[IC] Dimple - a 40% layout keyboard (Final Update:kit assembling video)

[trabbit]

Uploaded kit assembling video

Hi, everyone. It's been a long time that I got obsessed with the HHKB layout keyboards. But I get used to have arrows on the right side of the keyboard and I tried HHKB layout but failed. Now all my keyboards have individual arrow keys. I'm really jealous of guys who can use such a nice layout keyboard.

Recently I was wondering if it's possible to keep arrow keys and make a hhkb like 40% layout keyboard. The idea is stupid, but I really want to try something interesting. So I designed a 40% HHKB layout. I call it Dimple because it got the HHKB looks but much smaller inner corners.
Here are some renders:






The layout


Here is a render with 2.25 Enter


The kit inlcudes:
1. Aluminum case. Single case with no weight. 
2. Brass plate.
3. PCB with RGB and hotswap
4. Switch puller with good quality
5. Rubber feet and screws



If you guys have any suggestion, feel free to comment.
Meanwhile I'm working on the R2 of THE50. I will make some modification of the design according to the feedbacks from R1 users. I will open other IC of THE50 R2 after I get the jobs done.
After I finish the design and get quote from vendors, I will list the price. I will make it budget like my other designs.

Update CNC sample (Mar 29)






Updated pink sample






Estimated Price:
140-150USD for whole kit, exlcuding shipment fee and PayPal fee.

ETA：

Spots would be ready in May. 100 spots are made.

Final color option: Black/Gray/Silver/Gray Blue/Pink

Weights:
Without brass plate, Dimple weighs about 700g after fully assembled.
The brass plate weighs about 110g.
I will open plate's CAD file for users to customize plates. if you want to control the weight, you can find someone to laser cut a carbon fiber plate.


Special thanks to Mikethetiger_, he started a 40% keeb discord server to improve communications between 40% keeb users inside the community. I got a lot of inspirations from him.

[bthezebra]

I love the look of this!

[Puddsy]

damn wait this is sick too

what's with all the cool 40s lately

[dantambok]

2 40% boards posted in the same day. 

[MikeTheTiger]

Congrats Jacky. You nailed the layout on this one.

[trabbit]

Congrats Jacky. You nailed the layout on this one.

Hope I do it right this time.

[Vigrith]

This is right up my alley, I'm definitely interested in participating. Well done, the design and layout are both super cool.

PS: consider 2x 1.5 for the left side of the bottom row too, please. Not a big fan of 1u keys, personally.

[Jaxxstatic]

YES. I can attest that Trabbit's layout sense is spot on. THE50 is my go-to board right now, even though I'm trying for it not to be. What the heck?

[LXVRGS]

My preonic got me into the ortho/small form factor boards this little one look so cool, loving that layout.

[EnjoyMyInSec]

Nice one, although not sure if the layout is for me, any estimated price ?

[Fabi]

At the moment l was working on a very similar pcd layout (a nasty person might have called it a jd45 copy). I guess I will just give you my money now ... But what am I gonna do now with my time ...

By the way, I don't think that I am good at making PCB s, it's just fun to do though

[MMKB]

Very cool idea! Regarding the style, would you consider (1) matching the bezels in the front and back (2) a JD45 style 6.25u spacebar married with your layout if that’s your thing?

No weight makes sense for a small portable keyboard. IMO the obsession with weight has gone too far these days for no additional practical benefits.

On the other hand, is it a sandwich construction? How low will the front end be? Asking because it’s easy to make 40% feel too thick.

[Sent]

+1 for Jacky's stuff.  Been typing on my THE50 and having a blast.

[oldcat]

How about The65?
Waiting

[Beatnutz]

6.25u spacebar and I will get two

[The_Royal]

 I love this layout and concept.

I would prob just use the bottom 1.75u as enter since I use “Ortho” layouts a lot anyway and that’s where it normaly is located.

But Do any key-sets currently have 1.25u “Enter” Keys?

[Fabi]

I love this layout and concept.

I would prob just use the bottom 1.75u as enter since I use “Ortho” layouts a lot anyway and that’s where it normaly is located.

But Do any key-sets currently have 1.25u “Enter” Keys?

Didn't notice. Good point.

[donut_sauce]

this is great. any idea how tall the front is gonna be?

[OnceSavedGaming]

I will be in on this if the money is there at the time. +1 to the (2) 1.5u left side keys

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

[meidodoragon]

I like this idea! The design looks nice too. I'm just getting into 40% and HHKB-style boards and I use dedicated arrow keys quite a bit.

