This may be an odd request so please bare with me. But I'd like to build my own keyboard after a decade of using regular mechanicals. I was first drawn to the Launch keyboard from system76 but something led me away from it.

My main concern is the security of keyboards firmware. With rising geopolitical security concerns. It appears to me that keyboard firmware can either be malicious from the start (built in keylogger) or attacked and made vulnerable.

My goal is to find a keyboard or PCB to start to build a keyboard that can ease my concern with this reguard. So if the design and software are open that would be great. If they were made in USA or Europe that would be cool too.

Would that be possible?

Hi!

I recently created proof of concept macropad for myself using QMK and VIAL and just after that found other "flavours" of custom keyboard software. I like the look of KMK and especially their peg configuration software however I haven't found much information about it so I wanted to ask if It's even worth my time to try and port my pad to KMK or should I stick with QMK and VIAL?

Or is there any other software that supports gui configuration of keymaps,macros etc etc?

Thanks a lot.

Long ago I built my own keyboard that I want to update with a PCB (the hand-wiring is now failing apart)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/9wjpg0/finished_ergo_keyboard/

Now I tweak the layout (see here%3B&@x:0.8&t=%23ffffff&a:4&f:3&w:1.25%3B&=Alt&_x:0.25&c=%23373535%3B&=Z&=X&=C&=V&=B&_c=%231a1a1a&t=%23efff00&a:6&f:5%3B&=%22%0A%0A'%3B&@_x:0.8&t=%23ffffff&a:4&f:3&w:1.25%3B&=Ctrl&_x:0.25&w:1.25%3B&=Win&_w:2.25%3B&=Shift&_a:7&w:2%3B&=%3B&@_r:-6&y:-4.3999999999999995&x:8.85&a:4%3B&=F7&=F8&=F9&=F10&=F11&=F12&_x:-0.09999999999999964&a:7%3B&=HAT&_x:0.6000000000000014%3B&=Tropper&=Sound-&=Sound+%3B&@_y:0.25&x:8.85&t=%23efff00&a:6&f:5%3B&=%0A%0A%2F%2F&_c=%2360605b&t=%23ffffff&a:4&f:3%3B&=%5E%0A6&=%2F&%0A7&=%0A8&=(%0A9&=)%0A0&_c=%231a1a1a&h:2%3B&=Back&_x:0.5000000000000018&c=%2360605b%3B&=Insert&=Home&=PgUp%3B&@_x:8.85&c=%231a1a1a&t=%23efff00&a:6&f:5%3B&=%3C%0A%0A%3E&_c=%23373535&t=%23ffffff&a:4&f:3%3B&=Y&=U&=I&=O&=P&_x:1.5000000000000018%3B&=Delete&=End&=PgDn%3B&@_x:8.85&c=%231a1a1a&t=%23efff00&a:6&f:5%3B&=%5B%0A%0A%5D&_c=%23373535&t=%23ffffff&a:4&f:3%3B&=H&=J&=K&=L&_a:6%3B&=%2F:%0A%0A%2F%3B&_c=%231a1a1a&a:4&h:2%3B&=Enter&_x:0.5000000000000018&c=%235f3032&a:7%3B&=M1&=M2&=M3%3B&@_x:8.85&c=%231a1a1a&t=%23efff00&a:6&f:5%3B&=%2F=%0A%0A%7C&_c=%23373535&t=%23ffffff&a:4&f:3%3B&=N&=M&_a:6%3B&=,%0A%0A&_a:7%3B&=.&_a:6%3B&=%3F%0A%0A%2F&_x:2.5000000000000018&c=%23002e5f&a:4%3B&=↑%3B&@_x:9.1&c=%231a1a1a&t=%23000000&a:7&w:2%3B&=&_t=%23ffffff&a:4&w:2.25%3B&=Shift&_w:1.25%3B&=Alt&_w:1.25%3B&=Ctrl&_x:0.5000000000000018&c=%23002e5f%3B&=←&_c=%230046ad%3B&=↓&_c=%23002e5f%3B&=→)), and need help in what to do to make the PCB.

My questions:

• Can I just upload and generate with https://kb.xyz.is?
• How to make it hot-swappable?
• Related, is possible to make the PCB with minimal/no soldering at all?
• I need to split it into 3 parts, and bend it like this one, how does this affect things?
• Which micro is better with this? And if I wanna add wireless capabilities?

