Behind the Scenes of Issue 86

Working on my first video, meetup database update, new honorary copyeditor, giveaway, etc.

Hey y'all,

PSA: Next week I'll be in Slovakia. I'll take a little surprise with me: one of the KBD.NEWS aluminum novelties – courtesy of metalkyboards.no. Approach and strike up a conversation with every tall, skinny, bearded guy in and around Košice. If you find the right one, you'll get a cap. :P

I may post cues later on Twitter. ;)

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Welcome back for another edition of Keyboard Builders' Digest (this time Issue #86), a weekly roundup of this DIY keyboard focused newsletter and blog from Tamas Dovenyi – that's me. If you are new to this, you can read how this started out and what this is all about nowadays. If you like what you see, you can subscribe to the newsletter (free) and donate some bucks to keep this otherwise free and ad-free project alive.

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First KBD.NEWS video

No, don't look for it on Youtube yet.

I've been working so hard on this during the whole week but couldn't finish the video before my trip to Slovakia.

Btw, this would be my first video – ever – but I've made great progress with recording, getting familiar with software, cutting, ducking, titles, effects, etc. It's been a great experience.

At least until my brand new Rode microphone (or audio interface, cable, OS, whatever) started to behave strangely. The recording software picks up signal while I'm talking but stops receiving signal(?) when I'm 5-20 sec into typing. As I start talking again it gets back to normal (cutting the very beginning of the talking part).

Yeah, you heard it right. My system seems to be allergic to typing – and this drives me crazy.

Any ideas? Unfortunately, this is my only external XLR mic, cable, and the only audio interface with XLR connector, so I guess I'll have to source some extra hardware to be able to debug the issue.

(The software part is OK, I tried multiple tools with the same result.)

I'm in correspondence with the vendor too but have no idea when I will be able to continue this project.

Meetup database

So this new meetup database is quite flexible and unripe yet, and last week I tried to implement some new attributes to help with keeping track of recent events.

I stumbled upon a video on the Tokyo meetup and then Daihuku pointed me to his gallery with lots of cool keyboards too.

So I added these to the event – and will try to add these follow-up resources to other events as well – and this way the database will serve not only as a calendar but kind of a documentation of meetups – for generations to come. :D

Here is the Tokyo one.

New donor

Thanks to Stefan Schulze for his donation.

And of course all of my regular donors.

New honorary copyeditor position

Thank you bcus_y_not for regularly reporting my typos, mistakes, errors, etc.

Hereby I promote you to the position of honorary copyeditor.

(This position can be filled by many readers at the same time so feel free to DM or email me (info at golem.hu) if you stumble upon something suspicious.)

Giveaway

The giveaway continues in the same way I mentioned last time: When I'm finally back from my trip, I will to the raffle with the entries from the past few weeks.

This time comment anything you like, but put your country at the end of the comment. This way I'll know the comment was meant to be an entry to the giveaway.

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That's all for today folks. Thanks for reading.

Feel free to comment in this issue's r/mk thread, and as always: keep learning and building.

Cheers, Tamás

KLOR

A split keyboard with 36-42 keys, RP2040 support, haptic feedback, etc.: KLOR by _GEIST_.

KLOR is a feature-rich 36-42 keys column-staggered split keyboard designed by _GEIST_. It supports a per-key RGB matrix, encoders, OLED displays, haptic feedback, speakers, a Pixart Paw3204 trackball, the SplitKB tenting puck and four different layouts via brake-off parts.

The KLOR is my first keyboard design, a 36-42 keys column-staggered split keyboard – _GEIST_.

It can use AVR Pro Micros and RP2040 Pro Micros alike.

In addition, there are two cases in the repo: a stacked acrylic one and another case for 3D printing.

Specs

• per-key RGB matrix
• encoders
• (kind of hidden) OLED displays
• haptic feedback
• speakers
• Pixart Paw3204 trackball
• four different layouts, through break-off parts
• SplitKB tenting puck support.

Files

GitHub repo: https://github.com/GEIGEIGEIST/KLOR

0xC.pad & 0x33.board

Two exciting projects from s-ol, both with HEX keycaps: the 0xC.pad and 0x33 MIDI controller.

I've been following s-ol's WIP 0x33.board project for some months, waiting for the right time for a write-up, just to miss the r/mk announcement he posted a few days ago… :D

So in the photo above, you can see a low-profile (Kailh Choc) macropad (0xC.pad) and the bigger 0x33.board which is still a prototype. From the keycaps to the PCBs, case, and firmware (for the MIDI keyboard) everything was designed by Sol Bekic aka s-ol.

The thing that stuck me first of all, obviously, is the hexa keycap and grid – with the promise of a whole new ecosystem of projects and accessories.

I prototyped the hexagonal keycaps with various milling and casting techniques before partnering with fk-caps to make injection molded parts – s-ol.

