ErgoDox - Custom split ergo keyboard.

[BlueByLiquid]

As horrible of a job as Massdrop did with the ergodox acrylic (stratched doesn't line up well, Had to do massive sanding even after they sent me a replacement set)  I wouldn't want to pay extra to see how poor of a job they will do with aluminum. Plus they have ignored all the comments (even repeated direct questions) about the quality of the printer and if they are going to get a new one in the comment section.

[Glod]

I have the aluminium and acrylic from round 1, and then an unopened acrylic from round 2. The aluminium sucks so bad; i polished it up pretty for some pictures but it looks bad right now after heavy use. The acrylic, i hated the clear so much that i used vinyl to cover it.

Clear acrylic to me is just a really bad idea, i know there are some fans, i recognize them, but i think people are getting the ergodox for the functionality and not for looks but would still appreciate a choice of acrylic color/surface.

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

[kurplop]

Just for the records, I am still glad I have the aluminum. I'm sure it helps protect the finish having it set into a board however. I would want to see Massdrop's new aluminum top plate before I bought it  if I didn't have the means to clean it up.

[Thimplum]

I have the aluminium and acrylic from round 1, and then an unopened acrylic from round 2. The aluminium sucks so bad; i polished it up pretty for some pictures but it looks bad right now after heavy use. The acrylic, i hated the clear so much that i used vinyl to cover it.

Clear acrylic to me is just a really bad idea, i know there are some fans, i recognize them, but i think people are getting the ergodox for the functionality and not for looks but would still appreciate a choice of acrylic color/surface.

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

I like the black-clear-black-ect sandwich acrylic.

[daerid]

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

Have you found something better?

[MOZ]

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

Have you found something better?

ErgoGP

[Glod]

Just for the records, I am still glad I have the aluminum. I'm sure it helps protect the finish having it set into a board however. I would want to see Massdrop's new aluminum top plate before I bought it  if I didn't have the means to clean it up.

i didn't have the proper tools to clean it up like you did you did an amazing job.

This is the best i could do after spending almost an entire day sanding
(see larger version of image to see scratches and stuff)

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

Have you found something better?

i think two is enough lol, when i mean im selling my third i mean i have 3 ergodox and selling 1.

plus things like ErgoGP and possibly other Ergo Boards

[kurplop]

ErgoGP's creator is certainly skilled and prolific. He seems to have all the bases covered from design to distribution. Impressive. I'm curious to hear how well the ergonomics of the drop thumb clusters work.

Regarding aluminum plates-
The plate design needs very tight tolerances to look right but even if they were cut perfect, the open plates ( the plates that are open for input jacks) could be easily be deformed in handling making alignment difficult. Tighter tolerances for the screws would have helped some also.

Glod- I understand your frustration with the scratching (anodizing would help) but that doesn't diminish the fact that you still have a nice looking keyboard there.

[mkawa]

i am making my first test print of dox's STL files for the original case. they will be bright pink, because i know you guys are into that stuff.

they are HUGE though. no idea how they're going to turn out.

[SpAmRaY]

i am making my first test print of dox's STL files for the original case. they will be bright pink, because i know you guys are into that stuff.

they are HUGE though. no idea how they're going to turn out.

pics!!

[MOZ]

i am making my first test print of dox's STL files for the original case. they will be bright pink, because i know you guys are into that stuff.

they are HUGE though. no idea how they're going to turn out.

I saw your post in the 3D printing thread and got excited.

[agodinhost]

I have the aluminium and acrylic from round 1, and then an unopened acrylic from round 2. The aluminium sucks so bad; i polished it up pretty for some pictures but it looks bad right now after heavy use. The acrylic, i hated the clear so much that i used vinyl to cover it.

Clear acrylic to me is just a really bad idea, i know there are some fans, i recognize them, but i think people are getting the ergodox for the functionality and not for looks but would still appreciate a choice of acrylic color/surface.

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

Do you want to sell this acrylic case Glod???
I'm interested!!!
 

[SpAmRaY]

Man I really, really wish right angle TRRS cables weren't impossible to find.

