Issue 11 / Week 4 / 2021
After digging through 2445 posts on r/mk only… here is the top 1% of last week's content from a keyboard builder's perspective. Posts that may teach you something, make you think and contribute to the common knowledge of the DIY builder community.
There are 25 entries in this issue:
Review
KTT Strawberry Switch Review
KTT strawberry. Another comprehensive switch review by ThereminGoat (article).
Gazzew Bobagum review
Gazzew Bobagum review & sound test on NK65 Entry! by Zenjh.
Projects
Microdox with 3D printed case
A Microdox with a nice gallery and a cool open source tented case by Kooziecup.
GX-16 Dactyl Manuform
A Dactyl Manuform with GX-16 connectors by oni_strech based on hellmoneywarrior's design.
Tightyl
This Tightyl build by moltarpdx is based on Okke's design (git, STL).
Macro board
An open source macro board with PCB, case and plate (git) by Gowlandr.
Kinesis Essential rebuild with Bluetooth
This Kinesis Essential has been turned into wireless by sczizzo. Lot's of useful info in the thread.
A hefty wireless 40% ortho
A thick wireless 40% ortho by onebigdoor with photolog.
MUGGI 2
MUGGI 2 by jungmuk. A handwired split with a single controller, braided cables and photolog.
Phatty105
This handwired monster is tentatively named the Phatty105 (keymap) and is based on a (surprise!) CRKBD. Committed by jamopopper.
Tools
Speedtyper.dev
SpeedTyper.dev. A TypeRacer equivalent for programmers (posted by pumpkin_link).
RGB control using raw HID
A Python module by electrocamel to control RGB on QMK keyboards using raw HID.
Tips & Tricks
3D printed hot swap sockets
OMGWhyImOld published the source files of this 3D printed solderless keyswitch connector. Aka "poor man's Kaihl hot swap sockets".
Converting an XT keyboard to Bluetooth
A guide to easily convert an XT keyboard to Bluetooth by PM_ME_YOUR_MAUSE (docs).
Cracked keycap stems fixed with heat shrink tube
Heat shrink tube (4.5 mm) used to fix cracked or loose keycap stems (by jesterc0re).
Braided cable
RomeoTran came up with this super flexible braided cable using headphone cables.
Some switch sounds
Sound test of some switches by TheHapaLens.
Keyboard Spotting
Beamspring spotting
A breathtaking photo of an IBM Beamspring 5251 shot by Bitteneite.
NEC phone switchboard
A NEC phone switchboard discovered in an abandoned building by Happyboi225 & co.
Inspiration
Mint chocolate artisan keyboard
I'm used to artisans, but these mint & strawberry chocolate themed Lime40s are the first artisan keyboards I've ever seen (designed by eukalin_, posted by hiddenbox4).
Rotary phone numpad
The real mechanical numpad built out of a rotary phone sandelinos found at a thrift shop (video & Arduino source).
Hexadecimal keyboard & macropad
A unique Hexadecimal keyboard & macropad by wanderingjew.
Custom macropad with extra knobs
This custom macropad by dansskittles comes with extra knobs and a short code example.
Manta
The Manta is a monoblock split by GeniuzGames.
Split keyboard concept for designers
A designer-friendly split keyboard concept by samanpwbb with 9 extra keys on the left for often used hotkeys.