So these will be available soon. Product page on fkcaps.com. But more on the HEX keycaps in a separate post.

0xC.pad

The 0xC.pad has a two-part case machined out of aluminum.

By the way, 0xC is the hexa representation of 12 so the name is probably a reference to the 12 keys of the macropad.

The designer iterated using laser-cut wood at first, before machining his own aluminum parts ("quickly realizing it's not his forté") and finally working together with a professional CNC shop to make quality anodized parts. Everything else is ready, the 0xC.pad kits will become available as soon as the first keycaps arrive. UPDATE: Product page on fkcaps.com.

Btw, s-ol meticulously documents his progress so you should check out his posts on Mastodon and also resources on his fabcloud page and blog – like this page on the 0xC.pad.

I also reached out to Simon from FKcaps who teamed up with s-ol and thinks this project is literally the definition of "think outside the box" when it comes to keycaps and that's what looked so appealing to him.

S-ol was working on this project and posted about it somewhere online (probably Reddit) and when I saw it I was just too excited and reached out. […] When it came to funding the project, we originally aimed to make a GB for a small macropad after running an IC at the end of 2020. But because we strongly believe in the project at FK, we eventually decided to purchase the keycap molds as well as a few hundred units of the macropad, in order to avoid the pitfalls of the GB funding model – Simon.

0x33.board

The bigger 0x33.board is still a prototype. It's a 48(+3)-key "isomorphic MIDI controller" – the 0xC → 12 introductory exercise helped a lot, otherwise I may have missed that 0x33 is 51 in decimal. :D

I'm experimenting with different materials for the 3-part case – s-ol.

This current setup uses a 4mm MDF plate on the bottom, and a top plate and cover made from acrylic. An earlier prototype was all wood and also came out really nice, so s-ol is thinking about making these with different combinations.

So this is a MIDI keyboard. I've featured various musical instruments on kbd.news, and especially those using the Wicki-Hayden layout – like the Gatgetina and Melodicade – could benefit from hex-shaped caps. But now here is the 0x33.board.

In addition, the firmware is based on CircuitPython and can be reprogrammed and customized while the keyboard is attached to the computer. As usual with CircuitPython or KMK boards introduced recently, the 0x33.board shows up as a flash drive in addition to the MIDI device. When you edit the Python source code on the drive, the keyboard reloads automatically.

Unlike the 0xC.pad, I'm considering to make these niche musical keyboards on-demand with electronics assembled and cases lasercut all by myself locally – s-ol.

Resources

• documentation: https://kb.s-ol.nu/0x33.board/
• hardware design: https://git.s-ol.nu/kb/0x33.board/hardware/-/
• firmware: https://git.s-ol.nu/kb/0x33.board/firmware/-/

Mercury

Jamie Ding published the files of his Mercury, a wireless split keyboard with classic staggering.

Mercury is a row staggered wireless split keyboard by Jamie Ding aka jmding – with some other build configurations like wired and monoblock modes.

With 42 keys the board looks like a pair of wings – thus the name Mercury.

I finally got around to cleaning up and publishing the design files for Mercury, my row staggered keyboard design that kind of looks like a pair of wings – jmding.

It is primarily designed as a split, wireless, low-profile keyboard with enclosed batteries. Other build configurations are also possible, but "full feature parity is not guaranteed".

If you are looking for a 40% keyboard with thumb keys and a conventional row staggered layout, then Mercury might be for you.

In the default low-profile configuration the total thickness is 19mm (from table to typing surface, with MBK keycaps). The batteries are fully enclosed in the case and with 400 mAh via two 501040 batteries. Jamie gets about a month of usage between recharges.

Why row-staggered? This combination of features (split, row stagger, thumb keys) is pretty rare:

After playing around with Kyria for a couple months I noticed that I still preferred using my fourth finger to hit Q and P despite the aggressive pinky stagger. And since columnar layouts interfered with my muscle memory and ability to use my laptop keyboard, in the end it just wasn't worth it for me – jmding.

GitHub repo: https://github.com/jmding8/MercuryKeyboard

KLOTZ

The second keyboard design by _GEIST_: KLOTZ – a 34-key wireless low-pro split.

KLOTZ is a 34-key column-staggered choc-compatible split keyboard running ZMK.

It supports a low profile encoder, three stylish status LEDs on each side and the SplitKB tenting puck.

The KLOTZ is my second keyboard design and something like a side project while doing KLOR – _GEIST_.

GitHub repo: https://github.com/GEIGEIGEIST/klotz

(In the repo there's also the STL for the encoder knob.)

Low profile Dactyl

IncBLB has built a low profile Dactyl designed by omurovex.

It seems I somehow missed the low-pro Dactyl by omurovex published months ago. The design is based on jc2price's Dactyl spinoff with a border and Okke's Tightyl – and IncBLB now posted his build.

