[IC] Extra Happy - MX HHKB + 2 Macro Columns

[Kwub]

Please join my Discord server for updates!



Extra Happy

Hey all,

I'd like to introduce my latest project - the Extra Happy.
This board was developed as a tribute to the iconic Happy Hacking Keyboard. The original layout is preserved as much as possible, down to the 6u spacebar and uneven corner blockers. The Extra Happy brings in 10 additional macro keys to the layout, adding to its work ready ethos.

This project is developing quickly, so please feel free to leave your suggestions in the IC form and on this thread!

Please fill out this form if you are interested!





Details
Case Material: Aluminum 6063
Weight and Badge Material: Brass (potentially Stainless Steel)
Plate Material: Aluminum 5052 (potentially Polycarbonate, FR4)

18mm front height
6.5° typing angle
Top mount
QMK and VIA compatible PCB, daughterboard compatibility
View internals here

Price target: ~$350

Current Layout:


View all of Abat's renders here

Thanks for reading!

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

Let’s go kwub


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kwub]

Current project status:
11/22
A prototype (in the same color configuration as the renders) is on order. More updates will be posted when it arrives!


11/26
A lot of updates in this one! First, PCB and compatibility updates:





Compatibility with full right shift and full backspace! Additionally, a centered switch placement has been added to the spacebar to help improve the compatibility with a variety of sets.

Next up, the badge:





I have been experimenting with some changes to the badge design and front iconography. Feel free to let me know what you think! Depending on popularity, the original smiley badge might be kept as an optional extra.
A blank version of the badge will be released as well if you would like to design and run your own badge logo.

View the rest of Abat's beautiful renders here!

Thanks again for your interest!

And thanks for sniping my reservation Chicken, lol

[Rob27shred]

This makes me extra happy!

[nFaiz]

kwub keeb so lit

[linell]

I like : )

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

Current project status:
A prototype (in the same color configuration as the renders) is on order. More updates will be posted when it arrives!

Thanks again for your interest!

And thanks for sniping my reservation Chicken, lol

get lmaoed

[DNWMN]

kwub keyboard so lit. bloop turned out great, cant wait for this    lets go kwub!

[Silk]

why so serious

[stewfayew]

I freaking love this layout and the big ass smiley face

Please make it real soon

[PigeonsLikeBread]

Looks great, GLWIC!

[chriskeebs1911]

Looks awesome           

[chat and team]

beautiful, will get into this considering how well my bloop turned out

[Ustinj]

wonderful

[hali]

ne center stem 6u compatibility

[JumpStream]

I'm a sucker for Macros GLWIC

Sent from my IN2023 using Tapatalk

[Kwub]

ne center stem 6u compatibility

It will be added! 6u is already pretty niche, so bumping possible compat is high on the list of things to do!

[misswaffle]

Happy happy (:

[Fredington]

While I don't hate the badge, I would prefer to go without it.

[Pach]

..
‿

[7h3of7]

Looks lovely. If you manage to get it at the estimated price point it would be an amazing value.
GLWIC

[Sicowa]

true hhkb layout, and the xt column is cool. would like to see the front badge moved or removed myself but otherwise very cool rectangle.
GLWIC
<3

[infectedqt]

i like this, GLWIC ッ

[treeleaf64]

Why did you do the very wide cuts on the plate
What is the typing angle
What are the bezel widths
Why is the smiley face so wide

[Kinesiologist]

woah

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

While I don't hate the badge, I would prefer to go without it.

I am getting conflicting messages

[chat and team]

true hhkb layout, and the xt column is cool. would like to see the front badge moved or removed myself but otherwise very cool rectangle.
GLWIC
<3

Ah yes, want the front visible badge removed meanwhile theres a whole ass weight that you cannot see.
 i swear skamada
opinion almost as bad as those who think kumamech polartypes owner isnt a scammer

[paulgali]

Simple, no BS IC. I like the board too. GGWP

[stidal]

that weight is such a w

[Dunne]

+10 happy

[Kokaloo]

Love it. I think 6u bar support would be very appreciated.
Keep the badge on the top don't listen to these wieners

[HappyB0T]

The Badge:
• Kind of Dumb
• Mostly Fun
• In a 'horrible' location
• I love it.

