Steampunk Keyboard

Steampunk Keyboard

 

 This was a project to turn a standard USB keyboard into something more interesting.

Heavily based on http://mbarrick.livejournal.com/813718.html.

Items:

• Cheap keyboard
• Faux leather vinyl or equivalent
• Olde-fashioned key replacements (I got mine on ebay, but etsy might be good too.)
• Spray paint (I used hammered)
• Gasket tool
• Hammer

Step 1.) Acquire an inexpensive keyboard.

Step 2.) Disassemble the keyboard and pull out all the keys.  Set everything aside except for the keyboard plate with all the key holes

Step 3.) Select some leather-like vinyl from your local fabric store.

Step 4.) Lay the keyboard plate on the back of the leather-vinyl and spray paint it so that the holes show through on the back of the leather.  This will serve as your guide.

Step 5.) Use the Gasket tool with the hammer to cut out each of the holes from the leather vinyl where each key post will go.

 

Step 6.) Set the leather vinyl aside and gather the plastic casing components for the keyboard.  Spray paint them as desired.  I started with a layer of hammered bronze followed with an antique brass while the base coat was still wet.  I found the part with the key holes needed to have golf tees inserted before spray painting to make sure the paint didn't get in the holes.  If the paint manages to get in the key holes, they will stick a bit when pressed and you will be sad.

Step 7.) For each of the original plastic keys you will need to cut the button away from the post so you can affix the new key top.  I used a dremel to grind away the plastic.  You may note that this has the tendency to melt the plastic a bit so don't do this in a small enclosed place if you care about your health or the smell.

Step 8.) Re-assemble the keyboard with everything except for the keys.

Step 9.) Affix the new key tops to the ground key posts.  I used a door and window sealant so that I could have time to align all the keys by hand before it set.  Wait awhile before using so you can be sure it dries and then give it a go!