Minimal Animal Complete Build Log

[rklm]

Sorry for the delay, I have been too busy/lazy.

Here is the full build log, for your viewing pleasure: http://imgur.com/a/sWuH1

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped me out in the original post. If it weren't for this awesome community, I don't think I could have finished the project.

Original post: http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/hand ... t7615.html

[scottc]

Fantastic! Looks great. Really need to get going on my own custom project!

[scottc]

By the way: That's a Cherry M9. 7bit includes them in every order now.

[jacobolus]

Looks great! What key layout are you using with that?

[rklm]

This is the layout: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/# ... 8560b2e86e

I have been very happy with it for the past couple weeks.

The .25u shift on the top alpha row is a little weird to use for WASD though... In case anyone else wanted to use this layout.

[Dubsgalore]

Amazing Work rklm. seriously, that imgur album is full of intense effort

http://i.imgur.com/pyPabIi.jpg

something about that photo...so cool....

congrats on finishing it!

[rklm]

Thanks!

I spent a long time looking at all the other awesome custom mods on DT and the Korean forums, and the guy who runs the Maker Space at my local library was very helpful as well.

I would recommend a project like this to anyone, it was very fun.

[DanielT]

This is a real cool build.
I'm also planning to build a custom 60% keyboard, also with acrylic plate. Read all sorts of opinions but never saw a finalized work. So I have a lot of questions
1. How thick is the switch plate ?
2. How is the stability of the plate, does it flex ? I saw the plate is only supported on the exterior, no central fixing points (I have the same design).
3. I see that you have plenty of space for wiring and teensy, how thick are the spacer plates ?

Because I have read that the plate might crack my first attempt was with a 5mm plate, it looked nice but the switches didn't clip in the slots and were very loose and did not want to glue them into place.

Now I plan to cut a plate 1.5mm thick and also maybe test with a 1mm aluminum one.

[hargon]

Very nice. Where did you order the lasered plates? How expensive was it?

[matt3o]

welcome to the hand-wiring club, rklm. Now you know what it means

[mzero]

Really nice build! Do you know about screw inserts? I haven't work with them, but when I see a sandwich case I always wonder how it could be changed to hide nuts

http://www.designworldonline.com/upload ... -brass.jpg

[Grond]

Good work! How did you map the keys?

[mzero]

Good work! How did you map the keys?

Look the #5 post

[Findecanor]

Nice work.
Whoa. PBT DSA on Clears... Super tight. Be careful when/if you need to take them off.

[rklm]

This is a real cool build.
I'm also planning to build a custom 60% keyboard, also with acrylic plate. Read all sorts of opinions but never saw a finalized work. So I have a lot of questions
1. How thick is the switch plate ?
2. How is the stability of the plate, does it flex ? I saw the plate is only supported on the exterior, no central fixing points (I have the same design).
3. I see that you have plenty of space for wiring and teensy, how thick are the spacer plates ?

Because I have read that the plate might crack my first attempt was with a 5mm plate, it looked nice but the switches didn't clip in the slots and were very loose and did not want to glue them into place.

Now I plan to cut a plate 1.5mm thick and also maybe test with a 1mm aluminum one.

The thickness of the acrylic I used for the plate was "1/16 inch" but for acrylic I think it varies. Mine was closer to 2mm, so I had to dremel down the top and bottom of the square to make the tabs that click the switches into place connect.

There is no flex on this plate. It is shocking how stable it is. I think this is because it is so well fastened to the middle layers and bottom of the plate.

My design does have middle supports (three actually, in the middle) and I used nuts wrapped in electrical tape to separate the top and bottom. You can see it pretty well in the pictures. [EDIT] Here is a link: http://i.imgur.com/4rg4yfu.jpg

And also, there was actually very little room for the components. I used 1/8 inch acrylic for the middle slices, so I actually only had about 9mm to work in. However, I insulated the bottom of the teensy and was very careful about making the connections to the switches underneath them.

There ended up being so little space for the Teensy that I had to dremel out the bottom plate in multiple places to make room for the solder joints and the female mini USB connector head.

I describe that whole part in the album.

Let me know if you have any trouble, I can probably find my measurements somewhere if you need them.

[rklm]

Very nice. Where did you order the lasered plates? How expensive was it?

My local library is the James B. Hunt library on the NC State campus.

Since I am an employee (students have access too), I have access to the Maker Space there which has 3d printers and laser cutters. They charge by the hour and for the material, so it is pretty inexpensive.

Here is a link: https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary

[rklm]

welcome to the hand-wiring club, rklm. Now you know what it means

Thanks!

If it wasn't for your posts I would never have had the inspiration, or the understanding to do it!

Really nice build! Do you know about screw inserts? I haven't work with them, but when I see a sandwich case I always wonder how it could be changed to hide nuts

http://www.designworldonline.com/upload ... -brass.jpg

Someone on the reddit post recommended I check out "Sex bolts"... (that is actually what they are called).

Here's a link: http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Fast ... d=12108778

Nice work.
Whoa. PBT DSA on Clears... Super tight. Be careful when/if you need to take them off.

Yeah! I didn't know that they were slightly thicker than other stems... I put the caps on once... and I don't think they will ever be coming off.

[DanielT]

Thanks for all the info
The first time I looked on the gallery I missed some details, but looking now it is so clear It will help me a lot in my build.

[rklm]

Glad I can help!

[lowmagnet]

This board looks rather nice in person! So serendipitous to run into you at the Maker Faire today. I'm glad you brought your board!

-eli

[rklm]

Thanks!

I got to play with a model M that was set up in an arduino demo while I was there... I will post some pictures on /r/mechanicalkeyboards later.

I found so many new hacker space resources at the fair. My keypad project is going to turn out awesome.