Custom handwired stabless build

Stabilizers begone! A custom handwired keyboard by _wumpus without any stabilizers.

I decided to regularly feature handwired builds since it seems some people don't even know they exist.

Let's be honest: handwiring sucks. It's slow, tedious and most of the time ugly.

However, it offers many opportunities at the same time: it's cheaper, there's no waiting involved in contrast to PCB manufacturing, no minimum order quantity either, you have some wiggle room with the design, you can repurpose the whole circuitry or parts of it, easier to debug and repair, etc.

All in all, it's perfect for prototyping or to build a single keyboard.

So here comes this week's featured handwired build:

After completely overlooking the stabilizer quality on his last build, _wumpus went straight into another full custom and built one that uses no stabs at all.

It's a UK 65% layout but without the fat enter and it's as low profile as possible with regular switches.

As for the stabless nature of my build: any key over 1.75u in length needs a stabilizer so it doesn't tip when you push off-center. I've chosen a custom layout and sourced shorter keycaps to ensure I don't need a stabilizer on any of them. Whilst it's hard to notice on my shorter Enter or Backspace, the two spacebars are the obvious giveaway.

Gallery with a short project description:

https://ditherworks.github.io/keyboard/index.html

A Dactyl-like build with splay

This is a Dactyl-like Choc build by supertoughfrog with splay.

Gallery this way: https://imgur.com/a/rFKSZfr

The case was generated with the Dometyl library. It uses Choc Robin switches spring swapped with 30g springs and features these Amoeba like 1u PCBs designed by ibnuda.

I used those new USB-C Pro Micros for the build and they worked great – supertoughfrog.

Source files pending.

ScyllaBallz

ScyllaBallz - a tractyl Manuform by tenstaana with OLEDs, roller encoders, audio, and per key RGB.

Build gallery: https://imgur.com/gallery/l1xNsoO

This is an evolution of the author's DouBallz.

The case is a modified Scylla case by fmcraft (bastardKB.com).

Since I don’t wanna spend a lot of time handwiring everything, I also got the Scylla electronics kit. The trackball mount I use here is the same design from my Douballz build. Everything fis detachable from the controller using flexstrips, JST and molex connectors.

The controller is an F411 blackpill since all the QMK features used here would not fit in an AtMega32u4. Blackpill carrier board done by RMI-KB, "jumping off from fmcraft’s Elite-C design".

My ortho advised me against thumb trackballs since they promote RSI. These are setup to be finger trackballs – tenstaana.

Firmware is adapted from drashna’s tractyl Manuform code.

Moving on to the next phase of Keebio

Danny, founder of Keebio, writes about the ups and downs of running a keyboard shop.

About 3 and a half years ago, Danny decided to start an online store (Keebio) as an experiment to see how it would go. He had been into the mechanical keyboards hobby for about a year at that point and had already gone into doing custom builds and handwired boards.

In this last part of his rare, biannual/triannual series of posts he gives us an invaluable insight into the many aspects of running a shop.

Obligatory reading for all the wannabe store owners:

https://medium.com/@keebio/moving-on-to-the-next-phase-of-keebio-and-career-a0ce1cef420

Caps Word and other QMK tips

A QMK keymap with short blog posts by Mental_General_5445 explaining tricks like autocorrection, Caps Word, getting Shift keys right, etc.

A couple years ago, I switched to a Dactyl Ergodox, and fell in love (and down a rabbit hole) with QMK firmware. I appreciate how it helps mitigate RSI and improve productivity – Pascal Getreuer.

Pascal shared his keymap in this GitHub repo:

https://github.com/getreuer/qmk-keymap

Topics covered in separate blog posts:

• Autocorrection with QMK – run rudimentary autocorrection on your keyboard
• Caps Word – modern alternative to Caps Lock
• Custom shift keys – they're surprisingly tricky to get right
• Macro buttons – an assortment of practical QMK macros
• Designing a symbol layer – ergonomic and character frequency considerations

Some of these tips may or may not work for you depending on your job, workflow, languages used, etc.

What I liked and will implement in my keymap are probably the Caps Word part and the Next sentence macro.

I'm content with the placement of my Shift/Caps Lock (hold/press) – put on the thumb key my left thumb rests on –, but this Caps Word concept makes still sense in my case: programming a lot in PHP, it will probably help with typing $_POST/GET, $_SESSION and $_SERVER variables.

Adafruit KB2040 controller

Adafruit announced the preliminary pinouts of its RP2040 based KB2040 controller: the Keeboars.

Featuring a Raspberry Pi RP2040 with a dual ARM Cortex-M0+ running at up to 133MHz with 264kB on-chip SRAM and built in USB, the Adafruit KB2040 seems to be a Raspberry Pi Pico alternative in a Pro Micro form factor.

Designers at Adafruit seem to be aware of the importance of Pro Micro compatibility among keyboard enthusiasts.

We’re comparing to the popular pro micro boards that folks use for keebs. so far so good – its a lot to fit into such a small board but we think its all there! – Phillip Torrone.

I was very intrigued how these Keeboars will turn out in terms of final dimensions, pin compatibility and ofc price so I asked Phillip from Adafruit some questions and will hopefully able to update this post with more details who was kind enough to answer in detail:

UPDATE 2021/11/09

So this controller has 18 easily accessible GPIO pins like the original Pro Micro?

Yes there are 18 GPIO pins accessible along the pads, plus another 2 on the JST SH connector – those are intended for I2C access. We also broke out the D+ and D- pins for folks who want to have the USB connector elsewhere.