Huge fan of your keyboard sir. If you can make this keyboard for that price I buy it.

[Puddsy]

my single gripe is that the front badge is in a weird spot and gives the board an odd look

otherwise im a fan

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

Love it. I think 6u bar support would be very appreciated.
Keep the badge on the top don't listen to these wieners

people need to stop asking for no badge, it’s not happening, badge is chicken approved


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[unusuaL_]

Didn't know i needed this in life until i saw it

[silhouette88]

I really like the idea of HHKB with macro columns, but I'm also of the opinion that the badge should go. (don't hate me, mr. chicken) I love the smiley back weight though. Good luck!

[Poesjuh]

Funky layout. No idea if this is something I would consider buying but if I would the badge needs to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tree_]

Amazing layout busted by a truly hideous looking badge, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[AuthenticDanger]

The badge is, as other have said, very oddly placed. As an XT enthusiast I just can't see enjoying this board with the way it looks.

[Kokaloo]

"Hello please take your interesting and unique design and make it less interesting and unique to fit my perceptions of what a keyboard should be to better suit my tastes"

[GrumioThaSpoonGod]

Smiley face is amazing, very wide, very nice. This uses 70 switches right? I counted but I may be wrong.

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

This being a homage to the hhkb, it makes sense for the badge to be there as the actual hhkb has a sticker there

[Kwub]

Hey all, just an update on the badge since it seems (quite expectedly) to be a pretty controversial feature. Like others have mentioned, a huge part of the concept of this board was presenting an homage to the original HHKB. The idea is to take the logo sticker in the corner blocker and bring it to match the lighthearted theme. And personally, I think it adds to the unique character of the board! For those reasons, I intend to keep the badge. Thanks again for your interest and feedback everyone!

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

Hey all, just an update on the badge since it seems (quite expectedly) to be a pretty controversial feature. Like others have mentioned, a huge part of the concept of this board was presenting an homage to the original HHKB. The idea is to take the logo sticker in the corner blocker and bring it to match the lighthearted theme. And personally, I think it adds to the unique character of the board! For those reasons, I intend to keep the badge. Thanks again for your interest and feedback everyone!

based 

[Lysol_]

loving the xt comeback

[surplusofchairs]

yes

[Reebes]

Glad you plan to keep the badge! I personally don’t feel a connection with the classic hhkb, but I do appreciate the character this board has! Different and cool.

[AuthenticDanger]

The idea is to take the logo sticker in the corner blocker and bring it to match the lighthearted theme.

The badge feels very under designed which makes it stick out like a sore thumb against the rest of the board. Will there be an option for a blank badge or some other design?

[stidal]

The badge feels very under designed which makes it stick out like a sore thumb against the rest of the board. Will there be an option for a blank badge or some other design?

there's a very stark difference between something being 'under designed' and something being intentionally simplistic to match the theme, this is pretty clearly the latter imo

[akameyyy]

This would be an absolute unit if it goes for 350$
Also: Keep. The. Top. Badge.

[yui_]

really cool design, one of only 2 customs this year which have actually caught my attention!
i'm somewhere in the middle on the badge - i like it, but i would love if blank/custom badges would be an option. i understand custom badges would add a lot more work so releasing the dimensions/drawings or a cad file of the badge alone would allow for custom ones to be produced outside of the gb.
either way, i'm going to keep a close eye on this.
glwic!

[Friendship]

That side profile is art!!! Well done and glwic!

[Nuap]

I'm a massive fan of this, the design is really well done and I am a sucker for HHKB layouts. I've been jealous of nice 65s with macro columns so glad it's being done for other layouts.


I like the badge, it's simple and does compliment the theme of the board well. Hopefully there can be some other options for badges or you can release the CAD files so people can have their own made.

[Gvalch_ca]

very nice design to my liking. But consider adding 6u spacebar with centered switch too. And maybe add more options for blocker badge, this one looks meh

[$W4GK!NG]

look very nice, would you be able to provide a KLE layout compatibility picture? took me a while to realize this is not 7u spacebar since I didn't read the text at all :giggle:

[Dyto69]

Thank you for using actual HHKB Layout. I really like the addition of the XT row (that makes me extra Happy)
Is the internal weight position so far down on purpose, or why isn't it centered so every row is covered with the internal weight?
GLWIC!

