so i wanna build my first hand wired keyboard but i cant find copper rods any where what should i use instead of that
and i have keycaps and switches by my left did i miss anything? and maybe i will use normal wires for matrix connection instead of copper
You don’t need solid core copper wire if you can’t find any just use the same wire you’re already buying.
You can also use regular CAT5 cable and separate out the inner wires since it’s cheaper plus the different color wires can make it easier to see which wire goes to which GPIO pins on the MCU.
Exactly! When you search for CAT5 wire, make sure you include the term, "solid core". A search on Ali-Express just now turned up a bunch of different wire gauges with solid core.
And I would recommend AGAINST solid core, especially for the wires that go from the rows and columns, to the controller.
Solid core is fine for the wires that run across the rows and columns, where nothing should be moving.
It breaks easier than stranded, on any wire that will be manipulated regularly.
Stranded wire also allows the solder to flow between the strands, for additional contact inside the solder balls.
I've used both, on my modular arcade controls, which get swapped in and out regularly.
The survival rate on the stranded CAT5 is significantly higher than the solid core.
It's not even a close race.
The only failure I've ever had on one of my hand-wired keyboards was due to using solid core wire.
The flex on my plate put too much stress on one of the solder joints, causing the wire to break off at the edge of the solder ball, from the repeated movement.
👍Thanks for sharing. I've never actually done a handwired keyboard before. Although my next keyboard will be a handwired board.
I've been doing this type of stuff since 1980, so I try to let others benefit from all my mistakes as much as possible.
Can i use any wire that i want?
you can use thicker wire and cut out segments, like others have done before scotto, like the image attached
https://preview.redd.it/3h5392fkzr8g1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb15de46721a3ac2c602cded7a6cd814ff7a8b41
actually i had this idea and this is safer but i wasnt sure thank u man u really help
Do u have time to talk like if i DM u
yeah wsp
Single core wire is for aesthetics, not function.
you can use solid core wire intented for home wiring (14 or 15 awg) and straighten it with a drill to create rods.
I might do that
Thankssss
Yeah, I've been keeping an eye out for Romex house wiring in dumpsters. Not sure what you call it in Iraq, but this is what it looks like here in the States:
https://preview.redd.it/nzmhiv7wur8g1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=e896f061c9a5ee1f1a7bd8bb5f95ffd7b55435ec
Hobby stores sell soft, solid copper wire for beading/jewelry, which works quite well. In the US, a good example of such a store is Michael's. They generally have several different gauges offered. I like 18 or 20, though most here seem to use 16.
You straighten with a drill, as others have mentioned.
im in iraq u barely find stores that sell those stuff
Your local hardware store should have a decent selection of copper wire.