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Building my first mechanical keyboard

not-matthias.github.io

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Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#51

Post by Veen »

the_gipsy wrote: post #12
colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

Many definitely are obsessed only with aesthetics, and it's especially sickening when you look at the subgroup of rare-overpriced keyboards. But split is not the single most important ergonomics aspect IMO. A planck-like ortholinear keeb is more ergonomic than those "alice" splits that have staggered-row-layout, for me at least.

Sickening is an odd word to choose. People have aesthetic preferences about all sorts of things, and they're often prepared to pay more to satisfy their tastes. What's bad about that?

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#52

Post by ajgrover »

rcarmo wrote: post #41

I've been skirting this rabbit hole for a good while now, since even though I do electronics building my own keyboard seems excessive and I do like (and prefer) laptop keyboards. I am, however, quite interested in low-profile, split Bluetooth keyboards with minimal layouts (like the Ferris - https://github.com/pierrechevalier83/ferris and the Sweep - https://github.com/davidphilipbarr/Sweep ), and keep hoping someone…

The Corneish Zen is probably the closest thing right now, and the current run is open for orders for 3 more days. https://lowprokb.ca/products/corne-ish-zen

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#53

Post by NotOscarWilde »

colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

When I started being into mechanical keyboards (19 years old, late 2000s), I learned about the "classics" first -- IBM Model M, Cherry G80 3000 -- and "hacker" successors later ("Das Keyboard" is a good example, although I never owned it). I was also quite into Vim, terminal and proper typing back then.

It took me several more years to learn about ergonomic mechanical keyboards, and I ended up sticking with Ergodox both at work and at my gaming PC for 7-ish years now.

The point of my anecdote is that I would just expect that most of the "visible" people in the mechanical keyboard community are younger, and might grow into the ergonomic keyboards later, just like me.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#54

Post by DoingIsLearning »

Symbiote wrote: post #15
colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

I'm mostly-maintaining a mechanical split keyboard gallery [1] to help with this. There are a lot of options, from keyboards you can buy from a major retailer (or easily get your IT department to buy), to hand-soldered kits where you need to 3D print the case.- [1] https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/

Thank you for putting this collection together.

This is exactly the kind of 'old web' site that I wish I would find in modern search results.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#55

Post by DoingIsLearning »

Ok I will ask something controversial to the enthusiasts.

I love the tactil feedback and key travel but I absolutely hate the sound of mechanical switches (or any loud sound for that matter).

Is there a technical solution out there to have a keyboard with good feedback and travel but near silent?

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#56

Post by scoopdewoop »

DoingIsLearning wrote: post #55

Ok I will ask something controversial to the enthusiasts. I love the tactil feedback and key travel but I absolutely hate the sound of mechanical switches (or any loud sound for that matter). Is there a technical solution out there to have a keyboard with good feedback and travel but near silent?

Electrocapacitive switches are what I prefer. They are rubber domes and springs. Even more quiet but somewhat less "tactile" are the boba gum linear switches. They are the quietest mechanical keyswitch I've ever heard and aren't very expensive either.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#57

Post by jmrm »

DoingIsLearning wrote: post #55

Ok I will ask something controversial to the enthusiasts. I love the tactil feedback and key travel but I absolutely hate the sound of mechanical switches (or any loud sound for that matter). Is there a technical solution out there to have a keyboard with good feedback and travel but near silent?

There are dampener in the shape of O-rings or square pads to make the keyboard more silent. Also, some newer keyboards have a padding in the bottom part to make the sound quieter and more dry.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#58

Post by moondev »

nextlevelwizard wrote: post #25
colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

>they are more concerned with aesthetics, Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Mechanical keyboard communities are 110% all about aesthetics. For most it is far more important how the keyboard looks than anything else, the comes how it feels and sounds and somewhere very far comes actual functionality and even further ergonomics. Obviously there is nothing wrong with this, but it makes sourcing split mechanical keyboa…

> Obviously there is nothing wrong with this, but it makes sourcing split mechanical keyboards hard and expensive.

Wouldn't increased demand (regardless of purchase motive) increase supply and decrease the price?

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#59

Post by iyc_ »

colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

That, and the missing meta/hyper key either on the left hand side of the spacebar, or close to the thumbs.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#60

Post by fatheart »

ThatPlayer wrote: post #37
vladvasiliu wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you do your own designs? While I'm not exactly sure what a 120% is (macro keys?) I've been looking for something like a gaming model with macro buttons on the left and / or on top, but otherwise 75%. Ideally split but single piece. Think MS Sculpt with extra buttons on the left. Haven't found one. So I was contemplating building one, but I'd have no idea where to start. I've quickly browsed the reddit page, but in…

I would start with http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ to generate a layout that you want. Then there are a few tools [0] to take that layout and generate a plate based off that layout. You can then either 3d print, or laser cut it yourself, or send it off a shop to do it for you. I don't know PCB design, so I think handwiring is the best bet for a first build. QMK has a handwire [1] guide, and I also use them for…

If you want to get into PCB design, https://github.com/ergogen/ergogen is a fantastic tool to get you started. I designed my first custom keyboard with it, going in with no knowledge of PCB design.
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