Can I have some help with a 60% case I'm making?

[NeoNoeN]

Hey guys,

I'm currently building a 60% keyboard, I'm wondering if I could have some assistance in the placement of screw holes and the teensy layer since I lack the skills to do so.

Here is the .dxf file I've been working on: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byhb1X4oOXSOS3BWN2hwcXlERlE/view?usp=sharing

I've been told that I should be using M2 screws for the case, I'm handwiring it so I assume the case would need to be around 2cm thick (though I'm not sure since I can't really find the info for figuring that out)

[berserkfan]

There are already 60% projects extant, why don't you just get your case from their group buys? Would be easier and cheaper.

[nubbinator]

There are already 60% projects extant, why don't you just get your case from their group buys? Would be easier and cheaper.

It's also less fun

[jdcarpe]

You're going to have this milled, or made from layers? If layers, you don't need to worry about the PCB mounting screws, since you can simply plate mount the switches, and the PCB free-floats off the back, held in place by all the solder joints of the switches. This is how most all plate-mounted keyboards work. So you can make your screw holes to hold the layers together however you like, and be done with it.

If you're having it milled, to use with standoffs for mounting the PCB, we need to know for which PCB you need compatibility. Poker? Also, most 60% PCBs use an onboard controller, so no need to worry about Teensy clearance, since there is no Teensy.

Edit: Missed that you are hand wiring. But that makes it even easier. Your case just needs enough height clearance to leave room for the Teensy. I would recommend M3 screws to fasten all the layers together.

[dorkvader]

poker X, Poker 2, pure, race, all duck 0113's kb's, and I believe KMAC2 all use m2 screws to mount the PCB to the case, so it's a common choice.

but as JD says: need more info to help.

[NeoNoeN]

Sorry I didn't mention that I'm doing it in layers, I just haven't done the layer where the mini USB port sticks out or the screws to hold the case together.

The top layer of the case will most likely be made out of aluminum and the subsequent layers out of acrylic or wood.

I'm not using a pcb I am hand wiring it (Cheaper and the case can be thinner, for me this is more of a learning experience, this area however is a bit of a blackspot so I thought I'd ask you guys for help).

[jdcarpe]

I would put the screw holes something like this (attached)

And you'll want to use the stabilizer holes I fixed for you.

[NeoNoeN]

I would put the screw holes something like this (attached)

And you'll want to use the stabilizer holes I fixed for you.

Thanks for the help JD! I'm thinking this is how my layers will go:

Aluminium top plate: 1.5mm
Acrylic no usb gap: 3mm
Acrylic with usb gap: 3mm
Acrylic no usb gap: 3mm
Aluminium bottom plate (With something covering it internally to stop shorting): 1.5mm

Is there anything wrong with the layering?

[heedpantsnow]

Cool!  Good luck!

[jdcarpe]

I would put the screw holes something like this (attached)

And you'll want to use the stabilizer holes I fixed for you.

Thanks for the help JD! I'm thinking this is how my layers will go:

Aluminium top plate: 1.5mm
Acrylic no usb gap: 3mm
Acrylic with usb gap: 3mm
Acrylic no usb gap: 3mm
Aluminium bottom plate (With something covering it internally to stop shorting): 1.5mm

Is there anything wrong with the layering?

No, I don't see anything wrong with that. Just FYI, I only made the "USB" hole 0.25 inches wide. I don't know if you were planning to mount the Teensy there, with the USB jack sticking out the back, or what, but it may not have clearance for that. I just made it that way assuming your Teensy will be "somewhere" inside the case, and the hole in the back is only for a USB cable to fit through. If you have other plans, you may need to modify that opening.

[NeoNoeN]

Yup, Sounds good. I might make a couple modifications to my case for cable rerouting so that I don't have any huge issues when placing it ontop of my laptop. I'm also wondering what size screws I need for the screwholes, M2 or M3?
Thanks for the help though!

[jdcarpe]

M3 should fit perfectly in those holes. M2 are tiny and are good for mounting PCBs to standoffs.

[MOZ]

M3 should fit perfectly in those holes. M2 are tiny and are good for mounting PCBs to standoffs.

+1. I always recommend M3 for case, M2 for PCB. Besides finding M2 sized bolts for longer lengths can be troublesome.