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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: phosphoric on Thu, 14 January 2016, 12:22:35

Title: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Thu, 14 January 2016, 12:22:35: i'm not sure what layout this is called - essentially the same layout as a pok3r, but with the right shift split in a manner similar to the hhkb.

my question is, are there any pcbs that support leds with this layout? i was looking at the gh60 earlier and stumbled upon the satan gh60, but it seems like there were a lot of issues with the satan's leds in its programming. does anybody know what controller the satan gh60 uses? i know the gh60 uses atmega32u4, but i don't see anything regarding the satan gh60. is there also a place where i can buy a plate for the pure layout? or would i need to mill it out myself? any links would be helpful. one last question, too: would the .hex generated by hasu's keymap builder for his alps64 pcb work on an atmega32u4 microcontroller? i don't know anything about manually making my own layout and could barely figure out my teensy adb>usb converter :-[
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: merlin64 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 13:23:01: I prefer this layout myself.

These are what I know off the top of my head

PCBs:
Hasu's ALPS PCB
GON Nerd60
Sprit
GH60
Satan GH60
AMJ60 Pro
Winkeyless B.Face

I would like to know of others myself.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: flabbergast on Thu, 14 January 2016, 13:44:49: I don't think I've seen a PCB that doesn't support that layout; AFAIK satanGH60 does. Satan GH60 uses also atmega32u4. The "universal" plates support this layout (e.g. from LeandreN's GB, or the one on massdrop).

The point about firmwares is that: yes, any firmware for atmega32u4 will run on another atmega32u4; but different PCBs are wired differently, so if you use firmware intended for alps64 PCB it won't produce a usable keyboard with another PCB. For satan GH60, you'll need to compile TMK (or maybe by now one of the Chinese guys has produced a web GUI configurator...)

EDIT: Just to add, I've used another PCB from taobao, Red Scarf II, also atmega32u4-based; it does support this layout.
Another one like this is the S60 from massdrop (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/sentraq-60-diy-keyboard-kit).
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: inanis on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:14:46: Split right shift and split backspace - these two things are crucial to me. Also, HHKB layout is best layout. :)

Most 60%standalone PCBs support this - like GON, Winkeyless, Infinity, Spirt, whatever you want. And most aftermarket plates do as well. Full sized right shift is a waste of space.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:28:40: There is currently a pretty weak interest check on /r/MK right now for a case for a poker that would close off the areas that are exposed when doing a HHKB layout on a universal 60% plate.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/40w0uk/interest_check_hhkb_style_60_case/

I know Connly33 used this PCB so you could probably PM him about the LEDs but he didn't do the layout you are looking for.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78552.0
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: merlin64 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:59:08: Out of curiosity anyone know why it is a called a SATAN GH60?
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 15:12:17: I dont know the SATAN portion, but I know the GH60 is just a "marketing" tool to bite off the popularity of geekhack GBs and the actual GH60 PCB
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: merlin64 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 15:22:52: Thanks, I just updated my list of 60% pcbs for OP.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: kiwi99 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:30:27: Quote from: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 15:12:17
I dont know the SATAN portion, but I know the GH60 is just a "marketing" tool to bite off the popularity of geekhack GBs and the actual GH60 PCB

I think its a translation/typo issue, I've seen similar posts on taobao with Satin PBC maybe referring to the finish?
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:31:14: Quote from: kiwi99 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:30:27
Quote from: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 15:12:17
I dont know the SATAN portion, but I know the GH60 is just a "marketing" tool to bite off the popularity of geekhack GBs and the actual GH60 PCB

I think its a translation/typo issue, I've seen similar posts on taobao with Satin PBC maybe referring to the finish?

they literally printed SATAN in gold letters on the PCB though
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: kiwi99 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:38:07: Quote from: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:31:14
Quote from: kiwi99 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:30:27
Quote from: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 15:12:17
I dont know the SATAN portion, but I know the GH60 is just a "marketing" tool to bite off the popularity of geekhack GBs and the actual GH60 PCB

I think its a translation/typo issue, I've seen similar posts on taobao with Satin PBC maybe referring to the finish?

they literally printed SATAN in gold letters on the PCB though
Haha then I have no clue
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Thu, 14 January 2016, 18:54:45: Chinese Satanists I guess ;D
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: VinnyCordeiro on Fri, 15 January 2016, 05:05:35: Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:59:08
Out of curiosity anyone know why it is a called a SATAN GH60?
A Chinese company (I guess?) made a clone of the GH60 and called it Satan GH60 (http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20160115030523&SearchText=satan+gh60). Why? I don't have any idea.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: flabbergast on Fri, 15 January 2016, 07:09:18: Quote from: VinnyCordeiro on Fri, 15 January 2016, 05:05:35
Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:59:08
Out of curiosity anyone know why it is a called a SATAN GH60?
A Chinese company (I guess?) made a clone of the GH60 and called it Satan GH60 (http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20160115030523&SearchText=satan+gh60). Why? I don't have any idea.
Well, it's not actually a clone of any version of GH60. It looks like they started with GH60 verB (I mean the one before the final one), but made several changes (notably added LED support). I think it's really badly named... but All your base are belong to us...
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:03:46: thanks everybody! i think i'm gonna go with a satan gh60 and try working with leds. i wasn't aware that universal plates actually meant UNIVERSAL, but now i know better.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:10:23: Awesome, I bought one off eBay about two weeks ago from this person.
It has since gone down in price by 10 dollars.
I have yet to receive it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SATAN-pre-soldered-DIY-GH60-Keyboard-PCB-support-Breathing-LED-60-cherry-MX-/272032784852?hash=item3f566ae1d4:g:o-oAAOSw~bFWNQs4
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: merlin64 on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:25:09: Oh nice, from Taiwan. I visit every now and then, perhaps the next time I fly down I'll purchase a few to bring here.