[Kwub]

look very nice, would you be able to provide a KLE layout compatibility picture? took me a while to realize this is not 7u spacebar since I didn't read the text at all :giggle:

I have added a KLE compatibility picture! This is subject to change in the future, I will keep it as up to date as possible.

Also added typing angle to the details section!

[AuthenticDanger]

The badge feels very under designed which makes it stick out like a sore thumb against the rest of the board. Will there be an option for a blank badge or some other design?

there's a very stark difference between something being 'under designed' and something being intentionally simplistic to match the theme, this is pretty clearly the latter imo

The massive fillets on the badge right next to the tiny fillets on the top case don't match. The logo is _very_ simple and looks out of place to some of us. The "theme" is unclear (is it supposed to be "simple"?) since the bottom isn't just a wedge and has curves to it but the top is just a rectangle with fillets.

[Gvalch_ca]

The badge feels very under designed which makes it stick out like a sore thumb against the rest of the board. Will there be an option for a blank badge or some other design?

there's a very stark difference between something being 'under designed' and something being intentionally simplistic to match the theme, this is pretty clearly the latter imo

The massive fillets on the badge right next to the tiny fillets on the top case don't match. The logo is _very_ simple and looks out of place to some of us. The "theme" is unclear (is it supposed to be "simple"?) since the bottom isn't just a wedge and has curves to it but the top is just a rectangle with fillets.

I second this. Blocker badge looks kind of ugly and out of place right now. Hope it will be redesigned.

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

The massive fillets on the badge right next to the tiny fillets on the top case don't match. The logo is _very_ simple and looks out of place to some of us. The "theme" is unclear (is it supposed to be "simple"?) since the bottom isn't just a wedge and has curves to it but the top is just a rectangle with fillets.

The fillets aren't that massive, I think they match the external ones pretty well, but if you're talking about the internal, its not going to be noticeable once you have caps. And in terms of simple, I think its relatively simple, just a happy face, the curve is a simple curve, no dolphin or more Kustom sides.

[treeleaf64]

The massive fillets on the badge right next to the tiny fillets on the top case don't match. The logo is _very_ simple and looks out of place to some of us. The "theme" is unclear (is it supposed to be "simple"?) since the bottom isn't just a wedge and has curves to it but the top is just a rectangle with fillets.

The fillets aren't that massive, I think they match the external ones pretty well, but if you're talking about the internal, its not going to be noticeable once you have caps. And in terms of simple, I think its relatively simple, just a happy face, the curve is a simple curve, no dolphin or more Kustom sides.

You seem to have taken over this project from Kwub, the amount you're commenting /s

[Nuap]

I just wanted to add that I hope you can have vendors for this. Current international shipping for keyboards is really pricey, having vendors allows those outside of the main country to get the keyboard at a reasonable cost, instead of paying 1/4th of their total order in shipping.


For Australia perhaps reach out to SwitchKeys.

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

New badge is pretty, where old smile peeposad copege

[Kwub]

New update!

[growler]

OK, that new badge... yeah, that's good. I've been converted.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[koolkeebs]

I love both badges! Question - will this come with a 6u stabilizer wire?

[Kwub]

I love both badges! Question - will this come with a 6u stabilizer wire?

Sourcing 6u wires in high quantities is something that I have been looking at. If I can find a good lead ahead of GB time, that is something I would love to offer.

[elongatedmusk]

I love both badges! Question - will this come with a 6u stabilizer wire?

Sourcing 6u wires in high quantities is something that I have been looking at. If I can find a good lead ahead of GB time, that is something I would love to offer.

+1 for 6u wire!

[growler]

I love both badges! Question - will this come with a 6u stabilizer wire?

Sourcing 6u wires in high quantities is something that I have been looking at. If I can find a good lead ahead of GB time, that is something I would love to offer.

Defo do this! I would buy like 30 6u wires if you can get some nice ones.

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[Michabc]

+1 for a European vendor!

