Keyboard mod/buid in progress - Overclock.net

Uncool · 08-11-09

Hi , this is my first post and mod.

Just started a keyboard mod it's actually more of a build.
This first version is a proto-type or dry run for a wireless keyboard that I will build later.
So far I have made the rough "blank keyboard shell", started drilling the holes and made a few test keys.

Though, looking at the keys it looks like a steampunk mod , it's not really the style that I am going for.
I will be trying to make it more like a piece of classic furniture you would find in an executive office... though for the steampunk fans it will incorperate a fair amount of brass.

At the moment I am cutting the holes for the keys (105 to drill then file). I will move onto making the keys in a few days, I need to get some more brass rod.

The final stage will be refining the shape and adding details,lights and fittings.
You can seemore of my progress here

Because this is a test run, if I complete it and it is in decent working condition I will be selling it or giving it away.
I have set up a form linked from the builds progress page to allow people to offer suggestions and input.

I just updated the progress today and will be working on the holes for the next few so it will be 2-3 days before the progress page is updated again.

Any ideas and feedback are welcome.

Uncool · 08-22-09

Just received a notice for a reply to the thread but there is nothing here, thought I would take the opportunity to make a quick update.

In my last post I said that it will be 2-3 days before I update this thread because I am cutting the keys... Now it is much later than that.
The delay is because of the time it has taken me to drill all of the holes for the keys. There are 105 - 108 separate key stems that need to be fitted. I also needed to file each hole square. I have run out of square brass rod and the local hobby shop doesn't get any more for about another 10 days, so I am waiting on that.

If anyone is interested I should be able to update this thread with images in about 2 weeks if the brass comes in.

So far I have made 47 keys like you see in the image of my last post but they do not yet have a glass resin top or the black lettering of the "B" test key and I actually just finished the last hole yesterday.

The preliminary blank keyboard shell is looking pretty dirty at the moment from all the brass filings and tool work. It will all get cleaned up when I finalize the shape.

In my last post I said I was thinking about selling it or giving it away when I was finished, thats doubtfull now.
This keyboard is a proto-type for a wireless one I am going to make later. I will probably cannibalize the keys for the updated version saving myself some work.

reedo · 08-22-09

pretty cool, so far

derek2esilent · 08-22-09

moar pics

[Teh Root] · 08-22-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek2esilent

moar pics

I second that.

Uncool · 08-22-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek2esilent

moar pics

Ok I will post a pic of the scratched up and dirty progress when my girl gets home (she has the camera).

It's not pretty but you will be able to see where I am at.

Deagle50ae · 08-22-09

Subscribed.
We love pictures 'round here. lol
I love the custom Steampunk stuff I've seen so this will be very cool.
Good luck with the build, I'll be watching for sure!

tr8rjohnk · 08-22-09

Huh, great idea. Subbed; I'm very curious to see how this turns out. GL

Uncool · 08-23-09

Ok updated images, not really too much progress to see.

This image shows the holder for the capslock, numlock and function LED lights found on most keyboards.

I will thread the wires through the mast and fit the LEDs where you see the black dots below . The mast will have its own square hole and raise the lights above the keyboard behind the numberpad.

That blured rod in the backgrounds is my rasp file.

The 2 images below are to show the basic layout .You can see the keys in various states of completeness.
The function keys have no bolt or resin yet and the keys are just hanging in the holes, thats why they dont look level or lined up.
The function key row will not be angled like the other keys but vertical and raised 10mm, as will the ESC key

The project page on my site has only slightly more detail if you are interested in how I angled the wood.
The wood is actually 7mm thick at its thinnest and 20~30 mm at its thickest. The bulk of the key space area has a thickness of 10 mm. It is quite sturdy.

The next update won't be for at the least 10 days to 2 weeks due to cost/ time/ lack of brass.
Any suggestions/questions about the disign or work process are welcome.

Aww crap ... looking at the pics I just realized that I forgot to cut the holes for the space bar... time to go find that file again.

YOURMOMLISK · 08-27-09

Very old school. I like!

08-11-09	#1 (permalink)
Uncool Programmer Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Rep: 0 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Keyboard mod/buid in progress Hi , this is my first post and mod. Just started a keyboard mod it's actually more of a build. This first version is a proto-type or dry run for a wireless keyboard that I will build later. So far I have made the rough "blank keyboard shell", started drilling the holes and made a few test keys. Though, looking at the keys it looks like a steampunk mod , it's not really the style that I am going for. I will be trying to make it more like a piece of classic furniture you would find in an executive office... though for the steampunk fans it will incorperate a fair amount of brass. At the moment I am cutting the holes for the keys (105 to drill then file). I will move onto making the keys in a few days, I need to get some more brass rod. The final stage will be refining the shape and adding details,lights and fittings. You can seemore of my progress here Because this is a test run, if I complete it and it is in decent working condition I will be selling it or giving it away. I have set up a form linked from the builds progress page to allow people to offer suggestions and input. I just updated the progress today and will be working on the holes for the next few so it will be 2-3 days before the progress page is updated again. Any ideas and feedback are welcome. Last edited by Uncool : 08-11-09 at 04:14 AM

08-22-09	#2 (permalink)
Uncool Programmer Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Rep: 0 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Just received a notice for a reply to the thread but there is nothing here, thought I would take the opportunity to make a quick update. In my last post I said that it will be 2-3 days before I update this thread because I am cutting the keys... Now it is much later than that. The delay is because of the time it has taken me to drill all of the holes for the keys. There are 105 - 108 separate key stems that need to be fitted. I also needed to file each hole square. I have run out of square brass rod and the local hobby shop doesn't get any more for about another 10 days, so I am waiting on that. If anyone is interested I should be able to update this thread with images in about 2 weeks if the brass comes in. So far I have made 47 keys like you see in the image of my last post but they do not yet have a glass resin top or the black lettering of the "B" test key and I actually just finished the last hole yesterday. The preliminary blank keyboard shell is looking pretty dirty at the moment from all the brass filings and tool work. It will all get cleaned up when I finalize the shape. In my last post I said I was thinking about selling it or giving it away when I was finished, thats doubtfull now. This keyboard is a proto-type for a wireless one I am going to make later. I will probably cannibalize the keys for the updated version saving myself some work. Last edited by Uncool : 08-22-09 at 10:34 AM

08-23-09	#9 (permalink)
Uncool Programmer Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Rep: 0 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Ok updated Ok updated images, not really too much progress to see. This image shows the holder for the capslock, numlock and function LED lights found on most keyboards. I will thread the wires through the mast and fit the LEDs where you see the black dots below . The mast will have its own square hole and raise the lights above the keyboard behind the numberpad. That blured rod in the backgrounds is my rasp file. The 2 images below are to show the basic layout .You can see the keys in various states of completeness. The function keys have no bolt or resin yet and the keys are just hanging in the holes, thats why they dont look level or lined up. The function key row will not be angled like the other keys but vertical and raised 10mm, as will the ESC key The project page on my site has only slightly more detail if you are interested in how I angled the wood. The wood is actually 7mm thick at its thinnest and 20~30 mm at its thickest. The bulk of the key space area has a thickness of 10 mm. It is quite sturdy. The next update won't be for at the least 10 days to 2 weeks due to cost/ time/ lack of brass. Any suggestions/questions about the disign or work process are welcome. Aww crap ... looking at the pics I just realized that I forgot to cut the holes for the space bar... time to go find that file again. Last edited by Uncool : 08-23-09 at 03:44 AM Reason: Text after smiley

		Overclock.net - Overclocking.net > Case Mods & Cases > Other Hardware Mods
Keyboard mod/buid in progress

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)