Split60 (Name TBD) - A Split 60% Board HHKB/WK (Prototype 2 Build Video)

[0ldMate]

Featuring Fever Dreams Deskmat

Introducing the Split 60 (New name TBD).

This is the second board I've designed, following the Let's Tango. After many years of waiting for someone to design a split 60% made from aluminium I've decided to make it myself.

As the market is quite rough for mid-range boards I am happy to modify the board to reach certain price points to make sure the board runs. Also, I am planning on commissioning a design for the back of the board by the same artist behind the Fever Dreams Deskmat.

This current iteration of the board is made from aluminium and brass and includes the following features:

Features

- Spit 60% design
- HHKB or WK top piece
- 7 degree typing angle
- Top mount design
- Swappable plate - both 1.5mm and 3mm options
- Brass weight
- Swappable divider pieces
- Optional tenting support

Price

Price is TBD at the moment. Depending on the interest and feedback I hear, I may scrap the weight and make the divider pieces part of the bottom case, this would reduce the cost by quite a bit. It comes down to what I hear 

Colours

Currently the plan is to produce this board using recycled aluminium for the case. Using this material makes annodisation difficult beyond black and silver. However, ecoating is available in several different colours. Colour choices will be determined shortly.

Topruh?

At the moment, only an MX PCB has been designed, however, if there's enough interest there is an option for an EC (topre) PCB to be designed and offered with the board.

Prototypes

There are currently 2 prototypes (one HHKB, one WK), both have faults on my design and will be fixed. I am planning on getting a second prototype produced after these changes have been finalized.

Currently there are no plans for WKL but if there's enough interest I can modify the design files for it.

First look photo gallery: https://postimg.cc/gallery/RMPBcP8

Discord for updates: https://discord.gg/sbxZQUnfax

IC Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxAiN4g2FXgBJVsy9CMcoua9onC51ZlNGHPf0AGq83z2p0cQ/viewform

Thanks everyone!

0ldMate


TO DO

Modify design to fix prototype faults

Gather IC feedback

Alter design based on feedback

Commission back weight art

Prototype Round 2

Modify Prototype 2

Figure out if GB will happen


UPDATES

14 Jan 2024

Prototype 2 Youtube build done. Pics in progress (currently available in discord).

3rd May 2023

IC Created

[Rafa_n]

reserved and please clean your usb cable

[hzh0525]

please clean your usb cable or replace it ....

[edenfires]

friendship ended with kendo now split60 is my best friend

[0ldMate]

reserved and please clean your usb cable

please clean your usb cable or replace it ....

It has now been cleaned

friendship ended with kendo now split60 is my best friend

I was waiting for Kendo also but decided to put my own spin on it. Though kendo is a classic piece and I hope they do make it at some point.

[SwitchKeys]

Disagree with comments about the cable, I think it adds character.

Great work. Really clear and concise IC, progressive design that is open about the current flaws etc.

Best of luck with IC! Great little project.

[0ldMate]

Disagree with comments about the cable, I think it adds character.

Great work. Really clear and concise IC, progressive design that is open about the current flaws etc.

Best of luck with IC! Great little project.

Thank you SK Much love!

[Oni]

Glad to see another split HHKB after no activity on the Kendo IC for a long time! Will spacebar layout support be limited to what's shown in the prototype photos?

[0ldMate]

Glad to see another split HHKB after no activity on the Kendo IC for a long time! Will spacebar layout support be limited to what's shown in the prototype photos?

Agreed! I waited a few years for Kendo with no word of it being made I thought I'd make my own spin on the split 60% design.

There are a few different layouts supported on the hotswap PCB bottom row, there will be more on the Solder too. The HHKB version I think fits, that was just a dry build (no pcb) for pictures.

[ESJvR]

ne iso avail?

[0ldMate]

ne iso avail?

No plans at the moment unfortunately

[kajahtaa]

Looks really fun.  Good luck.



BTW - Kendo was Tesletron?
Hahahhaha. Good luck for people waiting on that.