Edit: Typo. Didn't see autoreplace not going through...

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[trabbit]

This is right up my alley, I'm definitely interested in participating. Well done, the design and layout are both super cool.

PS: consider 2x 1.5 for the left side of the bottom row too, please. Not a big fan of 1u keys, personally.

Thanks for the advice! I actually want bigger left modifiers too, but there are some constraints. If the layout use two keys on the left side of the spacebar, you have to put one modifier on the right side, so there would not have room for direct arrow keys anymore. The purpose of this layout is to put individual arrow keys on HHKB looks 40% keeb. 

[trabbit]

YES. I can attest that Trabbit's layout sense is spot on. THE50 is my go-to board right now, even though I'm trying for it not to be. What the heck?

Thanks man. I'm happy to make interesting keebs for you guys.

[trabbit]

Nice one, although not sure if the layout is for me, any estimated price ?

Not sure by now, I will finish the design ASAP and get quote from Vendors.  But I hope it will come out with those features at a price of 150USD without shipment fee.

BTW, good job done on Waves man!

[trabbit]

At the moment l was working on a very similar pcd layout (a nasty person might have called it a jd45 copy). I guess I will just give you my money now ... But what am I gonna do now with my time ...

By the way, I don't think that I am good at making PCB s, it's just fun to do though

I think you should do it. One thing I learned from Mike's 40% keebs discord server is the community should offer more solutions for keeb lovers, so they can do the way they like. Let's work on that.

[trabbit]

Very cool idea! Regarding the style, would you consider (1) matching the bezels in the front and back (2) a JD45 style 6.25u spacebar married with your layout if that’s your thing?

No weight makes sense for a small portable keyboard. IMO the obsession with weight has gone too far these days for no additional practical benefits.

On the other hand, is it a sandwich construction? How low will the front end be? Asking because it’s easy to make 40% feel too thick.

I will have a detail picture of structure after I finished the design. I want to make it one single case. The height of the front will definitely less that 20mm.

[trabbit]

I love this layout and concept.

I would prob just use the bottom 1.75u as enter since I use “Ortho” layouts a lot anyway and that’s where it normaly is located.

But Do any key-sets currently have 1.25u “Enter” Keys?

That's one problem with this layout. Actually I want to use a full 2.25 enter but it's kind of big for small keeb layout like this.

[vicissitude]

Beautiful.
Nice design. 

[GigaFlop]

I'm not big on 40s, but this 40 looks very versatile. I'm interested, depending on pricing.

[Vigrith]

Thanks for the advice! I actually want bigger left modifiers too, but there are some constraints. If the layout use two keys on the left side of the spacebar, you have to put one modifier on the right side, so there would not have room for direct arrow keys anymore. The purpose of this layout is to put individual arrow keys on HHKB looks 40% keeb.

If such a constraint does exist, then I'll live with the triple 1u. Of course the arrows are the point, and that's the main selling point for me too, I just figured I'd ask if double 1.5 left would work. My only other qualm with this is the lack of a 2.25 enter like Royal mentioned since the smaller one is basically the only key here that's actually hard to come by (eg. not in the GMK base kits) afaik, however I really don't think you have a choice there hence I didn't even mention it in my first post.

PS: the target price is very attractive, hopefully it's not too ambitious. Anywhere around that estimate would be a big win for you (and all of us prospect buyers).

[scoopbb]

looks cool but like others have mentioned idk about that return. where do i get a key for that lol

[byoliven]

What I am concerning is, two 1.75u shift are needed (the right FN key in the IC Picture should be 1.75, right?). I cannot find two of them in any of my GMK Keyset

[MikeTheTiger]

What I am concerning is, two 1.75u shift are needed (the right FN key in the IC Picture should be 1.75, right?). I cannot find two of them in any of my GMK Keyset

That can be a challenge to find GMK keys to cover the right side 175u. I looked at Jamón and you can get the coverage with base and forties kits. Which is what us 40% users have to do to get the keys we need.

[leexy]

in for THE40 and THE50!

[trabbit]

Thanks for the advice! I actually want bigger left modifiers too, but there are some constraints. If the layout use two keys on the left side of the spacebar, you have to put one modifier on the right side, so there would not have room for direct arrow keys anymore. The purpose of this layout is to put individual arrow keys on HHKB looks 40% keeb.

