From woodworking to keyboard enthusiasm

[trayke]

Decided to finally make an account. I got into the KB scene making wrist rests for people over in the /r/mechmarket.  Looking forward to seeing all the mayhem and joy.

[absyrd]

Welcome. What board(s) you rocking? Pics of rests?

[trayke]

Not going to lie, my keyboard is uh, kind of embarrassing, it's just a stock logitech that I don't even like.  My wrists and hands need an ergonomic solution, and I haven't yet pulled the trigger on an ErgoDox.

I've got a small album that I'm terrible about keeping updated here on imgur here: http://imgur.com/a/6wT5k

[xtrafrood]

Welcome What kind of switches do you like?

[iLLucionist]

Cool wrests! You lightly coat them I see? Or just plain natural?

[trayke]

Welcome What kind of switches do you like?

I'm too new to the specifics to really know the names, but I tend to be more about the feel.  Think 80s IBM.

[trayke]

Cool wrests! You lightly coat them I see? Or just plain natural?

Thank you!

I use a few different combinations depending on the type of wood.  Always clear and "natural" (unless otherwise requested) but there is always a varnish on them. Plain wood is just way too inviting of problems.

My 3 most common combinations are:

If it's a wood that has a lot of grain characteristic that I want to show off I will use shellac followed by an oil based urethane from General Finishes.

If it's a wood that I want to provide a deeper/richer feel I will use a coat of danish oil and then oil based urethane.

If it's an exotic or particularly oily wood, I'll use a waterborne varnish.

Usually go with semi-gloss because I want it to shine...but blind.

[chuckdee]

Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

[xtrafrood]

Welcome What kind of switches do you like?

I'm too new to the specifics to really know the names, but I tend to be more about the feel.  Think 80s IBM.

I started out on an 80s IBM 122-key model F keyboard. IBM is all I can think about! You'll figure it out soon enough

[iLLucionist]

Cool wrests! You lightly coat them I see? Or just plain natural?

Thank you!

I use a few different combinations depending on the type of wood.  Always clear and "natural" (unless otherwise requested) but there is always a varnish on them. Plain wood is just way too inviting of problems.

My 3 most common combinations are:

If it's a wood that has a lot of grain characteristic that I want to show off I will use shellac followed by an oil based urethane from General Finishes.

If it's a wood that I want to provide a deeper/richer feel I will use a coat of danish oil and then oil based urethane.

If it's an exotic or particularly oily wood, I'll use a waterborne varnish.

Usually go with semi-gloss because I want it to shine...but blind.

Really cool man! Keep up the good work.

[trayke]

Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

I've done rests in walnut, Maple (especially spalted maple), red and white oaks, and cherry.  The walnut is definitely the most popular of the domestic lumbers.

I did an exotic lot a couple months ago with Bubinga, Lacewood, Purple Heart, Mora, Dark Jatoba. 

Just recently I started a macassar ebony piece for someone. Ebony is incredibly hard to find in the sizes needed for a wrist rest at a reasonable price. This person bought the piece and had it sent to me for milling. Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous milling it up!  It's coming together beautifully though.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Wow!  Those look great!

I like the look of wood wrist rests - they seem warmer and more inviting than, say, glass.

[trayke]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Wow!  Those look great!

I like the look of wood wrist rests - they seem warmer and more inviting than, say, glass.

Thank you.  Epoxy and high gloss finishes have their place, but I tend to like the warmth that depth and richness that oil provides.

[chuckdee]

Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

I've done rests in walnut, Maple (especially spalted maple), red and white oaks, and cherry.  The walnut is definitely the most popular of the domestic lumbers.

I did an exotic lot a couple months ago with Bubinga, Lacewood, Purple Heart, Mora, Dark Jatoba. 

Just recently I started a macassar ebony piece for someone. Ebony is incredibly hard to find in the sizes needed for a wrist rest at a reasonable price. This person bought the piece and had it sent to me for milling. Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous milling it up!  It's coming together beautifully though.

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

[xtrafrood]

Welcome!  What kind of woods do you work with? (other than/including the ones in the album, of course...)

I've done rests in walnut, Maple (especially spalted maple), red and white oaks, and cherry.  The walnut is definitely the most popular of the domestic lumbers.

I did an exotic lot a couple months ago with Bubinga, Lacewood, Purple Heart, Mora, Dark Jatoba. 

Just recently I started a macassar ebony piece for someone. Ebony is incredibly hard to find in the sizes needed for a wrist rest at a reasonable price. This person bought the piece and had it sent to me for milling. Not going to lie, I was kind of nervous milling it up!  It's coming together beautifully though.

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

Oh man, a case made with that kind of craftsmanship would be amazing

[trayke]

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?

[xtrafrood]

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?

Oh man, you came to the right place!

[chuckdee]

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?

Unfortunately, I don't know... other than there's a free stuff thread, and someone may even pick it up from here.  I just got into MK hardcore, so my collection is small.  I just wanted a wenge case and rest set.  I just love wenge.

[trayke]

Unfortunately, I don't know... other than there's a free stuff thread, and someone may even pick it up from here.  I just got into MK hardcore, so my collection is small.  I just wanted a wenge case and rest set.  I just love wenge.

I'm sure once I get comfortable I'll figure something out.  I can help you with the wenge rest, but not so much the case.  yet.

[rowdy]

Have you ever made a case?  Or just wrist rests?

I've been asked about cases more than I can count.  There's a few things holding me back at the moment.  First and foremost is I have a 13 day old infant at home.  Between her and her big sister I barely have time to get to the shop for fulfilling rests!

Second is that in order to make one I'd be comfortable selling, I really need to get ahold of a PCB.  I've been trying (half assedly) to find a broken pok3r PCB with which to experiment in the shop. I wouldn't want to use anything that was intended to function someday.

Any advice on where I might find such a thing?

Congratulations on your baby

If you create a thread in making stuff together and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB

[trayke]

Congratulations on your baby

If you create a thread in making stuff together and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB

Thanks, and thanks for the advice.  I may lurk a while longer to get a pulse of this place and make sure I don't put my foot in my mouth or inadvertently upset everyone.

[xtrafrood]

Congratulations on your baby

If you create a thread in making stuff together and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB

Thanks, and thanks for the advice.  I may lurk a while longer to get a pulse of this place and make sure I don't put my foot in my mouth or inadvertently upset everyone.

Well don't be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity is a good thing here at GH

[rowdy]

Congratulations on your baby

If you create a thread in making stuff together and post a few pictures of what you have done so far, and explain that you are looking for a broken Pok3r PCB, you might get some offers.

Especially if you offer a discount to anyone who provides a PCB

Thanks, and thanks for the advice.  I may lurk a while longer to get a pulse of this place and make sure I don't put my foot in my mouth or inadvertently upset everyone.

Don't lurk!

Participate, then people will get to know who you are.

[cryptokey]

Welcome to GH!  I really enjoy the natural, wild look of your wooden wrist rests.  Maybe you can get a group buy going in the future if you're up to it. 

[trayke]

Welcome to GH!  I really enjoy the natural, wild look of your wooden wrist rests.  Maybe you can get a group buy going in the future if you're up to it. 

It's funny you should suggest that. I'm currently coordinating with a veteran geekhacker for a group buy of exotic lumbers to help build my reputation. Limited run of 20 or so.

Keep an ear out