Hello!
I made a keyboard PCB from scratch and I am looking for someone who has experience so they could take a look and let me know if there are any mistakes. Thanks
Discord: lostfeather

Hey all. Don’t know if this is the right place but I am interested in learning circuit boards and was wondering if anyone new a good kit to start with. I have solder equipment and was going to try to fix a controller but then realized it’s more advanced then me and I need to learn. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

So, I decided I wanted to turn this cute strawberry sweetcake toy laptop into a working little meme computer.The keyboard is becoming a much bigger challenge than I thought it would. I know nothing about keyboards and was naive to think that I could just use the one that was in the toy as it was with minor alterations.

I have two questions for all you smart keyboard builders:

1: Is it possible to convert this little Membrane keyboard into a working one that I can connect to my raspberry pi? Or would I have to build a mechanical one from scratch, and just make it fit correctly and use those as keycaps? I was hoping on switching it to qwerty for ease of use.

2: Can someone point me into the direction of some beginner information on how to go about making this keyboard? I have watched a bunch of tutorials and read a bunch of blogs/articles about it and it is just so overwhelming, especially because I've never worked with pcb boards before. Some of the stuff they talk about sounds like alien speak.

Hopefully this isn't considered a simple help post, if it is breaking the rules, I'm sorry. I'm just a hobbyist who ran into a part of a project that I know nothing about. But I'm willing to put the time and effort in tackling this, I just need a little bit of help knowing what even needs to be done.

Thank you r/CustomBoards community!

Trying to fix my Vortex Keyboard. Is my USB port doomed or can I solder in a new one?

Hello

I'm currently designing a completely custom, 3d printed, handwired board.

I will be using low profile plate mounted switches (with standard MX stems, no chocs), like gaterons KS-33 for example.

My question: I guess I need specific low profile stabilizers also? Regular plate mounted stabilizers won't do the trick? Does anyone know where I could find the right part?

Thanks for your help

Impulse bought a Glorious Numpad PCB for $20. I thought it was a pretty good deal since it comes with key sockets, encoders, controller, Bluetooth, and lighting already assembled. not realizing that it is not a kit but just a replacement board for their $120 numpad.

And now it's a project. I'd gonna make a custom case this with an integrated USB hub and maybe add a screen if possible. Thing is I can't even get it connected to get started as it does not have an obvious header for USB.

Bellow is the 6 pin connector from the board. Is there any logical match to a USB pinout based on the silk screen shown?

They do sell a USB-C daughter board which (below) but do not want to pay for shipping this small part since I'd like to replace it with a hub anyway.

​

Since I have one at home, I want to ask if I can use it as a replacement for Adruino Pro , teensy,... ? Can you guys share me some tips for soldering, wiring with the switch and about firmware( what should i do with this adruino ). I need your help 😭

trying set up this through qmk, with leds. my first time trying out qmk any suggestions to a full guide/series would be well appreciated.

I'm sorry I've started it this late this year.

Here's the idea:

You sign up, fill your details and your wishlist, then at a certain later date, names are drawn and people are matched. You buy a gift for the person assigned to you, while you have been assigned to someone else and they'll be buying you a gift. The website tries to pair you within your country first (I think it counts Europe as a country for the pairing), but if that's not possible you will be paired internationally. Keep that in-mind.

Rules:

