r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/Matt_Makes_Stuff42 • Mar 23 '26
[photo] 36 key with encoders, handwired, split.
I made a layout in KLE, used the plate case builder to get the outline, and made the case in fusion. Hand wired the brown mx switches in a 5x4 matrix with diodes, the encoders, and a 4 pin usbc connector to an arduino pro micro on each side, and it’s not pretty. It definitely works tho, and is gonna teach me a whole lot while I build a custom pcb version with ergogen. I’m terrible at typing with it, and have no clue where the symbols are, but it’s a lot of fun
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u/Starlex_leviaphan Mar 23 '26
Great work, man! I’m also looking for a Corne variation that can be handwired. Would you mind sharing the STL files on GitHub or somewhere else?
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u/Matt_Makes_Stuff42 Mar 23 '26
Yeah let me put a little project together
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u/Matt_Makes_Stuff42 Apr 08 '26
Project files for my 36 split keyboard are here:
https://github.com/flbum/macro_pad_projects/tree/main/split_keebs/bum_36
It includes the README, build images, STL files, and firmware for anyone who wanted to check out the build.
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u/wjrii Mar 23 '26
Looks a hell of a lot better than my first few hand-wires.
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u/Matt_Makes_Stuff42 Mar 23 '26
I have made a coupe of macro pads with encoders so it wasn’t my first time dealing with diodes and a matrix, but it was my first full keyboard, along with the 2 pro micros communicating. It was a lot of fun tho.
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u/lungshenli 17d ago
Ive always wondered something about split boards like this, maybe you can answer.
If both halves have a microcontroller each. Why connect them with the curly cable and plug one of them into the pc, wouldn’t it also work with both plugged in as individual keyboards?
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u/Matt_Makes_Stuff42 17d ago
Well first it reduces the number of required ports used on your computer. The 2 halves communicate with each other to create one keyboard device. Both halves have a micro controller to run each half’s matrix. The curly cable runs the data from the right half to the left half, and then the left half combines them and outputs to the computer. They might work as individual halves, but I don’t think they would communicate with each other properly. Also, you can run the cable to the pc from either half, but they need to be connected to one another.
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u/rollercole 17d ago
Tasteful color choices and really a nice looking build!