A Note on Organic Materials

Thank you for choosing the gwŷdd65. Unlike most keyboards you've probably come across, your case is machined from Thermally Modified Formosan Koa: a living, organic material.

Because wood reacts naturally to its environment, it inherently possesses unique grain patterns, subtle tonal shifts, and minor natural variations. Differences in lighting temperature, intensity, and viewing angle will change how your board appears.

The board is calibrated for approximately 25°C (77°F) and 60% humidity. Changes to the environment can affect the wood in the following ways:

• Increased temperature and/or humidity: Your board will slightly expand.
• Decreased temperature and/or humidity: Your board will slightly contract.

The top and bottom cases may expand or contract at slightly different rates. While thermal modification drastically limits the movement of wood, it does not make it completely immune. The expected range of movement for this case is only about 0.2mm - 0.3mm, and your unit has been engineered with sufficient tolerance to accommodate this. For reference, regular unmodified wood would expand or contract by around 1mm under the same conditions.

Before beginning your build, please verify that your package contains all of the items listed below.

Item Description	Quantity	Packaging / Notes
CORE COMPONENTS & CASE
Top Frame	1	Pre-assembled
Bottom Case	1	Pre-assembled
Matching Wrist Rest	1	Included inside the main case
Keyboard Plate	1	Material selected at checkout; accessories pouch
PCB	1	Hotswap or Solder variant; accessories pouch
ELECTRONICS & HARDWARE BREAKDOWN
Daughterboard (DB) + JST Cable	1	Packed in accessories pouch
Case Screws (M3, 30mm)	6 total	4 pre-installed in case / 2 extra in pouch
Case Screws (M3, 14mm)	6 total	4 pre-installed in case / 2 extra in pouch
Daughterboard Screws (M2, 5mm)	3 total	2 pre-installed on DB / 1 extra in pouch
Rubber Case Feet	10 total	4 keyboard / 4 wrist rest / 2 extra in pouch
Silicone Gaskets (1.0mm)	6	Packed in accessories pouch (Standard)
Silicone Gaskets (1.5mm)	6	Included only if CF or Aluminum plate selected
ACCESSORIES
Shangern Antique Wax (30ml) & Microfiber Cloth	1	Yellow label tin; included in main box
Carrying Case & Custom Foam Inserts	1	Main packaging enclosure
Drawstring Bag	1	Included in box

Step 1: Core Electronics & Plate Assembly

1. Test the PCB: Plug in the bare PCB and test connections (hot-swap sockets or solder pads) using tweezers and a key tester.
2. OPTIONAL - Flash Variant Firmware Now: The board comes pre-flashed from the factory. If you would like to flash a different variant (such as a Vial firmware), please do so now while the board is bare. With the PCB plugged into your computer, press and hold the reset button while the board is plugged in, then unplug the board, then plug it back in, all the while holding the reset button. A virtual USB folder will open on your computer; simply drag and drop your preferred firmware file into this folder to flash it.
3. Install Stabilisers: Mount your PCB-mount stabilisers directly onto the tested PCB.
4. Assemble the Sandwich: Place your plate over the PCB, then fully populate the board with your switches to lock the assembly together. Plate forks are highly recommended!
5. Apply Gaskets: Stick the silicone gaskets onto the designated plate tabs following the plate material rules above. Do not stick the gaskets to the case itself as they will not fit and not adhere to the wax finishing layer that protects the wood. Crucial tip: Try not to stick them completely flush to the outer edge. Instead, leave a small amount of space between the gasket and the outer edge of the tab to prevent binding.

Step 2: Case Disassembly & Daughterboard Installation

1. Open the Case: Remove the pre-installed M3 case screws from the back to separate the top frame from the bottom case. Take note of the longer screws (30mm) belonging to the top row (the USB-C port side), while the shorter screws (14mm) belong to the bottom row (the space bar side).
2. Mount the Daughterboard: Remove the pre-installed M2 screws from the threaded inserts of the daughterboard mounting location. Place the daughterboard into its routing groove and slide the daughterboard upward toward the port hole before securing it with the M2 screws. Then connect the JST cable to it.

