JD40 Custom Keyboard Giveaway! Winner!

[munch]

damn. I'm not sure I would do it justice... I have a BT scissor switch KB for my tablet, and I like that it is quiet so I can actually use it in public.

but, yeah. damn.
this is an amazing giveaway.

on the other hand, I would use it at home for my laptop and tablet, and it would look great with my newly purchased OG Dolch keyboard...

but nah. I'd feel bad.
really nice board and extremely generous giveaway. megaplusplus cheers to you dustin

[Evrycard]

It will be my first modded mechanical board.
I would like to put different types of switches on it.
I deserve it because I am a newbie to mechanical keyboard modding and where best to start but with a free one.
Thx...

[drewba]

I don't think I'm worthy, just wanted to say this is an awfully nice thing to do.

[dustinhxc]

Anyone is worthy! You just have to type something up! Thanks guys! 

[yomammary]

Honestly I've never built a keyboard from almost scratch. My soldering skills aren't that good but I've been thinking about starting a project like this.
So I guess I'd take a poke around how you've done it so it can help me when I start my project.
I've also never used blue switches, I'm not a fan of loud keyboards but I've always wondered what they sounded like in real life (I've heard them in youtube videos).
I have no idea if they work with iPad but I'd be looking into that too.
The keyboard is just too beautiful for me not to spend 10 minutes to write this.

Also, I'm a big hardcore fan.
http://hate5six.com/player.php?album=3224629
Enjoy.

[flaming_june]

I would just give it away again.  I wouldn't deserve to use this board.

[Zombii]

I'm interested in being chosen for this giveaway because as a younger keyboard enthusiast (beginning undergraduate) I don't have much money to spend on niche-but-useful boards like a JD40 or other 40%s. I love small factor keyboards, with my daily driver being a Poker II that I managed to get through gift funds over a couple months. Unfortunately, it's predecessor was murdered when I tried LED soldering, but it's all part of the learning process. Mechanical keyboards are such an interesting hobby and such great devices, yet they're so diverse. Of course, most of all, they brutally, unflinchingly murder our wallets. If I was chosen to receive this board, I would use it for a number of purposes. Saving space on my main desk in my dorm so I don't have to remove my keyboard from the desk every time I need to work on something with paper on a flat surface, using it with my laptop for a completely easy and tiny keyboard to carry around with me so I don't have to bang my head on my 3 year old laptop's barely function scissor switch keyboard. I don't necessarily feel deserving of the board, but I've been interested in 40%s for a long time, so I thought I would just post my two cents.

Good luck to everyone and thanks for starting such a good giveaway!

[dustinhxc]

Honestly I've never built a keyboard from almost scratch. My soldering skills aren't that good but I've been thinking about starting a project like this.
So I guess I'd take a poke around how you've done it so it can help me when I start my project.
I've also never used blue switches, I'm not a fan of loud keyboards but I've always wondered what they sounded like in real life (I've heard them in youtube videos).
I have no idea if they work with iPad but I'd be looking into that too.
The keyboard is just too beautiful for me not to spend 10 minutes to write this.

Also, I'm a big hardcore fan.
http://hate5six.com/player.php?album=3224629
Enjoy.

That video is badass dude. 

[Ramuq]

I love everything about these 40% boards sadly I don't have the time or the skill to make one. I would use this board at work mostly since we're stuck with rubber domes and we type all day. It's pretty dreadful, like typing on a sponge constantly. The size would make it perfect to take between home and work. I would go with the look in the second photo if not grab some grey/silver caps to go with that metal case.  The JD40 would be a perfect board for my job, I design fiber and coax for TWC and Comcast there is a lot of typing and paperwork associated with my job and a mech I could bring in would make a hell of a difference. Thanks for your consideration!

[isaske]

Wow. Just wow. I never owned a custom keyboard, i would love to see the difference. That being said, i wanted to try a switch swap before, but i was too scared so i sent the keyboard to margo from CTRLAlt to do it for me. I think that even a small thing like that adds some flavour. And yours sounds like it has many small modifications! Needless to say, i love the minimalistic look of it. I've owned a 60% keyboard but this looks even nicer Props for doing that, man, you're gonna make someone really really happy!
Also, DSA keyset. Ofc also a huge bonus. Always wanted to try it - in theory, i think it goes best with MX blues of all MX switches. All i have are DCS profile keycaps, best set being the blank blue PBT caps from imsto.
Edit: If i were lucky enough to get it, I would use it for typing large paragraphs and translating on it. Blue switches are just the best for typing. For gaming, i would still use my FC700R /w MX reds.

