Behind the Scenes of Issue 45

Vendor database update, 5 new discount codes. Issue 44 follow-up.

This editorial is shorter than usual and the next one will be even shorter I guess.

The reason: I've been an organizer of an annual local TEDx event in the past 9 years. I'm not the most active one lately and I try to restrict my activities to the website and remote help but the event will be held next weekend and I will be in charge of all kinds of tech on-site.

So I will probably spend my weekend backstage in a conference hall. Which may be both thrilling and fun btw. A few years ago the event was held in a puppet theater and it would have been too expensive to remove a cool full-stage handcrafted scenery of a fairytale town built for a show. So that afternoon I was half lying in a tiny wooden house with my laptop, peeking out from a tiny window and balancing to avoid falling into a…

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RART45

The RART45 is a unibody angled split by Alabahuy with Atmel328p and exposed through-hole components.

OK, this split with Gerber files is not new but was brought to my attention only recently – by pierreasd's post.

According to the description over at GitHub:

This is a 40% mechanical keyboard with Ergo layout inspired by Reviung41 by boardsource and Plaid by HGSW, based on IMKG (Indonesia Mechanical Keyboard Group)

Well, I count 53 keys so I'm not sure why it is referenced as 40% - or even 45% in the post, also why the 45 in the name, but anyway, if you're into monoblock splits and THM, this design can be another option.

The Midge

This is what was left after jamesmnw kept cutting things away.

The Midge is a bluetooth-only 30 key split keyboard with column splay and an aggressive pinkie stagger.

And for people to whom this design appeals, it's even open source: https://github.com/jimmerricks/bugs/tree/master/midge

I had the Hummingbird in mind when I designed it. The other main influence was Tapi's Architeuthis dux – jamesmnw.

OLKB terminal

An OLKB terminal by jeffeb3 featuring a Void30.

This project is a terminal with built-in ortholinear keyboard and touch screen as a home automation interface.

It isn't wearable and it isn't portable. It doesn't even fold up (though it kind of looks like it does). But I love it and wanted to share – jeffeb3.

Git repo: https://github.com/jeffeb3/olkb-terminal

The cyberdeck features a Void30, an open-source ortholinear project by Victor Lucachi (github repo).

Hermit

A split keyboard by @orihikarna with some interesting details.

The firmware is now settled down so @orihikarna called his first self-designed keyboard to be finished.

The keyboard layout looks like a hermit crab, so I named it Hermit – @orihikarna.

No documentation or build log, only a thread of tweets. You can find the source files in this GitHub repo: https://github.com/orihikarna/Hermit

Features:

• split with 60 keys
• Thumb keys placed a bit further (pressed with the first joint)
• Choc V2 browns (17.4x16.8mm)
• ARM
• I2C I/O expander (with a Type-C cable)

Details:

• Stacked FR4 design. 8 mm thick with 6 layers on each side.
• cool PCB pattern
• cuteness increased by 3D printed USB connector fasteners
• slight tenting via different feet.

Btw the layout, which may be weird at first, is logically derived from ortholinear:

自キ活再開中。次に作りたいレイアウトをパラメータ化してみた。中指キーは水平。薬指キーは人差し指キーと平行で、中指キーに接する、とすると、必ず段差ができる。ortholinearからのモーフィングになるかと思っていたらならなかった?なるほどな～ pic.twitter.com/pxNXSTQ4Ly

— orihikarna (@orihikarna) March 21, 2021

Peggi: an arpeggio keyboard

The Peggi is an eight-key arpeggio keyboard by Ian Henry.

Well, this post is not about the keyboard which btw is a Faunchpad purchased from the now closed g Heavy Industries.

This is about the arpeggiating input method.

I’ve always been attracted to chording keyboards in theory, but I lack whatever childhood musical training is required to wrap my fingers around them. So I made something else: an arpeggio keyboard – Ian Henry.

While chording keyboards require you to press multiple keys at the same time, arpeggio keyboards only ask that you type multiple keys in sequence.

Demonstration in the original article.

QMK keymap here.

How to make a wooden wrist rest

A photolog of making a wrist rest by lawndartdesign.

This photolog by lawndartdesign demonstrates the difficulty of making a wrist rest, this time of wenge.

Photos and description in the post.

I know it’s user preference but I prefer a hard surface at the right angle than a squishy pad at a flat angle. Plus it’s a piece of art that compliments a nice keyboard – lawndartdesign.

Brass tube handwiring

Neat handwiring by n0t_dane using brass tubes instead of magnet wire.

This kind of artsy handwiring usually involves magnet wire. However, the project on the picture, n0t_dane's first handwiring btw, features brass tubes.

More pictures: https://imgur.com/a/zk7mdKH

It was brass tube from a local hardware store. I forgot the exact dimensions, but they’re about 1/16 outer diameter and each tube was 36 inches long. I bent it with pliers wrapped in tape so that it doesn’t scratch. It really doesn’t matter if the tube collapses on itself, it’ll still conduct – n0t_dane.

USB-C Pro Micro size comparison

Fantastic-Onion4292 posted some photos of the new USB-C Pro Micro compared to the classic one.

The first Pro Micros with USB-C connector emerged last week on r/mk and Fantastic-Onion4292 was kind enough to put the two versions next to each other to shoot some comparison photos:

Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/hzZ5Dfy

As you can see, the pin arrangement is identic, however, the USB-C one has a 1.9 mm longer PCB (33.0 vs 34.9 mm).

Both are sold for about $6, e.g. here on Aliexpress.

(Note to myself: I have to update some of my old tutorials referring to $3 Pro Micros – the usual price pre-covid.)

It's fun though that, at least according to the customer reviews on Aliexpress, this USB-C model already started shipping half a year ago - the firs comment appearing on 1st April this year.)

Brute-force encoder integration

A modified Gherkin by bgkendall featuring a rotary encoder.

A Gherkin with encoder and added functionality by bgkendall – hacking the PCB.

Stem hole widened to ~7mm for encoder shaft — this breaks two traces that have to be fixed later.

Also, the switch cutout in the plate has to be expanded.

More photos in the original post.

Double-keyboard ergonomics

Years of pain solved by a really obvious keyboard tweak.

After visiting doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists, trying a Microsoft Sculpt and different Kinesis splits, @ruffrey reverted to standard keyboards. Two of them.

Read the full blog entry here.

Ergonomics is a tricky thing.

IBM 3278

Well, mrprofessor007 was supposed to buy a house, instead…

Nothing fancy, just a battered IBM 3278 keyboard without much context. Beamspring switches and Spanish caps.

Replaced the plastic door with a metal one, was supposed to repaint(powdercoat), but it kinda looks cool as it is – mrprofessor007.