Step 3: Final Case Enclosure

1. Drop it In: Connect the loose end of the JST cable to the PCB. Carefully lower the completed plate/PCB assembly into the bottom case, making sure the gaskets seat cleanly into the interior mounting channels.
2. Close it Up: Re-align the top frame over the case. Secure the board by tightening the M3 case screws from the bottom, making sure the 30mm screws go into the top row and the 14mm screws go into the bottom row.

   Tightening Tip: To ensure even case compression, tighten the screws in an alternating cross-pattern. Start by lightly threading the outer corners first, crisscrossing from one side to the other, before moving inward to tighten the middle screws.

   Warning: Do not over-torque the screws into the wood, as it will either pull out the threaded insert or compress the wood fibres.

3. Insert Feet: Insert the silicone feet (yes they are the Geonworks W1-AT feet) into the designated grooves at the bottom of the case and wrist rest (8 in total). The feet are friction fit and do not require any adhesive. If you are having trouble popping them in, try sliding them in sideways and massaging them into place instead.

Balancing Tip: If your board feels imbalanced after you place it upright, check the silicone feet to ensure that none of them have been pushed in too deep. This can sometimes happen and cause one corner of the board to sit prouder than the others, resulting in imbalance.

Your gwŷdd65 arrives pre-flashed from the factory with standard default firmware, meaning it is ready to plug in and use immediately.

If you wish to remap your keys, customise your layers, or need to re-flash your board, use the resources below:

Key Remapping (VIA)

The gwŷdd65 fully supports VIA configuration for on-the-fly remapping:

• Step 1: Connect your keyboard and navigate to the online utility at usevia.app.
• Step 2: If the board is not automatically detected, toggle the "Show Design tab" setting in VIA's settings menu.
• Step 3: Right-click the gwŷdd65.json , select "Save Link As..." to download it to your computer, and then upload it into the Design tab in VIA.

Firmware Downloads

If you ever want to change variants or need to re-flash your board, choose the appropriate firmware file below. Remember to follow the drag-and-drop flashing method outlined in Step 1 of the assembly guide:

• Default Firmware (.uf2)
• VIA Firmware (.uf2)
• Vial Firmware (.uf2)

Because your gwŷdd65 is finished with a layer of Shangern Antique Wax: a formula based on pure beeswax and select waxes. It will naturally interact with its user over time.

What to Expect (The Natural Wear Process)

With regular use, friction from your hands, exposure to skin oils, sweat, and localised temperature shifts will gradually wear down the top layer of wax. You may notice high-contact areas losing their initial satin sheen or feeling slightly different over time. This is entirely normal for your unit. Periodic maintenance will easily restore its deep lustre and keep the wood protected.

Step 1: Cleaning the Case

Before applying new wax, you must remove any accumulated skin oils or dust:

• Lightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with water (it should be barely damp, never wet).
• Gently wipe down the surfaces of the wood to remove any residue.
• Immediately follow up with a dry cloth to ensure no moisture sits on the wood. Allow the case/wrist rest to air dry completely for a few minutes.

Step 2: Applying the Wax

• Take a small, pea-sized amount (approximately 5mm to 10mm / 0.25 to 0.5 inches in diameter) of the provided Shangern Antique Maintenance Wax (the 30ml tin with the yellow label) onto a clean microfiber cloth.
• Rub the wax onto the wood surface using circular motions, ensuring a thin, even coat across the entire case and wrist rest. Less is more: a thin layer is all it takes to protect the grain.
• OPTIONAL (The Melty Experience): If you want the wax to deeply penetrate the grain and melt flawlessly into the wood, pass a hairdryer on a warm, low-airflow setting over the case for a few seconds after application. Watch the wax liquefy and absorb, then let it cool for a minute before the final step.

Step 3: Buffing to a Lustre

• Let the wax dry for a few minutes until it forms a slight, hazy film.
• Take a fresh, dry section of your microfiber cloth and buff the wood vigorously, following the direction of the natural wood grain.
• Continue buffing until the haze disappears, leaving behind a smooth, silky, protective satin finish.

