Keyboard Nut Thread

[H Feesh]

Posted by
u/theconorir

I'm actually in love luv green

 

[Gar]

Hi all

I love this thread and hope you guys can help me with my custom build and more specifically QMK.

I’ve been lurking here and at r/MechanicalKeyboards for quite some time. I don’t have a mechanical keyboard but finally decided to use my 3D Printer and start with a Dactyl Manuform.

Since level 4, I started to order all the parts and this weekend finished the wiring and today tried to flash QMK. It was quite easy, and I managed to flash both sides. I do however have a problem with the thumb cluster. Two of the keys register the same keystroke. I don’t know where to go from here? Where and how do I edit the matrix positions to correct the two keys.

The keyboard is based on this one. I just added an extra column.

These two keys have the same output.

https://imgur.com/qSbztD1

This is my current wiring schematic and picture of the actual wiring. Please be gentle I know my soldering needs a lot of work, I don’t do it often enough.

https://imgur.com/EmhP3dH

https://imgur.com/xSOTlkl

I used QMK Configurator and QMK Toolbox to create the layout and flash it to the Pro Micros.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Mike]

@Gar it seems your matrix is wired incorrectly.

Imagine your index of grids and rows, where each position can only refer to one key. In the image below, green and pink are both the same position in your matrix. So are orange and blue.

You can correct this by replacing the black and white wire on pink and orange with grey4 and black5. The grid could have been done a little differently to keep it simple, so be careful when updating the firmware to match this.

If it were me, I would have had all the thumb keys on one row, and extended the existing columns from the top of the matrix and then add an additional column for the last missing key - just for sanity's sake.

Give me a shout if you don't come right, I don't have much experience with QMK but I've been studying up to build a custom board pcb.

 

[Gar]

@

@Gar it seems your matrix is wired incorrectly.

Imagine your index of grids and rows, where each position can only refer to one key. In the image below, green and pink are both the same position in your matrix. So are orange and blue.

You can correct this by replacing the black and white wire on pink and orange with grey4 and black5. The grid could have been done a little differently to keep it simple, so be careful when updating the firmware to match this.

If it were me, I would have had all the thumb keys on one row, and extended the existing columns from the top of the matrix and then add an additional column for the last missing key - just for sanity's sake.

Give me a shout if you don't come right, I don't have much experience with QMK but I've been studying up to build a custom board pcb.

Hi Mike

Thank you for the reply and input.

I read through the docs this morning, and came to the conclusion that it would be better to rewire the columns to correct the index.

Was hoping a software mod would be easier than soldering again but I'll rater have it wired the correct way.

Thank you! Will let you know how it goes.

 

[Mike]

Worth it, will make things easier going forwards!

 

[Razia]

@PandaAttack1 and any other followers of this thread.

What TKL keyboard can you recommend?

I realized I can let go of the Numpad without much struggle as I only slam the Numpad enter every now and then.

 

[H Feesh]

@Razia Are you talking about a custom mech? Or a prebuilt? TKL custom mechs are hard to come by. But prebuilt TKLs are pretty much all over the place, check r/mechanicalkeyboards for some good overseas options, or even aliexpress/Banggood. Over here there isn't much, try the usual computer stores and such, maybe you'll find something. 👌

 

[1.8Ghz]

even aliexpress/Banggood

Has anyone here ordered a keeb (or anything else really) from Aliexpress or Banggood? What was your experience like?
And are there any other preferred sites to order from?

Edit: @JerryDaFeesh Stealing your location #NoRugrats

 

[PandaAttack1]

@PandaAttack1 and any other followers of this thread.

What TKL keyboard can you recommend?

I realized I can let go of the Numpad without much struggle as I only slam the Numpad enter every now and then.

I have a Ducky Zero 3087 with side printed caps bought a few years ago from Rebeltech when they just started selling Ducky.

She is fitted with Cherry browns and still going strong. I have no idea on the availability of these, but for the price I paid they are absolutely fantastic.

Unfortunately, afaik you will struggle to find a worthwhile brand locally. I think Evekek have Redragon and Gamdias TKL options, but I wouldn't bother tbh.

 

[dotnerd]

So I ordered an Anne Pro 2 from Amazon, sent it to MyUS.com for forwarding.

A month ago lol, Covid has crippled so many companies abroad and here it seems. it took 102 days for MyUS to actually make my parcel available for forwarding, 5 days to get to SA, now it is stuck at customs as there appears to be a covid related issue which has caused a backlog. I still have no idea how long this will take as it is in the hands of Africa now.

In the meantime, where can I buy decent DSA PBT keycaps?

 

[H Feesh]

aliexpress, kbdfans, keyboard republic and some other sites

 

[dotnerd]

Thanks,

I also just pulled the trigger on a Vortexgear Race 3. Will use a different forwarder this time lol

 

[PandaAttack1]

Thanks,

I also just pulled the trigger on a Vortexgear Race 3. Will use a different forwarder this time lol

Ooooh that's really nice dude. I think it's time I also get into the 60% game.

