Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects

A machined keyboard with machined caps

A machined keyboard with machined keycaps by saturnfig.

KBD.news
Published July 2, 2021

Gallery with lots of pictures and some info: https://imgur.com/a/HyNVOiF

Actual runtime + setup time on the case was ~70 hours (100 if you include the fixture) because I had to do 7 different setups and a lot of shifting and checking with my dial indicator until it was where I wanted it.

The whole thing was machined on a Haas mini mill, 16" x travel the case is 17.7" so that was what took so long. Also cutting the really small radius for the key switch cutouts took forever. The keycaps took a bit but not nearly as brutal as the case because 6 could be done at a time.

It "only" cost around $300. Most of the material was donated so that helped. Total BOM cost would be another $300 too.

Published on Fri 2nd Jul 2021. Featured in KBD #33 (source).

Related

Colourful keyboard stands

Colourful keyboard stands by WhatIsDeli (more pics).

Carved case 2

A gorgeous wooden keyboard case by Breakwood with meticulously carved and gold plated solid copper insets.

The Two Thirds Keyboard

Inspired by old letterpress type cases, Attoparsec designed a keyboard based on the California Two Thirds layout.

Deskmat sized board

Fellow builder factoryofidols saw those deskmats the size of your keyboard and got inspired.

1,048 buttons to press

Tokyo based elevator button manufacturer Shimada Denki Seisakusho set up a wall of 1,048 buttons to press.