Would this work?

http://www.calradstore.com/55-869b-3.html

[mkawa]

i am making my first test print of dox's STL files for the original case. they will be bright pink, because i know you guys are into that stuff.

they are HUGE though. no idea how they're going to turn out.

pics!!

POTATOOOOO

[Glod]

I have the aluminium and acrylic from round 1, and then an unopened acrylic from round 2. The aluminium sucks so bad; i polished it up pretty for some pictures but it looks bad right now after heavy use. The acrylic, i hated the clear so much that i used vinyl to cover it.

Clear acrylic to me is just a really bad idea, i know there are some fans, i recognize them, but i think people are getting the ergodox for the functionality and not for looks but would still appreciate a choice of acrylic color/surface.

whatever, done buying ergodoxes lol, selling my third one soon.

Do you want to sell this acrylic case Glod???
I'm interested!!!
 

I'm going to be selling assembled most likely, really want to help out someone who doesn't have ability to assemble one but really wants one.

currently missing parts right now though for it, somehow lost the diodes, expander, TRRS cable, TRRS connector and bolts/nuts. Once i find those or buy new ones im gonna put it up in the classified

i am making my first test print of dox's STL files for the original case. they will be bright pink, because i know you guys are into that stuff.

they are HUGE though. no idea how they're going to turn out.

pics!!

POTATOOOOO

hell yeah! is this more of an experiment or something that could possibly be sold? the shapeways version is expensive as **** http://www.shapeways.com/search?q=ergodox

[agodinhost]

I'm going to be selling assembled most likely, really want to help out someone who doesn't have ability to assemble one but really wants one.

I do understand and I do agree, no problem at all.
 

i am making my first test print of dox's STL files for the original case. they will be bright pink, because i know you guys are into that stuff.

they are HUGE though. no idea how they're going to turn out.

pics!!

POTATOOOOO

I'm planning to print the ergodox case but I'm not sure IF my unfinished printer will have a good quality for these amount of bridges I saw.
Gosh!
Pray brothers! Pray!

[daerid]

OMG thank the LORD they pre-soldered the pins to the Teensy this time.

[Glod]

heh heh heh

i wonder if massdrop will sell the aluminium top plate seperate, im sure some would want it, hell id grab it.

[daerid]

Show Image

heh heh heh

i wonder if massdrop will sell the aluminium top plate seperate, im sure some would want it, hell id grab it.

Same here! Although I'd prefer a black anodized top plate

[Glod]

Show Image

heh heh heh

i wonder if massdrop will sell the aluminium top plate seperate, im sure some would want it, hell id grab it.

Same here! Although I'd prefer a black anodized top plate

black or grey hell yeah. Someone want to volunteer to email MassDrop about selling these separate?

[vun]

Hmm.. Debating whether or not I should get another one, even though I haven't gotten mine from the last drop yet.
Would be nice to have one normal and one full-hand one, maybe with alu top depending on finish.

[Latin00032]

Show Image

heh heh heh

i wonder if massdrop will sell the aluminium top plate seperate, im sure some would want it, hell id grab it.

Same here! Although I'd prefer a black anodized top plate

black or grey hell yeah. Someone want to volunteer to email MassDrop about selling these separate?

I posted 2 messages on the massdrop forum about getting just the aluminum top plate.

I haven't gotten any answers yet.

Maybe some one else can help us with this.

[vatin]

Is the gold plated for real?
Yeah I would to get just the aluminum plate.

[mikelanding]

I sent an email asking about purchase alu top plate alone a moment ago. Hope can get some reply.
By the way, any Ergodox user with Full Hand case want to swap to Full hand case? I have 2 Ergodox (Fullhand and Classic). I prefer the fullhand. My classic with lubed Red switch now idling

[MOZ]

Poll for Aluminum Top Plate Only: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/unnamed-poll-61

[sordna]

Man I really, really wish right angle TRRS cables weren't impossible to find.

Would this work?

http://www.calradstore.com/55-869b-3.html

I think it should, great find!

[Lawngahnome]

Not sure if there's a different thread for stuff like this, but...

