This was a great video. Has really inspired me to make my own custom handwired board. I will probably make a video about that soon too :) Keep up the good work and keep inspiring people by making these projects look so easy!
It's probably been mentioned in another video, but in case any new handwire or PCB newbies like myself wander upon this video: While you can just get a higher expansion daugherboard/MCU, you can also use "duplex matrices" to make the most of pro micros and MCUs in general. Thinking of it completely mathematically, think of matrices like a times table where you want the most *square* result from a given number that you can. For the example of a 60%, needing 61 keys. Now, while 64 is the closest square number without going under, an 8x8 matrix would be very awkward to wire on a keyboard. Gleaning from that, instead of doing a 14x5 matrix, you can make your matrix columns expand across two physical columns (ex. Col0 going from Esc, Tab, Caps, LShift, LCtrl, Lwin, Z, A, Q, and 1) and create two rows on your matrix for every physical row on the board (ex. R0 touching Esc, 2, 4, 6, 8, 0, and Equals, and R1 touching 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, Minus, and Backspace). This can then create a 7x10 matrix, which frees up 2 pins, 17 versus 19. But, if you can handle crazy and wire an 8x8, you absolutely can save more, as low as 16 pins. There is a bit of dimishing returns the smaller a keyboard is, but if your plan is a flight deck, you absolutely will want to duplex a 108 keyboard with 11x12 rather than 22x6 as taking up 23 pins rather than 28 can mean worlds of difference. Even if you can't use just a Pro Micro, there are some that use 24 pins, while going past that usually means 32 or more pins with an accomodatingly higher price tag. If you need a better visualization, you can look up "ai03 matrix" on your search engine of choice and it likely will be the first result pointing to their wiki with a page titled "Matrices and Duplex Matrix."
Very cool Project. What Microcontroller did you use for this build? Im thinking about building a handwired Fullsize Keyboard myself, but i have a hard time to find a Microcontroller with enough IO Pins for the Layout i intend on.
In this build i used the Teensy 2++ but I'm still looking for alternatives and text up on the list are the blackpill and a pi pico. Other than that you can also use an io expander chip but that could be a bit complicated for the beginning
Well it is cool that you made everything by yourself. But to be honest I would not be very satisfied to do so much work and to end up with this flexible plastic case. It should not be a problem to get a really nice case for this standard layout. You could even get this printed in metal I think!
Totally feel what you mean but in keyboatds there is a trend for flex pcbs aswell, its not for everyone, the cool part is that you can define how flexible it should be by printing a plate with more thickness. My last keyboard had a 4mm plate and is the opposite of this keyboard really really stiff. and yes it would be a lot easier to just buy something but my brother also owns a 3d printer so he could change the case and add another row of macrokeys on the left if he feels like it. also the case is not flexible when it is assembled just the plate is 3d printed plasic parts are suprisingly robust. 3d metal printing would we a nice thing someday. Thanks for the honest comment, I always appreciate the feedback
@@JanLunge Well that's cool ofc if you prefer to have some flex in your board. That's the cool thing about making everything yourself. You can do it precisely how you like it. Cool project and thx for your reply!
i like the use of the 3D pen, it could allow for some cool customization
Honestly I love this side of the custom mech scene way more. You really get to make your keyboard your own, plus it's actually affordable!
I wouldn't say it is affordable but that depends on what you use for the build.
I mean, sure l guess lol
This was a great video. Has really inspired me to make my own custom handwired board. I will probably make a video about that soon too :)
Keep up the good work and keep inspiring people by making these projects look so easy!
Quality content as usual!
dude this is so cool i definetly have to try something like this
I love you presentation. The content is superb. Thank you for a very informative video.
Would like to see you exploring into wireless keyboard also. Nevertheless, nice work man... Excited to see your next project
Maaan!! Finally found what I was looking for. This is AMAZING! :D
Thanks a lot. I have so many questions, but I shall contain them for now.
Good stuff! Thanx for sharing.
Nice build, I love the look of the keycaps. Where'd you get them from?
Pretty impressive, I find this much more interesting then people flexing there expensive assembled keyboards.
Awesome vid bro
thanks for the vid was looking for an explanation on handwiring keys
It's probably been mentioned in another video, but in case any new handwire or PCB newbies like myself wander upon this video:
While you can just get a higher expansion daugherboard/MCU, you can also use "duplex matrices" to make the most of pro micros and MCUs in general. Thinking of it completely mathematically, think of matrices like a times table where you want the most *square* result from a given number that you can. For the example of a 60%, needing 61 keys. Now, while 64 is the closest square number without going under, an 8x8 matrix would be very awkward to wire on a keyboard.
Gleaning from that, instead of doing a 14x5 matrix, you can make your matrix columns expand across two physical columns
(ex. Col0 going from Esc, Tab, Caps, LShift, LCtrl, Lwin, Z, A, Q, and 1)
and create two rows on your matrix for every physical row on the board
(ex. R0 touching Esc, 2, 4, 6, 8, 0, and Equals, and R1 touching 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, Minus, and Backspace).
This can then create a 7x10 matrix, which frees up 2 pins, 17 versus 19. But, if you can handle crazy and wire an 8x8, you absolutely can save more, as low as 16 pins. There is a bit of dimishing returns the smaller a keyboard is, but if your plan is a flight deck, you absolutely will want to duplex a 108 keyboard with 11x12 rather than 22x6 as taking up 23 pins rather than 28 can mean worlds of difference. Even if you can't use just a Pro Micro, there are some that use 24 pins, while going past that usually means 32 or more pins with an accomodatingly higher price tag.
If you need a better visualization, you can look up "ai03 matrix" on your search engine of choice and it likely will be the first result pointing to their wiki with a page titled "Matrices and Duplex Matrix."
Yasss!! new video
thx
Very cool Project. What Microcontroller did you use for this build? Im thinking about building a handwired Fullsize Keyboard myself, but i have a hard time to find a Microcontroller with enough IO Pins for the Layout i intend on.
In this build i used the Teensy 2++ but I'm still looking for alternatives and text up on the list are the blackpill and a pi pico. Other than that you can also use an io expander chip but that could be a bit complicated for the beginning
Well it is cool that you made everything by yourself. But to be honest I would not be very satisfied to do so much work and to end up with this flexible plastic case.
It should not be a problem to get a really nice case for this standard layout. You could even get this printed in metal I think!
Totally feel what you mean but in keyboatds there is a trend for flex pcbs aswell, its not for everyone, the cool part is that you can define how flexible it should be by printing a plate with more thickness. My last keyboard had a 4mm plate and is the opposite of this keyboard really really stiff. and yes it would be a lot easier to just buy something but my brother also owns a 3d printer so he could change the case and add another row of macrokeys on the left if he feels like it. also the case is not flexible when it is assembled just the plate is 3d printed plasic parts are suprisingly robust. 3d metal printing would we a nice thing someday.
Thanks for the honest comment, I always appreciate the feedback
@@JanLunge Well that's cool ofc if you prefer to have some flex in your board. That's the cool thing about making everything yourself. You can do it precisely how you like it.
Cool project and thx for your reply!
tbh, several support columns in the base plate could eliminate the flex completely.
interesting
Where do I find the “A103 plate generator”?
kbplate.ai03.com/ is the link
Great video and great DIY'ing but horizontal stagger... ewww gross! (Ortholinear master race!)
I live in between so bottom row stagger is the king!
just a suggestion, dont leave yourself staring into the camera at the end.
good channel tho. imma smash dem buttons for u homie