geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: phatmanace on Fri, 05 December 2014, 10:42:11
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Hi folkss,
I'm considering embarking on making my own keyboard - I'd like to build one that is split (a la kenesis freestyle) and that uses mechanical switches, and I've been trying to find somewhere that I could sumit a cad drawing to in order to get the fascia cut.
I live in the uk, and have been struggling to find somewhere that will laser or waterjet cut metal. I've found hobbyist maker shops that will do small batch (i.e 1 or 2) cutting of plywood or acrylic - but they won't do metal, and I've also found places that will do laser or jet cutting of steel, but they are not really aiming at the hobbist.
(my assumption is that 3mm laser plywood is too thick to mount the cherry keys in, but please let me know if I'm wrong)
Alternatively, I've thought of sending a design to china to have it made as I don't mind waiting for the parts to show up.
Has anyone from the UK attempted this before? - I'd be interested in hearing who you used to cut your fascia/mounting plates.
Cheers
-Ace
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Try Yorkshire Profiles, I used them for a 1.5mm ally mounting plate and they were pretty reasonable for a one off piece (well, depending on your definition of reasonable, I think I paid around £100 incl anodizing IIRC).
http://www.yorkshireprofiles.co.uk/
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Send a pm to Mr. Photekq.
He had a keyboard machined from aluminum and brass and he is in the UK!
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He used Yorkshire Profiles, I know because he recommended them to me :D
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Great - Thanks Very much for the lead - much appreciated.