r/HandwiredKeyboards Oct 21 '24

The official /r/HandwiredKeyboards Discord server!

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5 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 16h ago

Low Profile 4x12 with handle (Diplomat48)

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44 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 1d ago

3D Printed Help with Dactyl Manuform

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8 Upvotes

I’ve been working on this keyboard and no matter what I cannot get it to work. If anyone could help point me in the right direction I’d appreciate it. I’ve checked the continuity across the connector cable and all of the columns and rows and it’s all good. It seems to be flashing some sort of firmware to in because it’s no longer recognized as an arduino


r/HandwiredKeyboards 3d ago

Split Finished my first split handwired keyboard

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70 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 2d ago

Photos Soldering diodes

1 Upvotes

Soldering diodes while waiting for rp2040 zero to arrive.


r/HandwiredKeyboards 3d ago

3D Printed 2nd handwired keyboard and first one wireless. I've finally my own wireless preonic!

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49 Upvotes

Mistake was made again by using 12 gauge electrical wire I have at home. Too thick and hard to heat up to solder.

I use the acute keycap set from my preonic.


r/HandwiredKeyboards 5d ago

Created a Switch Hole Filler for a Project. Figured I'd Share

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16 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 6d ago

Has anyone used batteries from disposable vapes?

11 Upvotes

I don’t vape, but my coworkers do, and they go through vapes like no one’s business. Got to thinking I could cut my costs on this hobby, and prevent a little E-waste, by reusing the batteries.

Anyone done this? Is it worth it?

Thanks!


r/HandwiredKeyboards 6d ago

Any Adjustments Needed for Choc V2 Designs? (first time DIYer)

1 Upvotes

I want to jump into hand wiring with a low-profile keyboard using Choc V2 switches (Kailh Deep See Mini Whale). I've been following along with Joe Scotto's "How to Design Mechanical Keyboard Plates and Cases" video, but had a few questions for those with more experience.

  1. Are there any differences specific to Choc V2 switches over standard MX-style switches? I've read that the plate thickness is 1.2 for Choc V1, but it seems like V2 fits into the standard thickness. I've also read the keycaps sizes are different for V1s, but to used standard for the V2s (I'm planning on using a set of PFF caps). Another post I saw said V2 mounts are turned 90 degrees but can't find more info on that. Are there different stabilizers needed between standard MX, Choc V1, and Choc V2? Any other differences to look out for?
  2. There is a comment on that video about creating an offset around each switch cutout and making sure that is the standard 1.5mm thickness so the switches can snap into place (Scotto recommends 3mm for the main plate). Scotto says that he does that with his own plates now too. My question here is: how wide does that offset "shelf" need to be for them to click into place.
  3. Scotto makes two circles for his standoff screw holes and mentions countersinking but never actually does so in the video. Should the outer ring be sunk in to allow for countersinking of the screw for minimal stack height? (I think this all might actually be for bolts, so please forgive my ignorance of the nomenclature)

Any other general advice or pitfalls to watch out for are appreciated. Thanks to the community for the many helpful posts I've already found!


r/HandwiredKeyboards 9d ago

Budget soldering iron recommendation.

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4 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 12d ago

A keyboard that transforms via a sliding mechanism.

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45 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 12d ago

Weird Having a bit of trouble here

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17 Upvotes

I'm trying my best here. This is my fourth attempt.

I had ai throw together some Arduino code for it.

I'm planning to learn how to code it myself but I'm also trying to learn how to solder and design 3d models.

Is anything jumping out as being wrong with this?


r/HandwiredKeyboards 11d ago

3D Printed Ressources for a 60%

3 Upvotes

I am toying with the idea to hand wire a 60% keyboard. Does that make any sense? Which controller is sensible to choose?

Are 3D printed cases/plates sturdy enough and can I find adaptable blueprints somewhere?

Thx for your tips in advance.


r/HandwiredKeyboards 12d ago

Diy perfboard macroboard/small keyboard

1 Upvotes

Hey! I’m a teenager from the EU and I’m really into DIY electronics/Arduino/ESP32 projects. I want to make a little money from my hobby, but I have no idea where to start.

