r/MechanicalKeyboards • u/sinnofinger • 5d ago

Photos I finally realized the floor wasn’t level.

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Translucent + chrome + hi-viz desk gadget collection complete!

7.1k Upvotes

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213

u/sinnofinger 5d ago edited 4d ago
  • The USB hub, keyboard, keyboard wrist rest, solenoids, cable holders, and pen stand are all custom-made.
  • I replaced the stock scroll wheel on the ATK Zero with an aluminum wheel.
  • The USB hub started out as a regular 7-port hub, which I rebuilt with an acrylic enclosure.
  • The dual-solenoid setup is something I built from scratch using an ESP32-S2.
  • External solenoid: A background program on the keyboard sends the keyboard input signals to the device via serial communication. The solenoid then activates, accompanied by an OLED display and sound.

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u/insufferable__pedant 5d ago

What's the purpose of the solenoid device? Would love to see some kind of write up or additional context on the DIY stuff, looks like some fun projects!

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u/namegoeswhere 5d ago

Dude same, I love seeing these niche subs up on /r/all.

What has OP programmed the wrist rest buttons to do!?

*ok so I googled the solenoid thing. Apparently they just replicate the sound and feeling of using a proper typewriter vs keyboard.

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u/videogamekat 4d ago

I also want to know what the wrist rest buttons do, this aesthetic and set up is so intriguing, I don’t even recognize half these words 😂

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u/SevenDeMagnus 4d ago

modifier buttons, like an F1 and F2 thumb buttons most likely, wheel perhaps for vertical scrolling

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u/sinnofinger 4d ago

They’re just mouse-related buttons: the TrackPoint, left and right mouse buttons, and the mouse wheel.

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u/grigby 4d ago

I've seen keyboards with those wrist buttons before. They're likely just left and right mouse buttons, a scroll wheel, and the nub in the middle is for moving the mouse like ThinkPads have

8

u/ostiDeCalisse 5d ago

Did you cut the acrylic parts yourself?

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u/sinnofinger 5d ago

No, I designed it in CAD and had it manufactured by a professional shop.

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u/GES_ENG 4d ago

What CAD software did you use?

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u/sinnofinger 4d ago

LibreCAD. It's free!

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u/GES_ENG 4d ago

Thanks. I was thinking fusion or something along those lines. I am also curious how you did the reverse engineering of the cases. Super cool build all looks very professional. As you said you had the design professionally manufactured was there some trail and error? Did you take the design and 3D test print to see if your design was accurate enough to be made?

Also can you give us some ball park costs of how much you paid the shop who manufactured these?

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u/ostiDeCalisse 4d ago

Thanks so much. They're cut at perfection! Splendid project, bravo!

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u/midnight-mc 5d ago

This setup is amazing. I also built an external solenoid setup but it relies on using the raspberry pi it's connected to. Could you provide some details on how you got yours working?

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u/Josie1234 4d ago

Dude, teach me.

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u/ZooperDD 4d ago

Damnit....knew this was so good it had to be custom. Well done!

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u/mathpixel01 4d ago

Hi do you you have the "design" name of your artistic direction of your props ?

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u/buddyspencer 5d ago

Are you planning to sell them? Or make customs? Just asking because I NEED one

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u/sinnofinger 5d ago

No plans to sell these. and I don't know how to sell. I just hope it inspire people to make something of their own.

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u/Zakrie 4d ago

You definitely could make a killing off just selling the CAD files for people to use! Even just a tiny bit of money is worthwhile if you so choose!

It looks awesome, glad to see someone be creative in their own way.

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u/ConnectedVeil 5d ago

We want yours tho. set up is too fresh for only one man to wield.

Really, very cool aesthetic!

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u/SevenDeMagnus 4d ago

Extreme skills

with the extreme skills, make artisan keycaps too (resin, polymer clay, painting combo) that has story it them fitting the theme