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Author Topic: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction  (Read 2309 times)

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Offline evancorylevine

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Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:17:28 »
Good morning!

Like I said, I'm an advanced electronics builder (I build a lot of audio electronics: synthesizers, guitar pedals, amps) and I'm looking to make myself a keyboard or two.

I would really like a split keyboard that's backlit. What I need to know is how to do this cheaply.

I can do all kinds of soldering, including SMT. I just need a solid (decently documented) design, a BOM, and some sources for parts.

What do you all think?

e!
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Offline tp4tissue

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:19:46 »
--Ergodox Infinity--
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Offline evancorylevine

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:33:05 »
Quote from: tp4tissue on Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:19:46
--Ergodox Infinity--

Hahahah well... of course that's what seemed the most exciting in my searches. I haven't been able to find a simple BOM and parts sources, though, yet.

Is there documentation on how to build one cheaply somewhere? All I'm seeing is very expensive options.
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Offline evancorylevine

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:36:59 »
okay. now that I'm looking at ergodox.io I'm seeing that everything is really laid out for me. Where can I source my parts most cheaply? I'm used to Mouser, Newark, etc, but not the keyboard specific parts
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Offline evancorylevine

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:38:41 »
Is there a mouser cart I can grab somewhere before I start making one?
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:50:29 »
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Offline evancorylevine

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 09:07:42 »
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:50:29
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95196.msg2593996.0

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

That looks awesome! Now how do I get the parts/build one!?
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 09:20:55 »
Quote from: evancorylevine on Fri, 27 July 2018, 09:07:42
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Fri, 27 July 2018, 08:50:29
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95196.msg2593996.0

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

That looks awesome! Now how do I get the parts/build one!?
Probably have to contact the person who ran the group buy and ask about extras or try and find someone selling theirs.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

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Offline hineybush

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 09:37:07 »
You could piece your own kit together if you wanted. Do you do PCB design? If so you could do it the "hard way" and start from the ground up.

QMK (firmware) is pretty good for split boards, and supports underglow/backlight. The learning curve isn't horrible if you have experience with coding and flashing. As far as parts go, if you design your own PCB you can obviously generate your own BOM with the packages/specs you decide on. Others have published their designs/BOMs/etc on github in some instances, but I can't get you any direct links for those atm. There's a few PCB tutorials around 1 and 2 that can get you off on the right foot.

Discord servers are a good place to ask questions too, the "official" r/mk one (most active users iirc) is pretty good for low/mid level questions (you can PM me on there if you'd like, I'm @hineybush#0069). There's many experienced PCB designers there including myself who don't have issues with helping out.

As far as going from the Ergodox link, Mouser/Digikey are good. For bulk components like resistors, caps, etc check out LCSC.
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Offline tp4tissue

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 09:53:45 »
Dactyl is the most exciting board right now IMHO.

Overall, I'm not yet convinced such a deep bowl shape is good for tented orientation.

It's exciting because you can go in and edit that to whatever concave / position you want.


Ergodox is mostly fleshed out.. the Thumb cluster is of contention,

Mostly a NON-Issue (My experience as a long term ErgoXclusive user),

The fight over the thumb cluster has been overblown by bad-typists with bad habits, who have an unwillingness to learn some new moves.. hahahaha


-- But, I have to mention it-- because if someone isn't very coordinated/ or have lesser hand-dexterity in general..  changing/ adopting new typing habits may be cumbersome.



This is the best budget option



https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z09.2.0.0.78cd3e76Pjrx4y&id=526316023548&_u=h2vv737kd3d4
« Last Edit: Fri, 27 July 2018, 10:04:01 by tp4tissue »
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Offline ag36

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #10 on: Fri, 27 July 2018, 17:39:46 »
I recommend ergodox ez because infinity is a bit hard to get.
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Offline Bigaku

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 18:40:58 »
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HHKB Pro 2 With GMK Space Cadet
Colorways I'm supporting

Offline tp4tissue

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 19:50:56 »
Quote from: Bigaku on Sat, 04 August 2018, 18:40:58
For an iris keyboard from Keeb.io it's $17.99 + $24.99 + $7.99 + $14.99 + $39.99 = $105.95 + tax and shippping
Part List:
https://keeb.io/products/iris-keyboard-split-ergonomic-keyboard?variant=2650673709086
https://keeb.io/products/pro-micro-5v-16mhz-arduino-compatible-atmega32u4
https://keeb.io/products/iris-keyboard-case-plates?variant=6689512914974
http://www.switchtop.com/product/gateron-switches * 56
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2351
Only thing else is the cables


This is a nice set..

Keep in mind,, Make sure you can do with so few keys..

For me,, I actually think the ergodox could use another row for convenience.
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Offline Findecanor

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Re: Advanced Electronics Builder - New To Keyboards - Looking For Some Direction
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 20:37:37 »
Some info that was missing: ErgoDox is an open design with parts from different companies. ErgoDox EZ is a brand of ready-made ErgoDoxen.
Input.Club's ErgoDox Infinity has the same layout as ErgoDox but is not compatible with the original design.
ErgoDox Infinity has backlighting but the original ErgoDox design does not.
There is a schema somewhere with added backlighting to the original ErgoDox but I have not seen it built.
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