deskthority

I am working on a snug fit wrist rest as well in the same design. Still testing the variants before I get it done in the proper color. Here's what I have so far:

I guess it is time to post some updates. I have substantially extended the profile set. It now includes, among other things, everything that can be found on ANSI/ISO full keyboards. The convex profile includes shorter spacebars and convex modifiers as I have promised. Since the set of supported key sizes is quite large, I will probably make and post a comprehensible ‘spec sheet’ later. For those who are curious, these are the classic (concave) modifiers:



… and these are the convex ones:

Wait, does it mean that there is a full-size ANSI 104 keyset available for purchase? And/or a full-size or TKL keyboard with ANSI layout?

engr wrote: 09 Apr 2024, 20:25 Wait, does it mean that there is a full-size ANSI 104 keyset available for purchase? And/or a full-size or TKL keyboard with ANSI layout?

Almost, … it is just two small steps away. I need to figure out the final pricing and set up a ‘product web’ again. Besides that, everything is ready and tested. Full size ANSI or TKL with MX or Alps mounts is not a problem. I hope to add a support for Topre as well but the mount is harder to make because of its geometry (I will need a bespoke end-mill for that and currently I am in the middle of the reverse-engineering process).

That’s great news. I am not normally a custom board guy… but if you are going to offer a full-size ANSI Keymacs kit with a full-size ANSI layout, I got some blue Alps stashed just for such an occasion!

I have added new legend options to my keyboard kits:



This is a render but I am currently finishing two sets with triple-shot Cadet legends. Also, I have put a limited number of NOS blue alps in the stock.

Hype!

This project is still going better along with years!

… and this is how it looks after four rounds of resin casting and four rounds of CNC milling:



The final step remains—milling the mount and separating the keycap from its base. The time spent on the manufacturing is slightly over 2 hours per keycap (the design of the legends is not included, of course). And, yes, it is going to be German QWERTZ ISO.

Every time I check in on this project, I am more amazed.

After a long time, I have finally finished this one today—Keymacs A620N-92 German QWERTZ ISO Mini Cadet:

… and a typing demo:

It's beautiful

I wanted to write a long pathetic story but I decided to keep it short and sweet. Let me introduce you to our new model, the mighty Keymacs A624N-101 which clearly is my take on the Space Cadet theme:



It has all the nifty features that true hackers need like the roman numeral keys:



thumb and index finger keys:



hefty 1.5U minus/underscrore and equality/plus keys:



stepped shifts on both sides:



…and you have probably noticed that—the control keys on both sides and the right-hand GREEK modifier are stepped as well. I made this to cover the ugly gaps that appear on the original Cadet. Also, there is an extra key between the right CTRL and META (that's why this model is A624N-101 and not just A624N-100). I was wondering why the right-hand side of the original Cadet is not as symetrical as the left-hand side until one good soul donated to me this 40+ year-old Microswitch Lawrence Livermore (SAIL spin-off) keyboard:



The PCB does not have a switch at that position, hence the gap between the CTRL and META. Interestingly, the keyboard has a very low serial number:



Anyway, the A624N-101 is I believe, the only reproduction that has both the top and front legends. In addition to that, the keys are triple shot. If I am not mistaken, the OG Cadet keys were pad printed in the front, so I dare to say this is better than the original. In this particular case, the front legends are in a light blue color (BSB—Bright Steel Blue in my nomenclature):



Regarding the mysterious front glyph on the colon/pm key:

webwit wrote: 29 Oct 2011, 11:51 Maybe it's just a styled section sign.

I decided to make it a contour integral sign:



The enclosure is matte black anodized extension of the A620N-88 case, so, in a sense, this keyboard is a hybrid of Space Cadet and Symbolics PN 365407 keyboards (the keyboard below is my poor daily driver with the first legend set I have ever made + some leftover and experimental keys):



Side by side comparison:



Typing demo:

Pretty, pretty, pretty...