this post was submitted on 08 Jan 2024
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Mechanical Keyboards

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Trying out this Mastodon/Microblog thing. Had a customized TKL keyboard plate laser cut, 3D printed and painted a case, hand wired the switches, and added keycaps. Geekhack link. #mechanicalkeyboards #DIY #3dprinting

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

@Deceptichum Among others, though my initial thought to put the Win key where the C64 has its "Commodore" key couldn't survive my pinkie's preferences.

There are also little notes of BBC Micro (I actually had three plates made, and #1 was partially BBC Micro themed) and Atari 8-bit, as well as a faintest whisps of MSX and Amiga. The idea was a liveable TKL with a vaguely retro feel.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Very nice! I’d love to see the other two plate layouts. How’s it sound?

You’ve certainly pulled off the aesthetics, hopefully the usability follows through.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

@Deceptichum I had three identical plates made, though one I modified very slightly. After accepting that I'd need to simply live with a split Left-Shift, it's been extremely usable.

Build 1 was BBC Micro inspired and is a simple flat sandwich with oak sides, DSA on the FRow, a Dolch-like "VSA" elsewhere, and Box Navies. This may still be the one I like typing on the most.

Build 2 was pre-lubed brown TTC, sloped 3d prints for the left and right, and stiff springs in the middle. In effect the entire board is a leaf spring. CSA keycaps from Amazon. This one has the double shift adjusted (courtesy of a dremel and a metal file) to be in line with what the ISO layouts do.

Another angle on this one, to really show off them layer lines!

Entire writeup with pictures of all three are on my geekhack thread. They're all a little too rough around the edges to make sense as anything other than personal projects, but they are usable and do have their charms, and I love building these things from scratch.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

@wjrii saw this offer at #lemmy and thought it was great. The color is fantastic. What filament was it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

@mutthew This one was painted. Filament was just white PLA. The rattle can color was Krylon "Bauhaus Yellow."