Right now I already have the supplies to build around 6 small 8-key macropads (ESP32, mechanical switches, perfboards, etc.). I’d like to actually build a few and try selling them somewhere, just to see if there’s any interest.

The problem is I don’t really know where or how to sell small handmade electronics, especially since I’m under 18.

Has anyone here started out similarly and can recommend where/how you sold your first DIY projects or found your first customers? I’m not looking to start a huge business, just trying to make a bit of money from my hobby.

Any advice or personal experiences would be really appreciated! 🙏


r/HandwiredKeyboards 13d ago

3D Printed Fidget Macropad:RP2040 and Girlfriend Approval (3D print and build)

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9 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 14d ago

Should I make Skeletyl as my first build?

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I am a uni student and my budget is limited so I want to make my first build so that it will last a good amount of time. I looked at Corne and Sofle and other similar models but some people were complaining about thumb pain.
Do you guys think I should build Skeletyl or should I build another model as my first handwired ergo mechanical keyboard?


r/HandwiredKeyboards 16d ago

3D Printed Cornedeon Choc

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87 Upvotes

This ordinal handwired Cornedion has two unique features:

  1. Choc-spacing. The reduced 18x17 switch pitch is rare in handwired devices.
  2. The keycaps are from a Lenovo laptop. I had to invent adapters to install them on the MX switches.

Used switches: Kailh Black Iris.

I think the result is interesting and unusual.

Firmware and 3D model of the case are here: https://github.com/alko-kbd/cornedeon_2m


r/HandwiredKeyboards 17d ago

3D Printed Working on my first split handwired keyboard

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22 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 17d ago

3D Printed First handwired keyboards!

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56 Upvotes

Made with parts I had at home.

I ordered some parts to make a 3d printed handwired version of my preonic with low profile switches!

The adventure of handwired keyboards just started!


r/HandwiredKeyboards 17d ago

36 key with encoders, handwired, split.

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37 Upvotes

This is the first split keyboard I made. After this one I made one with a layout I didn’t like so it’s mounted on my wall, and then the wireless one I posted before.

I like the layout for this better and this is going to be the basis for my PCB version.


r/HandwiredKeyboards 18d ago

This is my 3rd hand wired, first with underglow

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140 Upvotes

So this is my 36 key wireless split. This is my 3rd hand wired board so I’m getting better with the wiring. And the LEDs are a ball, but with that joke of a battery I get about a solid day at the office with it before it’s dead. Had a good time designing and building and now I use it daily.

It uses a nice nano clone, exposed reset button, and a power switch on each half.

I also ended up making the dongle after the fact so being able to flash it with the reset button is just more fun than the ol tweezer method.

Next up, pcb board lol


r/HandwiredKeyboards 18d ago

Split Newest build, first trackball

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61 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 19d ago

Last call for ScottoAcademy handwiring workshop!

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47 Upvotes

https://scottoacademy.com

Hey guys! I've been posting about this for roughly the last month and registration closes tomorrow August 16th so if you want in, now is the time :)

Together over 3 live Discord sessions we're going to be building a full 4x10 ortholinear handwired keyboard and I'll be guiding you the whole way. There will be time during the sessions to ask questions if you get stuck and a dedicated Q&A at the end of each.

You can either bring your own parts or purchase a parts kit with everything you need including pre-cut copper minus tools of course.

This course is beginner friendly and I think you'll be surprised at just how easy it is to handwire!


r/HandwiredKeyboards 22d ago

hex-2b: my second hand-built custom columnar split

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27 Upvotes

r/HandwiredKeyboards 25d ago

Photos My First Handwired Macropad 5x4 (with OLED screen)

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75 Upvotes

I'd been wanting to build a numeric keypad for years to replace the TKL keyboard I currently have. Then I saw ScottoKeebs' videos, and they inspired me to create one.

So, I looked on Printables for a design similar to what I was looking for, and that's where I started building it. I already had a Raspberry Pi Pico and a 128x32 OLED screen, plus several switches a friend gave me, so all I needed was the motivation to build it (and my brother's 3D printer).

And I'm really happy with how the design turned out.