[phatmasterq]

strolled over from AUMK on FB to show some love. git it oldmate - great job and GLWIC.

[Oni]

Glad to see another split HHKB after no activity on the Kendo IC for a long time! Will spacebar layout support be limited to what's shown in the prototype photos?

Agreed! I waited a few years for Kendo with no word of it being made I thought I'd make my own spin on the split 60% design.

There are a few different layouts supported on the hotswap PCB bottom row, there will be more on the Solder too. The HHKB version I think fits, that was just a dry build (no pcb) for pictures.

For the HHKB version would something like 3u space bar on each side be possible with the solder PCB?

[0ldMate]

strolled over from AUMK on FB to show some love. git it oldmate - great job and GLWIC.

Thank you

Glad to see another split HHKB after no activity on the Kendo IC for a long time! Will spacebar layout support be limited to what's shown in the prototype photos?

Agreed! I waited a few years for Kendo with no word of it being made I thought I'd make my own spin on the split 60% design.

There are a few different layouts supported on the hotswap PCB bottom row, there will be more on the Solder too. The HHKB version I think fits, that was just a dry build (no pcb) for pictures.

For the HHKB version would something like 3u space bar on each side be possible with the solder PCB?

So the KLE atm looks a bit like this. Note that the blocks for HHKB are 1.5U so you just ignore the control on the left and right.

[Oni]

Glad to see another split HHKB after no activity on the Kendo IC for a long time! Will spacebar layout support be limited to what's shown in the prototype photos?

Agreed! I waited a few years for Kendo with no word of it being made I thought I'd make my own spin on the split 60% design.

There are a few different layouts supported on the hotswap PCB bottom row, there will be more on the Solder too. The HHKB version I think fits, that was just a dry build (no pcb) for pictures.

For the HHKB version would something like 3u space bar on each side be possible with the solder PCB?

So the KLE atm looks a bit like this. Note that the blocks for HHKB are 1.5U so you just ignore the control on the left and right.

Thanks for sharing that KLE! Will be following this IC and hoping to see this board in GB eventually

[brln]

cool

[Mr Chrome]

This is top tier! I’m a tenting fan and would prefer it without the weight myself.

[anatworkaccount]

Very cool. More split boards is always a plus

[armani_]

Looking at this has me excited. Sweet work and I look forward to seeing how this turns out!
Finally can give up on Kendo

[roostrc0gburn]

Looking at this has me excited. Sweet work and I look forward to seeing how this turns out!
Finally can give up on Kendo

gave up on kendo a while ago, but yeah definitely interested in this project now

[brln]

If this would become reasonably available from within the EU, I'd greatly appreciate it

[thornkin]

Not enough split keyboards in this world.  A well built contender is much appreciated.  Looks great!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[0ldMate]

Looking at this has me excited. Sweet work and I look forward to seeing how this turns out!
Finally can give up on Kendo

I waited so long

Looking at this has me excited. Sweet work and I look forward to seeing how this turns out!
Finally can give up on Kendo

gave up on kendo a while ago, but yeah definitely interested in this project now

Glad to hear

Not enough split keyboards in this world.  A well built contender is much appreciated.  Looks great!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

I can't agree more. Split boards are my favourite!

[niakulah]

Oh look, it's the HH  KB

[ilikerustoo]

I'll take one

[Zeelobby]

I just want one nice split to make it to GB. Lol

Sent from my CPH2451 using Tapatalk

[0ldMate]

Prototype 2 Built

[brln]

Very nice! How is the tenting support going to look like?

[0ldMate]

Very nice! How is the tenting support going to look like?

There are two holes in each side of the base that can have tenting posts poked into.

[brln]

Very nice! How is the tenting support going to look like?

There are two holes in each side of the base that can have tenting posts poked into.

 

[JoltFX]

Here for this, sad to see kendo belly up but excited for what appears to be a solid alternative

[Woovie]

Beautiful board, really interested to see this come to life. 

[vincen44]

Hype. I've been dying for one of these since the kendo thread. Please follow through!