Author Topic: DIY resources (Read 61863 times)

alaricljs · « **on:** Tue, 24 July 2012, 16:27:25 »

I'm just going to stick this here to be nice instead of hiding it in my bookmarks...

proto PCB board services:
OSH Park (purple boards @ $5/sq in for 3 copies)
BatchPCB (is no more

)
Seeed Fusion (10 copies, 25cm^2 max size for $10, larger for more $)

Production PCB board shops:
PCBWing

Cherry MX datasheet alternate version with more details

Alps switch datasheet (courtesy: Matias)

FuhuaAlpsSwitchDatasheet.jpg (272.61 kB. 1920x1400 - viewed 8709 times.)

teensy's at pjrc.com

PCB layout software: KiCAD

Costar stabilizer layout (thanks to bpiphany):

Electronics parts:
Mouser
DigiKey

Hard goods (screws, metal, tools, ...):
McMaster Carr - Good for hardware and some raw metal
OnLine Metals - Good for raw metal and plastic

Manufacturing:
Big Blue Saw - laser/waterjet sheet cutting
Ponoko - 3d printing
Shapeways - 3d printing

mkawa · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 25 July 2012, 04:30:06 »

hey, good idea!

light-duty one-off machining:

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
http://www.emachineshop.com/

3d printing:

http://www.shapeways.com/

stuff that would be cool to document here:

detailed technical drawings of popular keyboards and parts
meshes for common keycaps

bpiphany · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 31 July 2012, 08:21:58 »

The link to batchpcb is broken, and I also want to add pcbwing that I have had plenty of good experience with. Very good service, and helpful with sorting out questions on PCB designs.

wcass · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 31 July 2012, 13:03:20 »

you must include McMaster Carr for .... stuff
http://www.mcmaster.com/#

rknize · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 31 July 2012, 13:12:12 »

http://www.expresspcb.com/

alaricljs · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 31 July 2012, 13:24:35 »

It's a trap! ExpressPCB is more expensive than OSH if you are doing their Mini Boards. They are more expensive for production than many other fabs. Then there's the cost of being locked into their software.

Parak · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 01 August 2012, 11:57:09 »

Fanboy of http://stores.ebay.com/sitopway here as I've probably mentioned a few times in the past

They seem to have the capability to do pretty much anything I've asked far outside of what they typically claim to offer, including smd assembly with component sourcing. Their prices and regular turnaround times are the best that I've found so far, unless I need something small for which I use OSH. I just recently ordered some rather atypically specced large pcbs for a project, and it took three business days for them to ship. Non-crappy shipping (DHL), although expensive, means it takes around the same time to get to me too.

litster · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 27 August 2012, 10:42:39 »

Free 2d cad program: qcad.

bpiphany · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 27 August 2012, 13:10:47 »

Quote from: litster on Mon, 27 August 2012, 10:42:39

Free 2d cad program: qcad.

When I ran the usual "sudo apt-get install qcad" today I got something called LibreCad instead. I don't know exactly how they are related but it is in some way a derivative from qcad.

__red__ · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 27 August 2012, 14:50:39 »

Thanks for that link to librecad. We just got a laser-cutter so your timing for free cad software was impeccable ;-)

wcass · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 27 August 2012, 15:37:36 »

i was trained on AutoCAD but i actually prefer DeltaCAD. it is also the easiest CAD program i have ever used. a beginner with no experience would have little trouble.

full feature demo is good for 45 days or buy it for $40. PC and Mac supported.
http://www.deltacad.com/

ferociousfingerings · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 09 October 2012, 15:58:03 »

Figured "DIY Resources" might be the right place to ask/suggest:

Cherry-MX-compatible LED specs/reqs?

Need to know:
1) physical and electrical parameters, for full compatibility with cherry-switch boards
2) types of soldering equipment and any other tools required or recommended for any LED-modding
3) where to get them

And perhaps a "LED mod" guide?

If such a thing already exists, i'm having trouble finding it, and think it should be included in the OP of this thread.

kthxbye!

alaricljs · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 09 October 2012, 16:33:51 »

The most compatible leds are going to be 3mm flat top, column (no shoulder) LEDs. After that is 3mm flat top w/ shoulder (and suggest you cut it off), and lastly 3mm dome of either type with the same suggestions.

As for electrical specs, you'd want to match whatever the design intended. Most red/yellow/orange LEDs are 2.2-2.4 volts and most blue/green/pink/white/uv are 3.1-3.4 volts so they are usually not interchangeable unless you can also swap out the resistors. This of course depends on you being able to determine how the circuit is driven in the first place, some boards do not use 1 resistor for every LED.

For LED modding tools you want whatever tools you are comfortable with for de-soldering and soldering, Weller and Hakko are the common upper end and mid-tier brands, Aoyue is a feature complete brand that is less expensive but doesn't have the pedigree. You can go with a cheapo Radio Shack manual desoldering iron if you don't plan on doing this sort of thing a lot. Flush-cut clippers for cutting leads and shoulders. There are many places to get this stuff, and many brands.