I got my ergodox kit today. Funny story, I wanted the dox with the cherry reds, so I purchased a different keyboard with the reds so I could harvest the switches for the ergodox. Well I got the other keyboard about a month ago, and I love it. Now I have a kit, and don't want it.

Anyone out there interested in buying a full hand kit (no switches or keycaps)? I'll sell it for the $155 I paid, and I'll eat the cost of the shipping. I'm in the US, so shipping priority somewhere else in the states should be easy. I'm not sure what the best way to exchange money would be, but we can work something out.

[Zustiur]

Woo, I'm in!
I've elected to build it myself, and I'm hoping that decision doesn't come back to bite me.

I have a cheapish soldering iron, solder and some solder wick. What else should I look at getting prior to the bits arriving?

[MOZ]

Woo, I'm in!
I've elected to build it myself, and I'm hoping that decision doesn't come back to bite me.

I have a cheapish soldering iron, solder and some solder wick. What else should I look at getting prior to the bits arriving?

Better Iron, 63/37 rosin core solder, a soldapult.

[daerid]

I bought a hakko fx-888d specifically for building the ErgoDox

[MOZ]

I'm still a little confused regarding the direction of the diodes (Npt in the switch), the square pad is where the cathode end goes for both the left and right. correct?

As for the LEDs, if I am swapping the location of the resistance and the LED, which LED terminal goes into which hole as the resistor hole doesn't have demarcation for cathode/anode.

[ranska]

I realy love it. Durring many time i have try to make my hown but finally i will buy our. And using it until i finish my own.

Important  question for me.

I didn't see the altgr key on this keyboard.

I want to use my own bepo (french dovrak) on it and i use a lot of altgr key on it.
Is it easy to change the layout to add altgr key ?

[thadood]

I bought a hakko fx-888d specifically for building the ErgoDox

I did the same thing on Friday 

[ic07]

I'm still a little confused regarding the direction of the diodes (Npt in the switch), the square pad is where the cathode end goes for both the left and right. correct?

That is correct.

As for the LEDs, if I am swapping the location of the resistance and the LED, which LED terminal goes into which hole as the resistor hole doesn't have demarcation for cathode/anode.

See  circuit-diagram.svg, and near the end of this documentation.  The anode should be closest to the Teensy.

I didn't see the altgr key on this keyboard.

I believe that "right alt" is what "alt gr" is called in US layouts.  Names for keys were taken from the USB specification, which seems to use the US names for most things.

Is it easy to change the layout to add altgr key ?

As easy as adding a "right alt" key to your layout, unless I'm mistaken

[MOZ]

Thanks ic07.

I figured the diodes, only the  switched, LED and Teensy left. I'd forgotten to get breakout pins :/

[SubGothius]

I'm still a little confused regarding the direction of the diodes (Npt in the switch), the square pad is where the cathode end goes for both the left and right. correct?

Correct, the cathode end of the diode with the line gets soldered to the square pad on the PCB. For SMD diodes, you would  look for the square pad for thru-hole diodes and use the SMD pad that's connected to that. Also note that the diode orientation is mirror-imaged for each hand.

As for the LEDs, if I am swapping the location of the resistance and the LED, which LED terminal goes into which hole as the resistor hole doesn't have demarcation for cathode/anode.

The LED cathodes (shorter leg) would go into each hole furthest away from the Teensy. See the last paragraph and photo in this post for other important considerations:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=22780.msg903055#msg903055

[MOZ]

Also note that the diode orientation is mirror-imaged for each hand.

Why you do this, I am confused again 

The LED cathodes (shorter leg) would go into each hole furthest away from the Teensy. See the last paragraph and photo in this post for other important considerations:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=22780.msg903055#msg903055

And this is for all three LEDs?

[pocketdrummer]

Here you go. I put them in but one side popped out because the wedge that normally grabs the underside of the plate (on normal keyboards with thin plates) needs to be filed off so it becomes like the red portion in the photo you provided in another thread:

Show Image

Can you show pictures of what you did to get the stabilizers to work? I just bought an ergodox, and I know I'm going to want to remove all the wiggle I possibly can.

