Has anyone made their own case?

[dsjbirch]

I want to build an ergonomic keyboard from scratch. I've looked around briefly for other similar projects but haven't found any. A search for custom keyboard cases on Google was unfruitful, I'm not interested in piano.

[False_Dmitry_II]

I don't actually know.

I do know that the skillset would be exactly the same as people who build custom (sometimes compact, sometimes not) computer cases. You know, like the gaming capable PC in an xbox 1 case or other such mods. You could look up how to do that sort of thing and go from there.

[CeeSA]

iirc in this wonderful mod http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6292
shapeways/  makes a superb case

[vils]

I do know that the skillset would be exactly the same as people who build custom (sometimes compact, sometimes not) computer cases. You know, like the gaming capable PC in an xbox 1 case or other such mods.

You mean something like this? (shameless self-promotion)

[Pylon]

Well, there's a lot of different materials and approaches to making a case. Some people here have CNC/3D printed cases. I also can't see why you can't make them out of sheet ABS/acrylic/metal/fiberglass or what not. I've had idle musings on building a split Monterey keyboard with an ABS case made out of thick sheet.

[Findecanor]

You could use existing cases and modify them, you could cut pieces of sheet plastic and glue them together. Sheet metal or wood are other options. There are a few examples in the modifications forum.

[Daniel Beaver]

Lots of options. You can CNC it out of metal or plastic. You can use a 3D printer. You can hammer together sheet metal. You can build it from layered plastic sheeting. You can cut it out of wood.

The main technique that is out of reach of the amateur is injection molding, the method manufacturers use.

[False_Dmitry_II]

You mean something like this? (shameless self-promotion)

 

Yes, precisely. Although generally plastics are used for cases and not metals. But it could certainly be done.

[dsjbirch]

I don't actually know.

I do know that the skillset would be exactly the same as people who build custom (sometimes compact, sometimes not) computer cases. You know, like the gaming capable PC in an xbox 1 case or other such mods. You could look up how to do that sort of thing and go from there.

I had thought about that too, I saw some great tips on airbrushing cases, mainly focused on details for cars and motorbikes, though somewhere on youtube a full explanation was given on transferring the technique to a pc case. Also mentioned somewhere on youtube was a technique where an image is first printed on a laserjet and placed on the base coat, then covered with a clear coat to give the effect that it was painted on. I think the example was dollar bills.

[dsjbirch]

iirc in this wonderful mod http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6292
shapeways/  makes a superb case

That looks sweet. 3d printing from shapeways makes an awesome looking case. bet it cost a bit though. keys look like their placed kinda like what I imagine mine'll look like. Mine'll be in two parts tho.

[dsjbirch]

Lots of options. You can CNC it out of metal or plastic. You can use a 3D printer. You can hammer together sheet metal. You can build it from layered plastic sheeting. You can cut it out of wood.

The main technique that is out of reach of the amateur is injection molding, the method manufacturers use.

 
What's cnc?

[dsjbirch]

You mean something like this? (shameless self-promotion)

How come you got sponsorship from intel, microsoft etc.

[Daniel Beaver]

What's cnc?

It stands for computer numerical control, but what it is usually referring to are automatic machine tools. It gives you a lot tighter control over the machining process, and they are fairly common even in small machine shops.

[alaricljs]

Also mentioned somewhere on youtube was a technique where an image is first printed on a laserjet and placed on the base coat, then covered with a clear coat to give the effect that it was painted on.

That's usually called water slide decals if you want to be able to google it.
 

How come you got sponsorship from intel, microsoft etc.

Where do you see him having any sponsorship?

[dsjbirch]

Where do you see him having any sponsorship?

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=172779&page=3 post #55 near the bottom.

[alaricljs]

Wow, check that out....