As for where to get LEDs, ebay is pretty good mostly because of the search engine.

esoomenona · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 09 October 2012, 17:28:55 »

alaricljs · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 09 October 2012, 17:57:54 »

Resistors are not rated in voltage, it's wattage... wattage is amps times volts.

LedCalc is a good resource for figuring out what you're looking for...

Most keyboards I've seen supply the 5v from USB straight to the LED with an appropriate resistor. I think I recall Deck boards using a couple parallel LEDs per resistor.

You just figure out what the circuit does, and use that to figure out what wattage resistor to use with your particular LED to get good results.

asura · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 10 October 2012, 10:52:58 »

Any interest in a SketchUp model of Cherry profile key-caps? May do OEM caps at some point too. Just external at the moment, though I am going to add thickness and stem details - just thought I'd post progress.

mkawa · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 28 October 2012, 09:13:03 »

3d printing/rapid prototyping resources:

~~damorgue: high purity titanium (short on machine time?)~~ nil on machine time
treble318: CNC milling of various materials, powdercoating (CURRENTLY DOWN)
shapeways: great option for one-offs
~~signature plastics: unknown what rapid prototyping/FDM capabilities they have~~ no FDM

i should also add that many people here probably have hackerspaces nearby (especially if you are in the seattle area) but may not know it. these outfits will teach you how to use their fabrication devices for a small donation in time and money.

damorgue · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 28 October 2012, 09:39:09 »

Quote from: mkawa on Sun, 28 October 2012, 09:13:03

3d printing/rapid prototyping resources:

damorgue: high purity titanium (short on machine time?)
treble318: CNC milling of various materials (CURRENTLY DOWN)
shapeways: great option for one-offs
signature plastics: unknown what rapid prototyping/FDM capabilities they have

Prototal and Materialise can both print things in plastic as well in case you need other options than Shapeways.

bavman · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 02 December 2012, 17:52:31 »

Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?

TheProfosist · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 03 December 2012, 05:20:15 »

Quote from: bavman on Sun, 02 December 2012, 17:52:31

Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?

i dont think your going to find one...

SmallFry · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 03 December 2012, 07:31:48 »

Quote from: bavman on Sun, 02 December 2012, 17:52:31

Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?

You could get the GH60 for a 60% layout. The files are in the thread.

bavman · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 03 December 2012, 08:15:03 »

Quote from: TheProfosist on Mon, 03 December 2012, 05:20:15

Quote from: bavman on Sun, 02 December 2012, 17:52:31
Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
i dont think your going to find one...

Thats too bad. I thought with the custom boards floating around someone would be sharing their design. I don't know the first thing about designing stuff like this, but I can build it if I have designs

I guess the next best thing would be to try to get a hold of a pre-made board from someone like costar but I doubt they'd be open to the idea of selling just a pcb.

Quote from: SmallFry on Mon, 03 December 2012, 07:31:48

Quote from: bavman on Sun, 02 December 2012, 17:52:31
Where can I find a predesigned PCB layout for a TKL board?
You could get the GH60 for a 60% layout. The files are in the thread.

Yeah I saw that thread and it looks like an awesome community project, but 60% keyboard just don't float my boat. I've tried several before and always missed the extra keys on a tkl.

alaricljs · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 03 December 2012, 08:18:05 »

I tried for just cases from Costar, no go. Whole boat or nothing.

The_Beast · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 03 December 2012, 08:20:36 »

Quote from: alaricljs on Mon, 03 December 2012, 08:18:05

I tried for just cases from Costar, no go. Whole boat or nothing.

Costar makes boats now?

sweet

kbfreak · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 22 December 2012, 07:02:21 »

this is definitely a good list. thank you!

realex · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 02 February 2013, 11:41:19 »

can someone provide an exact technical drawing (or measurements from 3d profiling) of a filco tkl case?

sordna · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 06 February 2013, 18:32:08 »

Kinesis Advantage parts, including PCB-mount cherry MX switches with integrated diodes: Kinesis
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/

o-rings (switch dampeners), stabilizers, as well as custom keycaps and cherry MX switches (plate-mount only): WASD Keyboards
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/

Electronic parts: ABRA Electronics
http://www.abra-electronics.com/

Arcade buttons: Canadian Joysticks
http://www.canadianjoysticks.com/

Programmable devices/buttons: PI Engineering
http://www.piengineering.com/access.php

Krogenar · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 07 February 2013, 14:50:55 »

This will seem like a stupid question, but I cannot find this anywhere on the forum (so far) -- where do you guys keep that keycap printout that I keep seeing people use to display their moogle and tsangan kits, etc.? I'm interested in joining a groupbuy and am trying to figure out what kits I'll need, and I'm hoping this sheet will help me determine what I'll need.

