Month: June 2016

New Keyboard

My obsession with mechanical keyboards continues.

My long-awaited 60% keyboard finally showed up (after the now-standard tomfoolery of DHS + USPS for delivery), and the first thing I did was rip all the key caps off install the set I got custom made from WASD Keyboards. It looks lovely now, and I’m very happy to be using it.

V60 w/ Custom Key Caps

I’ve not given up on my hand-wired monstrosity, either. It’s wired and has an “enclosure” and whatever, but I’ve been stalled for time with building out the custom firmware it needs to run. So it’ll wait a bit on that one. No rush.

 

Research List #37

Things I’m digging deep into:

  • Re-tailoring jackets- especially jackets with felled seams.
  • Making picture frames (larger format…)
  • Real-time digital dashboards (importing custom data?)
  • Analog representations of digital data
  • Vegas cubes
  • Cable Cord cutting (as it exists in 2016)
  • Custom firmware for hand-wired mechanical keyboards
  • Nomenclature/Directory structure for logging large amounts of digital footage
  • Rack-mounted large storage arrays (see above)
  • TIG welding

SitRep

Things I’m up to (the real quick version):

  • Mechanical Keyboard Proj #2 is wired- working on firmware now.
  • My Chip and Dip from NTC finally came (needs to be flashed and whatnot)
  • Fly Rod Tube proj is painted- needs mounts made next
  • Working to source Grip Heads and 5/8″ pins for mounting monitors
  • Shoe re-sole proj (v2) parts are ordered and on the way
  • MTB #1 drivetrain (v3) parts are en-route (1×9 w/ a Narrow/Wide chainring)
  • Mechanical Keyboard Proj #1 is shipped- should be here shortly (custom key caps are already here and waiting)
  • Working on lighting options for the garage (led work strips?)
  • Working on web-based dashboards for realtime updates
  • Beginning to source frames for a massive art-hanging project

SitRep

Here’s what’s going on:

  • Mini Keyboard project #1 is underway. I’ve de-soldered the original keyboard, cut down the switch mounting plate, and remounted the switches. It’s pretty small- 40 keys or so- and the diodes, wire, and Teensy 2.0 to run it should be at my house when I get home today. So: wiring, then case mounting/building, then programming the AVR, then it’s a keyboard.
  • Micro keyboard #1 is also underway- I’ve got the key layout template finalized, and now I just need to cut the acrylic plate. Then it’s time to build an enclosure and source switches and caps. And then build the rest, I suppose.
  • Basement Shelves v1.0 is done, and I’m slowly making some auxiliary record storage (mostly for the 10″ and 7″ records). Always more to go there.
  • Working on a better web-based dashboard setup for displaying relevant information on screens. That’ll likely mean running a lightweight web server on some hardware in the house (and having that compile and format the data) and then using low-weight hardware to drive the displays with that data. Baby steps.
  • Garage storage is at the top of the list right now- new rack shelving needs brought in, a bunch of older junk needs to go out, and bikes need to get hung on walls. There’s just no other way.
  • Material storage remains a challenge in the garage, too. I’ve got a stack of supplies out there, and I need better ways to manage that. Given the headroom I’ve got, vertical seems to be the move, but I’ll still have to give it some thought.
  • My re-tailoring of a jacket is taking a while, as I’m trying to figure out if I can/need/should undo the existing seams, or just cut them out and redo from there. Dunno. Yet.
  • I’ve got a pair of shoes that need re-soling, and I need to source a decent sole for them. They’ve got smooth rubber on the bottom now, but I want to put a pow-profile lugged sole on instead. Sourcing is a problem.
  • I can feel Backpack v2.0 coming- I’m working up the steam to put in the cloth order and get going on it. Honestly, I need to decide on a color. v1.0 is black, but I’ve been rattling around doing something else. The design is vaguely military-esq, and I don’t want this thing to scream MALL NINJA, so I think I want to stay away from Coyote Brown or OD Green or whatever. Definitely no camo- no other patterns either.
  • Working on more/new content for here. Always.
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More to come.