I have doubts about the longevity of this case, but my first hybrid wired board is done. The matrix is on a PCB, but the MCU is hand-wired to it and serves as the USB daughterboard as well. Solder was successful except that I missed a single pin on one key and had to go back before sealing her up. Akko SA-L BOW (with five keys borrowed from an earlier purchase of a different colorway), Box Navy switches, Masonite plate, 3D printed case. Bespoke layout, trying to find what’s worked in my previous no-stabs 1800s. Theoretically, I guess PCB-mount stabs were an option, but I’m used to using these boards now and I definitely don’t miss rattly stabs or lubing them.
The real revelation on this one was the POG configuration utility for KMK. Holy crap it made that so very, very easy. I think the only thing I couldn’t figure out how to do was have it hide the flash storage and pretend the Pi Pico is just a keyboard, but that file is easy enough to edit later if I feel a need and still can’t find it in the app.
The side profile is loosely based on certain beamspring boards that had a big flip-open manual compartment, in part because that meant those boards had to feature seams, and the corner blockers are obviously lifted from the HHKB/M0110. That painted detail on the right side of the case is definitely, 100%, why-would-I-lie-to-you intentional, and not a place where a few layers of outer wall came off during some post-print cleanup. The pink paint-pen is good from far, but far from good (seriously amateur hour), though I am amused by the result. Something about knowing that I can replace it whenever I feel like turning my 3D printer on before bed, ironically makes me more likely to leave it until and unless something actually breaks. Repeat after me: “it’s a protoype.”
