[IC] Clunker - 40% with half numrow, knob, and solenoid

[MechWild]

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IC Form

Hey, what’s up. It’s MechWild again with another fun, affordable board. We are proud to introduce you all to the Clunker, a 40% board with half a number row, knob, and a solenoid.

And what’s a solenoid you may be asking? We have a video recorded just for you demonstrating a solenoid on the Clunker.

Group Buy Details

• Price: 50 USD
  
• Dates: May 13th to June 6th
  
• Vendor: MechWild
  
• Product Page: Clunker
  
• Fulfillment Period: 10 weeks after GB end
  

Prototype

Features:

• Pro micro powered
  
• QMK/VIA/VIAL support
  
• Mandatory encoder
  
• Acrylic guard lets you see under the hood
  
• Clunk clunk goes the solenoid
  

VERY roughly based on the Van and its spinoffs. It is like a van that is making a questionable noise. You know, like a clunker.

Clunker go brrrrrr

The base kit includes:

• Switch plate, PCB, bottom plate
  
• All assembly hardware
  
• Encoder and knob
  
• Pro Micro and solenoid
  
• Rubber bumpons
  

We will be offering our usual assortment of extra parts on the product listing (MillMax sockets, extra diodes, etc.).

Layouts

Thank you for checking out this post. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. We love you.

IC Form again.

[Alejo1707]

So weird I want it! Plus, split space bar gang forevah <3

[nickthaskater]

God I love this. I want a bigger solenoid for more thump in my clunk and USB-C as standard (time to let micro die it's worthy death).

[BrokenFlows]

I love this! I’ve been looking for something with a solenoid I love the half-num-row and the knob. It seems like a really fun board!

With it being Pro Micro powered, would that allow a nice!nano to work as well? I’m nearly all in on ZMK at this point, so that would be a great plus.

[questcraft]

Nice colour, I like 
Dont combine international kits plz, thx 

[Faceman76]

I need this so I can drive everyone crazy at work.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[moistbobo]

finally, the ultimate board to annoy my coworkers with

[sillyworld]

God I love this. I want a bigger solenoid for more thump in my clunk and USB-C as standard (time to let micro die it's worthy death).

FWIW, this will be compatible with the longer USB C pro micro boards.

[sillyworld]

I love this! I’ve been looking for something with a solenoid I love the half-num-row and the knob. It seems like a really fun board!

With it being Pro Micro powered, would that allow a nice!nano to work as well? I’m nearly all in on ZMK at this point, so that would be a great plus.

Yes, it will be able to be powered by the nice!nano HOWEVER (and this is a big list of caveats) solenoids use a LOT of juice that the nice!nano won't like, the electromagnetic ****ery of the solenoid itself might interfere with wireless connection, you'd need a beefy battery, and I don't think that ZMK supports solenoids currently.

If you don't want to use the solenoid, sure, the nice!nano would work.

That being said, the real answer is "yes, but also no"

[ggggggg]

Is the solenoid striking fr4 or the acrylic guard somehow? And would if be feasible to have it strike a different material? Like an eraser if you need to type on the DL, or a tiny wine glass for toasting purposes?

I wanna make it hit backspace lol

[MechWild]

Is the solenoid striking fr4 or the acrylic guard somehow? And would if be feasible to have it strike a different material? Like an eraser if you need to type on the DL, or a tiny wine glass for toasting purposes?

I wanna make it hit backspace lol

It is not hitting anything in the video, that is the raw, uncut solenoid in action. You can always jury rig something with zip ties and/or duct tape, like on a beat up car.

[psxndc]

I love this (yay ISO Row 4), but can't behind the 1.75u enter, or more specifically, the right hand lacking the semicolon/pinky alpha key.

I love my Romeo keyboard, but can't use it for this singular reason (which you fixed on the Mercutio!)

[BrokenFlows]

I love this! I’ve been looking for something with a solenoid I love the half-num-row and the knob. It seems like a really fun board!

With it being Pro Micro powered, would that allow a nice!nano to work as well? I’m nearly all in on ZMK at this point, so that would be a great plus.

Yes, it will be able to be powered by the nice!nano HOWEVER (and this is a big list of caveats) solenoids use a LOT of juice that the nice!nano won't like, the electromagnetic ****ery of the solenoid itself might interfere with wireless connection, you'd need a beefy battery, and I don't think that ZMK supports solenoids currently.

If you don't want to use the solenoid, sure, the nice!nano would work.

That being said, the real answer is "yes, but also no"

I appreciate the detailed response! Thank you very much. I’ll have a think then. I’d love to have the solenoid and ZMK, but I understand the tradeoffs better now. I’m happy to have more information to make the decision between firmwares and controllers with.

[ggggggg]

I love this (yay ISO Row 4), but can't behind the 1.75u enter, or more specifically, the right hand lacking the semicolon/pinky alpha key.

I love my Romeo keyboard, but can't use it for this singular reason (which you fixed on the Mercutio!)

