Issue 30 / Week 23 / 2021

This is a hand-picked selection of posts that may teach you something about designing and building your own custom keyboard.

Your support is crucial because delivering new issues every week takes a lot of time.

There are 22 entries in this issue:

Editorial

Behind the Scenes of Issue 30

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

Projects

KUSOboard

KUSOboard by covah901 with Longan Nano completed.

Avalanche v2.1 keyboard

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

Aether

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

Space space

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

Go for launch

Go for launch by SouthPawEngineer.

Zodiark

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

Layeri - a handwired one

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

Tips & Tricks

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.

3D-printed hotswap sockets V4

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

Tetrominoes in action

Tetromino PCBs used by whateverany.

Collapsible Lego Technic lube station

Collapsible Lego Technic lube station by totetomi.

Test

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.

Momoka Frog V3

Momoka Frog V3 switch review by ThereminGoat.

Popular linears compared

Some popular linear switches compared by 2entythree.

Sound test compilation #16

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

Keyboard Spotting

Lear Siegler ADM-2

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

Inspiration

Copper case with patina

Copper patina done by -MarvFPV-.

Terminator switches

Terminator switches posted by switchesmx.

Plinky, a PCB-synth

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

That click

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

Your support is crucial to help this project to survive.