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Christened the Buccaneer , this is our take on a Steampunk Keyboard design - essentially a mechanical computer keyboard that has been modified to resemble an old world aesthetic. The project was inspired by the Steampunk Keyboard created by Jake Von Slatt .
A few more photos of the completed Buccaneer Keyboard can be found on rampkins.com
And, just to show it is a fully functional keyboard, see it in action in the video below!
A few more photos of the completed Buccaneer Keyboard can be found on rampkins.com
And, just to show it is a fully functional keyboard, see it in action in the video below!
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Signing UpStep 1Making the keys
The keyboard began as a Das Model S Ultimate , chosen for its distinctive sound and suitability for our design. The first part of its conversion was to make the brass keys. The plastic keys were popped off the Das , then snipped down with tin snips so that just the stem remained.
Next we cut brass tubing down to size with a chopsaw , while sanding a rim on the end after every cut. The rim was added so that the keys closer resembled that of a typewriter, and to get rid of the saw marks the chopsaw left.
Oak doweling was then cut to length, and the bottom drilled so that the key stems could be slotted into the dowels and glued in place. The doweling was adhered into the brass tubing, filling the hole.
The lettering was designed on the computer, printed off, and then punched out with a hole punch . Protective plastic end caps were also punched out. Both were then inserted to give a completed key.
Next we cut brass tubing down to size with a chopsaw , while sanding a rim on the end after every cut. The rim was added so that the keys closer resembled that of a typewriter, and to get rid of the saw marks the chopsaw left.
Oak doweling was then cut to length, and the bottom drilled so that the key stems could be slotted into the dowels and glued in place. The doweling was adhered into the brass tubing, filling the hole.
The lettering was designed on the computer, printed off, and then punched out with a hole punch . Protective plastic end caps were also punched out. Both were then inserted to give a completed key.
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Time wise, it's hard to gauge. It's something we've spent a few hours on here and there over a few months. The cost of the materials is around the region of 300usd, give or take a few, with the Das, brass and leather being the most costly parts. Cheers!
Excellent work by a true craftsman.
Well past my expertise, but what an aspiration level
If you ever get them put into production, I'll buy one - in fact I'd be your UK agent
How much does a pirate charge for an ear piercing?
A BUCCANEER!(buck-an-ear)
Pirate 2: "Under me buckin' hat!"
You really did a great job - nice instructable!
chase
TU MUY BIEN!!!
Amazing!!!!
One of the best!