Behold: The Black Rainbow

[salsaverde]

Here is my second build. I call it "The Black Rainbow."

144 keys.
Cherry MX brown: alpha keys.
Cherry MX blue: function keys.
Cherry MX red: backspaces.
Cherry MX green: power control.
Cherry MX black: space
Gateron yellow: number keypad, ctrl, FN1.
Function keys 1-24.
Media control and volume keys.
Ten-key is now a 20-key.
Backspace integrated in number pad.
“.com” button inspired by mobile phone keypad.
Key-mirroring (inspired by Matias Half-QWERTY Keyboard).
One 87 and one 104 blank cap sets from WASD Keyboards.
Three ¼” audio jacks for foot pedal keys (Inspired by medical transcriptionists’ equipment. Can be programmed with media keys, or any macro).
Three M-Audio sustain pedals as normally open switches.
Hefty modular USB type B port.
Modular wiring using 30cm Dupont ribbon jumper cable.
No spacebar wasting space.
No LEDs telling me something I already know.
No stabilizers: Part count reduced.
Wedge shape forms integrated wrist rest (inspired by the Filco FKB108AL and the Billings 6000 Computer keyboard).
1.1mm aluminum switch plate cut from an Aluminyze.com print of my artwork.
Water-jet cut by PortlandWaterjet.com.
Countersunk machine screws.
Figured maple frame dyed purple and coated in tung oil (inspired by artisan guitars).
Teensy++ 2.0. Disabled the LED to use pin 6.
Soarer’s controller software.
Clear plastic foot plate by Tapplastics.com to show off the internals.
1.5mm rubber feet from Amazon.com

Gallery: http://imgur.com/a/sf2Ac

Final View


The Layout


CAD Design
This design was mostly followed. Some changes had to be made during assembly due to space constraints.


Source Artwork

Spoiler:

Switch Plate
Water-jet cut from some of my artwork. Printed on aluminum by Aluminyze.com and cut by PortlandWaterjet.com.


Switches Populated


Diodes
Comparing size to my other tank.


Diode Closeup


Diode Closeup


Columns


Columns Close


Caps Populated


Caps Populated
Angle view


Teensy Installed
Wiring near its final state.


Teensy Closeup


Finished


Top


Back
Showing modular USB and foot pedal ports


Foot Pedal Plugs


Foot Pedals


Artwork Close


Under
Clear plastic displays the internals.


Jacks
Close shot of ¼" jacks.


USB


Final Product

[KRKS]

And here I am, debating between 75% and 60%

Seriously though, that's a very nice board, good job. I'm kinda surprised to see a mouse alongside of it though. Isn't it a pain to reach so far out for it? Have you ever tried a tiling window manager?

[gogusrl]

very nice work.

[Muirium]

The board would drive me absolutely insane, but that's the joy of customs. You make something that's ideal *for you* alone.

Intriguing print. I'd get a headache just looking up at my display, with that dancing around at the bottom of my peripheral vision. But as a wall hanging it might work. Thanks for the pointer to the manufacturer.

[fohat]

This is a staggering piece of work.

Not the thing for me, but I am impressed almost beyond words.

[suicidal_orange]

I'm not sure what's more impressive - that you came up with and made this crazy design or that you can use all those keys with blank caps!

Amazing work

[courtesi]

I will echo what others have said: Great job!

It would be extra icing on the cake to find out you are a teenager. It would give this old geezer hope for the future that young people are still picking up soldering irons.

[shreebles]

It would be extra icing on the cake to find out you are a teenager. It would give this old geezer hope for the future that young people are still picking up soldering irons.

Well, I picked one up at 24 if you consider that young.

PS: On topic this is an excellent build! Great craftsmanship, very clean wiring, I would not have any idea what to do with such a huge keyboard but I'm sure you have your reasons

[salsaverde]

...I'm kinda surprised to see a mouse alongside of it though. Isn't it a pain to reach so far out for it? Have you ever tried a tiling window manager?

Not at all. It's not too much bigger than a full-sized keyboard, so I'm used to that. But I've also designed the keyboard (and mouse) layout to reduce the need to swap back'n'forth. The G600 mouse has a bunch of programmable buttons. I have the following keys programmed:

Copy, Undo, Paste, Home, Enter, End, Ctrl-A, Tab, Delete, Ctrl, Alt, Backspace, Scroll, Up, Down, Left, Right, Esc.

When using the mirroring function on for typing strings, I don't have to move off the mouse. This has made me an extremely efficient Excel user.

I have no idea why Logitech isn't marketing their G600 mouse to accountants.

[derzemel]

This has made me an extremely efficient Excel user.

Suddenly the G600 mouse has become very relevant .

Also, what do you use the foot pedals for?

[salsaverde]

Also, what do you use the foot pedals for?

Audio control. Play/pause, fast forward, rewind. If I were a gamer, then circle-strafe.