Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 481 conversations about:
Ballistix
15
Aug 23, 2016
bookmark_border
As someone who has never "built" their own keyboard before, is this relatively easy? I love the look of this board, but am a bit off-put by the fact that some assembly is required with a soldering iron (which I rarely have used in my lifetime). Are LEDs easy to install as well as I like it when my keyboards glow a bit. :)
evangs
1492
Aug 23, 2016
bookmark_border
BallistixIt's not hard at all, in the video I used a cheap iron from Home Depot. Just take your time and you'll be fine!
Ballistix
15
Aug 23, 2016
bookmark_border
evangsThanks for the reply, Evangs. Another question for you, if I want the cyan gray layout that is shown in the later pictures, do I have to buy the LightCycle keycap set?
Sakis
114
Aug 24, 2016
bookmark_border
WaahIf it makes you feel better, last weekend my wife decided she wanted to learn how to solder. She'd never touched a soldering iron before, or seen anyone doing it. We started by creating a custom USB wire for her own keyboard and ended with her soldering a 60% (61 switches x2 + 60 LEDs x2 = 242 pins soldered). I only soldered a single PIN on cable's micro USB connector and a single switch on keyboard, for her to witness how it goes. It took ~6hours (cable and keyboard).
While doing it, she could tell herself she was not doing a "good" job. I was sure all connections were solid though, and kept encouraging her not to worry with the looks. She only had a single mistake; she considered a LED connection done, still "solder blob" was levitating above pad.
After she was done, we plugged PCB, flashed it a LED enabled firmware and everything worked like a charm. There were certainly things that could be done better, and things that could be fixed, but none of them would help keyboard live any longer. I just cleaned it and bolted it down to its case. I am using it for three days in a row (typing this message as well) and it still works fine.
If you're afraid of learning against MiniVan PCB, you could buy a protoboard (e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8619) and cheap passive components (e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10969) and solder them to hell [links used as reference - you care not for quality - you got enough time till MiniVan is shipped - they are way cheaper in other places]. After 50 connections, you should be experienced enough.
While doing it, she could tell herself she was not doing a "good" job. I was sure all connections were solid though, and kept encouraging her not to worry with the looks. She only had a single mistake; she considered a LED connection done, still "solder blob" was levitating above pad.
After she was done, we plugged PCB, flashed it a LED enabled firmware and everything worked like a charm. There were certainly things that could be done better, and things that could be fixed, but none of them would help keyboard live any longer. I just cleaned it and bolted it down to its case. I am using it for three days in a row (typing this message as well) and it still works fine.
If you're afraid of learning against MiniVan PCB, you could buy a protoboard (e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8619) and cheap passive components (e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10969) and solder them to hell [links used as reference - you care not for quality - you got enough time till MiniVan is shipped - they are way cheaper in other places]. After 50 connections, you should be experienced enough.
Slayerage
185
Aug 24, 2016
bookmark_border
evangsEvan! Can you tell us the amount the price drops will happen, and how much cheaper it will be? I think showing that in the initial description will encourage people to purchase more Keyboards! I know it sure did for Jukebox and the recent SA set that passed!
evangs
1492
Aug 25, 2016
bookmark_border
I do not have that information :/ I will see if MD will update the drop with those points
Related Products
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop