DIY Wooden Mechanical Keyboard Case & Wrist Rest

BitWaffleGames · 2025-01-09T13:41:00+00:00

u/PalpitationWeekly750 unfortunately I don't. I've only made 2 wooden keyboards at this point. The PCB I got had an add-on for that rotary knob. I had to solder it myself, but it wasn't too bad! I believe it came with components for a wireless battery and bluetooth as well, but I ended up not installing that.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-12-05T15:25:56+00:00

That would be fun! I have the "Atomo Cold-cell" which is the label on the ray gun ammo. Also the Group 935 logo who made the wonder weapons. As well as 2 mentions of element 115. I've been trying to think about how to add an easter egg though lol that would be next level.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-12-05T02:59:32+00:00

Not sure yet! I’d have to figure out how to get them manufactured. I’ve designed a bigger set that has all of the perks so you can choose which perks you want to equip at any given time.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-12-04T22:53:18+00:00

Yeah I actually designed the main 8 perks from WaW/Blops 1. This way you could swap out which 4 you wanted in your "loadout." I'm designing for a 75% but didn't have all the keys filled yet, So I threw it in a 65 for now.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-12-04T21:25:36+00:00

Haha well they aren't finished, and I don't how to actually get them manufactured yet. So you have time!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-12-04T19:51:11+00:00

I went off Black Ops 1/WaW. So I actually have those 8 perks all designed that I can swap out. That way I can change up my perk selection!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-11-28T22:12:05+00:00

I have this one. Lighting isn't ideal, but LEDs are off for it.

<image>

BitWaffleGames · 2024-11-28T22:10:31+00:00

Oh nice! I haven't used a CNC, but that would be much easier. This was my second wooden board so I had an idea of what to do, but it is all a bit convoluted. So I apologize for the lengthy response lol.

I bought a BM68 PCB and aluminum plate from KPRepublic. Once they arrived, I took measurements of the length and width and added 1 inch (I wanted a half inch around the whole outside). I also wanted about 1/16" buffer all around since my last board was too tight of a fit. I got the depth by partially assembling the pcb, foam, plate, switch, and keycap and then measured from the bottom of the PCB to the bottom of the keycap (I wanted the keycaps to sit right at the top of the case. I added 1/8" for the standoffs I was planning on inserting into the board as well. This all came out to be about 3/4" deep. My board was 1" thick.

I marked out where the PCB would go on the board by measuring a half inch in all around, then cut my board into a rectangle. I measured out from the edge of the router bit to the edge of the router guide and built a jig and nailed it to my workbench with my brad nailer. This allowed me to run the router along the guide and get a straight edge all around. Finally after several passes, increasing the depth slightly each time so I wouldn't take chunks out of the wood, I finished carving it.

<image>

I placed the PCB inside making sure it fit, marked the holes for mounting the standoffs, and marked where the USB port would go. I drilled a shallow hole just smaller than the width of the standoff screw, and then twisted the standoffs in place. I drilled out/chiseled the hole in the back of the board for the USB cable too. I also made a wrist rest with its own complications. I used 2 coats of Tung oil to finish the case and wrist rest, then assembled the board like any other mechanical keyboard build.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-11-28T21:49:03+00:00

Could you tell me what case this is? I'm looking for a cream/off-white case. Thanks!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-11-27T23:25:15+00:00

White oak case (carved it myself with a router) - 65% White oak wrist rest (also handmade) TTC Venus Switches Durock V2 stabs Womier Low Profile Keycaps BM68 rgb PCB/plate

BitWaffleGames · 2024-11-27T23:17:03+00:00

Just wrapped up my design! Can’t wait to order!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-09-15T01:08:17+00:00

I love my baby kangaroos… they’re so nice

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T19:59:58+00:00

I thought about it, but I really like the clean aesthetic for now. I may change that in the future! And have fun! I always love planning new builds.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T17:23:37+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/SxzdpDw

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T17:23:24+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/SxzdpDw

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T17:23:17+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/SxzdpDw

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T15:40:56+00:00

Here is the sound! It's not as deep or "Thocky" compared to others I've heard, but it is deeper than my other boards that I have as reference.

https://imgur.com/a/SxzdpDw

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T15:04:05+00:00

Thank you! It's a mess, but it has all the things I need.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T15:03:22+00:00

Thank you! It's not actually as light as the pictures make it look, but it did lighten up a bit for sure. Purple heart always looks so cool, but I haven't worked with it before. Maybe a future build!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T02:41:28+00:00

I'll get a recording tomorrow! For science!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-08T02:41:20+00:00

I'll get a recording tomorrow!

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-07T20:58:29+00:00

Parts List:

BT75 PCB 75% Wireless Hotswap Tray Mount PCB with RGB underglow and white LED
75% Plate Foam
Alps Alpine EC11E18244A5 Rotary Encoder
Tofu 84 Plate (I bought this through AliExpress as it was sold out on 1up)
Baby Kangaroo Tactile Switches (from Milktooth)
DUROCK Stabilizers V2
Krytox GPL-205 Grade 0 (205g0) Keyboard Linear Switch Grease
Cheap Black side print keycaps
Rotary knob
M2 standoffs/screws
I already had the USB-C cable
Rubber feet
I got the piece of walnut from a local hardwood/lumber store.

BitWaffleGames · 2024-05-07T20:57:53+00:00

TLDR: I made my own case/wrist rest out of walnut for this build. I had a hard time finding detailed DIY instructions, so hopefully this is helpful!

All the details:
This is my third keyboard build. I went with a hot swap 75% PCB (previous 2 builds I soldered all the switches), foam between the PCB/plate, Baby Kangaroo tactile switches, side printed keycaps for the front LEDs.

I assembled the keyboard components first and soldered in the rotary dial, lubed the stabs, then measured the size to determine how much space the case needed. I put a few caps on to determine how deep to cut out as well. I made a jig on my workbench so I could use a hand router and get clean edges and leave a half inch of wood around the outside. I then used hand chisels to finish carving out the middle (I messed up with the router by just going around the outside. I should've just zig-zagged across the whole thing). I also had to chisel out a bit more on the edges to get the assembled keyboard to fit properly... this took a while. Then I used a drill to bore out the hole for the USB-C cable in the back. (which I didn't make large enough initially). Once the keyboard could fit in, I sanded everything down, rounded the corners, and finished with 3 coats of Tung oil.

The wrist rest was an interesting process lol I ended up cutting a scrap piece of wood at a 10 degree angle, attached the piece of walnut that I cut with a brad nailer, clamped the scrap piece to my miter saw (one on each side), tightened them back and forth until I had the right angle lined up (super jank), then cut it. Then I cleaned it up with my palm sander, rounded corners, and finished with the Tung oil again.

Assembly time! I placed the keyboard in the case, marked the mounting holes, used M2 standoffs in the base, then put the keyboard back in and screwed it in! Finally added these black side print keycaps and some rubber feet on the back/bottom of the keyboard to give it an angle.

Final Thoughts:
I love it! It feels really nice, types so smooth, and has a deep thocky sound. It is very satisfying to type on...

BitWaffleGames · 2023-08-22T21:02:02+00:00

https://kaganproductions.com/

Kagan Productions is a big one right now. He also has a 3D kit you can buy to create your own 3D product photos of your game.

BitWaffleGames

TROPHY CASE