Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Cata
Cata is a 34-key ortholinear keyboard with Gateron KS-33 switches – shared by skarmann.
Published August 22, 2025
Steven Karmann aka skarmann released his Cata, a monoblock ortho split with no angle but some offset between the halves. Plus the diodes nicely arranged. The board uses Gateron KS-33 switches with 19x19mm spacing.
I created Cata to try out the Gateron KS-33 low-profile 3.0 keyswitches, and I must say they are very nice! They feel smooth, sturdy, and support MX keycaps. They are just a couple millimeters taller than Choc switches, so I think they're a great choice for low profile builds – Steven.
The PCB design is akin to the author's Sha keyboard, but with fewer keys and different keyswitches.
Features
- 34 keys (5x3+2)
- Gateron KS-33 switches, soldered or hotswap
- Waveshare RP2040-Zero controller
- self-encasing PCB
- KMK firmware (QMK coming soon)
The main PCB is used as the logical PCB. A second copy of the main PCB is used as the bottom plate, by flipping it the long way and screwing it directly to the logical PCB.
A small plate PCB covers the dev board and diodes. It has cutouts which fit the boot and reset buttons on the dev board.
Resources
Published on Fri 22nd Aug 2025. Featured in KBD #197 (source).
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