Mechanical keyboards find yourself changing into one thing of an obsession for some of us. Many find yourself taking place the rabbit gap and constructing their very own, however far fewer tackle the duty of 3D printing the entire thing.
This week’s tasks contain extra than simply filament and time, however they’re cost-effective and rewarding builds you could customise to swimsuit.
These tasks all come from Joe Scotto, a creator who started sharing his designs on-line in 2021. Not solely does Joe launch 3D printing information and firmware freed from cost, he additionally accompanies every mannequin with a write-up and (normally) a video detailing the construct.
You too can discover extra assets on the ScottoKeebs web site, and extras on his GitHub repository.
Scotto16 4×4 easy macropad
Credit score: Joe Scotto / ScottoKeebs.com
Joe’s designs are largely of the handwired selection (and I’ve solely featured handwired tasks for this small assortment). Handwiring implies that you must create the matrix on which the board relies upon by your self, utilizing copper and heat-shrink tubing (to insulate crossovers). That’s why it’s a good suggestion to begin small and work your means as much as larger tasks.
The Scotto16 is a 4×4 macropad designed round Akko Lavender Purple (MX) switches and an Arduino Professional Micro RP2040 microcontroller. It’s ever-so-slightly extra complicated than the nine-key macropad Joe makes use of in his handwired keyboard video explainer, however you’ll have three extra keys to make use of whenever you’re performed (and it seems oh-so-clean).
ScottoStarter 52-key ortholinear
Credit score: Joe Scotto / ScottoKeebs.com
Whereas 16 to 52 keys may appear to be fairly the leap, the ScottoStarter remains to be a sensible choice for anybody who’s new to the world of smaller keyboards on account of it being designed to ease the transition from bigger boards. This one makes use of an ATmega32U4 Arduino Professional Micro, MX switches, 44 normal 1u keycaps, 7 bigger 1.5u keycaps, and a single 3u keycap for the spacebar.
The matrix you’ll need to construct is lots bigger than the macropad, nevertheless it introduces the idea of making bends inside the matrix to accommodate the underside row of barely offset keys.
ScottoErgo tilted ergonomic keyboard
Now issues are beginning to get a bit extra attention-grabbing, with the 36-key ScottoErgo staggered ortholinear keyboard. The design makes use of a 10º tilt and 20º angle to offer a (theoretically) extra comfy typing place in your wrists.
Joe notes in his video {that a} wrist wrest most likely wouldn’t go amiss with this one on account of the usual profile MX switches it makes use of. On the coronary heart of the board, slap-bang within the center behind a bit of clear acrylic, is a Raspberry Pi Pico. The board additionally makes use of a GX16-4 aviator connector on the again, as a result of why not?
Model
Raspberry Pi
CPU
RP2040
The Raspberry Pi Pico gives a custom-built dual-core RP2040 processor, making it the perfect reasonably priced microcontroller for a variety of tasks. It options UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, and far more, making it a strong possibility whenever you want extra energy and capabilities than a standard Arduino.
Scotto44 break up ergonomic keyboard
Of all of the keyboards within the ScottoKeebs archive, the Scotto44 is the one I’m most occupied with constructing myself. I’ve by no means invested in a break up ergonomic keyboard, and these are specialised bits of package that don’t come low-cost. With the ability to construct my very own, in my very own shade scheme, is extremely tempting, even when this construct seems to be one of many extra complicated beginning factors.
Since this board is available in two items, it wants two Raspberry Pi Pico microcontrollers, 4 USB-C breakout boards, and a devoted USB-C cable simply to hyperlink the 2 halves collectively. Even so, the top result’s completely stunning. I’ve little question that it could take some time to turn out to be proficient at typing on this factor, however the time and materials value appear value it to me.
ScottoCaps 3D-printed keycaps
Credit score: Joe Scotto / ScottoKeebs.com / GitHub
The entire ScottoKeebs challenge started life as ScottoCaps, a 3D-printed keycaps challenge. There are presently 4 varieties obtainable: ScottoCaps Scooped, ScottoCaps Flat, and ScottoCaps Sculpted for FDM printers, and the ScottoCaps Glass clear low-profile keycaps for SLA resin printers.
If doubtful, the Scooped variant looks like a great all-around selection, as evidenced by Joe’s reliance on them in all of his newest builds. You’ll be able to print them in your current keyboard, or simply use them alongside Cherry MX or Choc switches in different builds.
Questioning if you can purchase or construct your subsequent board? Take a look at our mechanical keyboard shopping for information.
