My Open-Source 3D Printed Keychron V1 Max Case

The Keychron V1 Max is an excellent entry-level mechanical keyboard; however, while I really like the PCB-plate assembly, the case was a little too simple for my taste... So I decided to spice it up and offer the design to the community for FREE under a Strongly Reciprocal CERN V2 Open Hardware License. Enjoy!
Find the case files + parts list HERE: www.printables.com/model/9073...
-- Buy a V1 MAX Here --
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[@MangoTangoFox]

I really like the aesthetic design of it, but from the look of the flex test and the sound tests, I think the gasket design could use a lot of work, or rather simply, just removing a lot of the plastic in the way and using foam gasket strips instead of the printed ones. If you look at 3:14, those gasket cups basically only allow for like 1mm maybe 2mm of flex space, and the base weight of the PCB resting in there is probably already fully compressing them letting the plate contact the case thus transferring all of those vibrations. One illustrative test you can try for your own understanding, is setting the tape-modded PCB alone on a hand towel on your desk, and seeing what the board sounds like then. That test shows basically what a perfect gasket and perfect foams, the case generating zero unwanted noise at all, could sound like. Attaining that fully is unlikely in most consumer boards, but they can still get much closer than your original design, simply through much more flexible gaskets. In a heavy aluminum case some vibration getting through is less of an issue, but in a plastic one, especially without very well through out construction that prevents rigid points of contact, will produce tons of generally unpleasant vibration/rumbling/rattling sounds, and that stiffness reverberates back up into the switches making them sound worse as well on top of the case noise. Your dyesub keycaps are suited towards a deeper/softer sound profile, so they can be fine depending on what you're going for, but the switches can be VASTLY improved for very little cost. Basically top-end astoundingly good sounding switches that are genuinely like nothing you've ever experienced before, with great stock lube so zero effort is required, are under 30 cents each, less than half of what "the best" unlubed switches from just a couple years ago cost, that now sound so cheap and low quality in comparison. HMX, Vertex V1, some of the newer Gateron releases, Bsun, etc. An HMX, Vertex, Morandi etc pickup would make a pretty night and day difference to this board or really any you put them in.

[@chunkiestatom3872]

Amazing video and design. Super cool to see people in the community offering open source setups such as yours. Thank you so much for sharing and can’t wait to see how this develops in the community!

[@JakeReevesVideo]

Thanks! I’m glad you like it 👍🏻 I look forward to seeing where it goes as well 🤞🏻

[@Skugen32]

Nicely done! Probably gonna try this!

[@Skugen32]

Also, what TPU did you use? I believe you can try different hardnesses of the plastic, and therefore alternate the sound.

[@JakeReevesVideo]

Thank, let me know how you make out (and be careful with the battery removal) - I used 95A TPU because it prints easier, but you could opt for 85A if you want it softer ✌🏻

[@jammies701]

This is crazy awesome mate

[@JakeReevesVideo]

Thanks, I’m glad you like it ✌🏻

[@jonnysimps]

Is there anyone who made a keychron k2v2 version of this, i really want to make a custom case for my k2v2

[@JakeReevesVideo]

Sadly, I haven’t seen one for that keyboard yet. But it’s worth a quick Google search 🔍