My first keyboard, non-staggered

[siriru]

Hello !

I need your help guys for my first project !

I didn't know GH since I google "mechanical orthogonal keyboard". Orthogonal is not the good word but the first answer was this topic : https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71351.0
Project from a french guy, like me, and that's why we do the same mistake ! By the way, i'm very sorry for my poor english. I recently moved to Houston TX, but I need to practice =)

So, my goal is really close to his project. I want to make a non-staggered keyboard, like a mechanical version of the TypeMatrix 2030. At this point, I made the layout. Maybe not the final version. This is the first time I want to make a DIY thing, so I need to understand the whole process of making a keyboard.

- The simple, the layout, with http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ (thanks for this tool, very helpful !)


- I bought Gateron switches from massdrop

- I don't know yet what type of keycaps I want, because of vertical 2u keys. DSA ?

- How to make the case ? I found on GH another great tool you all know : http://builder.swillkb.com/  So what about sandwich case ? Acrylic ? Steel ?

- The most difficult part for me, the electronic part, the PCB
I started with KiCAD, the schematic, footprints...


I currently want to associate footprints with the components I drawn. I use the Github library https://github.com/stormbard/Keyboard.pretty
I need to have a 6u space bar, I need to learn how to do this with KiCAD =)

- The controller, software...

Guys, if you have any advice for this project, even for my poor english, let me know, it would be very much appreciated !

Bye !

[suicidal_orange]

Your English is good, you have some 'second language' quirks but having to use English daily they will fade

I really like this layout, people go with 60% boards to save width on their desk but why not have an extra row above.


Looking at keycaps there are vertical 2u keys used in all profiles - the Enter and + keys in the number pad.  In SA these are usually row 3 caps (flat top) but as this is a custom board you might like to use ones which slope up on the outer edge as pinky fingers are short.  DSA would work as they're all flat, not sure what the other profiles use but they do exist.  It's hard enough to find AZERTY caps let alone BEPO so I guess you'll be using blanks, so anything is possible.

Next the PCB - do you really need one?  Were you planning on getting it made or etching it yourself?  A single PCB from a factory is expensive as they have to set everything up the same is if they were making 100.  Instead if you don't mind plate mount stabilisers and go with a steel plate you could handwire it, Yoe's builds are very tidy so it's easy to see how that's done.  PCB design is beyond me but others can help if you want to make one.

The steel vs acrylic question is a matter of personal choice but as mentioned above, you need a steel plate if you don't use a PCB as an acrylic plate needs to be thicker to be strong enough.  Acrylic is great if you want lots of LEDs or a light weight board, but is easier to damage and isn't as solid...  I suggest you have a read and try and guess what you'd like, though there's no substitute for actually getting your hands on a board to try.


This layout would be easiest as a 6x14 matrix as in your schematic so you could use a Teensy 2.0 (the cheaper Pro Micro people use doesn't have enough pins, the Teensy 3.x use a different chip) and unless you want to write your own firmware you can chose between EasyAVR or TMK which both support custom boards.

Hope that helps!

[siriru]

Thanks for your message !

I don't really need the PCB, I know. But I really want to make one !

[siriru]

Guys, I need your help !

I really don't know how to make my own 6u spacebar footprint. Is there a github library for spacebars footprints ?

And do you know the type of 6u spacebar from Signature Plastics ? I tried to find this information on their website without success. https://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions#6_units_.28114mm_wide.2C_3_keymounts.2C_57mm_and_38mm_apart.29 ?

[suicidal_orange]

Indeed there is a github repository recently set up by MOZ, 6u will surely be in there

As to what 6u caps signature plastics sells your best bet is to pretend to buy them - they are in the 'blank packs' section under keycaps.  Just as a suggestion pretty much every keycap set made has 6.25 and 7u but very few have 6u, so if you want options you might want to rethink this choice.