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Finally built a keyboard with my ideal 60% layout (i.imgur.com)
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Been thinking of doing this for over a year and finally got round to it. Found parts. Spent hours soldering, lubricating, stuffing with foam and programming QMK. So happy with the final result. It's a joy to use.

Gateron yellow switches. YMDK PCB, backplate and case. Ali Express keycaps.

It's a budget build and none of this is high end......but it has still worked out really well.

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[-] [email protected] 15 points 8 months ago

Bold choice to have your arrow keys all in a row. Did you consider VIM arrow order when choosing a layout?

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

I'm still figuring out QMK/Vial. What I actually want to do is use right shift as "up" is tapped and "shift" if held down. I can do that with auto hot key, but haven't figured out how to do it yet with QMK.

If anyone is able to help ELI5 how to add tapdancing and combos to QMK vial forked firmware that would help a lot.

[-] [email protected] 12 points 8 months ago

That looks great, I’m just lurking here and have never built one myself but I bet it’s super rewarding!

[-] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago

Same. lurking here is like watching cooking shows on a strict diet.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago

Keyboards aren't difficult to build nowadays with what's available. Worth looking at if you're interested.

Although it can get expensive pretty quikly and if you're not the type to enjoy making things like this then there are a lot of good premade ones you can buy now.

Also if you find this entertaining, then you could also try going down the rabbithole of handwired keyboards.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

I absolutely love tinkering, building, and fiddling with things until I get it just right. Watching scotto was like offering crack to someone who mentioned they enjoyed Ritalin once. Cheers :)

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

If you like tinkering and creating then it's also worth checking out DIY perks.

Also, there's another computer peripheral I've made in my post history if you're interested. It's a fighting gameleverless controller that I made from scratch.

[-] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago

Looks awesome. What's going on with the space bar?

[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

The great thing about it is you can make it whatever you want it to be. For me it is: left is backspace, middle is to access another layer (which makes left home row letters into direction buttons and right home row letters into number buttons), right button is space.

I'm not home to post a picture, but it would be clearer if I could show you a screenshot of the layout. Basically this means I only ever have to move my hands away from home row to press enter or special symbols.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

For me, the left and right also act as layers, if held and something else is pressed. Then I can access a e.g. navigation from the homerow.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

whoa, so cool!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Split spacebar, typically one is an enter key. Not sure what the middle would be used for.

[-] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago

As someone with a split spacebar, for me it is: backspace | delete | space

it really is the one thing I cannot go back on.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Holy crap this might make me go buy a mech kit.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago

Good choice on the Gateron Yellows! They're really lovely switches, especially for the price.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I switched from always using browns. Liked reds to start with but now I'm really happy with having linears with slightly more resistance. Highly recommended. Might not be the best switches out there, but they're cheap and readily available.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

60% isn't my cuppa, but damn if this kb isn't one sexy beast! Nice job!!

[-] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

You have a key just to kill the dinosaurs? Dang that's kinda messed up lol.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Wow this looks sexy af. I only have a bought one that is simply not dying on me. Seeing this beauty makes me want to do one too but damn, i dont think i am able to put in all that hard work.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

If you have more money than time, then you can find hotswap PCBs and pre-lubed switches; and that will mean all you've got to do is press the parts together. Soldering and lubricating are the most tedious parts.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Problem is, i sink my disposable income mainly into anime-merch, so far without regrets.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

What's your QMK config like ?

The layout looks like a standard qwerty, so I'm guessing you have layers for the numpad or function keys ?

this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2023
172 points (96.2% liked)

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