I want to show you guys the end result of my first keyboard project – the Bumblebee! It is a major modification of my first mechanical keyboard which I purchased 6 months ago and demonstrates everything I've learned since joining Geekhack 5 months ago. Aesthetically it's nothing that hasn't already been done, but I'm very proud of it nonetheless. It represents a lot of firsts for me, including soldering and desoldering switches, painting metal and plastic, swapping springs and stems, and buying my first sculpted cap (okay that last one wasn't so hard).
Features include:
Stainless steel plate with switch removal cutouts
Ergo-clears with 62g springs and thick Krytox lube
Lubed stabilizers
A painted case with a stenciled little bee
A Frosty Flake programmable controller
Black and yellow keycaps from WASD
It's beautiful, but not a perfect keyboard. Here are some weaknesses: if I apply significant force (a lot more than I ever would through typing) I can move the plate slightly. Also, there is some ping where there wasn't before. Both of these are because the stock QFR plate fits perfectly into the case where my new plate does not. The first isn't really a serious problem, and I have some bookshelf liner on the way that I believe will resolve the second.
Also, you would really need to look closely, but the paint job is not perfect. I was a bit impatient with Chicago's temperamental weather so I painted in conditions that were less than ideal (windy and cold). I will probably never try something like this again – it took days of sanding to get the QFR's rubber coating off.
This concludes my first major keyboard project. My next big project (aside from assembling an incoming ErgoDox and Lightsaver) is going to be a Phantom build. I'm flirting with the idea of designing a milled case, but we'll see if I ever follow through. If I do I will surely share my CAD designs with the community.
Thanks to the following members who played a part in helping me either through providing needed parts or providing particularly useful information:
strict
jdcarpe
jixr
photoelectric
sifo
whitefiredragon
the_beast
metalliqaz
bpiphany
Special thanks to mkawa who doesn't get phased even when I PM him for how-to advice after I've already done it subpar-ly.
UPDATE (May 28th 2014)I've added a layer of shelf liner between the bottom of the case and the PCB. The pinging sound is reduced significantly. Also, the ErgoClears are breaking in nicely - I may not lube them at all.
UPDATE (June 24th 2014)I've lubed the stabilizers using EK's Mechlube (high viscosity). It gets rid of the rattle on stabilized keys. The lube itself is sticky. We'll see how well it lasts over time in terms of effectiveness and cleanliness. Most of the ErgoClears are at a level that I am very happy typing on although two of the alpha keys are still a tiny bit sticky. I will probably swap out their stems and springs and continue breaking in all the switches for a couple more months until I reconsider my decision not to lube the stems/springs.
UPDATE (June 26th 2014)Swapped out the springs/stems for the two sticking keys and they are not sticking any more.
UPDATE (July 15th 2014)Decided to lube the switches, partially because I wanted the experience and partially to see if it would make a difference. While I thought the keys were fine before, I think the lubing definitely makes a difference in the tactile feel of the keys. I wouldn't say it's less sticky now than it was before, but there's a general muted feel that I particularly enjoy.
UPDATE (May 10th 2015)Swapped the keycaps with Ivan's PBT Round 3 black blanks and added WASD/Enter caps from GMK. The spacebar is now using a 78g spring.
UPDATE (April 25th 2016)I have sold this board. It was a difficult decision because it was my first major keyboard project, but it has led to so many more keyboard projects that I have to start selling some. Locking this thread for good now.
