Mechamorphosis

[Anakey]

I posted this on Reddit yesterday, but hopefully some on here will like it also


Completed build with key switch in Control position. Trackball is powered will send but does not yet receive so is currently not on operation but I would like to get it fully operational in the near future.


The original board I bought. I got a replacement case due to the original one being damaged in shipping which I then used for my project.


Have just finished cutting out the top case, still got to finish off around the edges, got a template file for my plate over so wanted to check it would fit correctly. Already have the indicators installed.


Industrial USB cable made along with a better picture of the key switch and indicators.


Switches, plate and keycaps have arrived, just wanted to do a test fit and show what the final assembled board would look like, No internal work has been done as yet


Rear USB ports done, these will be connected to an internal USB hub. The original board has a parallel port here.


Handwired board using a Postage Board controller board, I did some of the handwireing as part of a livestream guide over 3 episodes to show my way of working and to hopefully encourage others who might be a bit apprehensive of doing their own handwired builds.


Internal picture both the keyboard and trackball are connected to the square USB hub with the remaining two ports being passed through to the rear of the case.


The Key switch is on the +5v so when that is in the View (off) position there is no power to the USB hub so everything is switched off and the keyboard is locked until the key is turned from view to Control (on)

Someone suggested in the Reddit thread that I ought to add a solenoid which could go well considering it is a roomy solid metal case however i have no clue about the hardware requirements or programming in QMK if needed so hopefully someone from here could help in that regards.

[Chyros]

That's a pretty nice little project xD .

[flowerlandfilms]

Those two lamps are very cool, they really give it a certain something.

[Anakey]

Those two lamps are very cool, they really give it a certain something.

Yes I bought neon indicators off ebay and then replaced the neon lamps with coloured LEDs the green one was out of an old Monterey board I harvested the white alps from so I try and re use things where I can

[zrrion]

This is a supercool project! What switches did you go with?

[Dingster]

This is pretty amazing

[JBert]

Hmmm, shouldn't we tag this for DTA 2019? It's a rather clean handwiring job.

[Anakey]

This is a supercool project! What switches did you go with?

Otemu Ice v1 housing with retooled 2.1 stems and vintage black springs i wanted something fairly heavy yet tactile to go with the industrial theme and they sound great in the roomy chassis

[madrobby]

What a beauty! Amazing project.

[livingspeedbump]

This is fantastic! Love the lamps and the key, they just make the project quite unique!

[Engicoder]

Really nice work! I love all the details.

[Anakey]

Thanks for the replies everyone, just hoping someone can help me put a solenoid in this thing too

[OldIsNew]

Wow nice! Very cool for sure!

[kokokoy]

This thing is a beauty!

[Hypersphere]

Well done! Thanks for sharing.

[ZedTheMan]

Yowzers!

That's a really nice transformation.

[Menuhin]

Neat project with added orange color.
But I have to say the original keyboard gives me more space to fantasize what is going on to such a unique keyboard.

[Sangdrax]

I really like this. It's what I would have wanted out of one of these cases rather than the default super macro pad that the originals are. Nice choice on the plug too. I love those old amphinol connectors.

As far as a solenoid goes, the xwhatsit solenoid board will provide the power and just needs the trigger signal if both the power and gate are hooked up to 5V high. Even a beeper setup will work with it. You just need to be able to control the timing.

[abrahamstechnology]

Nice! I'm glad one of these went to a good use.

[andrewjoy]

I have one of them but without the trackball
I was going to fit in a keyboard like that!

Very cool project

[Anakey]

I have one of them but without the trackball
I was going to fit in a keyboard like that!

Very cool project

I still have the plate file if you want it, you would need to change the layout obviously if you were wanting ISO but the standoff positions should still be the same. Just be aware that because the original pcb is on the standoffs so when going to a plate the switches will sit lower so it is best using taller keycaps.

[matt3o]

I know those keycaps!

[Anakey]

I know those keycaps!

Indeed; SA Industrial, quite fitting name for the board i put them in, I did also consider SA Electric, however the colours would not match and i think it is still in IC anyway

[matt3o]

you really need /dev/tty keycaps

[andrewjoy]

have one of them but without the trackball
I was going to fit in a keyboard like that!

Very cool project

I still have the plate file if you want it, you would need to change the layout obviously if you were wanting ISO but the standoff positions should still be the same. Just be aware that because the original pcb is on the standoffs so when going to a plate the switches will sit lower so it is best using taller keycaps.

That would be cool yeh.

I was just going to bodge in a tipro or something but a plate file would be handy thanks

[Darkshado]

Well done! I would have had no trouble believing this was a 60% board from the beginning if not for the second photo.

[XMIT]

you really need /dev/tty keycaps

Pretty much every keyboard does. I just wish there were some other way of obtaining them than at Massdrop's whim. I'd buy 100 sets if I could get volume pricing on them.