Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Kai Ascend
Ascend is a cute split keyboard designed and shared by Kai H. Chang.
Published April 11, 2024
This free blog runs thanks to just 54 supporters - like Jacob Mikesell, RGBKeys, and Ikasaya. Join them now!
Kai H. Chang aka K-H-C shared Ascend, this feature-packed split with encoders, displays, and much more.
First time designing my own keyboard. Also my first Kicad project – Kai.
The author wanted a board with both MX and Choc switches (not combined footprints but MX switches for the main area and Chocs for the thumb keys), while creating a natural elevation when used without wrist rests. Saving desk space was one of the design goals, so the board is wireless (utilizing ZMK).
Specs
- 36 keys
- MX main area, Choc thumb keys
- hotswap sockets
- encoder
- display
- Pro Micro footprint
The design was inspired by the Wubbo.
Caps are KLP Lamé by braindefender.
Things I learned from this project: print more and spend more time feeling; displays are good for debugging and aesthetics, nothing more really; one knob is enough and I don't really need it when I have a programmable mouse; design cases with sunk screws next time; no function beats the feeling of making the keyboard smaller – Kai.
Resources
- https://github.com/kaihchang/Ascend_splay_split_keyboard
- Tenting legs used (Aliexpress)
- KLP Lamé on github
Published on Thu 11th Apr 2024. Featured in KBD #161 (source).
Related
SOWGull
Sneftel shared the SOWGull, a split version of his original Gull keyboard.
Tom's 3x6 board
A Piantor-derivative by Tom Strowger. 36-key low-pro alu split keyboard driven by wireless XIAOs.
Lalboard: a modern Datahand
The lalboard, this 3D printable recreation of the DataHand was featured at hackaday recently (journal, repo).
Smol keyboard
Evgenii Vilkov's Smol is a split prototype with a cool sandwich case.