(https://i.imgur.com/xt6K4pL.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/mVL57lC.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ksSgH5s.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/fIYnKdM.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/J4O8i8t.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/j3lrvdy.jpeg)
Introducing the Split 60
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 :D
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?
EC PCB Confirmed. It is in production currently!
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.
First look photo gallery: https://postimg.cc/gallery/RMPBcP8 (https://postimg.cc/gallery/RMPBcP8)
Discord for updates: https://discord.gg/sbxZQUnfax (https://discord.gg/sbxZQUnfax)
IC Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxAiN4g2FXgBJVsy9CMcoua9onC51ZlNGHPf0AGq83z2p0cQ/viewform (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxAiN4g2FXgBJVsy9CMcoua9onC51ZlNGHPf0AGq83z2p0cQ/viewform)
2nd IC Form: https://forms.gle/7ojK9ECisrVtMZDY9 (https://forms.gle/7ojK9ECisrVtMZDY9)
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
9 March 2025
Prototype 5 done. We're going for one last prototype. EC PCB Done. Pictures done! If you're interested, please fill out both IC forms. Discord will get the most recent updates. This will swap back to 1.5mm plate. Further photos of the protos - https://imgur.com/a/split60-new-proto-uvQzbU1
(https://imgur.com/a/split60-new-proto-uvQzbU1)
14 Jan 2024
Prototype 2 Youtube build done. Pics in progress (currently available in discord).
3rd May 2023
IC Created
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.
Show Image
(https://i.postimg.cc/jdYv5K8m/KLE.png)
wasn't sure about this but the layout options presented here make this quite tempting
2/1 and 1/2/1/1.5 is ideal
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.
Show Image
(https://i.postimg.cc/jdYv5K8m/KLE.png)
What about support for stepped caps?
Also what are the holes in the bottom case for?