The hallmark five-key thumb cluster has the keys on two rows on different levels – obviously, this is the feature both IncBLB and omurovex were asked about in the comments, in particular with regards to usability.

So how does the 3-dimensional thumb cluster perform in general?

Pretty good, haven’t used it for very long yet but yeah my thumb generally sits on the top row and hovers above the bottom row. The height difference definitely helps with navigation – omuvorex.

So is the level difference enough to avoid hitting the lower keys accidentally? When IncBLB was asked if he ever hits those, he replied:

Never, it's physically impossible to do by accident – IncBLB.

Other than that, the board is handwired wireless (my favorite term strikes back again):

Nice!Nanos for wireless use, each with a 400mAh batteries (Don't now how long they last, I've only charged them once in the 3 months I've used them) – IncBLB.

Files

Low-pro version by omurovex: https://github.com/omurovec/dactyl-high-profile

Tightyl by Okke Formsma: https://github.com/okke-formsma/dactyl-manuform-tight

High-pro version with border by jc2price: https://github.com/JPricey/dactyl-high-profile

Ferricy

The Ferris Sweep got an industrial makeover: ferricy by Icyphox.

Ferricy by Icyphox is a 34-key split keyboard based on the Sweep Bling MX.

Ferricy is a slightly modified version of the Ferris Sweep Bling MX, sporting a more industrial look with sharper edges – Icyphox.

Features

• MX only.
• Tenting puck support has been removed.
• Squared-off edges (plates modified accordingly).
• Larger holes in the PCB for M2 standoffs to pass through.
• "The stupid Rust crab is gone."

GitHub repo: https://github.com/icyphox/ferricy

(Yep, and those funny lasercut creatures in the photo are vambits.)

BOB single-key "keyboard"

An open-source single-key USB keyboard by dr2mod called Big Orange Button.

Dmytro Panin aka dr2mod came up with a customizable single-key 3D-printed board using a Tiny2040 controller.

I’ve designed a single-key USB keyboard called BOB (Big Orange Button) – dr2mod.

The button runs a simple CircuitPython script to configure the behavior of the keypress.

3D models, BOM, code here:

https://github.com/dr-mod/bob

Big Orange Button in action pic.twitter.com/tXIW1ZMfGj

— Dmytro Panin (@dr2mod) July 7, 2022

HEX keycaps

HEX keycaps have a low-pro hexagonal profile – designed and manufactured by s-ol and FKcaps for Choc switches.

New week, new keycap profile. However, this is something different.

In the 0xC.pad/0x33.board post the thing that stuck me first of all, obviously, was the hexagonal keycap/spacing/footprint – potentially a whole new ecosystem.

Background

S-ol has been working on these caps for years with various techniques, e.g. milling and creating molds:

Resulting in promising prototypes:

He has meticulously documented his journey so check out his posts on Mastodon (e.g. this, this and this), and also his blog entry dedicated to molding and casting.

I prototyped the hexagonal keycaps with various milling and casting techniques before partnering with fk-caps to make injection molded parts – s-ol.

So these HEX kexcaps – that's the name both s-ol and manufacturer FKcaps refer to them by – will be available for purchase soon.

I asked FKcaps's Simon for some additional info on this collaboration:

What we intend to do at FK is foster innovation by making designers projects a reality, so while those casted keycaps [in s-ol's original post] were already pretty good, I was thinking that having an enhanced (and "scalable") version of them using injection molding would be next level, and allow for mass production – Simon.

As already mentioned in the 0xC post, instead of a GB model, FKcaps decided to purchase the keycap molds.

Availability

According to s-ol, the keycaps in the cover photo above and in the picture below are production samples. "We're very happy with this revision and about to launch the production phase!"

And Simon told me the final version of the keycaps is already being injected and they are waiting to receive the first batch.

[…] I am obviously biased but I am very happy with the result we got both in terms of texture and how light shines through. […] We may plan new iterations with laser-etched black coating (like we did for MBK Glow) – Simon.

With regards to spreading this unique profile, Thomas from SplitKB (long-time kbd.news donor) is also willing to prepare a PCB for the HEX arrangement, and, as Simon puts it, there is hope that "more designers may join the fun by making other HEX-compatible PCBs".

UPDATE: Product page on fkcaps.com

HEX spacing

As you can see, the HEX spacing is quite unique: 21.5mm horizontal and 18.62mm vertical. The exact value was set by experimentation.

It's not based on Choc or MX spacings because there are no PCBs that would be compatible anyway. Even if the Choc horizontal spacing was chosen, for the hexagonal spacing to work, the vertical spacing needs to be a very odd number (width*sqrt(3)/2).

To put it another way, both Choc and MX spacings aren't compatible with an even hexagonal grid. Since no PCB could support both regular keycaps and HEX keycaps, we've decided on a size based on our own testing rather than basing it off of incompatible PCBs – s-ol.

