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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 12:33:23

Title: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 12:33:23

Hey,
I am just getting started to make my very own keyboard, it's just a small project and I want to add 5 cherry mx red switches on my keyboard.
I want every key to be programmable and can be programmed using some kind of s/w. Please help me out in this.

Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: Kilgarah on Wed, 04 July 2018, 12:34:07

What keyboard do you currently have that you want to add to?

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Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 12:35:44

Hey, I want to make a keyboard of my own

Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: Kilgarah on Wed, 04 July 2018, 12:40:51

Quote from: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 12:35:44

Hey, I want to make a keyboard of my own

Alright, so easiest way will be to handwire 5 keys up to a pro micro. You'll need diodes (1N4148), switches, a pro micro, wire, and some soldering experience. Alternatively, you could design a PCB if that's more up your alley. Here's Matt3o's guide to handwiring. I'd start there.

https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/brownfox-step-by-step-t6050.html


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Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 16:16:13

can you suggest some good USB/Bluetooth based controllers? that's the last part to figure out after my research.

Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: hineybush on Wed, 04 July 2018, 16:23:25

Pro micro, from Sparkfun or a knock off from eBay. Something with the ATMEGA32U4 controller would be easiest.

Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 16:32:12

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-New-Pro-Micro-for-arduino-ATmega32U4-5V-16MHz-Module-with-2-row-pin-header/1348800135.html
found one here and it is cheap and new!

Title: Re: Want to make a programmable mechanical keyboard
Post by: Kilgarah on Wed, 04 July 2018, 16:34:38

Quote from: bak3d on Wed, 04 July 2018, 16:32:12

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-New-Pro-Micro-for-arduino-ATmega32U4-5V-16MHz-Module-with-2-row-pin-header/1348800135.html
found one here and it is cheap and new!

Yep, that'll work! It's what's used in most non-SMD builds these days. Good luck!

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