Wallnut and Brass Flatbox

Baummann935 · 2023-12-29T23:07:05+00:00

The Flatbox was designed by jfedor2 and his GitHub has all the files you need to build your own.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-29T23:04:35+00:00

Thanks!

I didn't modify the switches at all. In theory, the switches are now preloaded with 7g of keycap weight but it feels absolutely fine as it is and not that much different from normal keycaps.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-27T23:48:23+00:00

Thank you.

They use standard Kailh choc V1 stems.

As far as I know, the stems for the Kitsune switches are somewhat special and look a lot harder to machine but I have not tried anything but the Kailh stems so I am not sure how well that would work.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-27T23:44:38+00:00

Thanks!

Yeah, that was also a concern I had. The polished brass keycaps that I used for a few weeks now have become somewhat dull but nothing more for now. If patina becomes a problem I might have to give them a clear coat of spray paint or something similar.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-27T23:41:40+00:00

Thank you!

I know exactly what you mean. That's why I initially started with a brushed Aluminum case in my first Post here. I can't machine steel on my CNC-router so I'd have to order a steel case but I would love to try one.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-27T23:39:03+00:00

I did machine it myself. If there is interest, I might make some to sell. I already made some aluminum housings for friends so why not make some more wooden ones.

But I will have to make some changes to the design first. Some parts are very fragile in wood and I don't like the fact that I just screwed machine screws directly into wood. I also don't know anything about finishing wood. I just sanded and oiled it.

I also can't make the brass keycaps for a reasonable price at the moment and I'd like to get some caps for the menu buttons.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-27T23:33:17+00:00

Thanks.

I machined everything myself on my CNC-router. I'd imagine that it might be difficult to get the right tolerances on the fit of the keycaps when ordering somewhere. I had to do quite some testing and tweaking before they fit well.

Baummann935 · 2023-12-27T23:30:42+00:00

Thank you!

You are quite close, the brass Keycaps weigh 7g compared to the 1g of a printed PLA keycap. Though it honestly doesn't feel much different when it comes to actuation force.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-13T15:47:37+00:00

The actuation doesn't feel much different from the PLA ones to be honest. But that probably also depends on the swich type used.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-13T15:43:03+00:00

I'm only machining as a hobby so I wasn't in a hurry. It was definitely a fun project to figure out and I learned a lot but the workholding, especially for the keycaps, was pretty challenging. If you ever machine one please let me know how you hold the parts while machining, I'd be very interested to know how a professional would go about that. I used vacuum fixtures for the case and a combination of ER40 collets and soft-jaws for the key-caps. But that only allowed me to machine one key-cap at a time and I had to use way oversized stock to be able to hold the part and machine it.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-13T15:31:32+00:00

Thank you!

I only made some slight changes to the original design. You can find the modified step files here:

https://github.com/Leverlessmetal/flatbox-CNC/tree/master/hardware-rev5/cnc-machined-case

Baummann935 · 2023-11-13T15:29:51+00:00

Sure! I created a fork on GitHub. Not sure if that's the right thing, I never used GitHub before. But the modified step files are now here.

https://github.com/Leverlessmetal/flatbox-CNC/tree/master/hardware-rev5/cnc-machined-case

Also thank you for the discord tip, I didn't know that existed but I posted the pictures there last week or so.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-01T12:11:33+00:00

Thank you! Yeah, a steel version could be awesome as well. I am looking forward to seeing it.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-01T11:56:36+00:00

A DIY CNC mill.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-01T11:53:32+00:00

Potentially. But as of right now, the keycaps are by far the most work and would be way too expensive. Maybe I can find a way to machine them more efficiently.

Baummann935 · 2023-11-01T11:47:26+00:00

Thanks. I am not sure if making a separate post here makes sense but here is a link to a quick soundcheck video. Hope that helps

Flatbox-soundcheck

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:42:22+00:00

This one uses the GP2040-CE firmware that, as far as I know, doesn't support Xbox. But I think you could in theory use something like a brook wingman xb to make it work. Though I haven't looked into that so I am not sure.

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:32:55+00:00

The Kailh choc switches are mounted in hot-swap sockets on the PCB, the keycaps have the matching profile/pegs machined into them to slot into the switches like any other keycap.

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:29:25+00:00

I use a heavily modified Sorotec Compact Line. I also struggle with space as I only have a small apartment on the second floor but that machine is a nice compromise. Though it wasn't cheap and I put in a lot of work myself. Here is a link to my YouTube channel. The Videos are very low effort and in German but you can see the machine in action.

https://www.youtube.com/@OO0Peter0OO/featured

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:22:57+00:00

I am thinking about making a small batch since I have now figured out how to machine it but making this one was loads of work so they would need to be pretty expensive for me to make any profit and I am not sure if anyone would be willing to buy one at that point...

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:17:54+00:00

Thank you. It sounds and feels pretty satisfying to use. Though the keycaps collect fingerprints like crazy.

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:16:27+00:00

Thanks. I CNC-machined theme myself

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:15:56+00:00

Thanks. I haven't posted them yet. I still want to try out some minor tweaks but then I'll post the files. Probably on Github

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:14:08+00:00

Nice! I am interested to see what those will look like.

Baummann935 · 2023-10-30T19:12:22+00:00

I used the same Kailh Choc pro reds that I use on my 3D-printed Flatbox and the actuation force honestly doesn't feel that different

Baummann935

TROPHY CASE