ADVANCED: Deep Cleaning & Stripping (Optional)

If your keyboard case accumulates a heavy layer of grime over many months of heavy use, or if you wish to completely strip away old, contaminated wax to apply a completely fresh coat, you can perform an aggressive cleaning using naphtha (commonly found as standard Zippo lighter fluid):

• The Method: Pour a small amount of lighter fluid onto a clean paper towel or microfiber cloth and wipe down the wooden case firmly. The solvent will instantly dissolve and lift away old wax, skin oils, and deep-seated dirt without damaging the underlying thermally modified wood or the glue bonds of the case inserts.
• Follow-up: Once the naphtha has fully evaporated (which takes under a minute), the wood will look slightly dry or dull. Proceed immediately to Step 2 to apply a fresh layer of your Shangern Antique Wax to re-nourish and protect the grain.

Wood is an organic, fibrous material. This means you may find traces of natural "character" within the case, such as knots, pitting, or subtle scars where insects previously burrowed. These do not affect the function of the material and are not considered defects, as they were not caused during production. That said, if the character of the wood affects any structurally crucial parts of the chassis, these will be caught during our strict QC process and will not make it through to become a numbered unit. For minor interior or cosmetic blemishes that arise during production, we employ careful wood repair and restoration strategies to ensure every case retains structural integrity and a premium finish before leaving the workshop.

The fibrous nature of the wood in combination with the high-temperature thermal modification process means that some minor micro-chipping may occur during the CNC machining process. For interior chipping, it is considered completely within specification as long as it does not affect the tight tolerances or functionality of the unit.

As the build guide outlines, the case tolerances are calibrated to approximately 25°C (77°F) and 60% humidity. Because wood reacts naturally to its environment, slight physical movement over time is inevitable depending on how drastic the changes in temperature and humidity are. However, because our wood undergoes an extensive thermal stabilization process, this movement is constrained to an expected range of 0.2mm to 0.3mm. By comparison, untreated timber can move by over 1mm under the same environmental changes. This means that you hopefully won't have to break out a Dremel on your premium unit down the line!

Shipping Options: Standard international shipping options via DHL and International Air Parcel will be available at checkout.

Customs & Restrictions: Please verify your specific destination country's import guidelines regarding wooden items prior to ordering. We declare our keyboard units under the international HS Code 8471.60 (Automatic data processing units; input or output units). Because our cases undergo extensive thermal stabilization and are fully sealed with a deep wax finish, they do not fall under restrictive "raw wood" or untreated timber categories.

Duties & Taxes: Additional import fees, VAT, or customs clearance charges may apply upon delivery as determined by your local customs office. These fees are not calculated into your total order cost at checkout and remain the responsibility of the recipient.

Return Window: Returns are accepted up to 14 days following confirmed delivery. To be eligible, the item must be completely unused, unbuilt, in the exact pristine condition you received it, and inside its original packaging enclosures.

How to Initiate: Email us directly at wood@hexology.design. Please wait for our explicit email confirmation and authorization before shipping any items back. Unsolicited returns sent to our studio without prior confirmation cannot be accepted.

Defects, Errors, & Hardware Testing: If a unit arrives defective or differs from what you ordered, please contact us immediately with attached photographs clearly displaying the issue. Important Note for PCBs: Please make sure to test your bare PCB with tweezers prior to installing switches or beginning assembly. Because we can't trace what happens once a board is fully built or soldered (like a bent switch pin accidentally popping a hotswap socket loose), we can only replace PCBs that show defects during that initial bare test. For valid factory defects, we will fully cover all return shipping costs, destination duties, and VAT fees to make it right.

Change of Mind Returns: If you choose to return an item simply due to a change of mind, we completely understand, but you will be responsible for the return postage fees (which must be sent via a secure, tracked courier service) as well as any original customs duties or local VAT costs incurred.

Cancellations & Transit Damage: Cancellation of active Group Buy or Pre-order items will incur a 3% cancellation fee. We hate charging this, but merchant payment processors (like Shopify and PayPal) no longer refund transaction fees to us when an order is reversed. Should your package incur noticeable damage during courier transit or contain missing components, please reach out to us immediately at wood@hexology.design so we can help you out right away.

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