Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Idawgz32
Sporewoh is back with yet another monoblock split pocket keyboard: the $5(!) idawgz32.
Published February 27, 2024
This blog is free thanks to 54 supporters — like Micah Alpern, barraGOUDA, and @keebio. Join them now!
In hindsight, Chris Lo aka sporewoh launched a series with the bunchiez40 and modkipz40. His latest model with mouse keys is the idawgz32.
I wanted to show my newest and most affordable pocket keyboard, the idawgz32. I wanted to hop on the CH552/FAK firmware train, and challenge myself to make a keyboard that only costs $5 to make. It uses a similar design to my previous board, the pusheenz40 – Chris.
The original idea was to make a board so cheap that Chris could give it away for free as a small gift at meetups. As such, he wanted to see if it's possible to make a board that roughly targeted the $5-6 price range.
According to the author, trying to figure out cost optimization was real fun. If you’re interested in reading about the process, check out this blog post!
Specs
- 32 keys
- G-switch GT-TC063F-H035-L30 switches
- 9x9 mm spacing
- CH552T MCU (on-board)
- FAK firmware
Resources
- idawgz32 on GitHub.
- idawgz32 blog entry – "how I made a keyboard for only $5".
Published on Tue 27th Feb 2024. Featured in KBD #157.
Related
36ribs keyboard
36ribs is a nice unibody offset ortho keyboard with exposed diodes. Designed by CREATINE0.
Wingman
An ultra low-profile monoblock split keyboard using PG1316S switches: Wingman by vuoz.
Haori36-MX
Designed by Penk Chen, the Haori36-MX is a unibody ortho split keyboard.
enigma36
Enigma36 - A handwired unibody keyboard with underglow and trackpoint by sadekbaroudi.