100 lines
5.3 KiB
Plaintext
100 lines
5.3 KiB
Plaintext
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title = "Building My New Keyboard."
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date = 2024-02-06T15:01:28-06:00
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draft = false
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:caution-caption: pass:[<span style="font-size: 2em">☠</span>]
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:important-caption: pass:[<span style="font-size: 2em">❗</span>]
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:note-caption: pass:[<span style="font-size: 2em">✏️</span>]
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:tip-caption: pass:[<span style="font-size: 2em">💡</span>]
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:warning-caption: pass:[<span style="font-size: 2em">⚠</span>]
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:toc:
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:toclevels: 6
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Ive been using a split keyboard at home now for several years,
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(specifically, the https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/[UHKv2], though nowadays I probably would have gone for something ortholinear)
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and ive always wanted one for the office.
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The problem was, if I was going to get a new keyboard,
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I wanted it to be for both the office and travel,
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and most prebuilts around are not that portable.
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I also was not confident enough in my soldering skills to solder the SMT diodes found on many handbuilt designs out there.
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Eventually, though, I stumbled upon the github page for the https://github.com/davidphilipbarr/Sweep[Ferris Sweep].
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== The Basic Build
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The Sweep seemed simple enough that I could assemble it,
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and after doing some shopping around, I was able to source all the parts I needed for under $100.
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I ordered the pcb from JLPCB and the parts from https://keeb.io/[Keebio] and https://lowprokb.ca/[Lowprob.ca],
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and started the long wait for it all to arrive.
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In the meantime, I researched what how to flash the https://docs.keeb.io/elite-pi-guide[elite-pi]'s I had purchased with QMK.
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(normal elite-c's were out of stock, and I like the RP2040.)
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its a little bit different, but as long as you have used QMK before, it wasnt much extra to that.
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When the parts came, I socketed the microcontrollers, soldered the sockets to the pcbs,
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and finally soldered the switches in. (I used choc purpz, a bit of a leap of faith from my usual heavy tactile switches).
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I did ruin one switch by letting a leg getting hot enough to melt the housing plastic,
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and desoldering it was unexpectedly difficult, but not every build can be mistake free, right?
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Flashing QMK was uneventful, working exactly as the https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/ferris/sweep[QMK docs] for the Ferris Sweep suggested.
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I would, however, recommend flashing the micros _before_ doing any soldering,
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I had to take my micros out of their sockets in order to access the boot buttons.
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(once the keyboard is assembled, there is a dedicated keycombo on most layouts to enter the bootloader,
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so you dont have to do this every time you reflash your keyboard)
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== Layout
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I wasnt feeling quite adventurous enough to switch away from qwerty,
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but, the Sweep being a 34-key board, some layout adjustment would be needed.
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I took the Sweeps https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/ferris/keymaps/default[default layout]
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and used the https://config.qmk.fm/[QMK configurator] to customize it.
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First, I moved space to my left thumb, as Im left handed.
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I put esc on one of the thumb keys for usage in vim.
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I moved the numpad layer to my right hand side, swapping its position with the function key layer.
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I also put the meta key as a hold-mod on the lower pinky keys, as my window manager uses it for all its keybinds.
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== Learning
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Of course, the board takes some getting used to.
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Between the physical layout of the keys,
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the layout making symbols different to type,
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and the lighter switches requiring a lot less force to actuate,
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it took me about a week before I got up to 50 wpm on it,
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and I still have to look at my keymap printout for symbols sometimes.
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However, all things considered, it was easier to learn than I had expected!
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Perhaps its because I already was used to split keyboards,
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or because I forced myself to use this instead of my 'normal' keyboard at work,
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but I am now at the point where it feels more or less natural to type on.
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== Case
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I want this keyboard to be both my work keyboard as well as my travel keyboard,
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so a case is essential.
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(I dont want to carelessly set it down on a conductive surface and fry the micros, for example)
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I asked a friend to print https://www.printables.com/model/513831-ferris-sweep-22-case[this case] for me.
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(I didnt have any TPU on hand.)
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With the case and some rubber feet to keep it from sliding over the surface,
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it becomes a very serviceable little travel keyboard,
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one I can throw in my laptop bag and use in place of the built-in keyboard.
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== Caveats
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Of course, nothing is perfect. The microcontrollers are still exposed,
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meaning they are vulnerable to static shock.
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The headphone jack connecting the two halves is a design flaw,
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as plugging it in or unplugging it while the keyboard is connected to usb has a chance of shorting out the microcontrollers,
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due to the design of the TRRS plugs.
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(unfortunately, they are one of the smaller form factor 4 wire connectors out there,
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and have firmly entrenched themselves in the keyboard building community.)
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Thankfully, both of these issues have a relatively minor chance of happening,
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and if they do, I did socket the microcontrollers for easy replacement.
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== Conclusion
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It took me all of a week to fall in love with the sweeps form factor,
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and, 1 month later, Im convinced I will never let myself work on a regular keyboard for a long period of time again,
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thats how much Ive come to appreciate split keyboards.
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The fact that the board has no pesky diodes or other surface mount parts means its very accessible
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