2. Intro: Buccaneer Keyboard
Christened the Buccaneer , this is our take on a Steampunk Keyboard design - essentially a mechanical computer keyboard that has been modified to resemble an old
world aesthetic. The project was inspired by the Steampunk Keyboard created by Jake Von Slatt .
A few more photos of the completed Buccaneer Keyboard can be found on rampkins.com
And, just to show it is a fully functional keyboard, see it in action in the video below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iExv-aYj32Q
We hope you enjoy our build log!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
3. Step 1: Making the keys
The keyboard began as a Das Model S Ultimate , chosen for its distinctive sound and suitability for our design. The first part of its conversion was to make the brass
keys. The plastic keys were popped off the Das , then snipped down with tin snips so that just the stem remained.
Next we cut brass tubing down to size with a chopsaw , while sanding a rim on the end after every cut. The rim was added so that the keys closer resembled that of a
typewriter, and to get rid of the saw marks the chopsaw left.
Oak doweling was then cut to length, and the bottom drilled so that the key stems could be slotted into the dowels and glued in place. The doweling was adhered into the
brass tubing, filling the hole.
The lettering was designed on the computer, printed off, and then punched out with a hole punch . Protective plastic end caps were also punched out. Both were then
inserted to give a completed key.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
4. Step 2: The leather faceplate
Plans for the keyboard were roughed out then designed to scale in a graphics program, and finally printed onto a large A3 template.
Next up was the faceplate. Measurements were transferred from the template to a panel of high quality birch plywood, and drilled with a drill press so that it would slot
down neatly over the keys. There was not a lot of room for error here, as if the holes were out the keys would not slide up and down freely.
With that done, the hand-tooled genuine leather (made for us by a local craftsman) was attached to the birch ply and then punched through from the back using the drill
holes as a guide, so that we had perfectly matching holes in both the leather and the ply underneath.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
5. Step 3: Creating the side pieces
The sides were cut to shape with a scroll saw , with one of the sides needing a hole cut into it so the USB ports can be accessed. After cutting, the wood and brass were
sanded and filed.
For the front and back supports a piece of wood was hand planed with a curve to match the shape of the side pieces. A sensible person would have bought, borrowed, or
stolen a router for this one! After that all the wood was stained and waxed.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
6. Step 4: Finishing touches
A brass cover was cut and drilled to slot over the vintage rhinestones and hold them in place. The picture to the right is of an unused earlier design being cut with the
scroll saw .
We wanted to include an engraved name plaque on the keyboard but lacked engraving tools , so we decided to make our own out of a screwdriver by angle grinding and
filing it to shape. When the engraving was complete, the plaque was cut from the brass sheet and inlaid into a chiselled out space on the wooden front support.
The final stage was to make a wooden tray for the Das ' controller and main boards to sit inside, and secure it with brass screws to the front, back and side pieces, with
the faceplate on top.
With this done the keyboard was complete!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
7. Related Instructables
steampunk Steampunk LCD Miss Betsy's
keyboard by Monitor (Photos) Steampunk
Making a Cheap and Easy phirzcol by HighWing guide to Keyboard by
Steampunk to make steampunk by MissBetsy
Portable Steampunk unanonymous
Harddrive Case Keyboard by
by nevets_mcd HighWing
Comments
23 comments Add Comment
kimblebear says: Jul 29, 2011. 3:11 AM REPLY
This is one of the most beautiful bits of steampunk I've ever seen.
Well past my expertise, but what an aspiration level
If you ever get them put into production, I'll buy one - in fact I'd be your UK agent
paqrat says: Jul 29, 2011. 12:52 AM REPLY
Beautiful keyboard and beautiful craftsmanship.
Dimorius says: Jul 29, 2011. 12:11 AM REPLY
? ??? ?????, ??? ???????!!! ?????!
djayriv says: Jul 28, 2011. 8:23 PM REPLY
This is truly awesome. I am definitely going to have to make my own now, I have been holding out for awhile now about making a steampunk keyboard, and
computer system. This was the final inspiration I needed. Superb job.
eskimojo says: Jul 27, 2011. 3:04 PM REPLY
Which brings to mind a horrible joke.
How much does a pirate charge for an ear piercing?
A BUCCANEER!(buck-an-ear)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
8. juz4kix says: Jul 28, 2011. 4:02 PM REPLY
Pirate 1: "Where's your buccaneers?"
Pirate 2: "Under me buckin' hat!"
kelseymh says: Jul 27, 2011. 3:52 PM REPLY
Ah, I thought that was the price a pirate farmer charged for corn...
sheetmetalalchemist says: Jul 28, 2011. 10:35 AM REPLY
Beautiful workmanship for sure. What did you guys do for keyswitches and electronics to interpret the keystrokes? Did you just rip the membrane off a
cheapy keyboard and use that?
Toastalicious says: Jul 28, 2011. 12:27 PM REPLY
as far as i know, the das keyboard uses an old style of mechanical switches to register the keystrokes.
sheetmetalalchemist says: Jul 28, 2011. 3:18 PM REPLY
Oh duh...I just saw that it was like the fist sentence that said what keyboard was being used :).
hcaz-301 says: Jul 28, 2011. 11:21 AM REPLY
That would be the easiest way to do it =)
stihl88 says: Jul 28, 2011. 2:35 PM REPLY
What beautiful craftsmanship! You must be a retired clock builder :)
S189 says: Jul 28, 2011. 10:17 AM REPLY
Now that is truly beautiful!
-chase- says: Jul 28, 2011. 9:04 AM REPLY
Ditto - like most i really like the look of these style boards.
You really did a great job - nice instructable!
chase
jalm_x says: Jul 28, 2011. 8:41 AM REPLY
TODA UNA OBRA DE ARTE!!!!
TU MUY BIEN!!!
Amazing!!!!
makermike says: Jul 28, 2011. 7:57 AM REPLY
This is very nice. I particularly like the leather.
jackg says: Jul 28, 2011. 7:43 AM REPLY
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!!!
splazem says: Jul 28, 2011. 7:35 AM REPLY
Amazing! Great job!
Blackmac says: Jul 28, 2011. 7:12 AM REPLY
This is gorgeous! I want one.
bLiTzJoN says: Jul 28, 2011. 7:11 AM REPLY
Very well done - I love the attention to detail and use of quality materials. I might very well have to do this myself! Now you need to do a monitor to match.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
9. yosu says: Jul 28, 2011. 3:16 AM REPLY
Beautiful and easy.
One of the best!
chrisre cat says: Jul 28, 2011. 12:56 AM REPLY
nerdy meet sexy
doomsdayltd says: Jul 27, 2011. 2:12 PM REPLY
amazing one of the most beautiful steampunk keyboards i have ever seen!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Buccaneer-Keyboard/
