Finding new interests and new forums is probably best described as being infected with a serious disease which can only be cured with medicine.The disease in this case is the fascination and satisfaction of mechanical keyboards and the medicine would be to actualize the plans of ones perfect keyboard which spins around in your head. I recently finished a Filco MJ2 modification which only left the switch-PCB intact, the rest was exchanged or modded in some way and this only led to an urge to continue and concluded with a thought, "It can't be that hard to design your own custom keyboard, can it?".
This brings us to this point, writing this post, starting the build of my personal most ultimate keyboard for daily use. There is no intent to to sell this idea and I'm not asking for any further suggestions regarding layout. This thread is simply to share my contribution to this wonderfully maxed-out-with-geekiness scene;)! Please, feel welcome to join my journey in building my first mechanical keyboard from the ground and up.
Background:
A typical desktop for a CAD engineer like me makes a home for lots of drawings, books, notepads, coffee mugs and Rubik's cubes in different designs. The space for the keyboard is, for me, often limited and the standard keyboard frequently interferes with the mouse on its pad since i want to center the letters when writing, I need something more compact. Besides that, the keyboard you are assigned as a consultant are 100% rubberdomes... used by others, not my melody. A third thing: Having a unique thing on your desk always triggers conversations which i like. For me personally, I have used and modded other mechanical keyboards before so this project isn't all new science to me, just the next level.
Objectives:
Main:
-A keyboard with engineering/CAD related tasks in mind.
-Compact without losing functionality or comfort, thus giving more room on your desktop.
-Supreme Quality with high standard and sturdy materials
Less important:
-Testing various modifications of key switches.
Possible:
-Groupbuy from Signature Plastics, ISO layout as default, modpacks to suite more enthusiasts.
-Adding 100% customizable LED lighting with shift registers and separate matrix. (because i want to learn new stuff)
Purpose:
-Get the idea out of my crowded mind.
-Solving the problem of lack of space.
-Learning new things, such as programming firmware to the controller
-Making something unique that nobody else have.
Solution:
-Design the chassis from scratch and make layout using community shared cad resources.
-Solder a P2P matrix controlled by a Teensy 2.0. (replaced with Teensy++ 2.0)
-Reach out to friends for help in manufacturing.
-Name the creation "TANK 93" which reflects the sturdy materials and 93 switches
To do:
[X] Design the custom layout
[X] Make a working layout for the Teensys switch matrix (writing layout is 17x6 at most)
[X] Decide which stabilizers to use
[X] Design a mountingplate to match the layout
[X] Fabricate the mountingplate through lazercutting
[X] Order small things missing
[X] Design chassis (as minimal as possible, keycaps should ideally constitute the external dimensions and the total height should be kept low)
[X] Design feets
[X] Fabricate the chassis
[/] Solder it all together P2P (point to point)
[] Connect the Teensy++ 2.0
[] Program Teensy++ 2.0
[X] Mod switches with stickers, lube and replace springs to 62g + som reds for the pinkies.
[] Fix matching keycaps for distinct understanding of functions.
[/] Connect LEDs and shift registers
[] Maybe manufacture wrist support (lack of space it was...)
---------------------------------------
Materials needed:
[X] Cherry MX switches
[X] switch stickers
[X] 62g springs
[X] Stickers
[X] Krytox grease lube
[X] diodes
[/] Plate 1.5mm thickness
[X] Chassis
[X] Screws
[X] connection wire
[/] Keycaps
[X] Stabilizers
[X] Teensy 2.0
[X] LEDs
[] Shift registers
Specifications:
-stabilizers: Costar
-Switches: Black linear stems, 62g + red springs, krytox grease lube, stickers
-Mounting plate: 1,5mm Stainless steel
-Chassis: One piece milled Stainless steel
-Controllers: Teensy++ 2.0, (Aiming to add Texas shift register for LED matrix later)
-Keycaps: Unclear atm.
-Functions:
*Swedish ISO layou
*Multiple layers with functions
*Macros and "alt+"-symbols often used when working with drawings and CAD
-Weight 2,2kg
-Rubber feets giving an angle of 4,5°.
This project is not a fantasy that will die by the lack of interest or dead ends in absence of manufacturing resources. The mounting plate is already in the making, chassis is being designed right now and many of the things needed is waiting at home. Just sit back and enjoy the show!
One thing that calms me down in the doubts of this dimension is the K65 keyboard that I myself measured to 13,93mm and that I have had a hands on dealing with unmounting switches in this keyboard. I guess the only problem could be with tolerances from the lazercutting machine. Exciting isn't it! 
