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Author Topic: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.  (Read 2159 times)

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Offline MajorKoos

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[Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 10:46:39 »
Hi GH,

I'd like to build a dozen 60% keyboards - one for each of my team - as an end of project gift.

Wish list:
I'd like to keep it under $150 a go including keycaps.
I'd like them in a couple of different colors.
Open source firmware (they're all developers).
Gateron browns

Any suggestions on where I could start looking?
Buying the parts retail gets expensive real quick and it's all coming out of my pocket.

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Offline zeltner

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:01:07 »
There is this on massdrop but it dropped pretty recently so you probably won't be able to get in on it anytime soon:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/sentraq-60-diy-keyboard-kit

buuuut... You can get all the parts from sentrantPC it looks like:
http://sentraq.com/

plate + case + pcb + switches and you are looking at $120 a pop. That leaves you at about $30 for keycaps, which you can find but they will not be great.
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Offline xtrafrood

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:13:39 »
GH 60% Satan PCBs might be a touch cheaper (+/- shipping I guess - and GH 60% Satan offers LED support if that is a thing you might want) if you want some more options. You'd be hard pressed to find a case cheaper than SentrantPC's $25 60% case though, wow :eek:
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Offline appleonama

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:22:09 »
« Last Edit: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:24:44 by appleonama »
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Offline Khuya

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:44:59 »
Hand wiring is the best way to go with sandwich cases, check out my build log here https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=82976.0  You can commission me  :D and I can get you a fully customized board with RGB under glow  :thumb:

Edit* if you want to build it, I can help you get the parts cheap through taobao..PM me if interested.
« Last Edit: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:53:23 by Khuya »
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Offline MajorKoos

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 11:57:55 »
I appreciate the feedback :)
This is what I'm currently thinking.
Any suggestions on where I could optimize or find alternates?

Part             Price   Vendor
PCB             35           Techkeys    http://techkeys.us/collections/keyboards/products/gh60
Plate             0           3D Printed :)
Case             25           Sentrant     http://sentraq.com/products/plastic-60-case
Switches     18           Sentrant     http://sentraq.com/products/gateron-switches
Caps          15           Clueboard   https://shop.clueboard.co/Tai-Hao-ABS-Keycaps-for-66-or-TKL-MX-Mount.html
Stabs         10           Clueboard   https://shop.clueboard.co/Cherry-MX-PCB-Mount-Stabilizers-for-Clueboard.html
TOTAL        106   

It's the keycaps I think where I need some suggestions - I'd like a range of different colors to mix things up a bit, but that gets expensive quickly.
« Last Edit: Thu, 30 June 2016, 12:02:10 by MajorKoos »
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Offline Data

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 12:25:11 »
Aluminum plates can be cut at BigBlueSaw for less than $35 each if you're ordering 10 or more.  That would be a lot nicer than 3D printing, but not as cheap.  :P

I'd also consider getting your switches at mechanicalkeyboards.com, unless you're committed to Gateron. Never mind.  You're not going to beat Sentrant's price for Gateron switches.  That's pretty much rock-bottom.
« Last Edit: Thu, 30 June 2016, 12:31:12 by Data »
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Offline user 18

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 12:51:32 »
3D printed plates need to be quite thick, don't they?
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Offline Moistgun

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 12:55:15 »
What about the new 60%s from Originativeco.com

If they're all going to be the same layout + switches + caps, theres really no reason to build them yourself.

also they are 75$ a pop.
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Offline Waateva

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 13:01:09 »
Quote from: Moistgun on Thu, 30 June 2016, 12:55:15
What about the new 60%s from Originativeco.com

If they're all going to be the same layout + switches + caps, theres really no reason to build them yourself.

also they are 75$ a pop.

I don't think they are set to be shipped out for a couple months.
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Offline Moistgun

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 13:09:44 »
Ah good call.  Had not thought about that
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Offline MajorKoos

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 14:13:30 »
Hmm, that KBD from originative.co is a really good price, but I really want to build them myself.
The personal touch is more important here, and I want to be able to customize each one for it's intended recipient, case, FW and keycaps.

The Sentraq case is an interesting option.
I think I could spray paint the inside of each case a different color - I've ordered one to test with.
With a couple of white LEDs inside I think it could look quite nice.
Then I just need to wax a couple of different sets of keycaps in various colors to match.


For a pok3r style 60% it's the PCB which screws to the case and takes the load, so 3d printed plates work fine printed 1.5mm thick in PLA, even when split in half to accommodate for the print bed size.  Filament is <$40 a spool, so a printed plate costs me <$2 and takes an hour to print.  I've experimented with CF reinforced exotic filaments, but it's honestly not worth the trouble.

I wish I could just get everyone a planck, but they're not ready for that yet. 
I just got the notification that mine has shipped - Thanks Jack!
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Offline Criterus

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 15:50:42 »
Mass drop has a buy on gateron switches right now but there's only 10 hours left.


https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gateron-switches
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Offline user 18

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 30 June 2016, 15:55:01 »
Quote from: MajorKoos on Thu, 30 June 2016, 14:13:30
For a pok3r style 60% it's the PCB which screws to the case and takes the load, so 3d printed plates work fine printed 1.5mm thick in PLA, even when split in half to accommodate for the print bed size.  Filament is <$40 a spool, so a printed plate costs me <$2 and takes an hour to print.  I've experimented with CF reinforced exotic filaments, but it's honestly not worth the trouble.

If you're using PCB-mount switches and not relying on the plate for any reinforcement, why bother with a plate at all?
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Offline kolec94

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #14 on: Fri, 01 July 2016, 07:11:32 »
I would make a list of the comp[onenet you will need for each on the multiply it by 12 and see how many you need then contact different supplier and get thier rate for the amount you need
checkout here they give discount on volume: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1271
« Last Edit: Fri, 01 July 2016, 08:03:20 by kolec94 »
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Offline MOZ

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Re: [Help] I want to build a dozen keyboards.
« Reply #15 on: Fri, 01 July 2016, 07:38:10 »
You might get discounts from vendors selling the items you need, since you are buying 12 of everything.
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