If such a constraint does exist, then I'll live with the triple 1u. Of course the arrows are the point, and that's the main selling point for me too, I just figured I'd ask if double 1.5 left would work. My only other qualm with this is the lack of a 2.25 enter like Royal mentioned since the smaller one is basically the only key here that's actually hard to come by (eg. not in the GMK base kits) afaik, however I really don't think you have a choice there hence I didn't even mention it in my first post.

PS: the target price is very attractive, hopefully it's not too ambitious. Anywhere around that estimate would be a big win for you (and all of us prospect buyers).

Yes, the Enter is a problem. I will do a 2.25U enter render, to see if it looks good. In Cherry profile keycap sets, R3 1.25u is rare. I think pressing 1.25u enter won't be a problem but the keycap does.

[trabbit]

What I am concerning is, two 1.75u shift are needed (the right FN key in the IC Picture should be 1.75, right?). I cannot find two of them in any of my GMK Keyset

Well, I think that maybe a problem too.

[voight-kampff]

This is right up my alley, I'm definitely interested in participating. Well done, the design and layout are both super cool.

PS: consider 2x 1.5 for the left side of the bottom row too, please. Not a big fan of 1u keys, personally.

I agree, 2x1.5 keys in the bottom row would be great.
Otherwise I am definitely in, really cool 40%

Sent from my MIX using Tapatalk

[sandragm]

I am definitely interested in this layout. But I do share other's concerns regarding keycap compatibility with the Shifts and Return keys. Still, I will keep tabs on this project.

[prod]

It's awosome! I also think it will be better if the bottom row can compatible with 2*1.5u in the left side.

[prod]

It's awosome! I also think it will be better if the bottom row can compatible with 2*1.5u in the left side.

In the second bottom I think if you can change the 1.75shift to 1.5shift, other on the right all use 1u, it may more easy for the keycaps.

[tectonicplate]

This is great, one of the few 40s I can see being able to use for work. Arrow cluster and bottom row is perfect.

I agree with the logistics of the 2.25 Enter, however, I'd like to suggest for that to be an option… so people can choose between a 1.25 or a 2.25 Enter. The GNAP!/UT47 share the (2) R3 1.25 layout… hardcore small-board people are not phased by that kind of thing, they eat R3 1.25 keys for breakfast. That extra semicolon key would probably be the difference in having this be a workhorse board vs. a casual-use board for me. So basically, I love the OG layout, and support the 2.25 Enter as an option to appease the masses.

I can live without hot swap… actually prefer not having it at all with this board.

Excellent board concept, looking forward to see where this goes.

[trabbit]

It's awosome! I also think it will be better if the bottom row can compatible with 2*1.5u in the left side.

Thanks, bro. Since the PCB will use hot-swap sockets, there should be one layout only. I said above, if only two keys on the left, then one of ctrl\alt\win should be on the right side, so there won't be an individual arrow key section. That's definitely not I design dimple for.

[trabbit]

This is great, one of the few 40s I can see being able to use for work. Arrow cluster and bottom row is perfect.

I agree with the logistics of the 2.25 Enter, however, I'd like to suggest for that to be an option… so people can choose between a 1.25 or a 2.25 Enter. The GNAP!/UT47 share the (2) R3 1.25 layout… hardcore small-board people are not phased by that kind of thing, they eat R3 1.25 keys for breakfast. That extra semicolon key would probably be the difference in having this be a workhorse board vs. a casual-use board for me. So basically, I love the OG layout, and support the 2.25 Enter as an option to appease the masses.

I can live without hot swap… actually prefer not having it at all with this board.

Excellent board concept, looking forward to see where this goes.

Thanks man! I appreciate that. I laughed when I read your comment. My friend said something just like that: whatever layout you design, I have seen worse. We 40% keeb lovers bear any kind keycap issues.
Hot-swap + RGB may be interesting, and attractive to some newcomers. I know it's not so important to those who really like small keebs.
I guess I have to choose between 1.25u enter and 2.25u enter and take the blame.

[Baron]

But I hope it will come out with those features at a price of 150USD without shipment fee.

that would be absolutely amazing

[AlcoholEnthusiast]

I'm not really in to 40s, but I really like the look of this. If there ends up being a resolution to the 1.25 enter/2x 1.75 shifts I would likely join.

[prod]

It's awosome! I also think it will be better if the bottom row can compatible with 2*1.5u in the left side.

