pica40 VS 3W6

Hi, fairly new to the ergo world. I'm looking for a replacement for my first ergo keyboard that stopped working. It is a 40 keys split keyboard with a 3-keys thumb cluster. I want something with similar keys layout.

I would just solder the wire directly to PCB and hold it in place by tying it with steel wire or even hot glue. Check my prototype here https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40/tree/v1, you can make it prettier if you plan it beforehand, for me it was an accident :)

This build was inspired by the pica40 mostly: https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40

https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40/tree/v1 - my prototype with handwired connection, can easily be upgraded with nice nano and battery.

Presenting my first low profile split keyboard. After my experiments with aggressive stagger I thought that it's not enough and I still have to move my hand to reach top pinky keys (Q/P) and it would be more comfortable to have these keys on the side instead. For the sake of the experiment I wanted to try choc V1 switches with choc spacing as well.

All files are available on my [GitHub](https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40).

In the end I do not recommend building it, but still it's more or less unique design :) My repo - https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40

If you don't need a lot of keys than you can just extend the matrix to the second half but must use some other cable than trrs. As far as I remember there is a Reviung Split which uses ethernet cable. I've also designed a split which uses usb-c cable for communication, but it's not built yet so proceed with caution - https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40.

As said, there is no space for the jst connector on corne-like boards. You can place it instead trrs jack but it limits you to wireless communication - can be done though if you plan use it exclusively like this. I'd say it's not needed, you won't change battery often anyway, you can solder the wires and have only a power switch. For example you can take a look on nijuni https://github.com/krikun98/nijuni. If you like nijuni, it would be easier to replace switch footprints to chocs than modifying corne. I can also humble brag about my own design with switch and jst - but note that it's not assembled/tested yet https://github.com/zzeneg/pica40.

The rest is pretty simple - XIAO controllers, wired/wireless support, 1 rotary encoder, reversible PCB, TRRS or USB-C connection. Very low profile - no bottom plate, no hotswap. Thick top plate so switches are soldered almost flush with the PCB (thanks 3w6 for inspiration). Knob for the low profile encoder is taken from KLOTZ by u/_GEIST_. Unfortunately it was a bit too wide so I had to sand down couple of mms.

For what it's worth, I'm on a 3w6. Shout out to weteor for the inspiration for this one.

As 2 corne and 1 sweep owner , i can tell you also have the 3rd option if you are fine with choc switches and live in Europe 3w6. https://github.com/weteor/3W6 It has a middle layer and on board mcu, an completely enclosed. I have no worries when I put it to my backpack;)

So, purely out of my own needs, and since the Sweep doesn't quite cover that, I'd love a 3W6 or a Roost. Or even a Rae-dux.

There is the Weteor 3w6

Checkout the 3w6, which is a 3x5+3 split i.e. the same amount of keys as the GergoPlex. You can print the PCB with SMT assembly done for you, so all that's left is to solder on your choice of switches. JCLPCB just happened to have all the components available and in the [github repo](https://github.com/weteor/3W6) there are some discussion/instructions on ordering from them. A slight issue is that you get at least 5 sets of PCBs and at least 2 with full SMT assembly, so you may want to sell the extras on the mech marketplace.

Hi all, I want to build a 3W6 keyboard. https://github.com/weteor/3W6 I need some help & advice please. Don't laugh at my beginner stupidities!

3W6 one of the cheapest build I have seems https://github.com/weteor/3W6