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Keyboard Nut Thread

Bringing over from the KBDFans GB thread.

Here's what I'm working with:
2V5V2ca.png


That's a Monstargear Ninja87 XD Arc Light and what I basically want to do here is ditch the shell in favour of something grey/black with a lower profile. It could be 3D-printed or built up from scratch with some light material, not sure what just yet.

Has anyone attempted something like this? How easy/difficult is it to DIY with no real experience?
Measure really carefully or use something like KLE and swillkb to generate the layout/case for you if you want to basically only keep the PCB and switches intact.

This will create a set of CAD files for you plate/case/PCB that you can download and send to your favourite 3D Printer/laser cutter to have components made for the case, however do bear in mind that it's basically just going to be a sandwich case, nothing particularly fancy.
 
Bringing over from the KBDFans GB thread.

Here's what I'm working with:
2V5V2ca.png


That's a Monstargear Ninja87 XD Arc Light and what I basically want to do here is ditch the shell in favour of something grey/black with a lower profile. It could be 3D-printed or built up from scratch with some light material, not sure what just yet.

Has anyone attempted something like this? How easy/difficult is it to DIY with no real experience?
That board is really nice dude. Defos a little jelly.

Unfortunately, to 'diy' a new case is nearly impossible without the right tools and knowledge. If there is no open source or 3D files available for your case, then you would either have to get someone to model it or reverse engineer it yourself and create a 3D model. **

To be fair, all you really need is the PCB, and build from there. Mimicking the case is a difficult exercise, designing a new case around the PCB a bit simpler.

The major challenge is in the manufacturing and fabrication department. Unfortunately, TKL keyboards are too big to fit into the vast majority of hobby 3D printers print volume. You can obviously get a company with the appropriate equipment to print it for you. Alternatively, you can create a sandwich case which is comprised of various layers of acrylic or wood, with screws going through the corners squishing everything together. There's a lot of places that can help with lazer cutting, lookup wedding stationary companies in your area, they usually do these cuts for cheap.

Personally, the only way how I could help is to print that case in multiple parts. How to connect those parts? I have no idea.

Here's an open source example of a 60%, printable on hobby printers:
(Mechanical Keyboard - SiCK-68 by FedorSosnin)

c72cb0e5fd6a4c0ac6b677258f570384_preview_featured.JPG


**Cujo26 listed 2 great sources above to generate the case for you.
 
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That board is really nice dude. Defos a little jelly.

Unfortunately, to 'diy' a new case is nearly impossible without the right tools and knowledge. If there is no open source or 3D files available for your case, then you would either have to get someone to model it or reverse engineer it yourself and create a 3D model. **

To be fair, all you really need is the PCB, and build from there. Mimicking the case is a difficult exercise, designing a new case around the PCB a bit simpler.

The major challenge is in the manufacturing and fabrication department. Unfortunately, TKL keyboards are too big to fit into the vast majority of hobby 3D printers print volume. You can obviously get a company with the appropriate equipment to print it for you. Alternatively, you can create a sandwich case which is comprised of various layers of acrylic or wood, with screws going through the corners squishing everything together. There's a lot of places that can help with lazer cutting, lookup wedding stationary companies in your area, they usually do these cuts for cheap.

Personally, the only way how I could help is to print that case in multiple parts. How to connect those parts? I have no idea.

Here's an open source example of a 60%, printable on hobby printers:
(Mechanical Keyboard - SiCK-68 by FedorSosnin)

c72cb0e5fd6a4c0ac6b677258f570384_preview_featured.JPG


**Cujo26 listed 2 great sources above to generate the case for you.

Peg-and-hole works well on 3D Printed cases from what I've heard, you could probably even epoxy the pegs and they should hold the case together.

The hardest/most important part IMO are the PCB and plate (if you're going plate mount), once that's sorted, it's a lot easier to try and build a case around those two, because it could literally be a block of wood with mounting holes drilled into it if you're being really lazy about it.

(EDIT: Hey @PandaAttack1 do you know where I can get a hold of some krytox?)
(EDIT 2: Hey @ARKSEZA do you have 3D printers capable of printing a 60% keyboard? Maybe you can help the guy out)
 
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Peg-and-hole works well on 3D Printed cases from what I've heard, you could probably even epoxy the pegs and they should hold the case together.

The hardest/most important part IMO are the PCB and plate (if you're going plate mount), once that's sorted, it's a lot easier to try and build a case around those two, because it could literally be a block of wood with mounting holes drilled into it if you're being really lazy about it.

(EDIT: Hey @PandaAttack1 do you know where I can get a hold of some krytox?)
That edit man, has been giving me sleepless nights. When you find out, let me know.

I've tried other lubes and alternatives, but the switches inevitably end up in the ultrasonic cleaner after a bit of time.

