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Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

blakesmith.me

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Re: Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

#73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 7. Solder in order of cost and success rate. Thanks for this. I guess I've always gotten lucky here but now I'm imagining the frustration of getting done with all the discretes on a board just to blow it all on the uC. Great advice, thanks again.

Desc. or asc.?

I don't know but do whatever is riskier and costlier first.

Re: Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 7. Solder in order of cost and success rate. Thanks for this. I guess I've always gotten lucky here but now I'm imagining the frustration of getting done with all the discretes on a board just to blow it all on the uC. Great advice, thanks again.

Desc. or asc.?

[deleted]

Re: Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

#77
post #7

The keycaps can't be easily DIYed right?

I have seen a parametric keycap library here https://github.com/rsheldiii/KeyV2 But standard FDM printing will not get you keycap that are smooth on the top, as they tend to be sculpted to fit a finger better, and you're still looking at ~0.4mm layers at best. You may be able to do it with SLA 3D printers which are able to do higher resolutions than FDM printers. https://imgur.com/a/AalpV1r is an interesting project…

It's hard to get the mounts on the keys just right on an FDM printer too, at least in my experience.

Re: Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

#78
post #53
post #17

This project looks nicer than most first efforts. Some random tips for anyone who wants to do something similar, with reservations for that it has been awhile: 1. Get a through hole supported usb connector instead of a pure smd one, since the latter likes to fall off. 2. I would avoid routing under the switches for durability, this might just be superstition though. 3. You can route the x and y of the matrix on diffe…

As for #4 this depends on what process you use. For normal SMD reflow and THT wave you want to preferably have all components on same ("top") side. For singlepass wave soldering of both SMD and THT components you want the SMD parts on the bottom side, but such process is usually only worthwhile for very high volume (and usually single layer) boards and requires special board design.

Sure, but even just hobby stencil, reflow or pnp you might want to consider this. In this case you also have the plate which will block anything on the top once the switches are soldered.

Re: Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

#79
post #11

For anyone who’s tried both: are big keyboards with lots of modifiers or little keyboards with “layers” more comfortable and functional for you? I currently have a full-size mechanical PC keyboard and am debating buying a Planck.

I have a Planck and I'm trying to love it but it feels cramped and I find it hard to switch between it and the laptop (Thinkpad) keyboard. It's easy to program the layout so right now I'm considering moving the control keys to the center columns so my wrists can move apart, but then it will be even harder to get used to. Theoretically the ortho/columnar layout makes sense, but practically I don't feel the benefits and it throws me off completely, esp. the letters x & c (which I've learned to touch-type correctly on the standard keyboard).

One of supposed benefits of planck is reduced wrist pain. But I feel the opposite after years of using just the laptop keyboard. Because with a standalone keyboard I now use a mouse, I need to move my right hand a lot to reach it, whereas before I would just tilt it a bit to reach the touchpad. But also, because it is a mech keyboard, it's taller then the laptop, so my wrists are at an angle. I guess I need to learn how to keep my wrists above, floating in the air.

Re: Making My Own USB Keyboard from Scratch

#80
post #17

This project looks nicer than most first efforts. Some random tips for anyone who wants to do something similar, with reservations for that it has been awhile: 1. Get a through hole supported usb connector instead of a pure smd one, since the latter likes to fall off. 2. I would avoid routing under the switches for durability, this might just be superstition though. 3. You can route the x and y of the matrix on diffe…

I wanted to make 12v instant failover UPS.

No idea how can i make DC to DC UPS with easily available items

I've 12v 0.5amp requirement @6watt.

I need this appliance to be running for 5-6 hours when power has failed.

Does anyone know of the community where I can ask such question?

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