Feedback on my keyboard design the OrthoCode

[Jrodna]

I've posted here before and I have a new design and I want to see what people think of it.
The new version has all THT components (like the discipline and other keyboards by cftkb)


New Layout

The main drivers for this design are:

• Ortholinearity (no columnar stagger to make it easier to use standard game controls) and thumb keys for ergonomics
• Keeping compatibility with standard keysets (no short shift or anything here you can use any stabilised keys for the thumb keys up to 2.75u)
• Minimising manufacturing costs by going with THT components

The initial design uses a plate and a acrylic base and supports tray mount and bottom mounted on the plate.
Below are images of the PCB design in Kicad and a 3d rendition from kicad


PCB design


3D render

Here I have a pdf with the layout to scale (thanks to http://builder.swillkb.com/) that can be printed if anyone wants to try it out for themselves: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNWvCAsvMo-iDU-g1Ge4YA8SOwhY8QGB/view?usp=sharing

All designs are on my github https://github.com/Jrodna/OrthoCode.

I really appreciate all feedback, it was super helpful last time round.

[Pyk_]

I’ve always liked the ortho boards that don’t require a ortho specific keyset, and this looks good. I’d love to see something like this but closer to a 40%.

By the way, THT means through hole? I’m surprised that would cost less.

[jamster]

Having tried various thumb cluster arrangements, I don't find any advantage to having thumb keys laid vertically- they just take up more space and look kinda weird, without being more comfortable. I'm perfectly happy with 1u or 1.25u keys for thumbs.

[Jrodna]

By the way, THT means through hole? I’m surprised that would cost less.

Well at least for manufacturing the PCB, and I don't have to buy a hot air station to solder the components.
I also just like being able to solder all the components by myself and and big row of diodes looks pretty sweet.

[Jrodna]

Having tried various thumb cluster arrangements, I don't find any advantage to having thumb keys laid vertically- they just take up more space and look kinda weird, without being more comfortable. I'm perfectly happy with 1u or 1.25u keys for thumbs.

I'm coming from using an ergodox clone (ergodone) and I really enjoyed the vertical thumb keys so that's why I've included them like this. Do you think its worth including options for smaller keys to be used like 1u or 1.25, even though there would be a whole lot of useless pcb below them?

[Pyk_]

By the way, THT means through hole? I’m surprised that would cost less.

Well at least for manufacturing the PCB, and I don't have to buy a hot air station to solder the components.
I also just like being able to solder all the components by myself and and big row of diodes looks pretty sweet.

Oh for sure. I thought you meant like having it manufactured by a service in which case I thought surface mount would cost less.