I might import some next month and just pay the premium and get it done with. If we could get it locally or not from some obscure, overpriced website, that would be great. But I can't find it.
 
That edit man, has been giving me sleepless nights. When you find out, let me know.

I've tried other lubes and alternatives, but the switches inevitably end up in the ultrasonic cleaner after a bit of time.

I might import some next month and just pay the premium and get it done with. If we could get it locally or not from some obscure, overpriced website, that would be great. But I can't find it.
Fuck - maybe if we can get a GB going, we could get some from Miller-Stephenson directly, but I'm guessing we'll have to do industrial quantities then...

I'll post here if I end up ordering some lube in the future.
 
Fuck - maybe if we can get a GB going, we could get some from Miller-Stephenson directly, but I'm guessing we'll have to do industrial quantities then...

I'll post here if I end up ordering some lube in the future.
I'm going through the process now to figure out where I can just buy some Krytox and get it done with. R1000 wasted to buy into the hype is not too rough I guess.

@P1000 where did you get your lubes from? *smirk*
 
I'm going through the process now to figure out where I can just buy some Krytox and get it done with. R1000 wasted to buy into the hype is not too rough I guess.

@P1000 where did you get your lubes from? *smirk*

Doesn't novelkeys sell lube?
 
I'm going through the process now to figure out where I can just buy some Krytox and get it done with. R1000 wasted to buy into the hype is not too rough I guess.

@P1000 where did you get your lubes from? *smirk*
Lube is lube!
That said, I have a lot of experience with lube from other fields, and I do not agree with a lot of the info out there on lubing plastics. I am certain the krytox is great, but I also believe most of it has to do with the viscosity, not the added PTFE.

I use PMDS lube (silicone oil) - same as what you get in RC model car shocks.

It's not ideal - it wears off in about 6 months, so if we do a group buy for the correct Krytox, I will join...
 
😂 my krytox has been stuck in customs for long enough to assume it's never getting out 😟

Did you order from Novelkeys? Shipping method?
 
@PandaAttack1 please say you've got one for me aswell?
Yessir!

I wanted 3 for myself, and bought additional 3. So you can take over the other. As soon as they land I will share details with you 3.

If it's a success and we like the outcome, I plan on buying 250ml and then distributing locally at appropriate prices.
 
😂 my krytox has been stuck in customs for long enough to assume it's never getting out 😟

Did you order from Novelkeys? Shipping method?
Yessir, straight from NK.

I am using Aramex Global Shopper.
 
Yeah they do have.

Ordered 6x 5ml tubs of Krytox GPL 205 G0. Will keep one for you and organise details when they arrive.

@P1000 will also keep one for you to test and compare if you'd like.
I get home from a long car ride and see this. You absolute legend
 
Yessir, straight from NK.

I am using Aramex Global Shopper.

Why not ship directly from NovelKeys? Have you had a bad experience before?

I've ordered from them twice, and received my package without issues.
 
Why not ship directly from NovelKeys? Have you had a bad experience before?

I've ordered from them twice, and received my package without issues.

It would've worked out a bit cheaper through AGS.

They told me to fly a kite last time I sent lube their way. Is it in transit? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Oh no. We checked their tos and it seemed fine?

It is shipping tomorrow. What happened to your lube in the end?

Edit: I made an oopsie. Will see how I can change the shipping address add the additional amount to ship through them.
 
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It would've worked out a bit cheaper through AGS.


Oh no. We checked their tos and it seemed fine?

It is shipping tomorrow. What happened to your lube in the end?

Edit: I made an oopsie. Will see how I can change the shipping address add the additional amount to ship through them.

I had to pay for it to be returned to sender 🤦🏻‍♂️ sent it to another one of my shippers in the US, but it seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth after reaching SA customs.

🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 gonna say a prayer to the shipping deities for you!
 
Still feel the cheaper 60% are highly underrated.

Installed o-rings on my DK61 Pro and wow I was surprised by the feeling I got from it. Key presses feel more evenly and consistently. It is just a joy and it made the keyboard slightly more quiet which my household praised me for.

CSS2EE9.jpg
 
Currently working on a design for a 65% keyboard with a top mounted plate. Planning on integrating an OLED screen as well as ambient lighting on the sides inspired by the Abkoncore AR87.
65% keyboard design v1.PNG
 
@TicTac Where did you get the case made?

Also is that a pom case!!!!!111!

I'm still in my case/pcb designing phase but I'd love to build up a list of suppliers!
 
Currently working on a design for a 65% keyboard with a top mounted plate. Planning on integrating an OLED screen as well as ambient lighting on the sides inspired by the Abkoncore AR87.View attachment 60032
Awesome stuff!

What is that case made of? Looks great! I'm hunting for materials and options for building our case.
 

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