The PCB for this project was designed in Kicad with drill sizes and trace widths optimized for a 1/32" flat end mill. The board you see in the photos was created with an Othermill, ancestor of the Bantam Tools PCB Milling Machine.

These files have only been tested with a milling machine and may require changes before before being sent to a PCB fab house for production.

Kicad project

Click the button below to download the Kicad source project with schematic, board, & library files

Gerber files

Click the button below to download the milling/fabrication files in Gerber format

Optional color

Since the PCB will play a major role in this keyboard's aesthetic, you may want to dress it up a bit. You could use paint to cover the top side in a custom color, but it's far easier to use adhesive vinyl.

I used Oracal 631 adhesive vinyl, which is repositionable and somewhat forgiving during application – similar to drawer liner or contact paper. Consider using Oracal 651 type if you want something more durable & permanent. Whichever type you choose, the following process should apply:

Cut a piece of vinyl significantly larger than the PCB – ~13cm x 8cm

Remove the adhesive backing and apply vinyl to topside of PCB

Turn the covered PCB over and use a sharp knife along the board edges to remove excess vinyl

Slice holes through the vinyl for each component lead & use cross-cuts for the larger openings (switch posts, standoffs, etc)

This guide was first published on Jul 28, 2020. It was last updated on Jul 28, 2020.

This page (PCB) was last updated on Jul 17, 2020.

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