Behind the Scenes of Issue 30

Personal favorites. Split database revamp continued. Some vintage keyboards acquired. Issue 29 follow-up.

Summary

This was a pretty good week for keyboard builders. I personally learned a lot. There were not just some open source designs published, but we could also learn about copper cases with patina, tetrominoes, and an alternative low profile keycap.

Other than that, I acquired some vintage keyboards locally, one being the Gepard-8, a teletype keyboard from the '80. Not yet disassembled, but I guess it's optical.

And I continue working on my split database. I need a few days yet before publication.

Issue 30 personal favorites

I browse all the keyboard related subreddits at least daily, but because of my work on the split database and other tasks, during the week I mostly bookmarked promising posts without reading. It was only this weekend when I put together this issue and realized we had quite an exceptional collection of great projects and ideas this time!

Aside from the open source projects (KUSOboard and Avalanche) I'd like to highlight the […]

This is exclusive or early-access content for my supporters on BMC.

If you can't afford supporting this project, don't worry, I might publish parts of these write-ups later.

Btw, the full story is 7200+ characters long and you can read it at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dovenyi/behind-scenes-issue-30

KUSOboard

KUSOboard by covah901 with Longan Nano completed.

A Reviung-style monoblock with EVQWGD001 scroll wheel.

Only possible due to all Karlk90's work getting QMK on the GD32VF103 and Longan Nano.

Git: https://github.com/covah901/KUSOboard

I had started out wanting to build an Atreus sized board, but then changed my mind midway and decided to go with a Reviung39 style.

The column stagger is modified to fit the size of the author's hands better (large hands).

The layout was designed in FreeCAD then brought into KiCAD.

so I can finally have a design where everything is placed deliberately and not off by .1 mm or something, as I've had to made do with in the past because I find it difficult to make KiCAD do the sort of placement ergo boards require.

Project album: https://imgur.com/a/PWmJwKW Plate design: https://imgur.com/a/wUHdUfm

Avalanche v2.1 keyboard

The Avalanche v2.1 keyboard by vitvlkv is now open source.

It's been awhile since vitvlkv build the Avalanche 1.0. He was successfully using it as his daily driver for several months. Naturally he wanted to make some changes in its design, so meet the second version, which is open sourced.

Git repo: https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche

• Improved thumb cluster: moved to the center making the fourth thumb button more comfortable.
• Added the fifth button to the thumb cluster
• Added rotary encoders support.
• Rotated three outer columns for better pinky reach.
• Changed the overall shape (top and bottom plates, as well as the PCB).
• Added support for per-switch RGB lighting (as well as backlight).

P.S. On the image you may see the two inner index finger buttons are not installed. They will be removed in v3.0…

IMPORTANT: The author recently discovered some weird behaviour on a newly built Avalanche 2.0 keyboard (2.1 is almost the same). Currently, he is in the process of debugging this issue.

Aether

The Aether is a handwired keyboard by EvilTacoMan7533, based on the Atreus.

I designed this layout over the course of a few months and many, many iterations. At first, I started designing it because I was just experimenting, and didn't really expect for it to come to life.

I started off inspired by this, and it changed a lot over time and eventually I decided to split it and took inspiration from the Atreus. I was looking at split ergo keyboards for a while but they were very small and didn't have enough keys for me, so I decided I wanted something Atreus-like with basically the keys of a TKL and macro keys, which there are 6 of now. This keyboard took overall about 4 months to make (mostly because I didn't have enough money), and about $220, not including the soldering iron. Also this was my second custom keyboard coming from a hotswap gk64x :).

Plate DXF: https://github.com/Y5U/Aether

More pictures: https://lutim.lagout.org/gallery#KXXLLhD0/1If5F8OY.jpg,mUbfvjGo/nt44O2jZ.jpg,ec3ZmRr5/fHDhFdkf.jpg,tlQ3bQG8/h7Twbx8I.jpg

Space space

This keyboard by qpockets is called the space space. And it has encoders underside.

Look again!