[yomammary]

Honestly I've never built a keyboard from almost scratch. My soldering skills aren't that good but I've been thinking about starting a project like this.
So I guess I'd take a poke around how you've done it so it can help me when I start my project.
I've also never used blue switches, I'm not a fan of loud keyboards but I've always wondered what they sounded like in real life (I've heard them in youtube videos).
I have no idea if they work with iPad but I'd be looking into that too.
The keyboard is just too beautiful for me not to spend 10 minutes to write this.

Also, I'm a big hardcore fan.
http://hate5six.com/player.php?album=3224629
Enjoy.

That video is badass dude. 

+1 for me 

[derezzed]

My hat's off to you sir.  I hope one day I am in a position to do something like this.   I would like to spend a couple weeks (maybe just a few hours) using a 40% board but I don't have any desire to own one.  It's such a nice looking board that I would hate to modify it.  I hope the person who gets it truly appreciates it and your act of generosity.

[TheZech]

I would like to try the JD because I have always wanted a smaller keyboard and this seems like the smallest practical possible layout.
I'm also kind of interested in how awesome it is to be able to carry a small keyboard around.
I'm not that much into keycaps,  so I'm not sure how exactly I would bring it up.

[rowdy]

I would like to try the JD because I have always wanted a smaller keyboard and this seems like the smallest practical possible layout.
I'm also kind of interested in how awesome it is to be able to carry a small keyboard around.
I'm not that much into keycaps,  so I'm not sure how exactly I would bring it up.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Not much into keycaps?  )  You will be ... you will be

[Kira]

I would like to try the JD because I have always wanted a smaller keyboard and this seems like the smallest practical possible layout.
I'm also kind of interested in how awesome it is to be able to carry a small keyboard around.
I'm not that much into keycaps,  so I'm not sure how exactly I would bring it up.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Not much into keycaps?  )  You will be ... you will be

Agreed! WARNING: DO NOT ENTER THE GROUP BUY SECTION OF GEEKHACK IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR WALLET!

[Giorgio]

If I had this essential and wonderful keyboard, I would use it to write hermetic poetry. And to look at it.

[JackMills]

I would like to try this one out, the JD40's size intrigues me, last year I switched from full-sized to a 60% format (Leopold FC660M), maybe 2015 will be the year that I switch to 40%.
I would not change the keycaps, but maybe if I don't like the blues I could see me switching them for something else (probably clears, maybe I should try blacks or even put greys in). This seems to be the ideal board for someone to take a look under the hood, if you are not that knowledgeable or handy in opening keyboards (or to scared to force a case open, like me).
I would definitely try to look into changing the layout, as it is small it should be the most convenient layout possible for your personal needs.
And like some others I pledge to give this keyboard to someone else if I have no need for it, if it would become a daily driver than I have to come up with something else to give back.

Good luck with choosing someone suitable for this keyboard.

[000000]

I would like this board to use at my university library for writing reports etc. I'm a civil engineering student so I have lots of reports to write. I face a catch-22 because I can write more efficiently at home on my blues, but I can focus better in the library. However I don't want to be "that guy" using a really loud mech disturbing everyone else. At the moment I use a cheap wireless bluetooth board with my windows 8 tablet.

This board would be perfect due to it's small size (easily fit into my bag), however I would have to change the switch stems to clears (or browns if I can't get clears) so that it's quieter and I'd probably fit o-rings too. That way I can have a small quiet board for taking to uni, and a larger louder board at home. I'd keep the same springs and the clear switch tops though because they look really cool! I like the keycaps as they are, dolch always looks amazing. So I probably wouldn't change them. Ultimately I would love to modify it to be bluetooth, but that's quite ambitious for me I think.

Really appreciate you doing this, OP. Good luck everyone!

[vmod]

Good luck to everyone. I wish I could say I deserve to win this, but frankly I have no idea how amazing piece of hardware this keyboard is. ^{(Noob here .I'm saw-ry)} But I this keyboard just looks so amazing, I can't stop looking at it. So I feel I should atleast try. So here it goes,

I have no idea how amazing this keyboard is but one thing I am certain ( from my very basic knowledge about them) mechanical keyboards are the best you can get from keyboards. Having such an abstract and beautiful keyboard as my first mechanical keyboard would be the best thing that could happen to me. I recently got in love with mechanical keyboard and as I learned more about them I feel in love. A purchase is yet to happen as I narrow down to knowing which one is best to begin with. If I win this giveaway, this would be my daily driver keyboard ( so to speak ). My day starts on the keyboard and ends on it, I write, code and like everyone here end up having some obnoxious arguments on the intrawebs.  At least for few months I am not going to modify this bad boy but as time passes this sure would be modified to a degree to modification it deserves. Maybe a year later I would consider giving away like you are to anyone who might be worthy to continue using it with the modifications I did ( or however he feels he is cool with )

Thank you for reading along and stop laughing at me. This is the best reason I can come up with with the knowledge and love I have about mechanical keyboards.

Once again, Good Luck everyone and keep Click-Clacking! 

