Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
3R Free Controller
A left-hand game controller with joystick – on throttle rails. 3R Free Controller by Roel Rijkes.
Published March 20, 2026
This blog is free thanks to 54 supporters — like Upgrade Keyboards, Spencer Dabell, and RGBKeys. Join them now!
Roel Rijkes (aka rrijkes) shared his handwired 3R Free Controller, a gaming controller with low-profile switches in a keywell, joysticks, and the whole contraption built on a rail system for adjusting throttle in HOTAS-like (hands on throttle-and-stick) game control setups.
I'm an orthotist-prosthetist who enjoys tinkering with microcontrollers and 3D printers. I'm also a gamer and play Elite Dangerous in VR – which is where I got the idea to create something so I wouldn't have to look at the keyboard while playing. Wrist movement is for the throttle function and not needed for pushing buttons – Roel.
While the original device was built with the discontinued Teensy 2++ controller, you should be able to adapt this design to various contemporary development boards.
Features
- 27 keys, keywell
- Choc switches, soldered
- Teensy 2++ controller
- 1 analog Hall sensing joystick (GuliKit)
- 1 digital joystick (8-way HAT switch / POV)
- stainless steel linear sliding throttle
- swappable hardware notch plates - adjustable notch pressure
- easy throttle calibration with custom centerpoint placement
- multiple deadzone point placement with adjustable deadzone width
Resources
- Files and build instructions on printables.
- Firmware on github.
Published on Fri 20th Mar 2026. Featured in KBD #208 (source).
Related
Artsy Fartsy
Artsy Fartsy is an ergo artsey keyboard by u/GrO3veman.
BLE Morse keyboard
Mikey Sklar shared a wireless one-handed keyboard with Morse code as input method.
PNCATEHO
The PNCATEHO by aroum is a 10-key chording keyboard for Russian.
Single-handed ergo keyboard/layout
A great one-handed keyboard project by key-yack with lots of ideas and links to related resources.