The SmallFry KB, AKA jdcarpe loves 40%

[1pq]

Colemak and dvorak make frequent use of the ";" key -- it's "O" on colemak and "S" on dvorak.

[riotonthebay]

Colemak and dvorak make frequent use of the ";" key -- it's "O" on colemak and "S" on dvorak.

Could you get used to it in the comma position?

[1pq]

I'm not sure...although maybe I could get used to it in the "P" position since that's where the semicolon usually is. It's a pretty frequently pressed key, though.

[riotonthebay]

It would still be more efficient than QWERTY

[1pq]

True, but I'm just too in love with the colemak homerow )
I think I'll have to stick to my filco until I either design my own more colemak-friendly 40% board or just decide to compromise on 60%.

[Oobly]

This needs to be one key wider to be really useful. Enter is not the best choice for a home row key.

[1pq]

^^ agreed

[jdcarpe]

Maybe we can do that as a variant, as well? Interesting...

[1pq]

That would be so exciting! I'd definitely be on board. I don't think I have any skills to be able to help, but if you showed me where I might be able to learn, I'd definitely want to help in developing it.

[AKmalamute]

dvorak user -- yes, I'd want just a few extra keys for this physical layout. An extra column and I wouldn't feel quite so squashed.

 Of course, I haven't a physical keyboard to compare to, and maybe the "expectation" -- if there is one -- is to create a new, 40% layout that's not dvorak. But dvorak's punctuation is sorta in the middle of the keyboard ... top three keys a ', ,, ., so you're automatically shuffling something if there isn't room for them.

I've posted in this thread before, but I've had new inspiration since then. Maybe I'll look at it again, see if something totally new can be reasonably be created.

[jdcarpe]

Something like this maybe? (Don't mind the legends...keys are 100% programmable)

[1pq]

Something like this maybe? (Don't mind the legends...keys are 100% programmable)

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Now that's what I'm talking about! That looks perfect :D

[Oobly]

Something like this maybe? (Don't mind the legends...keys are 100% programmable)

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That's awesome! Compact and yet complete :)

[taylordcraig]

wtb 40%, will you be selling these?

[jdcarpe]

wtb 40%, will you be selling these?

I won't be running the group buy, but the goal of all my projects is to get them to people who want them. Prototyping and testing will come first, though, before any orders are taken.

[AKmalamute]

Did we ever hear (did you ever hear...) from Regack if it was just him, or if round 1 was just a pretty paperweight?

[SpAmRaY]

Did we ever hear (did you ever hear...) from Regack if it was just him, or if round 1 was just a pretty paperweight?

Last I heard regack confirmed it wasn't just his board that was being strange but that he was still working on it.

[AGmurdercore]

Can't wait for this one i would like one soooo much 

[MOZ]

Something like this maybe? (Don't mind the legends...keys are 100% programmable)

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Almost perfect, I'd have a 1u--1u--1u--7u--1u--1u--1u bottom row.

[jdcarpe]

Something like this maybe? (Don't mind the legends...keys are 100% programmable)

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Almost perfect, I'd have a 1u--1u--1u--7u--1u--1u--1u bottom row.

This does open more possibilities for bottom row and right shift areas.

[HoffmanMyster]

Something like this maybe? (Don't mind the legends...keys are 100% programmable)

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Almost perfect, I'd have a 1u--1u--1u--7u--1u--1u--1u bottom row.

This does open more possibilities for bottom row and right shift areas.

Could you explain how?  It's the same number of switches in the bottom row, just a bigger space.  Or does it allow the lower right section to align better for arrow keys or something like that?

[jdcarpe]

I'm thinking along the lines of the GH60 bottom row, etc., where there are holes and solder pads/traces for different switch configurations.

[jacobolus]

If you’re going to make the keyboard so small, why not a split spacebar so each half can be used for a different purpose?

[1pq]

If you’re going to make the keyboard so small, why not a split spacebar so each half can be used for a different purpose?

For better keycap compatibility, most likely.