The idea started with putting the mods in the middle of a Planck to separate hands a little bit. But there's more to this design.

Two encoders are mounted on the bottom, accessible from the side via a custom knob. There's one on each side.

More pics: https://imgur.com/a/IlnIZV6

This is the 3rd and final revision PCB, going into group buy soon.

Go for launch

Go for launch by SouthPawEngineer.

Another monoblock split by SouthPawEngineer.

Some build details: custom PCB with a custom solar trickler charger IC setup, a monocrystalline solar cell, operates in both wired & wireless modes and uses hot-swappable Choc v2 switches, and has a laser cut steel & acrylic case.

On top is a solar cell to trickle charge the board in wireless mode. There's a scroll encoder for media functions, and a 5 way switch that is nav keys and arrow keys depending on the layer.

Is the solar cell able to keep the board charged?

With just one panel and being inside most of the time, no - but it does enhance battery life given a set battery size. Some people like to throw in a bigger battery. I've been playing with super thin batteries for low profile boards, so I'd rather find other ways to achieve better battery life and break through the power problems inherent to Bluetooth.

The controller is just an NRF52 series MCU running ZMK.

How the 5 way switch compares to actual arrow keys?

It works great, it's compact and maps spatially to the perception of what an arrow key should do.

Zodiark

Zodiark PCB kits coming soon (for real this time)! by S_Dev.

Major differences from Sofle v2: The full bottom row, per-key RGB, and support for larger OLEDs.

The KiCAD files will go up once the initial run/GB is finished.

SVG and STL case files are available in the Discord along with a .STEP of the board for people interested in making their own case: https://discord.gg/BCSbXwskVt

Layeri - a handwired one

Layeri - first DIY mechanical keyboard with handwiring and custom layout by elschnorelli.

More pics and blog entry at https://fancy-mech.eu/2021/06/09/layeri-custom-keyboard/

The USB protocol explained

Ben Eater explains the USB protocol of a keyboard. Posted by Coloneljesus.

Travel case for Corne

Custom 3D-printed travel case for Corne keyboards by Consistent-Egg-3419.

The author did not want to miss out on his favorite keyboard while traveling and working out of his lap.

This design definitely has some ergo trade-offs, but it's a welcome improvement from the MBP keyboard, and it folds up to be safely thrown into a backpack.

The case needs a bit more refinement, but it will be uploaded to thingiverse once it's done.

The keycaps used are for the NuType keyboard: https://nuphy.com/collections/shop

They are the only decent choc keycaps with alphas that I have found. I tried the original ones from Kailh and they feel awful to me.

3D-printed hotswap sockets V4

V4 of the 3D-printed hotswap sockets by stingray127 are open source.

STL: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4791318

Guide on Github: https://github.com/stingray127/handwirehotswap

This is a completely solderless way of wiring a keyboard matrix together. Using these 3d printed pieces, through hole diodes, and solid core wire, you can put together a keyswitch matrix that conforms to the shape of any build space, with the added benefit of being able to remove and replace all of the switches.

Version 4 improvements:

• Easier to print
• Improved robustness of row wire connection
• Faster to assemble / put in diode
• Better method of connecting pin and diode

How long does it take to assemble each socket on average?

I got this down to like 1:30 - 2 minutes per socket, so yeah its still a time sink.

Tetrominoes in action

Tetromino PCBs used by whateverany.

Tetrominoes are a set of five open source PCBs designed by 40percent.club. They are not new (introduced in 2019), but I wasn't aware of them until whateverany posted a board featuring these little guys.

The PCB's can be arranged to fit just about any rectangular shape with a number of switches divisible by 4.

The designs are open source and the Gerber files are available at: https://git.40percent.club/di0ib/Misc/src/branch/master/tetrominoes

There are five designs. They use the same any direction switch pads that I used on the Polyandry. Individual PCB's can be placed in any orientation – di0ib

Here is a blog post on 40percent.club with more details.

