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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 11:39:46

Title: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 11:39:46: (https://i.imgur.com/JrA5pEd.png)

What do you guys think? Should be relatively simple to make with a silicon cast. Will definitely not slide around on your desk. :D

EDIT: Updated the picture
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Techno Trousers on Tue, 11 September 2018, 12:24:39: Interesting. If it was colored and polished it could look quite nice. But it would chip or break easily if dropped, and might discolor under finger oils and other contaminants (food, etc.). Thinking of how motor oil can easily stain concrete.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: pixelpusher on Tue, 11 September 2018, 12:41:25: Quote from: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 11:39:46
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/vSoaZJ6.png)

What do you guys think? Should be relatively simple to make with a silicon cast. Will definitely not slide around on your desk. :D

It looks really hard to pick up or move around with those straight sides. Not my cup of tea, but the idea is interesting.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: wishful_cynic on Tue, 11 September 2018, 12:49:50: It has been done:

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a23084/concrete-keyboard-diy-build/ (https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a23084/concrete-keyboard-diy-build/)
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: pixelpusher on Tue, 11 September 2018, 12:54:22: true, but the OP's design seems far more elegant
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: AuthenticDanger on Tue, 11 September 2018, 13:07:56: Idea 23 has some 60% cases made of concrete, so it's certainly doable.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 14:17:31: Quote from: Techno Trousers on Tue, 11 September 2018, 12:24:39
Interesting. If it was colored and polished it could look quite nice. But it would chip or break easily if dropped, and might discolor under finger oils and other contaminants (food, etc.). Thinking of how motor oil can easily stain concrete.
Well, if I color and polish it there would be little point to concrete. I kind of like the gritty texture and maybe some random bubbles in there.
I could put some chicken wire into the cast for strength and some clear matte varnish should help against decoloration.

Quote from: pixelpusher on Tue, 11 September 2018, 12:41:25
It looks really hard to pick up or move around with those straight sides. Not my cup of tea, but the idea is interesting.
It would weigh around 2.5 kilos. Maybe some high rubberfeet would make it easier to pick up.

Quote from: AuthenticDanger on Tue, 11 September 2018, 13:07:56
Idea 23 has some 60% cases made of concrete, so it's certainly doable.
I can't find it do you have a link?
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: ErgoMacros on Tue, 11 September 2018, 16:32:09: Maybe this?
https://imgur.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards/y6Ujw
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 17:54:59: Thanks thats cool. Althoug, I think I would put less gravel in the mix.
I've made a new version. I think if I make a silicone mold I can get away with a small undercut at the front.

EDIT: Put the new Rendering in the first post.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: ErgoMacros on Tue, 11 September 2018, 18:08:36: Yes, like the new one better!
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: kriminal on Sat, 15 September 2018, 11:08:22: What about porcelain?

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Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: FoC_Tow on Tue, 18 September 2018, 07:21:09: Absolutely love it!

Only issues I can see is finding a good way to mount plate/pcb.
One option would be fixing threaded inserts in the mold, wich will become enclosed in concrete when pouring the case.

Another option to consider would be cutting plates with an concrete anchoring/reinforcing frame around the actual plate.
This way the hole plate could be enclosed in concrete when pouring, creating a single piece case/plate combo.

The case would have to be open on the bottom, but this would make for a very solid case as the plate is locked into place and even adds reinforcement to the case.

really loving the raw concrete look and shape of the case and will be closely watching where this is going!
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 18 September 2018, 15:18:28: Yes, I think the easiest way would be using the same brass thread inlays like they are used in plastic cases. Then they get moulded in and they case could still be closed at the bottom.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: fpazos on Thu, 27 September 2018, 07:34:45: That's one of the craziest and better ideas I have seen around in GH. I searched if someone did the same using resin but I couldn't find anything.

Quote from: kriminal on Sat, 15 September 2018, 11:08:22
What about porcelain?

The problem of porcelain is that you have to bake it at a really high temperature and, despite you can use it with a mould, it isn't as liquid as concrete.

EDIT: I found it but I didn't realised that you need a preasure pot as big as the case for doing it. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=88062.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=88062.0)
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: kriminal on Thu, 27 September 2018, 23:56:09: Cool, resin looks good though

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Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: DiodeHead on Sun, 30 September 2018, 03:57:39: Quote from: fpazos on Thu, 27 September 2018, 07:34:45
EDIT: I found it but I didn't realised that you need a preasure pot as big as the case for doing it. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=88062.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=88062.0)
oh man those resin cases look good, the big pressure pot probably isn't that big of a problem, Max (from this forum and from youtube make'n'modify) makes one with PVC and since the pressure needed is low, to scale it up from keycaps to keyboard case should be easy. I've seen videos of people doing chambers big enough for a keyboard case and using wood so the tube would not roll off the desk.

Quote from: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 14:17:31
I could put some chicken wire into the cast for strength and some clear matte varnish should help against decoloration.

glass fiber reinforcement is another option. I hope you like this video.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: nevin on Sat, 06 October 2018, 07:19:42: Very interesting.
- Finishing.... patina is the new paint.
- Rubber/silicone mat fixed to bottom or large rubber feet to protect desks.
I do like a heavy case, it makes a world of difference. The case for my GH60/pure is one of the cast ones, good weight & dosen't move. A lot of our smaller boards don't have the material to be heavy enough not to move at the slightest bump.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 06 October 2018, 09:44:59: Quote from: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 11 September 2018, 11:39:46
Should be relatively simple to make with a silicon cast.
But do be sure to use a sturdy mother-mould to minimise the risk of deformation from the sheer weight of the concrete.
I think a vibrating table could be used to reduce bubbles in a cast before it starts to set.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: nevin on Sun, 07 October 2018, 06:23:25: Excellent point.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Mon, 08 October 2018, 14:19:45: I just got my 3D printer so as soon as i've figured the thing out I can print the first positive form. :D

Quote from: Findecanor on Sat, 06 October 2018, 09:44:59
But do be sure to use a sturdy mother-mould to minimise the risk of deformation from the sheer weight of the concrete.
I think a vibrating table could be used to reduce bubbles in a cast before it starts to set.
Good point. I'm sure Kaupo will sell something that is flexible but not too squishy.
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: rachel on Mon, 22 October 2018, 04:41:43: This is such an interesting project/idea. Looking forward for more updates from you ;)
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: 0100010 on Mon, 22 October 2018, 09:46:35: I've been contemplating a concrete "case" to finish up my GH122 (rev 1). Right now it is just plate with standoffs. Functional, just not finished. One of these years...
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: Darknight00z on Mon, 04 February 2019, 15:05:04: Updates?
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: rinkaan on Tue, 05 February 2019, 20:44:20: just a tot,maybe you can use the cheap plastic case thats comes with the chinese kits for gh60 and make a positive and negative mould around the case so the cement moulds around the plastic as a "form" ... that you you get the mounting holes already in place (provided they dont get clogged up)..
Title: Re: Concrete Keyboard?
Post by: JoltFX on Wed, 28 October 2020, 20:57:21: Concret60 for sale currently on zFrontier lol

“𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙠𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙢.”