Kristina's Chat Room: Discussing the Unusual Leather Keyboard
Ready to dip your toes in the world of DIY keyboards, but not quite ready to venture into designing a full-sized board yet? Jump into building a macro pad instead, and tackle the challenges head-on in a comfortable, horizontal setting.
Now, the fewer components you desire, the smoother the building process will be. Nevertheless, [Robert] is utilizing the versatile Raspberry Pi 2040, which boasts plentiful I/O pins, making it an excellent option for those wishing to expand on the basic plan. In case you're not eager to watch the videos, you can find the schematic and 3D files on GitHub for a closer look.
Constructing a macro pad is an excellent opportunity to learn various skills simultaneously, ultimately ending up with something impressive and potentially long-lasting enough to live on your desk. And who knows where that might lead?
Crafting Your Own Leather-Style Keyboard
[Notxtwhiledrive] had long yearned to create a keyboard from scratch, but struggled to come up with a remarkable concept. One day, while working on leather goods, it hit him to design a portable keyboard that mimicked the layout of a wallet.
When it comes to the mechanical switches, he's opting for Otemu low-profile reds supported by TPU keycaps. [Notxtwhiledrive] is contemplating designing a hot-swappable version and might even share the design files once it's ready. Better yet, he's planning to create a videos about the intricate design and construction process of this masterpiece.
Spotlight: Levels, the Latest Prototype
Witness the incredible Levels prototype created by redditor [timbitimebe]But stay tuned for more updates!Are you proud to sport a stunning array of top-notch peripherals on your jaw-dropping desk pad? Send me a photo along with your handle and a Runtime Summary of details, and you could be showcased here!
Strolling Down Memory Lane: the Secor
Last time we visited Historical Clackers, we delved into the peculiar Williams machine with its peculiar grasshopper-like type bars. As you may recall, the Williams Typewriter Company was purchased by Jerome Burgess Secor, a former superintendent at the Williams Typewriter Company.
Secor, an inventor in his own right, joined the company in 1899. By 1902, he was filing patents for innovative typewriters unlike the Williams grasshopper. By the summer of 1910, Secor assumed control of the company that was faltering.
While significantly different, the Secor typewriters didn't quite surpass the Williams grasshopper in terms of quality. But there was considerable excitement surrounding the removable, interchangeable escapement device.
The Secor Company produced approximately 7,000 machines across three models, one with an extended carriage. A combination of the war, intense competition, and labor disputes hinted at the Secor Company's demise, and it eventually folded in 1916.
However, you should feel empathy neither for Mr. Secor nor for the Secor Company, as his true champion endeavors lay in manufacturing mechanical toys and sewing machines. These items are highly sought after by collectors, ironically enough.
Helping Hand: A Quick Guide to Cleaning Your Keyboard Tigress
Finger pointing at myself – I need no mirror. Trust me, this keyboard is an Embarrassment of Riches. I really should blast it with the compressor one of these days. And I might even follow all the steps listed in this extensive keyboard cleaning guide by [Ben Smith].
[Ben] reckons that this cleaning process will take 30 minutes to 1 hour, but also mentions the option of soaking certain components, so (in my experience) you may need to add several extra hours of drying time to that estimate. Make plans accordingly and have a spare keyboard ready for the duration.
Apparently he has cats that claw at the keyboard at every opportunity. My circumstances are less extreme, but cat fur is still evident on my board. However, [Ben]'s keyboard is another story altogether.
Suggestion – if they are extremely filthy, place them in a container with a cover to shake the entire mess around and dislodge dirt with force.
After a half hour, strain and drain the components using a colander while rinsing them off, and let them dry thoroughly before reassembling the keyboard.
Enjoy the sensation of a non-oily keyboard and the satisfying sound of a fully operational space bar now that the feline fluff has been swept away. Celebrate!
TIP: Do you have an interesting angle for keyboard-related projects? Provide me a heads-up by sending the link for such hidden gems! Don't want all of my keyboard jockeys to see it? Feel free to drop me an email directly with the exclusive scoop!
When considering a new DIY project, why not build a macro pad using the Raspberry Pi 2040, a versatile gadget with plentiful I/O pins? After crafting your macro pad, you may find yourself interested in expanding and devising a more elaborate design, such as a portable leather-style keyboard mimicking a wallet layout.