Btw, a tetromino is a geometric shape composed of four squares, connected orthogonally (i.e. at the edges). They may be familiar from Tetris. More on tetrominoes in general: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetromino

Collapsible Lego Technic lube station

Collapsible Lego Technic lube station by totetomi.

for those with Lego but station-less

Although, as DocBullseye points out in his comment, if you have a thick LEGO plate, a 2x2 area is the right size for a switch, and springs fit in the holes – as you can see in DitlevB's post featured in KBD #18.

KK Light Wave V2 / Candy Jade Green

Deadeye is starting a video series where he takes an in-depth look at various mechanical switches, the fist one being KK Light Wave V2.

An in-depth overview of the KK Light Wave V2 linear speed switch, designed by Velocifire; also known as the Candy Jade Green.

Momoka Frog V3

Momoka Frog V3 switch review by ThereminGoat.

Does Momoka, who is one of the newer switch brands in the scene right now, really have what it takes to stand out in the slew of new switch brands out there?

Article link: https://www.theremingoat.com/blog/momoka-frog-v3-switch-review

Popular linears compared

Some popular linear switches compared by 2entythree.

Gateron Ink Black V2, Gateron Yellow KS-3, Durock POM, Cherry MX Black, Zeal Tealios compared.

Sound test compilation #16

This is a list of 7 sound tests published this week in a single megapack.

(Cover image by Camcam.)

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

Videos

TKC Portico + Gateron Yellows KBD67 Lite + Tecsee Purple Panda HHKB Type-S + BKE Light Domes Mercutio 40% + Gazzew U4T blacks NK65 Alu + Gateron Silent Blacks NK65 + Kinetic Labs Husky Linears Melody 96 + C3 Tangerines

References

• TKC Portico + Gateron Yellows by Camcam.
• KBD67 Lite + Tecsee Purple Panda by Swiitchback.
• HHKB Type-S + BKE Light Domes by q.mechkeys.
• Mercutio 40% + Gazzew U4T blacks by Nick B.
• NK65 Alu + Gateron Silent Blacks by IceKeyboards.
• NK65 + Kinetic Labs Husky Linears by clack labs.
• Melody 96 + C3 Tangerines by David Crystal.

Contributors

Thanks again to all the contributors, namely: Camcam, clack labs, David Crystal, IceKeyboards, Nick B, q.mechkeys and Swiitchback.

Lear Siegler ADM-2

Vintage Lear Siegler ADM-2 keyboard (circa 1974) with Key Tronic Foam & Foil switches. Posted by jacksonh22.

KT F&F gets a lot of hate but I actually really like them. These are linear. They're super lightweight unlike most other switches of the time and this board itself has a "vintage vintage" version of F&F switches which I've never seen before where it uses the same sliders as KT's magnetic reed switches, which I think helps the feel a lot.

Copper case with patina

Copper patina done by -MarvFPV-.

Case made from FormFutura's Copperfill.

This is a PLA type of 3D printer filament with 80% copper filling. It 3D prints heavyweight copper parts which are nearly indistinguishable from genuine copper cast objects.

Post-processing was done with vinegar and salt (plus clear coat for durability).

The keyboard is Hummingbird by PJE66, built with Choc Robins and 15g springs.

You can find the PCB and case files here: https://github.com/PJE66/hummingbird

Terminator switches

Terminator switches posted by switchesmx.

These are prototype switches from Tecsee. All they told switchesmx was that they are metal coated.

Update (2021/08/10):

A typing test by clack labs – TOFU65 with Tecsee metal tactile switches:

Plinky, a PCB-synth

Plinky is an 8-voice polyphonic touch synthesiser that specialises in melancholic sounds.

May be interesting from keyboard perspective.

More info and samples at: https://plinkysynth.com/

Plinky feature walkthrough

That click

Here is a tip from riskable if you want to make some noise.

Now this is how you do clicky: Relays! There's nothing hooked up to them so they should last a really long time (millions of clicks!).

8-channel relays like this are usually around $5-10 each but in my testing I figured out that you really only need one, but two does the job a bit better. Three is just fine (but totally unnecessary).