Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Idawgz32
Sporewoh is back with yet another monoblock split pocket keyboard: the $5(!) idawgz32.
Published February 27, 2024
Creators! Feel free to tip me off about your keyboard related projects to bring them to 150,000 readers.
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
Aether
The Aether is a handwired keyboard by EvilTacoMan7533, based on the Atreus.
Gamma Omega Hesse
A Bluetooth diode-free 36-key ergonomic keyboard PCB by Peter Cock: Gamma Omega Hesse – using graph theory.
Kleks keyboard
The Kleks is a low-pro monoblock split by Radomir Dopieralski with extreme pinky offset.
C-13X keyboard
The C-13X is a tiny Alice-like handwired keyboard with an open-source case by u/flurpyflurples.