How tightly can I pack 3 key switches?

[ErgoMacros]

Hi,

I saw this layout posed over under "42 keys edgodox layout"
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=84165.msg2393080#msg2393080

     http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/46212116016a708326c5714b16aa7cf0

And I thought "way cool!" Maybe I don't need full height keys on the home row, and it would make reaching the other rows that much easier.

But the home row keys are only 0.5u x 1u each. Don't most key switches occupy the better part of the 1u x 1u switch area?

So, are there any switches available that have a smaller footprint?

Thanks.

[Phenix]

for me it looks like they are all 1u/1u.
eg some ALPS keys are able to do 0. 5/1u

[ErgoMacros]

Guten Tag,

Yes, his current layout is all Ergodox, 1x1u. I was referring to his imagined "Bear Claw" custom keyboard, the 3rd image.
It's home row, in red, is only 1/2 high... reminiscent of function keys on a MacBook, or smaller keyboards.

Thanks for the Alps pointer. I'll go check that out.

[Phenix]

Cf. to matias ergo, there you can see it

[kiwi99]

it would be possible with Alps Compact Switches: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCL_Compact but that being said sourcing these + keycaps of this size would be very difficult, on top of that you'd have to figure out the spacing for a plate and then also either a custom pcb or handwire it.

[Findecanor]

Look how Matias does it with cursor keys on Alps-clone switches on the Ergo Pro and the Matias 60%.
The surface on the cylindrical keys is half or so but the spacing is the same as for full-sized keys, so the total footprint is larger than half.
I don't think that the skirts on the smaller Matias keys reach as low as normal keys which would be why those keyboards have a higher rim around those keys.

On Cherry MX, there is very little space between switch and keycap when a thick-walled keycap (like Cherry's double-shot ABS, POM and thick variety of PBT) for the home row is pressed all the way down - and that is because of the skirt of the keycap. Without skirts you could pack them as closely as the switch dimensions allow.

[davkol]

kurplop's keyboards (Alumaplop, Planet 6 most lately) has smaller vertical spacing. The switches were Cherry ML or Matias IIRC. He made custom keycaps, though.