Hard-Wiring How-To

From GeekHackWiki
Revision as of 23:21, 14 March 2013 by Samwisekoi (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search

How To Hard-Wire a Keyboard

This How-To is a guide to hard-wiring a keyboard without using a PCB. It is designed to enable someone handy with a soldering iron to make a new keyboard layout using only a plate, switches, wire and some electronic components.

Hard-Wired Keyboard Rail.JPG

Tools Used

  • Weller soldering iron with pencil tip
  • Soldering helper
  • Small wire cutter
  • Small needle-nose pliers
  • Self-adjusting wire stripper


Parts list

coming later


Main Steps

Populate Plate

  1. Install switches
  2. Install stabilizers
  3. Install LEDs

Wire LEDs

  1. Remove switches with LEDs
  2. Prep leads
  3. Solder leads to LEDs
  4. Heat-shrink connections
  5. Re-install switches

Wire Positive (diode) Rails on all Rows

  1. Make certain the stabilizers and switches work properly
  2. Prep one row of diodes
  3. Install one row of diodes
  4. Trim excess negative leads
  5. Check and/or improve solder joints
  6. Prep (cut and straighten) rail for soldering
  7. Solder center diode to rail
  8. Solder one diode near each end to hold rail in place
  9. Solder balance of diodes on rail
  10. Trim excess positive leads
  11. Repeat for additional rows

Wire Columns

Route/connect LED Cables

Connect Row Cables

Connect Column Cables

Connect Teensy

Program Teensy

Mount Teensy and Other Components


Build Log with Photos

This build log is for the GH75 custom keyboard by samwisekoi. It will require adaptation for TKL and 104-key (full-size) keyboards.

Populate Plate

  1. Install switches
    Align all switches with leads at top.
  2. Install stabilizers
  3. Install LEDs

Optional:

  1. Bend flanges for caseless format
  2. Install rubber U-channel as "feet"

 01-populated plate.JPG 02-populated plate side view.JPG

 03-populated plate close-up.JPG 04-populated plate underneath.JPG 05-populated plate underneath close-up.JPG