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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: trayke on Mon, 11 April 2016, 08:08:36

Title: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Mon, 11 April 2016, 08:08:36
Decided to finally make an account. I got into the KB scene making wrist rests for people over in the /r/mechmarket.  Looking forward to seeing all the mayhem and joy.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: absyrd on Mon, 11 April 2016, 08:19:54
Welcome. What board(s) you rocking? Pics of rests?
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Mon, 11 April 2016, 08:26:04
Not going to lie, my keyboard is uh, kind of embarrassing, it's just a stock logitech that I don't even like.  My wrists and hands need an ergonomic solution, and I haven't yet pulled the trigger on an ErgoDox.

I've got a small album that I'm terrible about keeping updated here on imgur here: http://imgur.com/a/6wT5k
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: xtrafrood on Mon, 11 April 2016, 14:57:17
Welcome :) What kind of switches do you like?
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 11 April 2016, 15:37:56
Cool wrests! You lightly coat them I see? Or just plain natural?
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Mon, 11 April 2016, 16:25:07
Welcome :) What kind of switches do you like?

I'm too new to the specifics to really know the names, but I tend to be more about the feel.  Think 80s IBM.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Mon, 11 April 2016, 16:28:37
Cool wrests! You lightly coat them I see? Or just plain natural?

Thank you!

I use a few different combinations depending on the type of wood.  Always clear and "natural" (unless otherwise requested) but there is always a varnish on them. Plain wood is just way too inviting of problems.

My 3 most common combinations are:

If it's a wood that has a lot of grain characteristic that I want to show off I will use shellac followed by an oil based urethane from General Finishes.

If it's a wood that I want to provide a deeper/richer feel I will use a coat of danish oil and then oil based urethane.

If it's an exotic or particularly oily wood, I'll use a waterborne varnish.

Usually go with semi-gloss because I want it to shine...but blind.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: chuckdee on Mon, 11 April 2016, 16:55:57
Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: xtrafrood on Mon, 11 April 2016, 17:05:04
Welcome :) What kind of switches do you like?

I'm too new to the specifics to really know the names, but I tend to be more about the feel.  Think 80s IBM.

I started out on an 80s IBM 122-key model F keyboard. IBM is all I can think about! You'll figure it out soon enough :thumb:
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 11 April 2016, 17:10:22
Cool wrests! You lightly coat them I see? Or just plain natural?

Thank you!

I use a few different combinations depending on the type of wood.  Always clear and "natural" (unless otherwise requested) but there is always a varnish on them. Plain wood is just way too inviting of problems.

My 3 most common combinations are:

If it's a wood that has a lot of grain characteristic that I want to show off I will use shellac followed by an oil based urethane from General Finishes.

If it's a wood that I want to provide a deeper/richer feel I will use a coat of danish oil and then oil based urethane.

If it's an exotic or particularly oily wood, I'll use a waterborne varnish.

Usually go with semi-gloss because I want it to shine...but blind.

Really cool man! Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Tue, 12 April 2016, 05:13:51
Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

I've done rests in walnut, Maple (especially spalted maple), red and white oaks, and cherry.  The walnut is definitely the most popular of the domestic lumbers.

I did an exotic lot a couple months ago with Bubinga, Lacewood, Purple Heart, Mora, Dark Jatoba. 

Just recently I started a macassar ebony piece for someone. Ebony is incredibly hard to find in the sizes needed for a wrist rest at a reasonable price. This person bought the piece and had it sent to me for milling. Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous milling it up!  It's coming together beautifully though.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 12 April 2016, 06:05:59
Welcome to Geekhack!

Wow!  Those look great!

I like the look of wood wrist rests - they seem warmer and more inviting than, say, glass.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Tue, 12 April 2016, 07:39:32
Welcome to Geekhack!

Wow!  Those look great!

I like the look of wood wrist rests - they seem warmer and more inviting than, say, glass.