I usually put it on enter on a layer (that I get to holding space). You could also combo L + enter.

[Arcoril]

I'd really love more options for the bottom row. I'd personally like to put the 2u and 2.75u keys next to each other and have the 1u off to the right of the 2.75u.

As mentioned before, I'd also really like to have my pinky resting on a semicolon instead of the enter but I suppose that would be difficult to do without changing the stagger or widening the board.

[psxndc]

As mentioned before, I'd also really like to have my pinky resting on a semicolon instead of the enter but I suppose that would be difficult to do without changing the stagger or widening the board.

I was suggesting they give they option of a split Enter like the mercutio. Wouldn’t need to change the stagger or widening the board.

https://i0.wp.com/mechwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mercutio_kle_sizes.png?resize=980%2C367&ssl=1

[Arcoril]

As mentioned before, I'd also really like to have my pinky resting on a semicolon instead of the enter but I suppose that would be difficult to do without changing the stagger or widening the board.

I was suggesting they give they option of a split Enter like the mercutio. Wouldn’t need to change the stagger or widening the board.

https://i0.wp.com/mechwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mercutio_kle_sizes.png?resize=980%2C367&ssl=1

The Mercutio uses a 2.25 enter but this one is a 1.75u. It would need to be extended .25u so that it could be split into two 1u keys. Alternatively the stagger for that row would have to be moved to the left by the same amount.

[Faceman76]

As mentioned before, I'd also really like to have my pinky resting on a semicolon instead of the enter but I suppose that would be difficult to do without changing the stagger or widening the board.

I was suggesting they give they option of a split Enter like the mercutio. Wouldn’t need to change the stagger or widening the board.

https://i0.wp.com/mechwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mercutio_kle_sizes.png?resize=980%2C367&ssl=1

The Mercutio uses a 2.25 enter but this one is a 1.75u. It would need to be extended .25u so that it could be split into two 1u keys. Alternatively the stagger for that row would have to be moved to the left by the same amount.

Moving all 3 alpha rows to the left by .25 and splitting the enter key does seem like a great idea.  TBH, other than space bars and the delete key, I feel all keys should be 1u.  Anything else is a waste of space. 

One build where the delete key was a 1u, I used a taller profile cap for ease of access. 

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[Arcoril]

Moving all 3 alpha rows to the left by .25 and splitting the enter key does seem like a great idea.  TBH, other than space bars and the delete key, I feel all keys should be 1u.  Anything else is a waste of space. 

I'd personally rather see the board extended than have the stagger changed. There are lots of people who'd be really put off by any non-standard stagger. Still, I'm keeping an open mind. If no changes can be made at this point I'd be willing to give the layout a try even though it's not my preference.

[psxndc]

As mentioned before, I'd also really like to have my pinky resting on a semicolon instead of the enter but I suppose that would be difficult to do without changing the stagger or widening the board.

I was suggesting they give they option of a split Enter like the mercutio. Wouldn’t need to change the stagger or widening the board.

https://i0.wp.com/mechwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mercutio_kle_sizes.png?resize=980%2C367&ssl=1

The Mercutio uses a 2.25 enter but this one is a 1.75u. It would need to be extended .25u so that it could be split into two 1u keys. Alternatively the stagger for that row would have to be moved to the left by the same amount.

I totally didn’t realize that. My bad. Thanks for the explanation!

[MechWild]

Hey you guys, we've added some more layout options and decided some GB details. Updated details will be added to the original post.

Thank you for all the support!

[Backspace2]

I'm a big fan  Gonna learn soldering just to build this!

[Arcoril]

Hey you guys, we've added some more layout options and decided some GB details. Updated details will be added to the original post.

Thank you for all the support!

Welp. I'm getting like three of these now. Split enter is perfection and the 1-6 keys will let me game in a way that I couldn't with the Mercutio. Solenoid will give me new and creative ways of annoying the hell out of everyone around me. Love the changes!

[psxndc]

Split enter is perfection and the 1-6 keys will let me game in a way that I couldn't with the Mercutio.

But it's not a spilt enter, it's a split right shift. Or am I missing something?

[Arcoril]

Split enter is perfection and the 1-6 keys will let me game in a way that I couldn't with the Mercutio.

But it's not a spilt enter, it's a split right shift. Or am I missing something?

No, you’re totally right. I was off by a row. Still love the board especially with the bottom row options. I’ll just have to get used to resting my pinky on enter.

[FiEND]

didnt know i needed this until i saw it. count me in.

[Rob27shred]

Love the naming so much I might grab one & I'm not a 40s guy LOL!

[linell]

I'm gonna clunk so hard
can't wait

[steak7]

This is a really interesting idea mate. So weird that I just might go for it.

[lush_bunny]

What a weird keyboard.
I'm down to buy one.

[Faceman76]

Let's go!!!!

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[Faceman76]

Just pre-ordered!  I can't wait.

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