Thanks, bro. Since the PCB will use hot-swap sockets, there should be one layout only. I said above, if only two keys on the left, then one of ctrl\alt\win should be on the right side, so there won't be an individual arrow key section. That's definitely not I design dimple for.

这样啊，英文太差没看全，期待打样！
I see, looking forward to more pic!

[vicissitude]

This is great, one of the few 40s I can see being able to use for work. Arrow cluster and bottom row is perfect.

I agree with the logistics of the 2.25 Enter, however, I'd like to suggest for that to be an option… so people can choose between a 1.25 or a 2.25 Enter. The GNAP!/UT47 share the (2) R3 1.25 layout… hardcore small-board people are not phased by that kind of thing, they eat R3 1.25 keys for breakfast. That extra semicolon key would probably be the difference in having this be a workhorse board vs. a casual-use board for me. So basically, I love the OG layout, and support the 2.25 Enter as an option to appease the masses.

I can live without hot swap… actually prefer not having it at all with this board.

Excellent board concept, looking forward to see where this goes.

Thanks man! I appreciate that. I laughed when I read your comment. My friend said something just like that: whatever layout you design, I have seen worse. We 40% keeb lovers bear any kind keycap issues.
Hot-swap + RGB may be interesting, and attractive to some newcomers. I know it's not so important to those who really like small keebs.
I guess I have to choose between 1.25u enter and 2.25u enter and take the blame.

Laugh the same. 
Also respect every decision. It's really hard to make tho.

[tex_live_utility]

In addition to the suggestions offered above, would you be interested in making it possible to swap the positions of "Up" and right Fn keys? That would be more like a "typical" 40% layout (JD40 etc)

[William_S_Jones]

In addition to the suggestions offered above, would you be interested in making it possible to swap the positions of "Up" and right Fn keys? That would be more like a "typical" 40% layout (JD40 etc)

I'll agree, it's be great if possible.....I consider the JD40, the BEST 40% MKB ever!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MMKB]

My attempt at solving the Shift keys problem as well as throwing in a {[ and a 1.75 Enter. 


KLE link:

More

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/##@@_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff%3B&=Esc&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000%3B&=Q&=W&=E&=R&=T&=Y&=U&=I&=O&=P&=%7B%0A%5B&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff%3B&=Back%3Cbr%3ESpace%3B&@_w:1.25%3B&=Tab&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000%3B&=A&=S&=D&=F&=G&=H&=J&=K&=L&=%2F:%0A%2F%3B&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff&w:1.75%3B&=Enter%3B&@_w:1.75%3B&=Shift&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000%3B&=Z&=X&=C&=V&=B&=N&=M&=%3C%0A,&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff%3B&=↑&_w:1.25%3B&=Shift&=Fn%3B&@_x:1%3B&=Ctrl&=Alt&=Meta&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000&a:7&w:2.25%3B&=&_w:2.75%3B&=&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff&a:4%3B&=←&=↓&=→

Edit: you could also make the blockers symmetric by keeping them both 1u. However the HHKB is not perfectly symmetric either.

[trabbit]

My attempt at solving the Shift keys problem as well as throwing in a {[ and a 1.75 Enter. 
(Attachment Link)

KLE link:

More

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/##@@_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff%3B&=Esc&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000%3B&=Q&=W&=E&=R&=T&=Y&=U&=I&=O&=P&=%7B%0A%5B&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff%3B&=Back%3Cbr%3ESpace%3B&@_w:1.25%3B&=Tab&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000%3B&=A&=S&=D&=F&=G&=H&=J&=K&=L&=%2F:%0A%2F%3B&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff&w:1.75%3B&=Enter%3B&@_w:1.75%3B&=Shift&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000%3B&=Z&=X&=C&=V&=B&=N&=M&=%3C%0A,&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff%3B&=↑&_w:1.25%3B&=Shift&=Fn%3B&@_x:1%3B&=Ctrl&=Alt&=Meta&_c=%23cccccc&t=%23000000&a:7&w:2.25%3B&=&_w:2.75%3B&=&_c=%23828282&t=%23ffffff&a:4%3B&=←&=↓&=→

Edit: you could also make the blockers symmetric by keeping them both 1u. However the HHKB is not perfectly symmetric either.

Thanks man. I have discussed with my friends about possible layouts to solve those issues. Yours is one of them. It's too pearl-like so we think we're gonna pass that.