. Some shops out there also do really fancy stencils and whatnot with it. If you want to look at example fancy applications and don't mind looking at guns, see https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/ . Of course, you'll pay for fancy.

I'd offer to help, but I'm really not very good at powder coating because I hate doing it and the shop I do it at has a poor setup that sometimes causes botched jobs due to people opening the wrong door at the wrong time.  And I would hate to do a crappy job on your VE.A.

Haha ok powder coating it is. Which were the two local places that didn't pass muster? Would like to avoid them to make sure my VE.A turns out nicely.

I've been on a similar quest in to find somewhere in the bay area to powder coat/re-anodize a couple of keyboards for me.
I'm keen to know how your search turns out.

The only place that's bothered to respond to me has been Leon's Powder Coating in Oakland/Santa Clara, and even then they don't seem too keen on helping. The search continues...

[Gatix]

Done building!

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Taking it to a meetup on Sunday and will take better pictures in sunlight!

Nice build! Silver case with the Penumbra works perfectly!


I'm not much a fan of LEDs in general but I love the backlighting on this keyboard. Here's my VE.A with Carbon:

Show Image

Just curious.

Do you use the left shift?  Why not flip the fn key.

I don't flip at all, so I was wondering

I touch type so I use both left and right shift.

I actually have the fn flipped now so my thumb rests there. I had to flip it as it offsets my keypresses to the left which is so annoying. I guess because my hand pivots from my thumbs..

[alienman82]

removed.

[Jedi]

You had me at Ve.A and IC.

[clappingcactus]

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

[[Lewynlight]]

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

this this this this this

[MajorKoos]

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

this this this this this

I've managed to collect an extra PCB and STS plate along the way.
My hope is to make a case with a polycarb base - super bling.

[clappingcactus]

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

this this this this this

I've managed to collect an extra PCB and STS plate along the way.
My hope is to make a case with a polycarb base - super bling.

Given the way it's assembled I'm not expecting a lot of light to get through! It might not be as bling-y as you think?

There's a 3D scanner that's open access in my city. Some time in the next month or so I'll go there to see if I can scan the polycarb insert accurately so that I could have a metal one milled.

Will report back with my findings.

[MajorKoos]

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

this this this this this

I've managed to collect an extra PCB and STS plate along the way.
My hope is to make a case with a polycarb base - super bling.

Given the way it's assembled I'm not expecting a lot of light to get through! It might not be as bling-y as you think?

There's a 3D scanner that's open access in my city. Some time in the next month or so I'll go there to see if I can scan the polycarb insert accurately so that I could have a metal one milled.

Will report back with my findings.

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

this this this this this

I've managed to collect an extra PCB and STS plate along the way.
My hope is to make a case with a polycarb base - super bling.

Given the way it's assembled I'm not expecting a lot of light to get through! It might not be as bling-y as you think?

There's a 3D scanner that's open access in my city. Some time in the next month or so I'll go there to see if I can scan the polycarb insert accurately so that I could have a metal one milled.

Will report back with my findings.

This is my inspiration : http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?document_srl=4037322&mid=board_Lsno50
It's just the bottom half of the case I want to do in all polycarb.

[clappingcactus]

In which case you might want to do a polycarbonate insert/base in one piece!

[MajorKoos]

In which case you might want to do a polycarbonate insert/base in one piece!

Exactly what I'm after!

[[Lewynlight]]

as i'm looking for more weight (and less bling) i think it would be so amazing to replace the polycarbonate insert with stainless/brass insert.
i'll be waiting for the update of this project!

[MandrewDavis]

I have an extra PCB laying around, hopefully can get Matias those PBT caps into production soon!

[zefyr]

Hey Zefyr, any chance you can share the Polycarbonate shape file with us?

I was thinking of maybe getting a custom brass or tungsten weight made for the keyboard and using it instead of the shine-through spacer.

No chance.

[swangful]

Will there be another drop for this keyboard?
I just discovered this beauty.

[dead_pixel_design]

Will there be another drop for this keyboard?
I just discovered this beauty.

They are in process of working toward a second version, but I don't think there has been official word yet. Keep your eyes peeled, details will be posted here when they are available!

[clappingcactus]

Does anyone know how to make it so that a button (on a function layer for example) types an upper case or shifted character? so pressing a button would type "$" instead of "4" with no need for holding shift.

[ReadmeDotTxt]

Thanks, I'm in the Bay Area also - do you have any recommendations for good places? The place I've been talking to at the moment seems sort of hesitant (and didn't even suggest plugs or anything, which I had to Google myself).

I actually tried two different local places, and was unhappy with both. There is an outfit in Oklahoma I used for kind of a hard, oddball job, and they were very good, but kind of expensive. Also, that was a few years ago, I don't know if things are the same with them. Let me know if you want a reference and I'll dig up the paperwork, I can't remember the name offhand.

I also tried to look up the differences between powder coating and cerakoting and couldn't figure out if there's a strong reason to go one or the other for a keyboard that will see mainly desk use. Any expertise that you can offer there?