[Geroximo]

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

[FrostyToast]

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

[berserkfan]

I would like this board to use at my university library for writing reports etc. I'm a civil engineering student so I have lots of reports to write. I face a catch-22 because I can write more efficiently at home on my blues, but I can focus better in the library. However I don't want to be "that guy" using a really loud mech disturbing everyone else. At the moment I use a cheap wireless bluetooth board with my windows 8 tablet.

This board would be perfect due to it's small size (easily fit into my bag), however I would have to change the switch stems to clears (or browns if I can't get clears) so that it's quieter and I'd probably fit o-rings too. That way I can have a small quiet board for taking to uni, and a larger louder board at home. I'd keep the same springs and the clear switch tops though because they look really cool! I like the keycaps as they are, dolch always looks amazing. So I probably wouldn't change them. Ultimately I would love to modify it to be bluetooth, but that's quite ambitious for me I think.

Really appreciate you doing this, OP. Good luck everyone!

If you're CONUS you can buy dental bands cheaply. Put them in blue stems, and you have the quietest ever mod!

[Sorry dustin, could not resist, at least it should be helpful to people looking for something quiet!]

[jdcarpe]

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

Dustin should probably retroactively state that you must have joined before the start date of the giveaway to be eligible...

[berserkfan]

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

This is a direction that I didn't want geekhack to go either, but as we get more prominent (on the search and reviews threads) we're drawing more people of all kinds. It always irks me that there are people who have been lurking around for a very long time (sometimes years) and they don't post or contribute any thing constructive, but suddenly pop out when there is a giveaway. Then I look at the date of registration, and man, some registered before I did but have like two posts.

[vmod]

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

I feel this is being addressed to me ( as I am a newly registered member ). tbh, I did not know about GH until last week. Few weeks ago I stumbled upon mechanical keyboards and since then I been lurking around /r/mech and just recently got to know about GH. I joined the community to be part of it more than anything.
I did not register for the giveaway, I registered to be part of this niche community.
As I mentioned in my last post, I do not feel to I should be the one to win this but I don't want to regret not trying to get it. 

People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

I did not see it this way ( new registrations just for give-away) but now that I see that point, I agree me and others newly registered shouldn't be allowed. And just the joining date shouldn't be a mandate but also some xx number of posts. This way only active members and not dormat/hacked/bought accounts win it.

[inanis]

This is a direction that I didn't want geekhack to go either, but as we get more prominent (on the search and reviews threads) we're drawing more people of all kinds. It always irks me that there are people who have been lurking around for a very long time (sometimes years) and they don't post or contribute any thing constructive, but suddenly pop out when there is a giveaway. Then I look at the date of registration, and man, some registered before I did but have like two posts.

I think sometimes it can be very difficult for people to come out of their shell and actually participate. I know it is for me. It took a lot of convincing myself to actually start participating here. I'm on this site A LOT, by my post count does not really reflect that.  Now, I'm not saying that people should join up just to try to get something for free, but maybe someone who is a lurker by nature, and registered sometime ago might be persuaded to put an entry in for a giveaway, even if they have a low post count. That isn't a bad thing, it may make the person engage more in the community and find that there is value in joining in the discussion. While I do try to approach things with a glass half full attitude, I dislike the idea of someone trying to take advantage of anothers generosity, and I hope that is not what is happening here.

On topic of the JD40 - I recently purchased one from the classifieds and it is really fun to type with. I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with.

[jdcarpe]

I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with.

Quoted for truth.

[Snowdog993]

I can't see myself personally using a keyboard that small.  I've been using full-sized keyboards since time out of mind.  However, I do like the alpha keys very much.  I wish I could have something like that on my model M keyboards to be honest.  Maybe having that keyboard for a tablet or something might be a good idea.  I really couldn't see using it outside of that.

[dustinhxc]

I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with.

Quoted for truth.

^^ Great post!

[berserkfan]

I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with.

Quoted for truth.

The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

If I were to use the navigation/ arrow keys or the numpad, I would move my hand left.

This is still very much a start. There's a long way to go before I can figure out a good layout. I tested my jailhouse mod for 6 months before releasing it, and I took the same time before I would let anyone see my modified Colemak layout.

Whatever the case, I will never offer half-done or untested mods to my fellow GHers. I don't want to waste other people's time on marginal quality stuff.

[Rit]

I want this keyboard so I can turn around and sell it and then buy a full razer set up.
Oh, and I also signed up just for this keyboard because of how bad @ss it is...

[Tyrosh22]

I've just recently gotten into mechanical keyboards. Being used to full-sized keyboards I had my mind set on getting a full-sized mechanical keyboard as well. No sooner said than done: A Corsair Vengeance K70 with cherry MX-Blue switches has become my first mechanical keyboard. However, it took not long for me to realize that the numpad is practically useless. Some day, I'll get a TKL keyboard!
As soon as I've started typing on a mechanical keyboard I became addicted to it. For travelling purposes, I would have bought a Poker II - had I not seen this giveaway. This is why I'd be happy to get the keyboard - travelling and seeing how small a keyboard can actually be.

