First Project: Custom 65%

[nanofortnight]

As a first experiment I'll be making a simple, pretty standard keyboard.

The Layout:



I'm planning to this by cutting an aluminium or a stainless steel plate; I've found a service in the UK that has a minimum sheet size of 1m x 2m, so I'll probably fill up the rest of the space with Ergodox top layer plates or something. Not entirely sure what to do with it, ideas are welcome.

Will be using Cherry MX switches, haven't decided which: I'm planning to order a sampling of switches from 7bit to try out all of them. I quite like the blues, but it might be annoying in public so I'll see if I like the browns.

Need to order stabilises from somewhere, I'm guessing any old electronics supplier would probably have a few in stock. Same with diodes.

[Findecanor]

Surely, you must be able to find a place that can cut a smaller plate...

For stabilisers, there are three types: Costar-style plate-mounted, Cherry-style plate-mounted and Cherry PCB-mounted.
Costar-style stabilisers are available from WASD Keyboards and a few other places too. I have seen all three types in the Marketplace, but I don't know if any is available right now.
Be aware that you need sub-millimetre accuracy when placing the stabiliser holes - easiest way to get it right would be to copy from an existing CAD file.

I also see that you have a Macro key in your layout. I don't know of any existing open-source firmware that supports macro recording but I think that Hasu's "TMK" firmware supports playback of key sequences.

[doub]

How much do they charge you for that 1m x 2m? I'm also currently in the UK and looking for a laser cut custom backplane.

[CPTBadAss]

Deskthority had a GB on custom plates. I know Matt3o was heading that up. Don't know if that's still going on but if you're in the UK, shipping from Italy is probably better than from Stateside.

[nanofortnight]

Surely, you must be able to find a place that can cut a smaller plate...

I'm quite sure they'd let me cut a smaller sheet if I can source it — need to ask them to confirm that.

For stabilisers, there are three types: Costar-style plate-mounted, Cherry-style plate-mounted and Cherry PCB-mounted.
Costar-style stabilisers are available from WASD Keyboards and a few other places too. I have seen all three types in the Marketplace, but I don't know if any is available right now.
Be aware that you need sub-millimetre accuracy when placing the stabiliser holes - easiest way to get it right would be to copy from an existing CAD file.

Noted, I might want to see what type I can get my hands on before drawing it up.

I also see that you have a Macro key in your layout. I don't know of any existing open-source firmware that supports macro recording but I think that Hasu's "TMK" firmware supports playback of key sequences.

Not going to be a problem, I can always write my own firmware if necessary.

How much do they charge you for that 1m x 2m? I'm also currently in the UK and looking for a laser cut custom backplane.

I'd be willing to put you on this, if I do go through with this. I'll get a quote and let you know.

Deskthority had a GB on custom plates. I know Matt3o was heading that up. Don't know if that's still going on but if you're in the UK, shipping from Italy is probably better than from Stateside.

Thanks for the heads up, but that doesn't look like it's still running.

[bearcat]

Out of curiosity, what are the terms you used to find this?  General machine shops don't seem to want to do it, even at a 1mx2m size, and i don't know what to look for, exactly.  "high precision sheet metal cutting" ? 
How are they marketing it?


Also, really like that layout... a little tough to find keycaps, maybe   Where's backspace? 

[MKULTRA]

It will be tough to find spacebars for that..  Goodluck though!

[nanofortnight]

Out of curiosity, what are the terms you used to find this?  General machine shops don't seem to want to do it, even at a 1mx2m size, and i don't know what to look for, exactly.  "high precision sheet metal cutting" ? 
How are they marketing it?

I've found word-of-mouth or just hanging around hackerspaces/makerspaces is much better way to find suppliers for small DIY projects. I think US makerspaces tend to be better equiped than those in the UK, so you could probably find one that has a lasercutter that can cut metal.

The following links are for UK sites, I hope they may be some use for keywords and that sort of thing.

• Sheet Metal Supplier: College Engineering Supply
• Metal Cutting: Cutting Technologies (Laser) Charles Day (Waterjet)
• PCBs: Spirit (UK), Eurocircuits (EU), DorkbotPDX (community group buy, US based)

Thinking about it, if it turns out to be far cheaper to print a custom PCB than cutting metal, I might go with that instead and go for an acrylic case. Would miss the solid feel of having a metal plate, though.

And I do intend to do wiring up the old fashioned way, without a PCB.

Also, really like that layout... a little tough to find keycaps, maybe   Where's backspace?

It'll probably be pretty impossible to find keycaps with symbols on them as shown above, though I wouldn't mind something like the R5 keycaps here. Say the HONEY/TKLISOBASE, HONEY/ALPHAUK, and a couple of other kits or some other combination would do. If only there was some sort of DSA group buy going on that would be ideal...

As for backspace, real men make no mistakes I was intending it to be under the left thumb, but might move it to one of the keys in the upper right corner, depending on my mood. Yay, reprogrammability!