Behind the Scenes of Issue 24

Issue 23 follow-up, Issue 24 preparations. LED power consumption test: first results & USB ports killed. My kitchen scale now features a Choc white.

This is exclusive content for my supporters.

The full story is 6800+ characters long and has 3 images.

Read it at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dovenyi/behind-scenes-issue-24

Axon, a 40% through-hole keyboard

The Axon is an open source 40% through-hole keyboard by Orobin.

Source files: https://github.com/thatfellarobin/axon

More pics: https://imgur.com/a/dnMptJF

Writeup: https://www.robinliu.me/axon

Experiments with 34 keys

An experiment with 34 keys by anzood with photolog.

This is how a keyboard should be designed: around your body.

The author has missing one phalanx on his right middle finger, that's why that column is offset differently.

Layout: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/e8a35ecce7d783bf37bf501e41540bbf

Based on this keymap: https://github.com/callum-oakley/qmk_firmware/tree/master/users/callum

A low profile portable BLE design

A new low profile portable BLE design by SouthPawEngineer with scroll wheel.

The scroll wheel model is: EVQWGD001

It is available e.g. on Aliexpress for about $2-4 per item.

Instructions for the Lisperati1000

Open source files and instructions for the Lisperati1000 cyberdeck by drcode now available.

Well, this one is not really a keyboard build, because the keyboard part is just a Vortex Core, but other than that, an impressive project.

Files and instructions:https://github.com/drcode/lisperati-1000-diy

Home:http://www.lisperaticomputers.com/

Original post:https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/comments/lbu4di/my_shiny_new_lisperati1000_lisp_programming/

Hackster.io article:https://www.hackster.io/news/the-lisperati1000-is-a-cyberdeck-terminal-dedicated-to-lisp-programming-bb564f2ffcff

Crocodox Mk.II

The 44 keys Crocodox by ak66666 comes with STL files.

This is the second version of the Crocodox keyboard with Kailh Choc switches.

The author moved the pinkie columns a bit and swapped the way the top and bottom parts are connected. Now the switches are put into a plate which goes into a tub.

Otherwise the layout is the same as in the previous version.

More photos and STLs: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4842203

Scylla - a modern Dactyl Manuform

Presenting the Scylla - a modern Dactyl Manuform by Fmcraft.

The Scylla is a 6x4+5 dactyl manuform.

It's an evolution of the TBK - the author is trying to build the endgame of dactyl manuform.

Features (mostly same as dactyl manuforms):

Technical details:

Print settings

Printed at .15 layer height with a .4 nozzle, with prusament galaxy black on a prusa mk3s and mk3s+.

Having a clean design for the 3d file helps a lot (this was really hard using the dacman code but much more feasible in CAD) (more details & close-up).

Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/sYedDUo#RYUxMUC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYKJnKiDjNk

The Wren: System Edition

The Wren by reasonsandreasons is an open source split ergo keyboard inspired by the Breeze, Kyria and Corne.

Project: https://github.com/walterhanley/wren-keyboard

Raspberry Pi Pico macropad

A Raspberry Pi Pico macro board by EnviousMedia.

Source files: https://github.com/Envious-Data/Env-MCRO

3D printed macropad without soldering

A DIY 3D printed, handwired macropad by wlard with 3D printed hotswap plates and video guide.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9r5DKZLz68

Writeup and STLs: https://blog.heaper.de/3d-printed-macropad/

MJF printed manuform-esque ergo

Scaffolding style MJF printed manuform-esque ergo by phazerlock.

Inspired by the manuform, but implemented in openpyscad rather than closure. Sockets clip into the 3D printed housing but need to be held in with glue.

The two keys at the top of the thumb cluster are a reach, so the owner only uses them for macros. All the others are perfectly comfortable. Their placement was tweaked over about 4 iterations.

Features: MJF printed manuform-esque ergo. Larger through-hole nrf51822 a la mitosis. Kailh hotswap sockets for endgame compatibility.

Each half was $107 from 3dhubs.

Redox build

A Redox-based build by kubami with great build log.

Build log: https://kubami.com/articles/split-keyboard-build/

DIY 60% wooden case

DIY 60% Wooden case with photolog by Trinnsennn.

Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/mBmDiDm#5SoaQ6U

QMK RC - remote control for your keyboard

QMK RC - a universal library and host counterpart by mmalecki to control your keyboard.

https://github.com/mmalecki/qmk_rc

QMK configurator for Emacs

Mugur, a new QMK configurator for Emacs users by molteanu.

https://github.com/mihaiolteanu/mugur

Towards better typing apps

Nonsense, a typing app by lifow generates random texts according to real word frequencies.

Source code: https://github.com/callum-oakley/nonsense

Neapolitan Ice Cream review

Neapolitan Ice Cream switches. A one-switch Zyko alternative? Reviewed by ThereminGoat.

This week ThereminGoat is bringing you Cannonkeys' new Neapolitan Ice Cream switches which are billed as a one-switch, stock Zyko alternative.

