My full custom built keyboard - the SHONSY buildlog

[shoneec]

Picture of finished build:



So, I decided to build my own keyboard after getting cheap Ajaz AK33 keyboard off ebay. I live in a poor country, so getting anything is super expensive, and I have access to cnc and laser machines on my work, so I decided to order switches, controller and everything else off of ebay and aliexpress and read on how to handwire and make your own keyboard.

I used qmk.sized.io to make my firmware, don't know if I would be able to make this without this tool, it's perfect. Thanks to /u/iandr0idos from reddit for making this! And thanks for answering all my questions, you're awesome mate!

I want to thank reddit user /u/TakeawayIsNiceM8 for coming up with the handwiring layout! Thanks man!

I've done many tests with plate and case, recalculated and what not, and managed to make my keyboard in the end. It feels great!

The switches are gateron blacks, with gateron greens on spacebar, esc and delete keys.

Case build log: http://imgur.com/a/cKMr1

I decided to use MDF and cnc mill it, laser engrave the front side and then powder coat it with metallic paint. Turned out great and I'm pretty satisfied. I've put a logo on the bottom, which is made of cast transparent 3mm acrylic which is laser engraved and held in place with 4 chicago screws. First plate is white cast acrylic 3mm, and top plate is 4mm white cast acrylic with UV print applied on it.

Plate instalation buildlog: https://imgur.com/a/aG0Mz

I've ordered pcb stabs by mistake, and didnt want to wait for ages for plate ones to arrive, so I tried different hole sizes until I found the perfect one for pcb stabs to be mounted from the bottom and sit tightly in the place. I do not recommend this technique, just save yourself time and order correct stabilizers. Picture of switches aligned inclued, picture is before I replaced spacebar, escape and delete with gateron greens.

Wiring schematics and keymap: https://imgur.com/a/PfmLT

Handwire buildlog: https://imgur.com/a/aM43g

I use a pro micro, and because pro micro has only 18 pins I needed to do a bit of "hacking". What you do is remove one of the bottom LED's and a resistor beneath it and you get another pin, so pro micro can have 20 pins instead of 18. So I split the rows and extended the columns so I can fit everything, and ended up with 8x11 matrix. Everything else is standard handwire stuff.

And final assembly buildlog: http://imgur.com/a/ZDxI4

Here's a video with sound! https://youtu.be/Xn4QXNnKRMg . On video it sounds a bit highly pitched than it is in reality, my camera isnt the best.

[TofuNaut]

Nice looking Keyboard! Wold love to hear how the mdf case affects the sound.

[shoneec]

Nice looking Keyboard! Wold love to hear how the mdf case affects the sound.

I'll try to take a video, I think it sounds really nice.

[Orpheo]

First let me say that this is a beautiful keyboard, an impressive project and thanks for sharing!

As for how mdf affects sounds I guess it must be good as the most expensive speakers use mdf!

[shoneec]

First let me say that this is a beautiful keyboard, an impressive project and thanks for sharing!

As for how mdf affects sounds I guess it must be good as the most expensive speakers use mdf!

Thanks man I appreciate it!

I uploaded a video with sound, I updated my post so you can check it out.

[shoneec]

Nice looking Keyboard! Wold love to hear how the mdf case affects the sound.

Hey, I took a video of me typing and updated my post with it so you can check out how it sounds. Sound is video is a bit highly pitched than in reality but it's pretty close.

[TofuNaut]

Thanks for taking the video. That is a really satisfying clack sound. Now I really want a wooden case for my next keyboard.
I wonder what a Topre sounds like in such a case.

PS: You might want to add some rubber feet to your base

[shoneec]

Thanks for taking the video. That is a really satisfying clack sound. Now I really want a wooden case for my next keyboard.
I wonder what a Topre sounds like in such a case.

PS: You might want to add some rubber feet to your base

I actually added, but left one is a bit wonky, right one holds nice . I will add another one untill it sticks nicely .

Yea it might sound even "thockier". I haven't had opportunity to try topre at all, so no clue what final product would sound like.

I'm thinking of doing interest check in these cases, I could mill any format, could even fit topre boards.