While 21.5mm horizontal spacing is slightly more than MX (19-19.05mm) and Choc/MBK (usually 18-19mm), they can't be directly compared since the vertical spacing is less due to the interleaving effect of the hexagonal grid.

Resources

S-ol has put out some resources on his website for everyone to use to build keyboards: https://git.s-ol.nu/kb/kicad-lib/-/

In addition, Simon's (@kartsims at https://discord.gg/nKqsXVaZaC) DMs are open to designers willing to build cool custom keyboards based on the HEX keycaps too.

UPDATE: And here is the product page on fkcaps.com.

Cirque trackpad news

Cirque trackpad in action, build log, and 3D-printable holders – shared by leo_beekeeb and milkycowdan.

We've seen some projects with the Cirque touch sensor recently (Chunky iterations, Fusion, Rocksolid), and there were two interesting posts about this trackpad last week.

Daniel Kao aka milkycowdan shared a demo video after posting his Cirque implementation (back in May this year).

Was requested to show a video of the trackpad in use. […] I've switched over to a 40mm with flat overlay because hover issues on curved overlay were too annoying to deal with – milkycowdan.

The video demonstrates inertial cursor and circular scroll. Scroll is started with a touch on the outer ring; a touch starting on the side closer to keys triggers vertical scroll, and touch starting on the other side triggers horizontal scroll.

Daniel adds that the bigger active area is also easier to find since the curved overlay had thick inactive areas around the outer perimeter. He found 3x attenuation to be best, rather than the 4x suggested by Cirque sample code.

• 40mm trackpad mount (for Kyria and flat overlay) here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5413427
• 35mm trackpad mount (curved overlay): https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5385829

Running: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/pull/17482

Build log

And leo_beekeeb from beekeeb shared his build log and a 3D-printable mount for Corne (23mm version).

Corne case

A new chunky high-pro Corne case design shared by chewiedies.

This is a high profile case for the Corne v3, although it should fit almost all variants – mostly hotswaps because of the integrated switch plate. Unless you are ready to desolder your non-hotswap switches ofc.

(But the author has another design which can be used with soldered FR4 kits: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5367960.)

Its a chunky geometric design with a diffuser for underglow – chewiedies.

There are two versions in the repo with optional tenting:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5426041

Lily58 case

A fully enclosed Lily58 case. STLs published by hainguyenac.

This Lili58 Pro case is designed so that it can be machined from aluminum – but you can also 3D print it ofc.

Hi everyone, I've just recently designed a case for the Lily58 Pro – hainguyenac.

Hai made a prototype with resin print and you can see the result in the top photo.

This case will be made in Aluminum and will be available later this month at https://ergomech.store – hainguyenac.

The case is designed so that the cutouts for the controllers and TRRS jack are aligned with the controllers precisely, "thus improve aesthetic of the case". Due to this reason, you'll have to install the controllers at the correct height and position.

More info and files in the GitHub repo: https://github.com/ergomechstore/lily58-pro-fully-enclosed

Low-pro encoder knob

_GEIST_ published his KLOTZ knob for low-profile rotary encoders.

The KLOTZ knob is compatible with hollow-shaft EC12 rotary encoders, but obviously intended to be used with the low-profile variant like this one at mkultra (shameless referral link).

This is the EC12 encoder knob for the KLOTZ. You should be able to print it in FDM, but for best results consider to print it in SLA – _GEIST_.

According to the product description, the genuine Alps low profile incremental encoder "stands only 8.5mm tall". The datasheet says this is the actuator length, but _GEIST_ measured it and says that "the total height of 8.5mm seems pretty right to me".

The one used by him (and the MKUltra knob) has a 3-4mm protruding stem, 12 detents and pulses, no push switch and fits in the same footprint as the EC11 rotary encoders.

You can see the knob in action on the KLOTZ keyboard here.

• STL: https://github.com/GEIGEIGEIST/KLOTZ/tree/main/knob
• EC12 (EC12E1220301) datasheet: https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/detail/EC12E1220301/

Ergogen PCB testing

Alescito shared his workflow of testing Ergogen layouts by 3D printing them.

Alescito 3D printed his Ergogen PCB design to test it. Here is the workflow:

Not sure about your ergogen design? In Kicad export it as .step, open it with fusion and convert to STL. Print and test it.

And I'm not sure if this is the most environmentally friendly way of doing this. As Anodynosaur points out in the comments, if you want to test just the keyboard layout, you can save some time and material by using the cases functionality of Ergogen.

It can generate the STL for you directly without having to go through kicad and can also greatly simplify the model – Anodynosour.

However, Alescito's goal was to test how all the electronic components would fit:

I am actually doing it this way so I can see how two batteries, a trackpoint and a big oled screen fit and look almost like it were the real PCB.