[berserkfan]

May I respectfully suggest offering more spacebar options my dear JD Carpe. I believe the space bar is one of the most useless parts of the keyboard. I myself only hit the spacebar ever in two places, both of which take place within a 1x1 space. If you could add more contacts, traces and mounting holes in the spacebar area, geekhackers can choose to use smaller spacebars and have more keys for doing more things.

I am a big fan of promoting smaller spacebars. I believe our thumbs do too much unskilled labor. The spacebar could probably be split into 6 keys. Based on the many photos I've seen (of spacebar wear), it is obvious that nearly everyone will hit his spacebar in roughly the same location, either CV or NM. If you are in the forefront of driving a custom keyboard revolution, please help us overcome the limitations of this old layout!

[jdcarpe]

Yes, I initially proposed only using a 6.25-unit spacebar for easy keycap compatibility, and also because the electronics have to be located somewhere. But I will look at some possible other sizes, for those that don't like large spacebars.

[AKmalamute]

If I build a second phantom, I'm going to try for the 7bit layout/plate. Same reason -- something like 2.75x "space" bars, and a 1x in between them.

On a related but tangential note, the shine on my work keyboard's spacebar demonstrates that I only use my right thumb for spaces ... at least 95% of the time. A decade later, and the region under my left thumb still has texture. The right side is not only as smooth as glass, it's starting to get indented.

 The "standard" ergodox layout implies to me that some think they use the left thumb, only, for spaces. I am glad for firmware level reprogramming because ... phew! Wrong thumb.

[PJE]

Yes, I initially proposed only using a 6.25-unit spacebar for easy keycap compatibility, and also because the electronics have to be located somewhere. But I will look at some possible other sizes, for those that don't like large spacebars.

JD,

I love your design (and other 40% designs), but would only consider buying a design with a split space (and programmability). My preference is for a central 1x key with 2x space keys on each side. The remainder of the space can be used for additional keys (preferred) or making the other keys larger.

Keep up the good work.

[shrapneL]

How's my favorite 40% keyboard doing? Any news from regack lately?

[Grendel]

Debugging, hang on.

[Lain1911]

Way better conversational piece than a yardsale item!

[Thechemist]

JDcarpe 40% ( Smallfry KB ) [ Designed by JDcarpe and Regack ]

Green pcb, through hole components, teensy 2.0 ( Rev. 1.0 )
JDcarpe 40% stainless steel case ( plate | bottom ) metal standoffs
Ergo-clear switches ( blue spring ), lubed with Krytox 205
2x3x4 blue diffused led for caps lock
Costar stabilizer on spacebar
TG3 BL82 PBT keycaps

Main Layer


Function Layer













For scale ( CM QFR TKL )

[mashby]

Wow. Just... wow. 

[1pq]

I'm really excited to get mine!
So excited, in fact, that I've already come up with my own layout. I wanted to share it and encourage other 40% users to share their layouts. You can use this website (preloaded with a smallfry kb base)

Anyway, here's my layout:

Primary layer (note that I will have shift + comma as period):


Fn Layer (the NP key will make numbers send numpad keycodes):


Fn2 Layer:


I'm open to suggestions for improvement, as well. This is simply a first draft. I'd love to see others' layouts as well.
Also, big thanks to ne0phyte for the layout designer, and of course to JD for designing the keyboard and the original layout!
Also, of course, keep in mind that this is designed for someone who uses OS X primarily. Windows/Linux users will definitely need some modifications for navkeys etc.

[Lain1911]

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For me this is more like "I love looking at this" knowing I will probably never use one.

[1pq]

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For me this is more like "I love looking at this" knowing I will probably never use one.

Why not?

[Lain1911]

Not that I wouldn't want to. Maybe I was too quick to judge I'd either have to build one or it would be difficult to find or try out.

[1pq]

Personally I love the idea of my hands not moving at all. I don't mind a bit of chording, and I designed my layout above so that it's especially easy to chord numbers and many symbols (right hand holds modifier while left hand presses key). I can't wait to try it! I'll definitely post here how I like it—if it's too small, or if I can easily get used to all the chording.