[hpkb]

Digging this layout. Side profile is really nice! And 6u is a nice touch as well. Would def be interested

[AstralYT]

This is POG. Would have liked smaller side bezels, but that's just me. Great design, 350$ in the current climate would actually be insane. Hope you hit it.

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Zlane]

Finally putting my 6u spacebar to work GL with the project

[nathanchere]

The chances of adding split space bar support... somewhere between zero and nil?

[fflux]

Hey all, just an update on the badge since it seems (quite expectedly) to be a pretty controversial feature. Like others have mentioned, a huge part of the concept of this board was presenting an homage to the original HHKB. The idea is to take the logo sticker in the corner blocker and bring it to match the lighthearted theme. And personally, I think it adds to the unique character of the board! For those reasons, I intend to keep the badge. Thanks again for your interest and feedback everyone!

based and objectively correct decision

if you manage to get it done at $350, I am definitely interested in joining!

[Little4Real]

You should 100% KEEP the top badge. Hopefully there's a PC case option, but I'm still joining this GB regardless.

[clickpig]

Interest checked, wallet prepped.

This looks brill.

[drinkmorewater]

Very interested in this!

[GreyAmbience]

I'm so down for this!!!

[ideus]

This design is one of few actual HHKB layouts, plus the macro columns, yet, it is so out of my budget. You may want to offer a round of space bars in common colors and stab wires along with the kit. They are hard to come by.

[growler]

This design is one of few actual HHKB layouts, plus the macro columns, yet, it is so out of my budget. You may want to offer a round of space bars in common colors and stab wires along with the kit. They are hard to come by.

That's a fantastic idea. If you have sourced 6u stab wires I'm in for a few, and very possibly would bulk buy as well (PM me!)

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[Rob27shred]

This design is one of few actual HHKB layouts, plus the macro columns, yet, it is so out of my budget. You may want to offer a round of space bars in common colors and stab wires along with the kit. They are hard to come by.

Very true, although the spacebars aren't quite as hard to come by, most sets will offer a offset 6u in extras at least. The stab wires on the other hand would be something that could be delivered with the board. Definitely something for the designer to think about!

[ideus]

This design is one of few actual HHKB layouts, plus the macro columns, yet, it is so out of my budget. You may want to offer a round of space bars in common colors and stab wires along with the kit. They are hard to come by.

That's a fantastic idea. If you have sourced 6u stab wires I'm in for a few, and very possibly would bulk buy as well (PM me!)

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

I have found some 6u Cherry-style stab wires at Aliexpress; but, I have not found any Costars yet. I have not checked what type of stabs this design will take. Personally, I prefer the Costar type and the lack of manufactured stab wires in 6u prevents me to use any layout that needs 6u. Edit (I know that the wires can be DIY, but the precision they need to feel good is not trivial. It seems that this design will take PCB mount Cherry style stabs, based on how the plate's cuts look).

[kidpid]

Any chance of supporting 2x3u split space?

[C10ckwork]

i'm lovin' it

[Draxion]

I like it

[Sandy]

Keep up the great work kwub

[peacdesign]

Interesting design - adding extra functionality to the HHKB, nice!

[kidgoth]

coolest xt layout ive seen in a min

[oilpapers]

no badge pls, lacks feng shui

[growler]

I like the new badge

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

[Kokaloo]

Bump

[nathanchere]

Another IC bites the dust

[ideus]

This design is one of few actual HHKB layouts, plus the macro columns, yet, it is so out of my budget. You may want to offer a round of space bars in common colors and stab wires along with the kit. They are hard to come by.

That's a fantastic idea. If you have sourced 6u stab wires I'm in for a few, and very possibly would bulk buy as well (PM me!)

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

I have found some 6u Cherry-style stab wires at Aliexpress; but, I have not found any Costars yet. I have not checked what type of stabs this design will take. Personally, I prefer the Costar type and the lack of manufactured stab wires in 6u prevents me to use any layout that needs 6u. Edit (I know that the wires can be DIY, but the precision they need to feel good is not trivial. It seems that this design will take PCB mount Cherry style stabs, based on how the plate's cuts look).

That is exactly right. The plate appears to support Cherry stabs. I prefer Costars as well, and there is no source to get them unless you bend them yourself.

[metalchipmaker]

Interesting