Keyboard Builders' Digest
5% off Invokeys' tasty switches!
Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects

Tom's 3x6 board

A Piantor-derivative by Tom Strowger. 36-key low-pro alu split keyboard driven by wireless XIAOs.

KBD.news
Published April 7, 2026
Creators! Feel free to tip me off about your keyboard related projects to bring them to 150,000 readers.

Tom Strowger (aka Silly_Vacation_899) shared his 36-key low-profile aluminum split keyboard. Wireless via XIAO nRF52840, inspired by the Piantor.

I've been using this one for the past year so can say it's now passed the real-world test. This is a split wireless low-profile build with an aluminium top case. It zips up nicely in a case so travels with me between work/home. No cables required except when I need to charge it, and the battery lasts over a month – Tom.

Built using Ergogen.

Pic:

Specs

  • 42 keys (5x3+3 split layout)
  • Choc switches, hotswap
  • Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 controller
  • aluminum top case

The PCB is not flippable as the battery charger pads on the MCU would not be reachable.

Pic:

Resources

Do you like this post? Share, donate, subscribe, tip me off!

Published on Tue 7th Apr 2026. Featured in KBD #209 (source).

Related

FCS42S keyboard

Ho's FCS42S is a split keyboard with adjustable per-column offsets and pinky splay.

Vimana

Protieusz has a new handwired 40% unibody split: the Vimana features a Meshi trackball module by Aki27. PCB to be tested.

Dactyl ManuBall

DrGarbinsky finished the next iteration of the Dactyl ManuBall.

Xavient

An open-source wireless split keyboard by yyevax: Xavient is available both in 36-key or 42-key configs.

Dilemma keyboard

u/Fmcraft published his Dilemma – a 5x3+2 split keyboard with trackpad.
×
top