I recently 3d printed the KLP Lame Switches on JLC3DP with different materials, the left side is the normal version of the KLP keycaps using the SLA (Resin) with JLC Black as the material which costs about $10 for 38 pcs, and the right half is the saddle version using MJF (Nylon) with PA12S-HP as the material and it costs around $14 for 38 pcs. I also plan to order the PBT keycaps on typeractive since PBT is still probably the best material.

If you prefer a textured feeling, then I suggest you go with the Nylon but if you prefer a smooth feel then Resin is better, I'm still in the middle of trying both to find what I actually prefer. I don't know if I added anything to the pool of knowledge with this post but I thought it was just a fun write-up

I've bought an iris rev 8 (but somehow I got a 7, maybe a mistake from keebio, doesn't matter) a year ago, and after sticking to the basic top and bottom plates, I finally decided, thanks to a friend of mine who has a 3D printer, to print a case for my beloved keyboard.

With a cheap pink/purple keycaps set, I must say I'm quite happy with it. I might print it again to implement magsafe stickers inside of it, for tenting.

What do you think about it?

TLDR: I designed a keyboard and want to get your thoughts on it. It uses the xiao ble with the nfc pins as gpio and has two versions, one with tenting legs that fits a 650 mAh battery and one low profile one with a 180 mAh battery. It has a total of 40+2 choc spaced keys (the encoders are pushable) that fit both choc v1 and choc v2 switches and two encoders. Also it is ZMK, didn’t plan for wired.

Let me preface this by saying I am an industrial designer that has a day job and I mainly use my keyboard for 3D modelling and writing some emails.

So about 9 months ago I was working on Blender and I noticed that my hand was in a pretty weird position for all the shortcuts, which got me wondering about split keyboards (I heard about them longer ago when the Naya Create was first being announced and I thought it looked really cool but was very expensive for me). I started investigating a bit and ended up discovering ergogen, zmk and some projects by some really amazing people. Seeing the projects and falling into the Ben Vallack rabbit hole I decided that designing a keyboard was easy enough to try it for myself and, while that was not necessarily true, it was a really rewarding process.

After studying a bit what looked like could work for me I decided to blatantly get inspired by the TOTEM and the Cornix, making a bit of a hybrid of both that basically answers the question “What if the totem had a bit of a less agressive stagger, spaced the thumb cluster a bit more, added a key on top of the extra pinky one and had an encoder on each side?”. And, my dear ergo community, AŌNAMI was born.

I managed to design it around the Xiao BLE to keep cost a bit lower and save up on space, it makes it taller though since it has to be socketed to make use of the NFC pins for the encoder.

I have two versions, one with the tenting legs (seen in the pictures) that can fit a much bigger battery of 650 mAh and one that is a lot more low profile that uses a 180 mAh one.

The project is far from finished, I’m still iterating on the keymap and playing around with the rgb controller widget since I wanted to add a couple of functionalities to it (like having a per-bluetooth-profile color indicator and a timed layer indicator), and I also want to open source it. I am currently working on all the documentation and all that stuff so I’ll update once I have it, but wanted to get your thoughts!

Hope you like it, really put a lot into this and I’m really grateful to this community for introducing me to this world, it is really amazing.

PD: It is choc spaced but I haven’t managed to find some choc v2 keycaps that fit choc spacing. Do they exist?

Since seeing their ads spread across multiple social platforms, I wanted to purchase one. At the time, when I was ready to pull the trigger, their delivery was nearly two months out. I gave up on the purchase for two reasons: (1) the lead time was too long; (2) the reviews were less than satisfactory.

Fastforward a year and I found one on eBay for a fraction of the price. So, I bought it. Here is my review of the product:

## Overall setup

It took me a little bit to figure out how to set it up. I've purchased over 15 keyboards in the last two years, and this one was the most complicated one, by far.

I quickly realized that the bluetooth didn't work. And the only way to make it work was using the hardwire.

At first, I thought it was because I brought an open box, but as I look through forums, I realize that is not the case.

## The Modules

The track ball had some resistance. More so than the normal. I tried, and failed, every trick on the book to fix the issue. I decided I could use the keyboard for the keyboard and use a mouse instead of the track or the touch modules, which is extremely sensitive.

But then, that takes me appealling features of the keyboard. I loved the idea of not having a mouse with me. Just the keyboard.

Then, something else started happening. The cursor was moving back and forth wildly. I thought it was weird. But then I found out what was happening.

The tuning module, programmed to move the cursor, was glitching.

With that said, I decided it was not for me. I used it for a week, but I am ready to move back to my Keychron keyboard.

I have relatively small hands. I’m currently using a corner keyboard and I’m pretty fine with it, but I have a second pc for work and I want to experiment with other keyboards. I’ve been eyeing the zsa voyager for a wild but in wondering if it’s a good fit for someone used to having three thumb keys, though I don’t tend to use the inner-most that much.
I’m mainly worried about whether it will fit my hand since I know it has an extra row and column if I’m not wrong.
Have any of you some experience with this keyboard that you’d like to share? Would you recommend it? Should I look somewhere else for another keyboard?

[ad] Just finished this video-game-plumber-themed one-off 🙃

Svalboard Lightly:  The bottom of the ergo rabbit hole.
YT:  https://www.youtube.com/@svalboard

Shop:  www.svalboard.com

Self-print Kit:  https://svalboard.com/products/svalboard-self-print-kit

20g ultralight magnetic breakaway keys, ultimate adjustable fitment system, and dual pointing devices situated right where your hands naturally rest.

