112 lines
5.6 KiB
Markdown
112 lines
5.6 KiB
Markdown
+++
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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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[cover]
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image = "keyboard-with-case"
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+++
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I've been using a split keyboard at home now for several years
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(specifically, the [UHKv2](https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/), though nowadays I probably would have gone for something ortholinear)
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and I've 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 [Ferris Sweep](https://github.com/davidphilipbarr/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,
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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 [Keebio](https://keeb.io/) and [Lowprob.ca](https://lowprokb.ca/),
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and started the long wait for it all to arrive.
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In the meantime, I researched how to flash the [elite-pi](https://docs.keeb.io/elite-pi-guide)'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 isn't much extra.
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When the parts came,
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I socketed the microcontrollers,
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soldered the sockets to the pcbs,
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and finally soldered the switches in.
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(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,
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but not every build can be mistake free, right?
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Flashing QMK was uneventful, working exactly as the [QMK docs](https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/ferris/sweep) 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 don't have to do this every time you reflash your keyboard)
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## Layout
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I wasn't 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 [default layout](https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/ferris/keymaps/default)
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and used the [QMK configurator](https://config.qmk.fm/) to customize it.
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First, I moved space to my left thumb, as I'm 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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The mod-tap home row layer changes actually feel really natural,
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and the extra space afforded by layers allows me to organize things in a more natural feeling way,
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such as putting the numbers in a numpad layout, rather than along the top.
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I'm not quite happy with my modifiers being mod-taps on the bottom row,
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they can feel slightly awkward to reach,
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and I may experiment with moving them around, potentially on the top row.
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{{<image-gallery gallery_dir="layers">}}
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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 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 don't 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 [this case](https://www.printables.com/model/513831-ferris-sweep-22-case) for me.
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(I didn't 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, I'm convinced I will never let myself work on a regular keyboard for a long period of time again,
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that's how much I've 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 first build,
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and one Id recommend to anyone interested in improving their typing ergonomics.
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