Thank you.  Epoxy and high gloss finishes have their place, but I tend to like the warmth that depth and richness that oil provides.

Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: chuckdee on Tue, 12 April 2016, 09:43:23
Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

I've done rests in walnut, Maple (especially spalted maple), red and white oaks, and cherry.  The walnut is definitely the most popular of the domestic lumbers.

I did an exotic lot a couple months ago with Bubinga, Lacewood, Purple Heart, Mora, Dark Jatoba. 

Just recently I started a macassar ebony piece for someone. Ebony is incredibly hard to find in the sizes needed for a wrist rest at a reasonable price. This person bought the piece and had it sent to me for milling. Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous milling it up!  It's coming together beautifully though.

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 12 April 2016, 09:48:10
Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

I've done rests in walnut, Maple (especially spalted maple), red and white oaks, and cherry.  The walnut is definitely the most popular of the domestic lumbers.

I did an exotic lot a couple months ago with Bubinga, Lacewood, Purple Heart, Mora, Dark Jatoba. 

Just recently I started a macassar ebony piece for someone. Ebony is incredibly hard to find in the sizes needed for a wrist rest at a reasonable price. This person bought the piece and had it sent to me for milling. Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous milling it up!  It's coming together beautifully though.

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

Oh man, a case made with that kind of craftsmanship would be amazing :)
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Tue, 12 April 2016, 12:42:15
Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?


I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 12 April 2016, 12:46:06
Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?


I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?

Oh man, you came to the right place!
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: chuckdee on Tue, 12 April 2016, 14:53:00
Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?


I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?

Unfortunately, I don't know... other than there's a free stuff thread, and someone may even pick it up from here.  I just got into MK hardcore, so my collection is small.  I just wanted a wenge case and rest set.  I just love wenge.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Tue, 12 April 2016, 15:49:03
Unfortunately, I don't know... other than there's a free stuff thread, and someone may even pick it up from here.  I just got into MK hardcore, so my collection is small.  I just wanted a wenge case and rest set.  I just love wenge.

I'm sure once I get comfortable I'll figure something out.  I can help you with the wenge rest, but not so much the case.  yet.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 13 April 2016, 06:02:17
Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?


I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?


Congratulations on your baby :)

If you create a thread in making stuff together (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0) and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB ;)
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Wed, 13 April 2016, 06:52:20

Congratulations on your baby :)

If you create a thread in making stuff together (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0) and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB ;)

Thanks, and thanks for the advice.  I may lurk a while longer to get a pulse of this place and make sure I don't put my foot in my mouth or inadvertently upset everyone.

Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: xtrafrood on Wed, 13 April 2016, 07:29:15

Congratulations on your baby :)

If you create a thread in making stuff together (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0) and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB ;)

Thanks, and thanks for the advice.  I may lurk a while longer to get a pulse of this place and make sure I don't put my foot in my mouth or inadvertently upset everyone.

Well don't be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity is a good thing here at GH
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 13 April 2016, 21:50:45

Congratulations on your baby :)

If you create a thread in making stuff together (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0) and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB ;)

Thanks, and thanks for the advice.  I may lurk a while longer to get a pulse of this place and make sure I don't put my foot in my mouth or inadvertently upset everyone.

Don't lurk!

Participate, then people will get to know who you are.
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: cryptokey on Wed, 13 April 2016, 21:58:41
Welcome to GH!  I really enjoy the natural, wild look of your wooden wrist rests.  Maybe you can get a group buy going in the future if you're up to it.  ;)
Title: Re: From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm
Post by: trayke on Thu, 14 April 2016, 07:07:37
Welcome to GH!  I really enjoy the natural, wild look of your wooden wrist rests.  Maybe you can get a group buy going in the future if you're up to it.  ;)

It's funny you should suggest that. I'm currently coordinating with a veteran geekhacker for a group buy of exotic lumbers to help build my reputation. Limited run of 20 or so.

Keep an ear out