The1987 - A Modular Retro-Inspired 87 Key Mechanical Keyboard

Last crawled date: 4 years, 1 month ago

Summary:
More to come as I build this out, but this is a printable case with a cut (laser or otherwise) switch plate. Its primarily designed to be used with the Phantom PCB and Cherry Switches, but the plate allows for both Cherry MX style and Alps style switches, and both Costar and Cherry stabilizers.
This was designed so that the case itself and the Swtich Plate / PCB / Key sandwich are modular, so you can create the core of the keyboard, and swap it into another case (I have some more styles in the pipline)
Design Choices:
I wanted to create a keyboard that pulled from 80's design styles - especially consumer electronics, PCs and videogame systems. I was feeling nostalgic for the 80's grey everything that my 12 year old self drooled over in the always just slightly out of reach consumer electronics market. I really had a feeling for standing over glass counters at catalog-showroom stores looking at the latest gadgets, and i just couldn't shake it.
I knew I wanted to make a TKL (or 10) and the creative impulse had a strong hold on me so.....over the last month or so i designed and built The1987!
Why 1987? It is an 87 key keyboard that pulls design feeling and elements from things like my commodore 64, original Gameboy and some other early to mid 1980s consumer products.
More to come as I straighten out my thoughts, but let me know what you think in the comments
Parts List:
87 Cherry MX or Alps Keyswitches of your choice, along with a set of keycaps
Laser-cut plate
Phantom PCB (if you go that way)
Teensy 2.0 or similar micro-controller
2 LEDs (i used these:3mm low intensity red ones - https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-3mm-red-led-2-pack - radio shack PN: 2760026 ) but any 5mm LEDs should do
2 Resistors for your LEDs
87 IN448 diodes
8x M4x12 or 16 machine screws (I used hex insert cap screws)
2x small (M2 or M3) couarse screws fo rthe feet
2x M3x10 or similar screws for the cablecover
Assembly Instructions:(WIP)
Assemble the Plate:
1A. Phantom PCB Version Following the Deskauthority Guide: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom_instruction_guide
1B. Hand-wiring is possible as well - here is another guide for that on geekhack: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87689.0
Print the Case
Cleanup and debur the case parts
Test Fit the halves
Pin and Glue the halves
install the LEDs and Feet
Insert the Keyboard sammich
Connect USB to the Teensy/Controller
Attach the Top to the Bottom
Install the Cablecover
Resources:https://www.ponoko.com - for the laser cutting (one plate cut and shipped should be about 40 US dollars)
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ - helpful site for building layouts
http://builder.swillkb.com/ - the case builder site i used for the switch plates. I included all the plate files here, and also a screencap of the settings i used in case you want to replicate and/or tweak for yourself.
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ - the Phantom PCB and various parts
Miscellaneous Notes and Observations:
Order the plate first, it can take a long time to receive, and you will want it for fitment tests and assembly of the case. This is somewhat bespoke, in that filing, trimming and etc are all needed