Just FYI... I used a small Dremel Engraving Cutter with a round cutter to make a dent inside each slot at both ends.  I am surprised at how well the stab mount works now.  No need to file/cut off the snap.

[thisMoment]

Man I really, really wish right angle TRRS cables weren't impossible to find.

Would this work?

http://www.calradstore.com/55-869b-3.html

I think it should, great find!

Show Image

This website has a minimum purchase of $25 (~3 cables)

Would anyone be interested in getting together to get some of these?

[thadood]

Just got my two Ergodoxen from GB3 in the mail today!

[wiredPANDA]

So, question to the builders in the community.  From a soldering perspective what do I need to make sure I have (at a minimum) to get started on the build?

Solder iron
Solder wire .20
Desoldering (iron/braid/soldapullt)

Would I need anything else to get started on the builds?

[kurplop]

While not necessary, I found a rosin flux pen helpful to guarantee a good solder flow.

Fine pointed tweezers for locating the smd's.

Have fun!

[wiredPANDA]

Thanks, kurplop.

Slowly trying to pickup everything I need. Considering how long I've been lurking/posting on GH, I'm surprised I didn't pick up the soldering gear earlier. 

Now's as good a time as any.

[thadood]

Now, to find some 63/27 solder locally..

[wiredPANDA]

I'll probably end up ordering it online and having it shipped in.

[SubGothius]

Also note that the diode orientation is mirror-imaged for each hand.

Why you do this, I am confused again 

I just meant that the cathodes are oriented towards the left on one hand's PCB vs. oriented towards the right on the other hand's PCB. Some people have caused a problem when they soldered the diodes on both hands all pointed in the same direction, which caused one hand to not work.

The LED cathodes (shorter leg) would go into each hole furthest away from the Teensy. See the last paragraph and photo in this post for other important considerations:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=22780.msg903055#msg903055

And this is for all three LEDs?

Yes, that is correct.

Now, to find some 63/27 solder locally..

Think you meant 63/37? Radio Shack has .022" 62/36/2 (Sn/Pb/Ag) solder that I found quite easy to work with, perfect for the job.

[Glod]

so any longer time users of the ergodox have problems with the usb port almost breaking off?

I kept thinking the reason my ergodox would spaz out was because of the TRRS cable but then i noticed what should have been obvious to me, the usb port was wobbling like crazy, i re flowed but it didn't fix it, i had to replace with a new WM17115-N and now it works great. i guess because i was disconnecting and reconnecting alot and moving around the ergodox to different positions it was too abusive to the connector. It reminds me of the issue common with the Rosewill RK9000 though this looks to me more of me being abusive and no fault of the connector massdrop provided.

[MOZ]

Is it  possible to desolder the mini usb on the teensy and use ribbon cable to attach it to the right hand pcb?

How about joining the  two halves with a soldered at both ends ribbon cables. Asking cause my trrs connectors might take some time coming.

[tp4tissue]

Are media keys working yet?
 

[Larken]

so any longer time users of the ergodox have problems with the usb port almost breaking off?

I kept thinking the reason my ergodox would spaz out was because of the TRRS cable but then i noticed what should have been obvious to me, the usb port was wobbling like crazy, i re flowed but it didn't fix it, i had to replace with a new WM17115-N and now it works great. i guess because i was disconnecting and reconnecting alot and moving around the ergodox to different positions it was too abusive to the connector. It reminds me of the issue common with the Rosewill RK9000 though this looks to me more of me being abusive and no fault of the connector massdrop provided.

been disconnecting mine on a daily basis (I move my keyboard somewhere else while I eat lunch at my desk) - nothing of the sort happened. But I did put on a little bit more solder on the usb port than usual, the same for the 3.5mm jack ports. Perhaps a more permanent solution would be a drop of superglue under those jacks and usb port if you ever have a problem with it again - though glue might complicate things if you ever need to replace those parts.

The thing about the ergodox design is that there's several points of possible failure that needs to be looked at if the keyboard ever 'spaz out'. Could be anything from the I/O expander, teensy, the 3.5 mm jacks, the trrs cable, the usb jack/cable.