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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: frogamic on Tue, 10 September 2013, 06:54:05

Title: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: frogamic on Tue, 10 September 2013, 06:54:05: I was recently on Matias' website and came across the half keyboard (http://www.matias.ca/halfkeyboard/index.php). This is extremely expensive, considering you only get half a keyboard, but the idea intrigues me.

Has anyone made their own keyboard like this? It seems like it would cost less and be easier than a full board, and would make a great first project that I might try when I've got some spare time.

Before you ask why I want a half keyboard, it's mainly novelty. I do often use 2 computers at once so it would be cool to have a left and right handed one and type on both at once, or pull one out when making lots of text edits with the mouse. But it wouldn't replace my main board, I've got a couple more ideas for that up my sleeve.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 10 September 2013, 07:05:32: The ErgoDox truely is the answer to half the questions asked on Geekhack, including this one.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 10 September 2013, 07:17:23: Miss tp4 that much huh?

OP check these out:

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/my-diy-keyboard-collection-or-how-i-became-a-kb-geek-t2534.html

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46547.5

Also Binge has suggested that someone could make a one handed keyboard with an Orbweaver.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 10 September 2013, 07:31:31: Eh, no. The ErgoDox is actually quite a good one handed keyboard. If you do decide to build it for one hand only, you will have to make some modifications to the case ti assemble the right hand kit upside down.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:40:25: I have a spare ergoDOX pcb that I'll be modifying to support pcb-mount adapters. I will most probably be using it on top of cardboard. I might upgrade to an aluminium mounting plate if I can find some chap aluminium and a tap. The intended purpose of this is as a gaming pad.

Of course I'll have to enable some sort of full keyboard emulation for it, so I can type savefiles and suchlike without moving a full keybaord over (I'm lazy like that). I'll probably be using some sort of layer-based idea, similar the this below
http://blog.xkcd.com/2007/08/14/mirrorboard-a-one-handed-keyboard-layout-for-the-lazy/

but with a thumbkey to switch.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: metalliqaz on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:43:20: My epsilon firmware supports half keyboard. It works nicely. Phantom and HID Filco support also
It could be extended to support ergodox and gh60. Anything with a teensy really
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: daerid on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:43:23: This is a great idea. Might pick one of the white PCBs up from MechKB to do just this.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 10 September 2013, 18:38:22: Quote from: daerid on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:43:23
This is a great idea. Might pick one of the white PCBs up from MechKB to do just this.

Since they only sell them in pairs, would you care to split a set?
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: frogamic on Wed, 11 September 2013, 00:30:01: Quote from: CPTBadAss on Tue, 10 September 2013, 07:17:23
Miss tp4 that much huh?

OP check these out:

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/my-diy-keyboard-collection-or-how-i-became-a-kb-geek-t2534.html

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46547.5

Also Binge has suggested that someone could make a one handed keyboard with an Orbweaver.

I read that desk authority article not to long ago, that's some amazing work, if only we all had the same access to cheap 3d printers.

Quote from: dorkvader on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:40:25
I have a spare ergoDOX pcb that I'll be modifying to support pcb-mount adapters. I will most probably be using it on top of cardboard. I might upgrade to an aluminium mounting plate if I can find some chap aluminium and a tap. The intended purpose of this is as a gaming pad.

Of course I'll have to enable some sort of full keyboard emulation for it, so I can type savefiles and suchlike without moving a full keybaord over (I'm lazy like that). I'll probably be using some sort of layer-based idea, similar the this below
http://blog.xkcd.com/2007/08/14/mirrorboard-a-one-handed-keyboard-layout-for-the-lazy/

but with a thumbkey to switch.

That's pretty much the exact same concept as the matias, holding the space bar switches to the other hand.

I think I'll start planning a from-scratch board based on the matias board for my first keyboard project. I should really just use an autohotkey script or something but I really want a practical excuse to play with microcontrollers that will also leave me with something cool at the end of it.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: terran5992 on Wed, 11 September 2013, 05:31:37: One handed keyboards

If you know what i mean

(http://images.wikia.com/madnesscombat/images/a/aa/Neutral-if-you-know-what-i-mean-l.png)
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 September 2013, 10:21:59: Quote from: frogamic on Wed, 11 September 2013, 00:30:01
I read that desk authority article not to long ago, that's some amazing work, if only we all had the same access to cheap 3d printers.

Ever talk to mkawa or leslieann? They have 3D printers that you might be able to get time on.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: frogamic on Wed, 11 September 2013, 19:15:32: Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 September 2013, 10:21:59
Quote from: frogamic on Wed, 11 September 2013, 00:30:01
I read that desk authority article not to long ago, that's some amazing work, if only we all had the same access to cheap 3d printers.

Ever talk to mkawa or leslieann? They have 3D printers that you might be able to get time on.

I'm in NZ so shipping is bound to kill any benefit, The last thing I got done at shapeways cost the same to ship as it did to make. I'm looking into a couple of options for local 3D printing though.
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: gargintua on Fri, 13 September 2013, 06:54:32: Quote from: terran5992 on Wed, 11 September 2013, 05:31:37
One handed keyboards

If you know what i mean

Show Image
(http://images.wikia.com/madnesscombat/images/a/aa/Neutral-if-you-know-what-i-mean-l.png)

LOL
Title: Re: DIY one handed keyboards
Post by: daerid on Fri, 13 September 2013, 09:51:41: Quote from: dorkvader on Tue, 10 September 2013, 18:38:22
Quote from: daerid on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:43:23
This is a great idea. Might pick one of the white PCBs up from MechKB to do just this.

Since they only sell them in pairs, would you care to split a set?

Sure. At only $19 a pop that sounds like a good deal :) PM incoming