Miss Betsy's Steampunk Keyboard

Step 9 Rectangular keys

What's left are the rectangular keys. If the original has any means of keeping these keys from tilting and jamming, like in my case metal bars, try to preserve them. They new keys are made from 1/16" styrene sheet and profile, available at your hobby shop. First I removed the edges of the original keys with heavy cutters. Sturdy scissors might do the job too.
Then I marked the exact size of the buttons on the styrene and cut it with scissors.  Anyway, I found this neat profile at the hobby shop and made the edge of the buttons with it. Use special styrene glue. These look quite right with the round buttons. Slightly sand the corners to round them and on to the spray both to apply a couple layers of metal silver.
Finally cut the printout and glue the pieces in. With this, the basic keyboard is done. At this point you might want to try every key if it works properly. If it has a tendency to jam, remove the key gently from the keyboard and inspect the stem. Maybe you marred it after all and there is a burr left; remove it with an X-Acto. Or a piece of dirt is stuck to the stem. Also check the hole. Use a little bit of graphite dust, cross your fingers and put the key back in. Good luck my friend!
The rest is more or less left to your fantasy.

Comments

[UniBot]

I don't mean to be rude, but thats not the "side" view of the prfile, its the section of the profile... just to be more accurate xD.

[MissBetsy]

Hey, it might as well be the side view but probably you are right *wink*. After all, I am only a nurse bungling around.

[g0nn el tren]

is necessary to use a usb keyboard?

[MissBetsy]

No, you can use any keyboard.