 

[Toy Machine]

Ooooh that's really nice dude. I think it's time I also get into the 60% game.

Trade me your 3087 for my 60%
I've been looking for one for so long now xD

I cannot believe the 3087 came in Browns because I haven't seen any Brown variants, at least since they have been in ZA in the last 2 years

 

[dotnerd]

Ooooh that's really nice dude. I think it's time I also get into the 60% game.

One these two arrive I will have 3x 60% and 1x 65% and 2 keycap sets each with some custom space bars.

Should have just taken up smoking, seems cheaper haha.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Trade me your 3087 for my 60%
I've been looking for one for so long now xD

I cannot believe the 3087 came in Browns because I haven't seen any Brown variants, at least since they have been in ZA in the last 2 years

But now marra why you do this? Temptation is the devil's tool!

 

[PandaAttack1]

One these two arrive I will have 3x 60% and 1x 65% and 2 keycap sets each with some custom space bars.

Should have just taken up smoking, seems cheaper haha.

Please share pictures once you receive them. I should really get to building my keyboards to cure this fomo.

 

[Toy Machine]

But now marra why you do this? Temptation is the devil's tool!

I am tempting myself 🤣

 

[dotnerd]

Please share pictures once you receive them. I should really get to building my keyboards to cure this fomo.

Will do, and that is my plan too. Check out Taekeyboards or something on youtube, guy goes boss with this lol.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Will do, and that is my plan too. Check out Taekeyboards or something on youtube, guy goes boss with this lol.

His poly-carbonate build had me itching. Literally ticking in frustration, the want is real.

 

[Toi]

OK so reckon I'm done with this keyboard now.

Geek GK61
Gateron Optical reds lubed
Lubed stabilizers and bandage mod
Case filled with felt
Painted backplate black
KBDfans rubber coiled USB C cable
KBDfans Hawaii DSA PBT keycaps

At first I did not want to go through the mission of lubing the switches but 4 hours later and I glad I did as it types like an absolute dream.

 

[FeelsBranMan]

OK so reckon I'm done with this keyboard now.

Geek GK61
Gateron Optical reds lubed
Lubed stabilizers and bandage mod
Case filled with felt
Painted backplate black
KBDfans rubber coiled USB C cable
KBDfans Hawaii DSA PBT keycaps

At first I did not want to go through the mission of lubing the switches but 4 hours later and I glad I did as it types like an absolute dream.

Awesome keeb man! I especially like the profile and colour of the keycaps.

 

[Cassady]

OK so reckon I'm done with this keyboard now.

Geek GK61
Gateron Optical reds lubed
Lubed stabilizers and bandage mod
Case filled with felt
Painted backplate black
KBDfans rubber coiled USB C cable
KBDfans Hawaii DSA PBT keycaps

At first I did not want to go through the mission of lubing the switches but 4 hours later and I glad I did as it types like an absolute dream.

That looks amazing! Would love to hear the typing action!

Sincere question though: How do you find using it without cursor keys is, or do you have some citation key-bindings going on?

 

[Andrew_Smith]

OK so reckon I'm done with this keyboard now.

Geek GK61
Gateron Optical reds lubed
Lubed stabilizers and bandage mod
Case filled with felt
Painted backplate black
KBDfans rubber coiled USB C cable
KBDfans Hawaii DSA PBT keycaps

At first I did not want to go through the mission of lubing the switches but 4 hours later and I glad I did as it types like an absolute dream.

Absolute beaut there @Toi!

 

[Toi]

That looks amazing! Would love to hear the typing action!

Sincere question though: How do you find using it without cursor keys is, or do you have some citation key-bindings going on?

Yeah did not miss them at all. Arrow keys are FN + Alt, Menu, R CTRL or ? and honestly it took me a day to get use to using them so whether I use the arrow keys or not, I do not miss the dedicated keys at all.

 

[Andrew_Smith]

Cleaned my 60% keyboard over the weekend:

Got a Cougar Deathfire EX as a backup.

Made a rookie mistake by using the switch puller instead of the keycap puller...

Oh well, lesson learned now my keyboard is nice and clean.

 

[Cassady]

My first mechanical keyboard, a UHK! Thanks to @Grizzle – very pleased I took the plunge on the palmrests, which arrived today.

After years of very happy typing with MS Scuplt Ergonomic keyboards, cannot see myself ever moving away from a split design.

That being said, some really good looking keyboards here – think I'll be lying to myself if I said this will be the last mechanical I purchase!

 

[PandaAttack1]

My first mechanical keyboard, a UHK! Thanks to @Grizzle – very pleased I took the plunge on the palmrests, which arrived today.

After years of very happy typing with MS Scuplt Ergonomic keyboards, cannot see myself ever moving away from a split design.

That being said, some really good looking keyboards here – think I'll be lying to myself if I said this will be the last mechanical I purchase!

Welcome to the split side my dude! Next up, ortholinear?

 

[Razia]

Ordered myself a keychron K2 while I wait for the K8. Hopefully she'll satisfy me until then.

 

[ShudleyZA]

So Razer just dropped a 60% version of the Huntsman