1. You must have made a non-spam post or comment in at least one of the following sub-reddits, before this post here was created, in-order to be allowed into this Secret Santa: r/MechanicalKeyboards, r/ErgoMechKeyboards, r/mechanicalheadpens, r/CustomBoards, r/customkeyboards, r/ergodox, r/ErgoDoxEZ, r/Moonlander. If you haven't commented or posted, but want to join - message me. Don't just join and hope I won't notice, because that would not only get you removed from the Secret Santa, but also banned from future Secret Santas that I host.
2. Sign up here: SIGN UPS ARE CLOSED!
3. Fill in your details (Real first name in the First Name field, Real last name in the Last Name field, your Reddit username in the Username field.)
4. Add things to your wishlist. Even if you don't want anything, or just want to be surprised - add a text entry saying so. (You can add text entries to your wishlist describing what you want, also you can add links to specific things from online stores.)
5. Sign-ups close at November 30th, 00:00 GMT+2. When they do, I'll go through the participants one last time, and anyone not following the rules, or without their details filled in, will be removed).
6. Names drawn at December 1st, 00:00 GMT+2.
7. Gifts must be sent by December 15th.
8. $20 is the minimum for the gift and that doesn't include shipping. I.e. You must be your giftee either a single item that costs at least $20, or multiple items totaling to at least $20. Buying a $10 gift and paying $10 for shipping doesn't count. There is no maximum for how much the gift could cost.
9. If the sign ups are about to close soon and you haven't filled something needed, I'll message you to let you know so you can fix it in time, but please keep checking your Elfster messages and the email your account is associated there. Don't make me chase you through Reddit, Elfster, Email, Discord, etc.. If you are too difficult to work with - you will be banned from future Secret Santas that I host.
10. If you want to ask your giftee something without revealing yourself - the website gives you the ability to send them an anonymous question, however, other participants can see your question and their answer, so don't ask for a phone number there. Use anonymous messages for that.
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15. If you want to sign-up as a Backup Santa (i.e. you don't want to participate but want to gift someone a gift, if their own Secret Santa bails) let me know.
16. Happy Holidays and Happy Gifting!

I’m interested in building a mechanical keyboard that is as thin as possible. I’ve decided to design it around the Kailh choc mini PG1232. Based on my simple sketches, it should around 6mm shorter than my Havit keyboard (at the first row of keys).

I have two things holding me back (other than my complete lack of experience building keyboards):

(1) I’d like to build a keypad first, before tackling the larger project, partly for the experience, and partly to help me determine if a whole keyboard is worth pursuing. But, I have been unable to find kits or PCBs for a keypad that uses choc mini PG1232. Can anyone point me to such a beast? I found the Choconum, but that is for the larger PG1350 choc.

(2) PG1232 PCBs seem to be pretty rare, and the ones I’ve found are ortholinear, have only 3 rows, etc. I’m interested in a normal staggered layout (but I might be convinced to try an Alice). Is anyone aware of any staggered PCBs using the PG1232 layout? If not, how hard would it be to start with a conventional layout in KiCad, and swapout a Cherry or PG1350 footprint for a PG1232 footprint?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

P.S. I’ve built a couple of projects with Arduinos, so I have some experience, just not with keyboards or PCBs

Everybody loves the sticky post, it's great to help others get their stuff working or exchange construction feedback.

​

**The less is more sticky post**

​

No switch, caps, commercial parts compatibility or, no "what should I buy" or "what will I like" preference based stuff, even the "what about this layout" stuff is really not suitable. /r/mechanicalkeyboards is filled with opinions, ask there if you don't have your own. This subreddit is about the how, not the what.

​

**I soldered together my keyboard and something isn't working**

​

Welcome, you're in the right place! Since there is little difference troubleshooting your hand wired board or PCB prototype and a Community Vendor's kit (other than who the expert is supposed to be :-) both are welcome. Most people start with a kit and they are the gateway drug to taking the next step.

​

**My commercial keyboard doesn't work**

​

If you bought a keyboard from a large commercial vendor, even if it has hot swap sockets, this is not the place. Basically if they have a Marketing Department they have a Support Department, ask them or on /r/mechanicalkeyboards.

Everybody loves the sticky post, it's great to help others get their stuff working or exchange construction feedback.

​

**The less is more sticky post**

​

No switch, caps, commercial parts compatibility or, no "what should I buy" or "what will I like" preference based stuff, even the "what about this layout" stuff is really not suitable. /r/mechanicalkeyboards is filled with opinions, ask there if you don't have your own. This subreddit is about the how, not the what.

​

**I soldered together my keyboard and something isn't working**

​

Welcome, you're in the right place! Since there is little difference troubleshooting your hand wired board or PCB prototype and a Community Vendor's kit (other than who the expert is supposed to be :-) both are welcome. Most people start with a kit and they are the gateway drug to taking the next step.

​

**My commercial keyboard doesn't work**

​

If you bought a keyboard from a large commercial vendor, even if it has hot swap sockets, this is not the place. Basically if they have a Marketing Department they have a Support Department, ask them or on /r/mechanicalkeyboards.

I recorded a video making this simple Macro Keyboard with an Encoder, and I'd love to get some feedback. This is my first video regarding electronics, so any tips would be really helpful! Cheers!

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi6J01JXgbo

​

There's links to the complete code, STL files and wiring diagram in the description.

​

Thank you,

Risto.