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Ballistix
15
Aug 23, 2016
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. :)
Waah
390
Aug 23, 2016
BallistixIf it makes you feel better, I'm in for one and have never used a soldering iron in my life. Video made it look easy. Going to get some practice soldering switches in on a macropad beforehand though.
evangs
1492
Aug 23, 2016
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
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?
evangs
1492
Aug 23, 2016
Ballistixthat is correct
Sakis
114
Aug 24, 2016
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.
evangs
1492
Aug 24, 2016
SakisThank you for sharing your experience! And good tips :)
Sakis
114
Aug 24, 2016
evangsomg.... you're sooooo late for bed. You need to rush.
evangs
1492
Aug 24, 2016
SakisHaha, I got on in between sleep sessions
Slayerage
185
Aug 24, 2016
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
I do not have that information :/ I will see if MD will update the drop with those points
evangs
1492
Aug 25, 2016
Thanks :)
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