[jsto69]

Sup fellas.

I did a bit of searching through the thread and couldnt find the information, but please correct me if im wrong. In the original post, that build appears to have different keycaps than this one. I know JD Carpe has said what the caps on this one is,




But what brand/set of caps are on the red and black one?



I fell in love with these caps and wanted to know what they were. I have a KBT pure ltd and looking for a pbt set for it for a while now and was going to see if i could piece together a set of those caps.

thanks to anyone who can shed some light for me.

[mashby]

But what brand/set of caps are on the red and black one?

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I fell in love with these caps and wanted to know what they were. I have a KBT pure ltd and looking for a pbt set for it for a while now and was going to see if i could piece together a set of those caps.

thanks to anyone who can shed some light for me.

Those are from the Reto set that Matt3o created. They came out last year and were quite popular.

You might find a set in the classifieds, or if we're lucky, SP or Matt3o will do a round 2!

[jsto69]

Those are from the Reto set that Matt3o created. They came out last year and were quite popular.

You might find a set in the classifieds, or if we're lucky, SP or Matt3o will do a round 2!

Damn! Thanks for the info m8, it seems everytime I find a set I like its always in some group buy from like 5 months ago -_-

I really need to start coming hear more often. Off to the classifieds I go!

[jsto69]

Those are from the Reto set that Matt3o created. They came out last year and were quite popular.

You might find a set in the classifieds, or if we're lucky, SP or Matt3o will do a round 2!

Damn! Thanks for the info m8, it seems everytime I find a set I like its always in some group buy from like 5 months ago -_-

I really need to start coming hear more often. Off to the classifieds I go!

[metalliqaz]

How many versions of this are there?  I'm having trouble figuring out how to support it.

[jdcarpe]

How many versions of this are there?  I'm having trouble figuring out how to support it.

There was an earlier version which used a Teensy and through hole diodes. I have sold a few of them, so they are around. I call it the JD40.

This newer version with SMD components is the SmallFry keyboard. It has had a prototype pcb made, but regack, The_Chemist, and Grendel are still trying to troubleshoot it, as far as I can tell. There was some issue that they haven't nailed down yet.

[Vibex]

How many versions of this are there?  I'm having trouble figuring out how to support it.

There was an earlier version which used a Teensy and through hole diodes. I have sold a few of them, so they are around. I call it the JD40.

This newer version with SMD components is the SmallFry keyboard. It has had a prototype pcb made, but regack, The_Chemist, and Grendel are still trying to troubleshoot it, as far as I can tell. There was some issue that they haven't nailed down yet.

Is the one your making for me the Teensy version or the pcb? I don't really care, but I would like it to be programmable with metalliqaz software.

[metalliqaz]

Thanks JD!  Now I understand.
I have pinouts from Regack but those are probably for the other version.  I will hunt down the Teensy version specs.  It's just a matter of figuring out the IO.  Then the rest "just works"

[Grendel]

We did find workarounds for the SmallFry rev 0.10.5 problems, but most likely there will be another board turn. It's up to regack to decide if this batch of boards should be released into the wild. It's a bit of a though call, since a turn will reassign some I/O lines so firmware for 0.10.5 will not work w/ a newer version w/o modifications. OTOH the money paid for the 0.10.5 boards is lost if they stay in the closet...

[MOZ]

If I understand there was a bad track right?

[Grendel]

Yes, there is one trace missing (fairly easy to fix w/ a short wire) and the oscillator is a real PITA to solder on (needs slightly bigger pads.) The main problem was that the JTAG interface is enabled by default in the 32u4 chips, taking over the higher port F lines that are connected to parts of the key matrix (proposed fix is to move the I/O lines to not use those). TMK seems to reset the JTD bit in the MCUCR only for specific configurations (hbkb, hid_liber, and Phantom), so I wasted some time to "reinvent the wheel" :/

[metalliqaz]

You can disable the JTAG port.  That's what I do in my firmware.