Really appreciate the help.

Cerakote is a ceramic coating. It is used frequently on guns. It is very hard and scratch/heat resistant - substantially harder than powder coating. It is also  thinner - it is possible to coat threads, down to some tolerance I can't remember. It costs a fair amount more because it is proprietary, requires special equipment, etc.

My comment about that was a bit of a joke, if not funny. There's really no good reason to use it on a keyboard, in terms of what it is used for - if you're abusing your keyboard that much, there's something else wrong. But, if you like the look of it (it does look distinctive, depending on the color), go for it. Some shops out there also do really fancy stencils and whatnot with it. If you want to look at example fancy applications and don't mind looking at guns, see https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/ . Of course, you'll pay for fancy.

I'd offer to help, but I'm really not very good at powder coating because I hate doing it and the shop I do it at has a poor setup that sometimes causes botched jobs due to people opening the wrong door at the wrong time.  And I would hate to do a crappy job on your VE.A.

Haha ok powder coating it is. Which were the two local places that didn't pass muster? Would like to avoid them to make sure my VE.A turns out nicely.

I've been on a similar quest in to find somewhere in the bay area to powder coat/re-anodize a couple of keyboards for me.
I'm keen to know how your search turns out.

The only place that's bothered to respond to me has been Leon's Powder Coating in Oakland/Santa Clara, and even then they don't seem too keen on helping. The search continues...

I'd recommend Gilbert Spray in Santa Clara.  The company I work for has used them for years. They use Cardinal brand powdercoat materials. Check them out and let me know what you find.

[MajorKoos]

...

I'd recommend Gilbert Spray in Santa Clara.  The company I work for has used them for years. They use Cardinal brand powdercoat materials. Check them out and let me know what you find.

Thanks.  Much appreciated.

[N35]

Since this GB is over how do I get one of these?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[ArchDill]

Since this GB is over how do I get one of these?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Mech Market on Reddit is your best bet. Good luck!

[N35]

Since this GB is over how do I get one of these?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Mech Market on Reddit is your best bet. Good luck!

Thanks, not sure I'll get what I want there.

I can't buy some pcbs that will enable me to build it myself? Or something similar?


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[ArchDill]

Since this GB is over how do I get one of these?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Mech Market on Reddit is your best bet. Good luck!

Thanks, not sure I'll get what I want there.

I can't buy some pcbs that will enable me to build it myself? Or something similar?


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

As far as I know, there has only been one GB for it. So you will have to get it second hand or wait for the next GB.

[N35]

Since this GB is over how do I get one of these?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Mech Market on Reddit is your best bet. Good luck!

Thanks, not sure I'll get what I want there.

I can't buy some pcbs that will enable me to build it myself? Or something similar?


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

As far as I know, there has only been one GB for it. So you will have to get it second hand or wait for the next GB.

Ah, bummer. I'll go look for a second hand.

Is there any difference in terms of me wanting a large enter keys and Danish letters?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[N35]

Since this GB is over how do I get one of these?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Mech Market on Reddit is your best bet. Good luck!

Thanks, not sure I'll get what I want there.

I can't buy some pcbs that will enable me to build it myself? Or something similar?


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

As far as I know, there has only been one GB for it. So you will have to get it second hand or wait for the next GB.

Alternatively, where can I see if the poster is interested in doing a other GB?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[dead_pixel_design]

Alternatively, where can I see if the poster is interested in doing a other GB?

Oddforge is not going to be doing another groupbuy for the VE.A but will be releasing a version 2 likely this year. It will be posted here when they do.

[romevi]

Alternatively, where can I see if the poster is interested in doing a other GB?

Oddforge is not going to be doing another groupbuy for the VE.A but will be releasing a version 2 likely this year. It will be posted here when they do.

Neat!

[swangful]

Alternatively, where can I see if the poster is interested in doing a other GB?

Oddforge is not going to be doing another groupbuy for the VE.A but will be releasing a version 2 likely this year. It will be posted here when they do.

Neat!

Can't wait for v2. Not going to miss this one this time around.

[MandrewDavis]

Hey, it's my hobby please do not forget that.

Some guys already talks about another round.
That is "A LOT OF PRESSURE" on me.
I absolutely have NO plan for another round.

Thanks to you all!

We will be back soon with brand new design!

I wouldn't count on a VE.A R2 per se, but anything Oddforge puts out will be fantastic!

[alienman82]

removed.

[dead_pixel_design]

...
We actually have plan for next version of VE.A.
Our new VE.A has other surface, not anodizing.
...
But as always it is just plan, we dont guarantee anything.
...

[FoC_Tow]

...
We actually have plan for next version of VE.A.
Our new VE.A has other surface, not anodizing.
...
But as always it is just plan, we dont guarantee anything.
...

From where/when is this quote?

A new VE.A gb would be amazing but I guess chances of this happening any time soon are rather slim...

[dead_pixel_design]

From where/when is this quote?

DM. That wasn't the whole message, and OF is hopeful, so stay tuned, but I don't want to throw them under the bus by giving out any specifics