So I built a keyboard

[Zifle]

Hello there, new to the forum, but I assumed some of you might be interested in this.
 
So a few months ago, I set out to build my own keyboard. Some due to the experience of it, some because I wanted to try the HHKB layout, but can't drop the money on one.
So then I started.
 
First things first, mapping out the key layout:

 
I ended up swapping the place of left alt, and super, due to keycap availability. In the end, it also does make more sense, comparing it to normal key positions.
 
Designing the plate, and case, for the keyboard was pretty simple. Five layers of 3mm acrylic gives a good height, and plenty of room for wires inside.

 
Next was the wiring. I whipped up a quick diagram for it.

... A little too quick, as I discovered too late that the diodes should be reversed...
 
The keycaps arrived, and it was time to figure out which keys were to be used. I made a few changes to this afterwards, but it has the general feel of it.

 
 
The cuts arrived not too long after, and I could start putting it together!


I'm using MX Jailhouse Blues for it (which are absolutely awesome!), lubed and stickered.
 
I got the layers in smoke-coloured acrylic. It looks absolutely fantastic with my keycaps of choice!

 
 
I started soldering away....


Almost done with the matrix (Except for the reversed diodes).
 
Now for the controller

I chopped up a usb cable, to have a small footprint, that could fit between the switches. It extends out of the body of the case, so it's a more flexible detachable cable.
 

I use a Teensy 2 as the controller. Five rows, and 15 columns gives a lot of spaghetti to manage, but a bit of organization made it somewhat trivial. The firmware is a fork of Hasu's TMK_Keyboard firmware
 

And there it is, all soldered up and done! Except for a few missing screws, those should be in the mail within a couple of days.
 

You can see the wires going to each of the columns, neatly tucked away. Okay, maybe not so neatly, but consider it a prototype!
 
And with keycaps, on the desk...


 
 
Edited for more photos !:






 
 
So, conclusion time!
In hindsight, I shouldn't have bothered with easy-swap holes for the switches. The reality of it is, since the plate is twice as thick as recommended, and there's no pcb, the switches aren't held down nearly as much as one would want. I've been using it for a couple of hours, and it's not an issue for far majority of the keys, although the backspace is pretty loose.
The middle of the board could also use some support from underneath, as putting the G and H keycaps on, especially, was a little frightening. But it worked out in the end, and it's not much of an issue for normal use. I don't usually put 300g+ weight on the middle keys.
 
With that said, for the limited time I've been using this, I absolutely love it! I've ordered a aluminum plate, and steel bottom, which should add some good weight, and general durability to the keyboard, even though it might have a negative effect on the overall looks.

[Coombzy]

Woah nice job.

[DudeWazap]

Wow that's really nice. I'll take two.  ^_^

[noc]

Great work dude, that's really tidy. I wish I had so much patience.

[UselessBread]

How much did the keyboard cost you overall?

[t0wer]

disappointing you used cherry switches.

I plan to try a board with microswitches once I get my 3d printer.

I just have to figure out how to stick a cherry keycap onto a microswitch.

[UselessBread]

disappointing you used cherry switches.

I plan to try a board with microswitches once I get my 3d printer.

why is it disappointing?

[t0wer]

too long of a keypress, and every keyboard has cherry.

gotta try something new, lol.

 

it does look nice, and I like the keycaps, was it a group buy on GH?

 

and is the spacebar backwards?

[Zeal]

The space bar looks like it's a Cherry profile one that he mounted in reverse purposely.

[Zifle]

How much did the keyboard cost you overall?

Around $150 total I think, although I used switches from my qfr, so that kept it down a little.

 

The space bar looks like it's a Cherry profile one that he mounted in reverse purposely.

Correct, since it's flat on the table, the DCS spacebar is quite sharp when sat normally. Reversed, it's extremely comfy.

 

too long of a keypress, and every keyboard has cherry.

gotta try something new, lol.

 

it does look nice, and I like the keycaps, was it a group buy on GH?

 

and is the spacebar backwards?

The jailhouse blues has reduced travel, in that it places the bump right at the top of the key. It's not the same experience as normal blues.

 

Yes, the keycaps are from the Doubleshot Replacements Round 4 GB. If I had a set of dolch caps, those would get thrown on instantly. I've been contemplating getting a set from Originative for a while ...

[Flame05]

holy crap dude! That looks awesome! You actually made your own keyboard.... all kinds of epic...

[Charger]

i think that is the first time i have seen the columns with the diodes looks nice is it using the tmk gh60 firmware? I'm working on one right now but i have to change the firmware up a bit to work with my matrix.

[Exotath]

Great job!

[Alterlai]

Veriy nice!

[L.E.D]

Wow. Talent is strong here lol.

[GamerDude]

Oh my! That's one sweet looking DIY KB! :wub:  The Force is strong with this one! 'Grats on pulling off a very nice looking DIY! B)

[Unhelpful]

this is glorious, amazing job!

[Zifle]

i think that is the first time i have seen the columns with the diodes looks nice is it using the tmk gh60 firmware? I'm working on one right now but i have to change the firmware up a bit to work with my matrix.

As a matter of fact, I am! I forked the repo, and copied the gh60 files over, so I could modify (I do use a slightly different matrix). You can check it out https://github.com/zifle/tmk_keyboard/tree/master/keyboard/hzh'>here if you're interested

 

How did you cut that board that held the switches? Would it be possible to buy one of those frames from you?

I'm afraid it would not, I got the layers lasercut from a guy over at Geekhack (Acidfire). I would like, however, to remind you of the third last paragraph I wrote in OP, as 3mm plates really are not ideal, but can easily work if you have something to hold the switches down, from underneath, such as a pcb. If not, you should try to get a plate in 1.5mm of some metal.

Thanks for all the feedback, it's heartwarming!

[IAcKI]

Very nice keyboard!

[Alterlai]

Are there gonna be more pictures of the final product?

[Mooru]

Epic dude, very nicely done :) 

[nickpc]

very nice

[acidydragon]

Very clean, very stylish. I dig it.

How much of a pain was the wiring?

[GamerDude]

Are there gonna be more pictures of the final product?

Yeah, please more pics.....gonna have to get a new pack of tissue paper/Kleenex at the ready.... :P :D .

[unidentical]

That is very cool.