Please report back when you have your build!
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:30:36: Quote from: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:10:23
Awesome, I bought one off eBay about two weeks ago from this person.
It has since gone down in price by 10 dollars.
I have yet to receive it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SATAN-pre-soldered-DIY-GH60-Keyboard-PCB-support-Breathing-LED-60-cherry-MX-/272032784852?hash=item3f566ae1d4:g:o-oAAOSw~bFWNQs4

thanks for the link! that's a really good price. now to source a plate, case, and choose switches and keycaps.... decisions are honestly the hardest part of a custom keyboard
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:42:16: Quote from: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:30:36
Quote from: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:10:23
Awesome, I bought one off eBay about two weeks ago from this person.
It has since gone down in price by 10 dollars.
I have yet to receive it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SATAN-pre-soldered-DIY-GH60-Keyboard-PCB-support-Breathing-LED-60-cherry-MX-/272032784852?hash=item3f566ae1d4:g:o-oAAOSw~bFWNQs4

thanks for the link! that's a really good price. now to source a plate, case, and choose switches and keycaps.... decisions are honestly the hardest part of a custom keyboard

Absolutely,
I went with a LeandreN plate and a cheapo case from Aliexpress
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: wockytocky on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:54:54: Quote from: inanis on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:14:46
Split right shift and split backspace - these two things are crucial to me. Also, HHKB layout is best layout. :)

Most 60%standalone PCBs support this - like GON, Winkeyless, Infinity, Spirt, whatever you want. And most aftermarket plates do as well. Full sized right shift is a waste of space.

Do all of these also support leds though? I don't think the infinity does, for one
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: inanis on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:55:32: Quote from: wockytocky on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:54:54
Quote from: inanis on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:14:46
Split right shift and split backspace - these two things are crucial to me. Also, HHKB layout is best layout. :)

Most 60%standalone PCBs support this - like GON, Winkeyless, Infinity, Spirt, whatever you want. And most aftermarket plates do as well. Full sized right shift is a waste of space.

Do all of these also support leds though? I don't think the infinity does, for one
Infinity doesn't, the rest do.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 14:56:02: Quote from: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:42:16
Quote from: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:30:36
Quote from: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 13:10:23
Awesome, I bought one off eBay about two weeks ago from this person.
It has since gone down in price by 10 dollars.
I have yet to receive it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SATAN-pre-soldered-DIY-GH60-Keyboard-PCB-support-Breathing-LED-60-cherry-MX-/272032784852?hash=item3f566ae1d4:g:o-oAAOSw~bFWNQs4

thanks for the link! that's a really good price. now to source a plate, case, and choose switches and keycaps.... decisions are honestly the hardest part of a custom keyboard

Absolutely,
I went with a LeandreN plate and a cheapo case from Aliexpress

what switches? i was thinking gateron red bc i don't have a keyboard with red switches. my modded cream-damped alps are supposed to be 70 cn of force but they feel much lighter than 70 cn so i'm thinking of going a lighter switch... but also thinking of going clicky.... so :'(
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 15:11:50: I have Gateron browns that I put sip sockets into last night in anticipation for all the parts.
Another user on GH has given me some Cherry clears that Ill be using for my stabilized switches, cause why not.
I should have about 65 Brown Gaterons leftover if I dont fudge it up.

Gaterons browns are a bit lighter than cherry AFAIK.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 17:22:17: would you recommend putting in sip sockets if i don't anticipate changing out the leds? i don't think there are many advantages to sip sockets otherwise, are there?
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 20:02:15: yeah thats the only advantage i know of.. honestly theyre a ***** to put in so just skip them
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Fri, 15 January 2016, 20:20:14: sounds good lolol. i honestly rarely even use leds but having them to show off my backlit keyboards to my non-enthusiast friends feels pretty ****in good.
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: Moistgun on Fri, 15 January 2016, 20:59:04: :))
I feel like a loser for liking LEDs but whatever!
I also don't have any artisans.

Different strokes for different folks
Title: Re: questions about building a custom 60% board with split right shift/fn
Post by: phosphoric on Mon, 18 January 2016, 13:57:53: i mean, leds are cool but i really don't see any point in installing them outside of an aesthetic realm as i touch type. i don't own any artisans either - unless a couple of sadsters can be called "artisans." i'd love to own a couple, but i can't justify spending more than $5 on what is essentially a small piece of plastic