Keyboard Builders' Digest / Tips & Tricks
QAZer Beam
The QAZer Beam is a QAZ in a beamspring-like case designed by u/Pocketfullofbugs.
Published March 27, 2022
My masterpiece and something nearing endgame for real. […] As stated, I believe this to be the best thing I've designed and saw through. […] this 32 key creation is loud, sexy, and my favorite – Pocketfullofbugs.
u/Pocketfullofbugs was inspired by the look of the IBM 5251 Beamspring keyboard and decided to create a similar case with all the classic features using the switchplate and PCB of a QAZ.
If you are not familiar with the form factor, QAZ is a 35% or sub-40% staggered keyboard designed by tominabox1 and whydobearsxplod.
According to the description at cbkbd.com, "to attain the traditional rectangular shape while minimizing the footprint, A,Z and P are placed on larger key sizes". QAZ is allegedly the first modern production board with a layout using this space-saving trick.
Well, sacrificing the outer keys of the bottom row renders the QAZer a 32%, but you get the point…
This specific project pictured above involves:
- keycaps from a Teletype Dataspeed 40 with resin printed adapters for MX stems,
- Kailh Navy switches "to let people know you mean business",
- a solenoid "to underline that business",.
- and a piezo buzzer.
The case provides a 15 degree forward slope and a generous bezel.
GitHub repo: Here.
And here is a short sound sample with the solenoid for you to enjoy:
Published on Sun 27th Mar 2022. Featured in KBD #71 (source).
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