Keyboard builders for hire?

[confounded]

Hello skilled DTers!

I've been lurking on these boards for a few months. Apologies if this question has come up before (I've had a good search!).

I've managed to convince myself that there's an ideal keyboard layout for me, and it's non standard.

I've also realised that I don't have the cop-on to build a keyboard for myself.

I imagine that all of you are focussed on your latest designs, but are any of you deft enough at knocking out boards that you'd do one for a stranger (for a bit of a fee)?

A Poker II ANSI type layout on Cherry Blues is almost perfect for me. But, with a small ISO L Shift, so that I can move the ZXCVB keys along one to the left, and leave the old B space empty. Oh, and with Return and Caps Lock as Fn keys. And the }], " ', ?/, column removed, making the whole keyboard 1.0 keys narrower. And Return on |\. And a horribly complicated Fn layer. Did I mention backspace on a split space bar? I suppose I could put a tracking ball/nipple in the old B space...

Well, that's the drivel my brain's spurting (I'm sure that I could be talked out of a lot of it!).

Aside that I could do a lot with software and hacking at existing boards, are there any freelance boardsmiths out there who might be interested in a project like this?

Quite anti-hacker-ish in sentiment, I know! I'm just looking at the rapidly accumulating piles of various 'bits' I'm hoarding, and realising that I'm not really going to do anything with them! Exploit me!

[scottc]

Hey confounded. I think that the first thing you need to do is to head on over to http://keyboard-layout-editor.com to hack up a picture of your layout because images are a lot easier to follow than textual descriptions. Sounds like an interesting project though!

[matt3o]

unfortunately custom built, 1 of a kind keyboards are pretty expensive...

[002]

Like the $1000 Alps keyboard on eBay

[Muirium]

Wasn't it more like €250 for the ones we built last year? I'd call it doable, if not exactly trivial. Depends ultimately on what you want to do (Scott's right: diagram please!) and what bits you've got / can source. Custom sized caps don't exactly grow on trees. Although we do have one orchard that I'm sure you've heard me write about before, right here:

http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ ... t6732.html

Obligatory showing off what I made, with plenty of help from Matt and the group last year:

http://deskthority.net/post133887.html#p133887

[ماء]

Right,even, handwired expensive than with PCB. like Plate,Case layer.etc if you can make the design PCB maybe more cheaper. PCB no case/plate no problem

[matt3o]

It's close to 200-220 if hand wired, 220-240 on DIY PCB, 280-300 printed PCB. EXCLUDING labor time (and shipping). Time to design the plate on CAD software, time to design the PCB, soldering time, firmware programming...

I don't really know how much a custom keyboard would actually cost if I had to do that for hire.


PS: you really like your keyboard huh, Muirium? I'm really glad you made good use of the laser cut GB

[Icarium]

If you can find something that almost matches you might get by with a bit of drilling and rewiring. Might be reasonably cheap if you want an almost standard layout. As others have suggested, post a picture of your desired layout.

[Muirium]

you really like your keyboard huh, Muirium? I'm really glad you made good use of the laser cut GB

I get to show off my keyboard while being (potentially) helpful, instant win!

Designing your own layout, programming your own layers, and building it = the perfect recipe for a strong attachment to your new keyboard. It's like building your lightsabre. You grow a beard and start wearing robes…

Incidentally, I'm working on a few ideas for my next build. Four rows, multi stepped case, tiny space bar(s).

[mtl]

Lol.. That makes perfect sense, Muirium. I grew a beard last Sept. and now I know why. Just need to start rocking a robe from Tatooine. FWIW, although the price of the parts are known it's the time investment and labor cost matt3o mentioned that makes up a huge portion of the cost of a custom build. There's also a fair amount of risk involved if things don't come together as expected.

[matt3o]

There's also a fair amount of risk involved if things don't come together as expected.

very true. if you make a small mistake in the plate you have to start over again (and +100 euros)

[ماء]

matt30 right,make PCB is diffilcut and exhaust but if just own project not comersial i think cheaper like key64 PCB regular with teensy,but fortunately in my country there Services PCB maker so cheap,in italy nothing best way homemade PCB i think actually,i don't like of handwired is layer cases i prefer with wood maybe

[fart_toast]

PS: you really like your keyboard huh, Muirium? I'm really glad you made good use of the laser cut GB

I also really like that keyboard! Is handwiring a KB really that hard?

[Muirium]

You need the right tools, fine solder and a lot of patience. It's fiddly and time consuming, but not really all that hard, once you get some practice. And doing a keyboard ensures you will!

[matt3o]

just patience I built my first keyboard (the steely) with a 9 euros soldering iron.



ps: a fine iron surely helps...

[fart_toast]

I have a decent soldering station and solder/equipment etc. My background is in physics research so tweezers and tools galore . Looking at the pics of those two handwired boards posted, my main question is the housing/case. How do you go about that?

I'll have spare switches and caps and ISO poker 2 plate after my ducky tkl and poker 2 60% are fully modded. I'll want to make a 60% with the spares.

Looks like i'll need a controller, some diodes, case....what else?

[matt3o]

I suggest you reading this http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/brow ... t6050.html

[fart_toast]

I suggest you reading this http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/brow ... t6050.html

Will do after work, thank you!

[collector of junk]

have a look at my attempt ! to build one also
not as good as the brownfox
plus if you get stuck =just ask

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/a-ba ... t7222.html