Another Keyboard, Yet Again

YAK: A Keyboard

I just finished building a low-profile, wireless version of my keyboard design.

It features has all the good bits of the previous design:

• Enough keys
  • 6 rows
  • thumb clusters
  • extras rows for longer fingers

• Ergonomic design
  • Split design, to eliminate ulnar deviation and combat pronation
  • Curved columns to minimize over-extension of fingers
  • forward tilt to reduce wrist extension
  • All thumb cluster keys accessible without moving the wrist
  • Wrist rest
  • Staggered columns layout (fits me best)

But it’s about 10mm lower, thanks to using Kailh Choc switches.

The Build

• Bill of materials:
  • Switches and keys (66 of each): Kailh Choc keyswitches, MBK keycaps, and 1N4148 diodes
  • Other parts (two of each): nice!nano boards, socket-head 8mm m3 screws, m3 nuts, quarter size geekpi prototyping breadboards, JST-PH connectors, 6x6 microswitches (for resetting the board), 48 x 30 x 5mm lipo batteries.
  • Soldering tools and materials: wires; kapton tape; solder; etc.
  • Physical copies (prints) of the models
  • Wood or other bulk material for wrist rests
• Wiring
  • keyswitches
  • JST connectors
  • reset button
  • nice!nano
• Build wrist rests. This can be done in various materials. Here is an example.
  • Cut two 10 × 10 × 2.7 cm blocks
  • Drill mortises to fit the bottom plate tenons (Use an 8mm drill bit)
  • Carve out room for the bottom plate support
• Assembly
  • Place the board into place and bolt it.
  • Snap the frames into place and fit the wrist rests.
• Firmware and pairing
  • Download a modified ZMK and flash it on the nice!nano boards.
  • Reset both halves simultaneously.
  • Pair with your computer.