geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: raizur on Sun, 22 September 2013, 22:49:06
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Hypothetically speaking. If I wanted to undertake building a custom shaped QWERTY, what would the most difficult part be.
I dont mind using a board or 5 and canabilizing them. I have plenty of spare time to learn and prototype.
Some initial thoughts/questions I have are...
How simple would it be to find a mech split keyboard to use the circuitry out of. (considering the inside) Are there famous models that have two seperate pcb in them for R & L hand keys.
I dont want a numb pad as i use a usb ext numb pad.
If canabilization and strait transplant of parts from a manufactured mech board wont work would it be pheasable to make myown circuit
To add N-key rollover is an importance to me. the board shell would be made in a curve similar to the MS NKP but in cabon fibre.
Wireless is absolutely out of the Q. I love never loosing my KB mouse in a cluter......
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How do you feel about the ErgoDox?
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I love the concept but i absolutely need a wave. I have really mucked up hands. the wave of the nkp is the only kb i could use for a long stretch.
unless ofcourse you could make it in a wave format.
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Someone has mounted an ergodox on some adjustable mounts from a kinesis freestyle, would that help? You could also take a look a Kurplop' (rather nice) ergodock.
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Come to think of it, search for Kurplop's keyboard tray, made with wood and an ergodox. It's pretty close to what you are looking for.
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for cannibalization, you'd still have to understand how the keyboard matrix works. someone has done that before on geekhack, with nice results; but you'd still have to know how to wire things up so that whatever firmware you're going to use will take. look at leeku's split boards as an example http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40880.0
the easiest way to achieve a custom physical layout that resembles the wave shape of the NKP would require you to be able to make your own mounting plates for the switches, assuming you're using cherry mx switches, and wire those by hand. Making the plateswould require some cad work and a lasering shop unless you're able to mill your own plates.
From there on, the split design would is tricky - I would suggest looking at the ergodox's wiring, replicating that while arranging the positions of the switches handwiring those. that way, you could reuse the ergodox's firmware on it if you're not able to make your own firmware.
Keep in mind that replicating the 'wave' on the NKP would mean that you wouldn't have the wider keycaps of the NKP to fit on it; ie. there would be gaps between the keys, unless you're going to make your own keycaps.
For curiosity's sake, what is this 'wave' you're talking about? I'm assuming you're referring the way the NKP has the keys wider on the higher rows, and not how the two sides are angled, as the ergodox is able to be angled any way you please. Some clarification would help.
Alternatively, if your pockets runs deep enough, you could contact maltron for a custom job. http://www.maltron.com/component/content/article/214-keyboard-information/465-bespoke-projects
I believe this was a geekhacker too, and (probably mistaken) remember an approximate quote of about 800 bucks for the custom, but best to check maltron.
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It's not really feasible to mod an existing board into an ergonomic one. About the most you can use from an existing board would be some pieces of the mounting plate (if they match your proposed layout) and the switches. I have hacked up a Ducky mount plate to make four separate key mounting plates (one for each main hand section and one for each thumb cluster), but have had to do a lot of work on shaping them and adding bits together. I detail some of it here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47787.msg1029505#msg1029505
And here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48176.msg1049331#msg1049331
I have used the normal horizontal stagger as a vertical stagger instead by rotating the main plate pieces by 90 degrees. It's not quite perfect, but close enough for a prototype.
Now I have the problem of designing a housing and mounting system for the plates.
If you are doing a single keyboard and using mounting plates, you don't need a PCB except for the USB interface. There, you have a choice. You can use a Teensy2.0 or something similar with a custom firmware on (there are quite a few open source firmwares out there which can be used as-is or modified), or an existing keyboard controller if you can figure out the connections.
It's not easy, but it is rewarding :)
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Maybe you can have a fourmer build one for you if you arent too familiar with electronics
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For curiosity's sake, what is this 'wave' you're talking about? I'm assuming you're referring the way the NKP has the keys wider on the higher rows, and not how the two sides are angled, as the ergodox is able to be angled any way you please. Some clarification would help.
For both reasons technically the wider highs and the curved slanting shape on the shell. mostly the shell though i have had my hands on similar shaped board and the keys were same size all the way. i think standard caps. It didnt quiet have the positioning that allows my trashed hands to type properly on.
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I am liking the idea of using a ergodox and custom mounting the keys. the thumb thing with the ergodox is the only thing i dont like. Im not a coder but type alot and do game a decent bit so i rather the standard qwerty lay.
Im gonna beat that one around in my head for a bit.