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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: deadlyfunzo on Sun, 02 June 2013, 10:05:28
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Hey guys,
Not sure if you have already seen this, but this guy has made some amazing keyboards.
Out of...pretty much everything. He also can remake them for you. For about....oh..$800-$1000
I would be sceptical as to what they would be like to type on. But they certainly look incredible.
http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/keyboards.htm
(http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/baronofcyprus/baronofcyprus1.jpg)
(http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/aviator/datamanceraviator2.jpg)
(http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/industrial/industrialkeyboard2.jpg)
(http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/industrial/industrialkeyboard3.jpg)
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That steampunk stuff is awesome-looking. I hadn't seen that "industrial" model - absolutely wicked!
I can't remember, are these Cherry-based or buckling spring?
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I've always disliked the appearance of these keyboards. They're just far too over the top for my liking.
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That steampunk stuff is awesome-looking. I hadn't seen that "industrial" model - absolutely wicked!
I can't remember, are these Cherry-based or buckling spring?
B/S IIRC.
Also, he kills a vintage typewriter for the keycaps.
His YouTube videos are pretty good.
- Ron | samwisekoi
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That steampunk stuff is awesome-looking. I hadn't seen that "industrial" model - absolutely wicked!
I can't remember, are these Cherry-based or buckling spring?
I can't seem to find anything on the site to say. Only that the noise levels are about a 4 (0 being a scissor switch and 10 being a Model M)
All I know is that I would love an "aviator"
(http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/aviator/datamanceraviator3.jpg)
DAT FINISH
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That steampunk stuff is awesome-looking. I hadn't seen that "industrial" model - absolutely wicked!
I can't remember, are these Cherry-based or buckling spring?
B/S IIRC.
Also, he kills a vintage typewriter for the keycaps.
His YouTube videos are pretty good.
- Ron | samwisekoi
That solves that mystery.
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I've always disliked the appearance of these keyboards. They're just far too over the top for my liking.
I'm more a fan of the art deco style models.
The steampunk ones are abit too...gaudy?
Impressive nonetheless.
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I'm more a fan of the art deco style models.
The steampunk ones are abit too...gaudy?
Impressive nonetheless.
They definitely are impressive. I imagine they're very hard to make. I just dislike the appearance due to the profile of the board itself and due to the keycaps.
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I remember the early ones specifically being Model M's, but because of the drastic change in case, the sound qualities change a bit. The early ones also killed typewriters, but I highly doubt that he does that anymore. He has to make many of the keys custom, anyway (I'm pretty sure typewriters don't have a numpad, a windows key, or function keys!), so I think he makes ALL the keys (or has someone else manufacture them for him) to keep them consistent and to keep the cost down.
Looking at the side views of some of the keyboards, he appears to use Cherry switches for his recent models (most likely blue or green, but I don't see why he doesn't give people the option of clicky or not. Maybe he wants all of his board consistent).
On the topic of style, I enjoy most of the boards' styles. I do find myself liking the simpler ones better (the art deco ones have clean lines and a defined theme). The steampunk ones tend towards a tarnished look that I wouldn't like on a keyboard and seem to use colors that emphasize how out of place they are (even with a fully themed room, some parts are clean, while others have the steampunk brass that don't go as well with each other as say, silver and black). And then there is the industrial one... it just stands out with it's fake scratches...
[Edit: I was wrong about the Cherry switches. He appears to use black ALPS. This video briefly shows him making a keyboard: (Yay! He's not killing a typewriter!)]