(PS: I did not register for the giveaway, I just decided to join this community and saw this thread by accident!)

[jdcarpe]

I want this keyboard so I can turn around and sell it and then buy a full razer set up.
Oh, and I also signed up just for this keyboard because of how bad @ss it is...

Haha, nice try at troll.

[jdcarpe]

The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

Actually, that is one reason I intended. I never really thought such a small board would be very useful for typing, though some have adjusted to it. A one-hand keyboard can be useful, though.

Another intended use is for gaming, by mapping keys and macros so you can use it with one hand and mouse with the other.

[Lazerxzz]

I would like to win it because I'm very poor with a negative balance bank account and my current keyboard is dying and I can't afford a new one : (

[berserkfan]

The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

Actually, that is one reason I intended. I never really thought such a small board would be very useful for typing, though some have adjusted to it. A one-hand keyboard can be useful, though.

Another intended use is for gaming, by mapping keys and macros so you can use it with one hand and mouse with the other.

I would like to win it because I'm very poor with a negative balance bank account and my current keyboard is dying and I can't afford a new one : (

Awesome, JD, but you could have designed it with the option of breaking up the space bar into many space and function keys! (I know the teensy will still take up 3 keys or so? Could you have put it between 2 2.75x or 2.25x keys?) Keep that feedback in mind for your next 40% would you?

As for Lazerxzz, if you have a negative bank balance and can't afford things, maybe you can't afford to pay for the shipping?    Better to spend the same amount of money on food?

[jdcarpe]

Not to derail the thread (sorry Dustin!), but berserkfan, I think the JD45 is what you want. It has split spacebar and extra key options. You can build it 100% without stabilizers, since in that configuration, no key is longer than 1.75 units wide. The thread about it is in the Artisan Services forum.

[DrHubblePhD]

To begin I should say that I apreciate the giveaway and the tremendous generosity of people on GeekHack.

I think that the JD40 would be the essential board I need to continue experimenting with different mods. I have thought about trying to mold custom plates using silicon molds, casts and custom colorways, this would be the perfect board to try it on seeing that it is not only simple in terms of layout, but in terms of geometry.  I also have a great deal of lighting, switch, and case mods that I am interested in experimenting in.

Im not going to lie, my collection of keyboards is rather small compared to many others here on GeekHack. If I got this board, therefore, there is no doubt that it would be put to use, not stashed away somewhere. I am always looking for a great board to carry around, whether it is to improve my typing experience on the go or teach other people about mechanical keyboards. Once again, the simplicity of the JD40 would greatly enable me in both regards.

Thanks again for the giveaway and good luck to everyone that enters.

[hwood34]

What better board is there to test out new magnificent Gaterons? For the people!

[Lazerxzz]

The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

Actually, that is one reason I intended. I never really thought such a small board would be very useful for typing, though some have adjusted to it. A one-hand keyboard can be useful, though.

Another intended use is for gaming, by mapping keys and macros so you can use it with one hand and mouse with the other.

I would like to win it because I'm very poor with a negative balance bank account and my current keyboard is dying and I can't afford a new one : (

Awesome, JD, but you could have designed it with the option of breaking up the space bar into many space and function keys! (I know the teensy will still take up 3 keys or so? Could you have put it between 2 2.75x or 2.25x keys?) Keep that feedback in mind for your next 40% would you?

As for Lazerxzz, if you have a negative bank balance and can't afford things, maybe you can't afford to pay for the shipping?    Better to spend the same amount of money on food?

I live a rather boring food life of ramen and white rice and water with lots of seasonings a 20 pound bag of rice cost $10 at most and last me over a month! Also....... shipping would be worth the cost to pay for.

[dustinhxc]

Last night everyone! 

[rowdy]

Last night everyone! 

What happened last night?

[vmod]

Last night everyone! 

What happened last night?

I think he meant. Last night of submission 

I'll keep this open till Friday January 30th, One week from today. Noon Central. (12:00)

[rowdy]

Last night everyone! 

What happened last night?

I think he meant. Last night of submission 

I think he knows

[dustinhxc]

I worked last night! That's about it.

Closed, I will pick a winner today. Thank you everyone for their submissions and participation! I appreciate the time that everyone took with this! 

 

[dustinhxc]

Congratulations BadWrench! Enjoy the 62g Blues! Enjoy showing the board off!  Hopefully you will make a cool USB Cable to go with it!


SeeThruHead, JDcarpe has mentioned that he will send you a kit on him!  Congratulations!


Thank You everyone for your participation, I wish I had more to give out!