Where can I find this printout?

rknize · « **Reply #28 on:** Thu, 07 February 2013, 15:16:39 »

It came from this:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36739.0

mkawa · « **Reply #29 on:** Thu, 07 February 2013, 17:23:23 »

conveniently still available for purchase here: http://www.techkeys.us/accessories.php

cf1888 · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 12 March 2013, 14:31:07 »

Here is another great product: a Bluetooth keyboard adapter that turns a USB/PS2 keyboard into a Bluetooth keyboard. Just got mine. Works like a charm on my Model-M and iPad.

http://handheldsci.com/kb

rknize · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 12 March 2013, 14:39:08 »

What sort of battery life do you get with a Model M on there?

calavera · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 12 March 2013, 18:08:46 »

Wow, this thread is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

5volts · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 30 May 2013, 15:07:33 »

BatchPCB is no more, Sparkfun killed it off

I made my first PCB on BatchPCB, I was sorry to see it go. They (and I) recommend OshPark, especially if you live in the U.S.

Very small boards are very cheap there; for instance, I just ordered 3 boards to fit a single Cherry MX switch and spent $4.10, including shipping.

Anyone else using Eagle for PCB construction?
I've made a very rudimentary library for Cherry MX switches on Eagle, but it needs testing/refinement. Happy to share it though.

wcass · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 15:40:45 »

any recommendations for custom cut metal plates?

Melvang · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 03 July 2013, 09:06:29 »

Solidworks student edition for vets

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 07 July 2013, 11:52:43 »

Quote from: wcass on Sun, 02 June 2013, 15:40:45

any recommendations for custom cut metal plates?

Talk to The_Beast for getting them cut/made.

Photekq · « **Reply #37 on:** Sun, 07 July 2013, 11:56:19 »

Quote from: wcass on Sun, 02 June 2013, 15:40:45

any recommendations for custom cut metal plates?

Matt3o is currently running a GB for custom laser cutting on deskthority.

http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/laser-cut-prototyping-mini-gb-t6102.html

Melvang · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 08 July 2013, 10:55:26 »

alright so how do i get started with kicad? The website in the OP on this thread is kind of vague. If it helps i am running Win8 64 bit.

vivalarevolución · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:14:10 »

Any chance we can add resources for springs to this thread?

alaricljs · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:15:25 »

Name them

vivalarevolución · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:19:46 »

Quote from: alaricljs on Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:15:25

Name them

That's why I ask because I don't have a clue and I am feeling lazy right know about searching.

ericball · « **Reply #42 on:** Fri, 14 March 2014, 15:17:07 »

RC hobby shops often have inexpensive 5.5mm nut drivers for opening IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp keyboards.

I was able to pick one up at Hobby Home in Toronto for C$4 (tax included).

damorgue · « **Reply #43 on:** Fri, 14 March 2014, 17:45:46 »

Quote from: ericball on Fri, 14 March 2014, 15:17:07

RC hobby shops often have inexpensive 5.5mm nut drivers for opening IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp keyboards.

I was able to pick one up at Hobby Home in Toronto for C$4 (tax included).

In case someone doesn't have them nearby, this one happens to work with IBM boards.

mikew0w · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 15 May 2014, 10:29:36 »

Does anyone know the 'type' of ribbon connector the IBM membranes use?
I bought a IBM actionwriter with a buckling spring keyboard. I couldn't get the female ribbon cable sockets off the main board easily and I was hoping I could just buy the right thing off digikey.

I'd like to try and wire this up to a teensy I had laying around.

wcass · « **Reply #45 on:** Fri, 16 May 2014, 00:03:01 »

i happen to have a few of those. they are called FFC connectors. the specific ones you want are TRIO-MATE series.

mikew0w · « **Reply #46 on:** Sat, 31 May 2014, 20:02:06 »

Quote from: wcass on Fri, 16 May 2014, 00:03:01

i happen to have a few of those. they are called FFC connectors. the specific ones you want are TRIO-MATE series.

Thanks. Do you happen to know the pitch size of these connectors? My hunch is 0.100" (2.54mm) based on what is available but I don't have anything that measures smaller than a mm.

wcass · « **Reply #47 on:** Sun, 01 June 2014, 08:56:46 »

yes, that is correct; .1"

dante · « **Reply #48 on:** Sat, 14 June 2014, 08:43:35 »

Open source tools for quickly creating keyboard layouts? Not sure if one exists allowing you to change the sizes of some keys? (ie: substituting 1x1 for tab/capslock)

wcass · « **Reply #49 on:** Sat, 14 June 2014, 21:16:25 »

The two applications that I use are not open source, but are free.

For quick keyboard representations within Windows, I use Keyboard Designer which is part of Qliner Hotkeys. The main application (Hotkeys) is similar to AutoHotkey and the installer places a process in the Run key of your registry (I remove it because i don't use that feature).

You can set height and width of keys and spaces and even do multi-height keys like ISO Enter. You can not change the angle of keys, do a column-staggered layout, or multi-line text on the keys. Also, color and font options are global - you can't make the color of some keys different than others. The user interface looks like this:

If you need to do multi-line text, column-staggered layout, angled keys, or truly odd shaped keys, you will need a graphics or CAD program. If you ever want to turn you layout into a real keyboard, you will need CAD. DeltaCad is the easiest, most intuitive CAD application that I have used and the full functional demo is good for 90 days before print/save is disabled (re-install to get another 90 days). The UI looks like this:

News:

Author Topic: DIY resources (Read 61863 times)