(This article was also published on the BY1QH WeChat official account.)
Recent design&I made a custom keyboard by hand, and because its design is quite small, I'm calling it the "Mystic Key" for now. Here's a simple tutorial on how to make one:
Design principles
The parts for this hand-built keyboard can essentially be sourced entirely from standard or near-standard components. At a minimum, most of the parts can be purchased relatively cheaply on Taobao. The only machining required would involve using a hand saw, drill, and utility knife to complete the work, even in the most extreme cases.
While it's certainly convenient to find CNC machines on platforms like Taobao or Xiaopeng, the processing time is relatively long, which makes it difficult for someone like me who gets bored easily. Also, the prices seem a bit too high; I can usually buy a used K4 machine for around 100 yuan, while a single CNC part costs several hundred yuan. Plus, even if you buy one, you might not be able to use it immediately.
Materials List
| Name | Parameters | Unit price | Unit | Quantity 1 | Quantity: 2 | Subtotal amount |
|---|
| Horseback riding card | 20x20phi6 | 7.9 | 4 | 0.25 | 1 | 1.975 |
| Single-character code | 10x34phi3.5 | 9.5 | 20 | 0.05 | 1 | 0.475 |
| Single-character code | 8x22phi3 | 9.5 | 20 | 0.05 | 2 | 0.95 |
| Tapping spring | 0.63.78*10 | 6.9 | 10 | 0.1 | 1 | 0.69 |
| Square pipe | 10 x 10 thick 1 | 20.7 | 1m | 0.07 | 1 | 1.449 |
| Flat-headed, headless screw | M4x25 | 4.17 | 20 | 0.05 | 2 | 0.417 |
| Conical-end, headless bolt | M4x16 | 4.6 | 50 | 0.02 | 2 | 0.184 |
| Hand-tightened cap nut | M4 | 4.83 | 5 | 0.2 | 2 | 1.932 |
| Flat-head screw | M6 | 5.04 | 50 | 0.02 | 1 | 0.1008 |
| Casing nut | GB standard T-type 40xM6 | 3.25 | 20 | 0.05 | 2 | 0.325 |
| Flange nut | M4-M6 | 1.15 | Only | 1 | 4 | 4.6 |
| Round head bolt | M6x12 | 3.38 | 20 | 0.05 | 1 | 0.169 |
| Round head bolt | M3x12 | 4.36 | 100 | 0.01 | 4 | 0.1744 |
| Round head bolt | M3x5 | 3.2 | 100 | 0.01 | 2 | 0.064 |
| Round head screw nut | M3 | 4.07 | 20 | 0.05 | 1 | 0.2035 |
| Nut | M3 | 5.58 | 200 | 0.005 | 5 | 0.1395 |
| High-head flanged bolt | M3x5 | 5 | 5 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 |
| Cold-pressed terminal | M3 | 4.32 | 100 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.0432 |
| Cold-pressed terminal | M6 | 5.53 | 100 | 0.01 | 1 | 0.0553 |
| 3.5mm jack | PJ392 | 0.43 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.43 |
| Base wooden board | 80x30, thickness 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The cost of a single switch, calculated from the BOM (Bill of Materials), is approximately 17.38 yuan. The components included, such as bolts and nuts, are typically purchased individually, which seems a bit excessive. Based on typical online store calculations where items are bought in quantities of 50 or 100, it's possible to purchase the materials for about one hundred yuan (or more) to get five or six switches.
The links to some parts that are difficult to find on Taobao are as follows. The other parts are standard components or easily searchable elements/materials, so I have not included the links.
Horseback riding card 20x20 phi6 https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=676257328522&skuId = 5309988680493
One-piece corner code, 10 x 34, φ3.5 https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=972169225955&skuId = 5923277977705
One-character code 8x22 phi 3 https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=972169225955&skuId = 5923277977702
Tapping spring https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=45487018488&skuId = 5117195890698
Tool list
- Drill (a drill press is best, but a hand drill can also be used)
- Drill bits (Φ2.5, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13) (Note: The 3, 4, and 6 drill bits can be replaced with 3.5, 4.5, and 6.5; since we need to create a hole, using the "Baota" drill is not possible. Flat-head drills/milling cutters are best, and even standard pointed drill bits are acceptable.)
- Saw (a table saw is best, but a hand saw will also work)
- Screwdriver (cross-head, 10mm internal hexagonal)
- Flat file knife
- Utility knife (for cutting grooves; a wood carving knife or chisel would be better)
- Soldering iron
Drawing
Manufacturing assembly process
- The bottom plate and main shaft holes should be machined according to the details shown in the drawings.
- The base needs to have slots cut out so that the cable can run through it.
- Install the one-character code and the horse riding card (I forgot to take a photo, so I'm showing the installation process with a model image).
- Install the mounting screw hole for the "riding horse card", then tighten the pointed bolt.
- Place the spring
- Shaft mounting screw, key nut, contact point.
- Install the spindle, tighten the end-cap bolt to secure the spindle.
- Install the 3.5mm jack.
- Welding connection line
- Adjust range, spring tension
- Installation complete. Begin using.
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