awesome-mechanical-keyboard VS keyboard-layout-editor

You should build something you would want for yourself no? Have a look here for some options: https://github.com/BenRoe/awesome-mechanical-keyboard

I have found two different GitHub repos that have a database of open-source mech keyboards. Most have plate files available as well, I’d start there.

I'm very late to this party, but here's an amazing list of buildable keyboards[0], specifically linked are the split ones (like Ergodox).

Most of these today run QMK and specifically the Configurator[1].

I recommend most people stay away from the Ergodox unless your hands are larger and have a specific reach. While a great keyboard back in 2012-2015, the thumb cluster is outside of comfortable for most people and there have been a lot of improvements in this area over the years.

If building a keyboard yourself isn't your thing, I highly recommend the keyboard.io crew.

[0] https://github.com/BenRoe/awesome-mechanical-keyboard/blob/m...

[1] https://config.qmk.fm/#/hotdox/LAYOUT_ergodox

I'm in the middle of designing my own ergonomic split keyboard. The way I do it is to put my hand over a sheet of paper and curl up my fingers like I would if I were to use a keyboard efficiently, then I draw where the fingers are in the home position. I check the location where my thumb is most relaxed as that will be the location for the spacebar (on one hand). Then I check and draw in the arc of my thumb as it moves with little or no strain and mark off the other thumb keys that will be comfortable to use. (My thumb can with relative ease cover 4 keys from under my middle finger and out, but not as far out as e.g. the Moonlander). Next I check where I can most comfortably move my pinky, which seems to be in a diamond shape. Next, can I move the middle finger both 1 key up and 1 down or should I go for 2 keys for the ring finger and therefore shift the column a bit? For the index finger I also check what stagger the second (inner) index column needs, and I can only comfortably hit 2 of those so I focus on getting good positions for them. I then draw the location of the keys with the amazing ergogen software, and printed it first on paper to test. Next I bought some sample choc key switches and I use their footprint in ergogen, exported to kicad pcb and made a color printout. I cellotaped the printout to about 3mm of cardboard and made through holes with a pin and mounted the keys and tested a real physical model. To get mm precision I needed to do one iteration as the tenting and height of the keys will affect what's most comfortable. This is where I am at right now. I still need to draw the rest of the PCB. From my second iteration I can see that there are a few keyboards that closely match my thumbfan position, but only 1 that has a vaguely similar pinky cluster. Since I also want low profile keys it looks like the best option is to continue to make my own design. But if you are in luck and you know what you're looking for you might be able to find something that closely matches your specs in a previous design. There is a pretty large list here https://github.com/BenRoe/awesome-mechanical-keyboard/blob/master/docs/README.md GL

here's a list of keyboard builds you can check out.

This GitHub repo is a good source to find tutorials and open source projects https://github.com/BenRoe/awesome-mechanical-keyboard

There’s a whole bunch of small boards listed here — https://github.com/BenRoe/awesome-mechanical-keyboard/blob/master/docs/README.md — but most are one-off or small runs. The only commercial 36ish-key ones I can think of right away are split keyboards:

Many of these are pro-micro based: https://keebfolio.netlify.app/

I have some hobby hours I could devote, but I'm not convinced of the need. Also worth mentioning: Keyboard Layout Editor allows a lot of customization of the diagrams

Any good, mostly-automatic tooling to go from a Keyboard Layout Editor (KLE)[1] JSON to a laid-out (not necessarily routed) PCB design in something like KiCad?

[1]: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/

For my preferred layout in QMK, I have Caps Lock mapped to Caps Lock only on tap, and Control on hold. I also have the right Alt key mapped to Backspace on tap, Alt on hold, to give me an additional backspace which I can hit with my thumb, keeping the rest of my fingers on the home row.

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/4d894ef5848c4f...

Try http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com

Idk man, I binge watched more hours of keyboard content, than I'd ever like to admit with how little I've done with that. I guess, I get obsessive easily.Check out Joe Scotto for amazingly clean and tidy handwired boards, Ben Vallack for insane minimalistic crazy designs and layout content.There's Keyboard Layout Editor that works nicely with plate generator and QMK firmware generator so there's one workflow. Also check out ergogen, it's amazing, although I didn't learn KiCAD yet, so never used it to create anything more than a quick visualisation. There's lots of great materials on how keyboards are build and how they work. QMK docs have very insightful handwiring guide.

I use http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ to create an image and use AutoHotkey to pop it up when I need it using hotkey(s), it also has help for the hotkeys for Windows, my AutoHotkey script and piles of applications so I can quickly reference app hotkeys when I'm memorizing them or for the less common ones I can't remember.

This is Stardust, named after my dog Ziggy. It's a 41 Key Ortho. My goal with this keyboard was to be able to see if I could fully realize it without ordering anything besides switches. I used an old blank ABS keycap set, some stabs I had laying around, and a Elite C controller. Then I 3D printed the case, and added M2 bolts and threaded inserts to hold it together. I ordered Kiwi switches and designed everything myself using Keyboard Layout Editor, ai03 Plate Generator, KBFirmware and Fusion 360. It was printed on an Ender 3.

Keyboard Layout Editor is your friend!

You could use http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com to manual create one, or automate the process using https://github.com/caksoylar/keymap-drawer