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BAMFK-1 Build Guide

Parts List​

BAMFK-1 kit parts laid out

Video Tutorial​

Build Steps Summary​

  1. Remove top half of case
  2. Insert switch into plate
  3. Solder encoders
  4. Install knobs
  5. Solder Big Switch
  6. Insert plate into case
  7. Reassemble top half of case

Remove Top Half of Case​

info

If your case has been fully disassembled, you'll need to reassemble the bottom portion of the case first. See the steps for making the bottom half first before following the rest of these steps.

Unscrew the screws at the top of the case and remove the top 5 layers and switch plate. Don't unscrew the bottom portion of the case and leave it as is.

Top case layers and switch plate disassembled

Insert Switch into Plate​

Insert the Big Switch into the switch plate, making sure the holes are in the correct orientation as shown below.

Big switch inserted in switch plate

Solder Encoders​

Add the rotary encoders to the PCB and solder them in.

warning

Make sure you insert the encoders from the bottom side of the PCB and solder them in place on the top side. You may have a hard time desoldering the encoders if you insert them on the wrong side.

Encoders soldered on PCB bottom view

Encoders soldered on PCB top view

Install Knobs​

Install the knobs onto the rotary encoders and use the 1.5mm hex key to tighten them into place. It'll be more difficult if you screw on the knobs later, so do it now.

Knobs installed on rotary encoders

Solder Big Switch​

Insert the switch legs of the Big Switch through the PCB and solder them on. Make sure the solder sticks to both the switch leg and the pad on the PCB. You might need to keep your soldering iron tip at the joint for a bit longer than you would with a normal-sized switch. Also add solder to both sides of the legs.

It's okay to use a generous amount of solder to get everything in place more firmly. If you don't use enough solder, the PCB might hang off of the switch at an angle.

Big switch legs soldered on PCB top

Big switch and PCB on case bottom

Insert Plate into Case​

Take the plate/PCB/switch combo and angle in the knobs through the front panel first, and then lean the USB port back.

Plate angled into case with knobs first

Push the plate over the screw heads of the bottom half of the case.

Plate placed over bottom case screws

Reassemble Top Half of Case​

Add the rivet nuts to the underside of the bottom plate, stack all the top layers in place, and then screw them in.

If you need help with identifying the top 5 layers, see this: Making Top Half of Case.

It helps to do 2 opposite corners first, and then the last 2 corners.

Top case layers screwed together

Finishing It​

Add keycap.

Completed BAMFK-1 with keycap

Plug in USB-C Cable.

Completed BAMFK-1 with USB cable

Turn the lights off and enjoy.

Completed BAMFK-1 with RGB lit

Reprogramming the BAMFK-1​

You can reprogram the BAMFK-1 using QMK, QMK Configurator, or VIA Configurator. The encoder rotations and presses can be programmed as well.

QMK Configurator​

Here's the link for configuring the BAMFK-1 with QMK Configurator: config.qmk.fm

QMK Configurator layout for BAMFK-1

VIA Configurator​

VIA Configurator layout for BAMFK-1

Full Reassembly of Case​

If you've completely disassembled the case, here's how to put all the pieces back together.

First you'll need to identify all of the pieces. Each piece has a number of registration dots to assist with identification and placement, since some of the layers are similar in size.

The registration dots are aligned towards the left side of the case, except for the layers that come in two pieces (and thus will have dots on both the left and right sides).

Make Bottom Half of Case​

We are going to assemble the case, starting from the bottom plate.

Make sure the registration dot is aligned to the left. Then add rivet nuts on the underside of the plate in the spots indicated below.

Bottom plate with rivet nut locations

Find the piece with 2 dots and stack it on top of the bottom plate.

2-dot layer stacked on bottom plate

Do the same with the piece with 3 dots.

3-dot layer added to bottom stack

There will be two pieces with 4 dots.

Two 4-dot layers added to stack

Then put on the two pieces with 5 dots.

Two 5-dot layers added to stack

Add the piece with 6 dots.

6-dot layer added to bottom stack

Add the piece with 7 dots.

7-dot layer added to bottom stack

Insert the front panel piece, making sure the registration dot is aligned to the top left.

Front panel piece placed on bottom stack

Take the 35mm M3 screws and slot them through all the pieces stacked so far and screw them into the rivet nuts.

M3x35mm screws through bottom stack

Make Top Half of Case​

Add the switch plate.

Switch plate added on bottom stack

Add the piece with 2 dots.

2-dot top layer added to stack

Add the piece with 1 dot.

1-dot top layer added to stack

The last three pieces are all the same size and have no dots.

Three remaining top layers added

Add the remaining rivet nuts to the bottom plate and screw in the 70mm M3 screws into them.

M3x70mm screws through completed stack