Article: https://www.theremingoat.com/blog/neapolitan-ice-cream-switch-review

3D printed keycap case

An open source 3D printed keycap case by oriol360 with STL files.

Monkeytype with a monkey typing

A critical addition to Monkeytype I wasn't aware of: an actual monkey smacking the keys. Posted by halogen09.

The monkey is smacking the keys along with you. To turn on this feature:

Visit the monkeytype typing app at: https://monkeytype.com/

And hit Esc (to bring up the console) and type or choose "toggle monkey".

Also, the monkey starts to shake and it's eyes turn red/green when you type really fast (above 100 WPM).

It seems you really need to type above 100 WPM (not RAW) after going to settings and pressing toggle monkey. You can't cheat by smacking random keys in normal modes or even setting up a "custom" text like "aaaaa…".

However, if you can't type that quick yet, you can choose zen mode where you can type a free text (whatever you like) which is pretty much smacking the keys – at least it works as of writing this.

Sound test compilation #11

This is a list of 20 sound tests published this week in a single megapack.

(Cover image by John von Neumann.)

You can find and compare these (and much more) typing tests in the Keyboard Sound Database.

Videos

Unikorn R2.1 PC + Gat Milky Yellow Tofu Acrylic + KTT/Akko CS Matcha Green Mekanisk Klippe R2 + Drop Holy Pandas GMMK Pro + Boba U4T 62g Practice65 + Everglide Oreo + MT3 NK65 + Holy Kiwi NK65E Milkshake Edition + Gateron Black Inks Ai03 Vega + Lavenders + FR4 GMMK PRO + Durock POM + PC Duck Orion v3 + Hyperglides + PC Freyr TKL + POM ADK64 + Amber Alps KBD8x Mkii + FR4 Thermal Milk + Water King TOFU65 + Dusk Panda Drop Alt + TKC Kiwis Vulcan X KBDfans Maja + Zealios v2 Keychron C2 + Gateron brown TX60 v1 + Novelkey Creams Tofu65 + Glorious Pandas

References

• Unikorn R2.1 PC + Gat Milky Yellow by Sean Dunne.
• Tofu Acrylic + KTT/Akko CS Matcha Green by sviz.
• Mekanisk Klippe R2 + Drop Holy Pandas by Richswole.
• GMMK Pro + Boba U4T 62g by Swiitchback.
• Practice65 + Everglide Oreo + MT3 by zeonic_keys.
• NK65 + Holy Kiwi by Ghoul Boards.
• NK65E Milkshake Edition + Gateron Black Inks by Kewee154.
• Ai03 Vega + Lavenders + FR4 by John von Neumann.
• GMMK PRO + Durock POM + PC by 배주원JOOWONBAE.
• Duck Orion v3 + Hyperglides + PC by Sean Dunne.
• Freyr TKL + POM by JucheCatgirl.
• ADK64 + Amber Alps by JucheCatgirl.
• KBD8x Mkii + FR4 by Taptaptien.
• Thermal Milk + Water King by seo exe.
• TOFU65 + Dusk Panda by clack labs.
• Drop Alt + TKC Kiwis by ColdSauce Tech.
• Vulcan X KBDfans Maja + Zealios v2 by futurebrian.
• Keychron C2 + Gateron brown by Matt Joseph.
• TX60 v1 + Novelkey Creams by Rosey Pham.
• Tofu65 + Glorious Pandas by IceKeyboards.

Contributors

Thanks again to all the contributors, namely: clack labs, ColdSauce Tech, futurebrian, Ghoul Boards, IceKeyboards, John von Neumann, JucheCatgirl, Kewee154, Matt Joseph, Richswole, Rosey Pham, Sean Dunne, seo exe, sviz, Swiitchback, Taptaptien, zeonic_keys and 배주원JOOWONBAE.

A lucky postal worker

A lucky postal worker in an episode of How It’s Made. Spotted by Gorbitron1530.

This intriguing monoblock split keyboard came up on an episode of How It’s Made and was being used by a postal worker.

No further info about the model.

The keycaps resemble Siemens ones and the overall layout early Japanes ergonomical keyboards.

IBM 5251 terminal

An IBM 5251 terminal with beamspring keyboard spotted and acquired by jrayself.

This beauty was spotted on FB Marketplace.

The best part is that the whole setup (that even has the original manual and parts catalog) cons only $225.

Weytec MK06

Weytec MK06, a keyboard with three displays spotted by MattothePeerless.

Another similar Weytec was already featured in issue 12, but this one has its display on, and has the trading keys arranged slightly differently.

Sejin Electron SKM-1040

A restored left handed (?) keyboard with Futaba MA switches posted by ZachLennie.

More pics: Sejin Electron SKM-1040

Converted Olympia Carrera

An Olympia Carrera typewriter turned into a custom keyboard by Jussapitka. Featuring a Pro Micro and some LEGO.

More about the keyswitches: Marquardt Series 6180