Also, is the footprint 100% Pro Micro compatible?

Yep! The physical size is the same with the pads in the same location. For pin usage, there are a few differences: the RP2040 does not have as many analog pins, for example, but it can have PWM on any pad. All the peripherals: UART/I2C/SPI and the GPIO numbers, are the same locations.

Note that QMK is not available for RP2040 yet (https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/issues/11649) so we recommend using CircuitPython/KMK or Arduino for now (Here is a guide for simple HID keyboards in CircuitPython and this one covers key matrices and scanning for more advanced builds.)

Do you have a preliminary price estimation?

Will be less than $10.

And an estimated date when these will be available?

About 3 weeks!

---

Thanks Phillip! Now I can't wait to try these funky controllers in a build.

Original post:

https://blog.adafruit.com/2021/11/05/pretty-pins-in-pink-2-preliminary-kb2040-pinouts/

By the way, Adafruit is a sponsor of our anniversary giveaway. Check the giveaway page for rules to win $100 in store credit in the Adafruit store.

3D printed BM43 case

Commercial_Dinner989 has shared his second 3D printed project, a case for a BM43 PCB.

Files available on Thingiverse:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5085615

3D printed case for the BM43, standoffs required – Commercial_Dinner989.

A stylish Iris case

COrthbandt has built and shared a new 3D printed Iris case

Case designed in OpenSCAD, printed in PLA on a Prusa Mini, spray-painted in Jet-Black.

Tenting feet are attached with magnets within the case:

I'm using super glue, gives a stronger bond. The magnets are pretty strong (10mmx3mm) and can pull their counterparts out of the feet unless those are really secured – COrthbandt.

Feet and case have rubber pads to prevent slipping.

Source file, STLs and instructions:

https://github.com/carstenorthbandt/iris_cases/tree/master/rev4_v2

Open-source Zodiark cases

Levener created different versions of 3D printable cases for the Zodiark by Split Logic Keyboards.

STL files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4938835

There are two versions. One is magnetic and gasket-mount, the other is the usual bolt together type. There is also a magnetic top half designed for those with 1.3" OLEDs. The rest of the files are for 0.96" OLEDs.

For the magnetic one, a version is included with the grille area filled in underneath which is nice for printing in a clear resin and acting as a light diffuser. The diffuser insert is also included separately – Levener.

There is also a 5 degree sloped bottom "tent" in wrist-rest and no wrist-rest versions.

Printing with filament? Either bolt or magnetic versions will work for you. Printing with resin? You can't melt resin for heat set inserts so go with the magnetic version.

GK707 case

A 3D printed case for the GK707 shared by RogerArbogast.

This is a 3d-printed gummy worm-mount case for the Hexgears GK707 printed in copper PLA filament.

STLs available at: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5056804

This is a revision of an earlier case posted here. I found the original edges of the case too sharp, so added chamfers to reduce the risk of laceration – BeagleChristo.

Hinged keyboard wall mount

Keep Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard out of the way with sozman's 3D printed hinged keyboard supports.

This hinged wall mount by sozman was shared over on the adafruit blog.

I can't really think of a situation this could be the solution for. Help me out please.

I would think, at least in an overwhelming majority of cases, there is a monitor behind a keyboard, right?

Anyway, if you can think of a problem this can be the answer to, here are the STL file:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4921670

The keyboard is not held super securely in place, A future design could extend to the front of the keyboard. Nothing that a bit of glue gun won't help out with – sozman.

Chaffey College Apple-1

A rare Apple-1 from 1976-1977 in koa wood case is on sale. Starting bid: $200,000.

Check the listing here:

https://www.johnmoran.com/auction-lot/the-chaffey-college-apple-1-personal-computer_68148E4B12

The Apple-1 Computer on offer has only had two owners. It was originally purchased by an electronics professor at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, who then sold it to his student in 1977.

Featuring the original Apple-1 "NTI" motherboard and an original ByteShop Apple-1 koa wood case with Datanetics Keyboard Rev D [keyboard dated: Sept 21 1976].

This is pretty rare since only 200 Apple-1 computers were made. (Designed by Steve Wozniak and assembled and tested by Steve Jobs, Patty Jobs (his sister), and Daniel Kottke in the Jobs' home.)

175 of the 200 computers were sold for $666.66 (a figure that catered to Wozniak's love of repeating numbers).

50 of the 175 computers were sold to Paul Terrell, owner of ByteShop in Mountain View, California.

This particular computer will be included in the official registry of Apple-1 computers by the name "Chaffey College Apple-1".

More pics and auction details (November 9, 2021 11:30 AM PST) here.

After forking over the estimated $400,000-$600,000 final sum, the least you should do is bring this beauty to the next meetup. :D

UPDATE 2021/11/10

"Sold: $500,000" - source: johnmoran.com

Old terminal in an abandoned factory

An unknown terminal model found by jacksonh22 in an abandoned factory.

Any ideas what this could be?

Stepped keycaps, DSA like profile, funny F-row.

According to the AT&T logo history this one on the sticker was used from 1983 to 1996.

The lack of modern arrow cluster probably dates this back to the mid '80s.

ABB IH512EN keyboard

An ABB branded keyboard with some extra keys. Spotted by BoBxDoll.

This must be the ABB IH512EN I guess.

Original photo: https://imgur.com/Rg1SP8f

If you wonder what kind of job requires this kind of equipment, the answer is: operating a power plant.