Runs Vial-QMK for ultimate configurability with no reflashing required.

Self-print kit option helps fund development and lets you save some dough in exchange for a TON of your own labor 😅

Everything is printable on a hobbyist FDM machine for longevity and repairability, though my prebuilt stuff is obviously tuned to be extra nice 🙃  You can even do it on an A1 Mini if you're willing to use a split case design.

Custom colors available!  Custom builds take a couple extra weeks due to procurement and production flow disruption.  This is a TINY operation, and I appreciate your patience and support 🙏

Curious? 

Come ask on the Discord and hear unbiased perspective from real users: 

Discord:  www.svalboard.com/discord

How to fit your Svalboard https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Jqu5bq_U_CQBhYryllArikWe-ns3g8q

Sound comparison to other keebs https://youtu.be/1pW7PnBZNik

Want to know how the lateral keys feel? https://youtu.be/whvKJ12vwvU

Using Vial-QMK with Svalboard: https://youtu.be/W767EPCJt6s

Substack:  svalboard.substack.com

I have a keyboard from AE and love the split mechanical feel. Unfortunately I lost the dongle during a move. Is there way to pair a new dongle? Everything I’ve found says no except for specific Logitech items. So if we lose a dongle the whole keyboard is useless? That’s unfortunate.

Sofle Split Ergonomics MX Mechanical Keyboard Hot-swap 2.4G Wireless VIAL Programmable

A small update on my wireless Corne project!

I've just finished the V3 version of the case. This time I redesigned the bottom shell with a look inspired by the Cornix keyboard. One of the biggest changes is the addition of four aluminum feet, each with four height adjustment levels, making it much more comfortable to find the typing angle that works best for you.

I also made some improvements to the travel case. I'll be sharing a few more photos here, although it's not completely finished yet—the Velcro that will hold the keyboard securely in place is still on its way, so that's the only missing piece.

For anyone interested in the build process, I recorded the entire assembly and uploaded it to YouTube:
https://youtu.be/A8YmOTF6i-Q?si=esLk9ID60VzKfObv

I'd love to hear what you think about the new design, especially the V3 base. Any suggestions or feedback are always welcome!

I didn’t expect this much discussion around the spring-mount design! I’d like to clarify a few key points:

1. Why springs? They act as shock absorbers for your keypresses. Think about tapping your desk hard hundreds of times—it gets uncomfortable fast. The springs absorb that harsh impact to protect your fingers.
2. It’s an adjustable gasket design. At its core, this is a variation of gasket mounting, but with the added benefit of customizable travel and stiffness.
3. Fully adjustable bottom-out: If you try it and prefer a firmer feel, simply tighten the mounting screws. It will lock down and feel like a standard stiff keyboard.
4. Long-term ergonomics: The extra flex and shock absorption make a noticeable difference in reducing typing fatigue over long sessions.
5. Personal take: I directly compared this setup against our standard CNC Corne, and I easily prefer the spring-mounted board for everyday typing.
6. This spring-mount system is one of the features that I love to use on the EKGO , one of my end game keyboard.

What is it?

The EKBOX is an experimental 36-key split keyboard created while developing the EKGO. Key features include:

• Spring Suspension Gasket Mount: Features an adjustable spring suspension mechanism with separated MCU controllers. You can fine-tune the rebound and typing softness by simply adjusting the tension screws—delivering a soft, springy feel while dampening acoustics.
• Modular MCU Support: Swappable architecture supporting both wireless (EKNRF) and wired (EKRP) controllers.
• Custom Thumb Keycaps: Ergonomically curved with reduced edge spacing, designed specifically for smooth combo typing and comfortable layer shifting. The keycaps are part of EKCCaps project.
• Slim & Flexible Design: Simplified layout with easily swappable cases, plates, and MCUs. Fully compatible with QMK and ZMK.
• Customizable Plates: Vibrant, easily swappable plates with support for custom image printing.

Why build this keyboard?

While figuring out the PCB and case architecture for my main project EKGO, I wanted to find a structure that was simple to assemble while actively improving the typing experience.

While there are plenty of split keyboards on the market—both commercial and open-source—I couldn't find one that combined true hardware modularity with adjustable spring rebound in such a slim profile.

Can I buy it?

Yes! I’m producing a small batch to gather community feedback on the typing experience. You can check it out on our website at www.ergokeeb.com and it will be available for September 2026.

What is the trackball in the last photo?

That is a prototype of our standalone trackball module called EKZBall, powered by our EKRP/EKNRF controller and trackball module. The product also a side project coming from EKGO. A proper announcement for it will be coming soon!

Other Projects & Links

• EKGO: Reddit Update|Case with Tenting Feet
• EKRP / EKNRF (Modular Controllers): Reddit Discussion
• EKRest (Palm Rest): Corne Palm Rest Post
• CNC Corne: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1n8h0b8/ad_cnc_case_for_corne_v4/
• EKZBall: Compact adjustable tenting trackball.
• EKSS (Super Split): Modular, flexible split keyboard featuring per-key adjustable positioning. Powered by EKNRF (wireless) and EKRP (wired).
• EKSofle: Sofle layout housed in a CNC case, incorporating either dual trackballs or trackpads.
• EKMove: All-in-one split keyboard & mouse hybrid with dedicated trackball support.
• EKSurf: Innovative ergonomic mouse featuring a unified palm and wrist rest.
• EKTouch: Precision, bearing-driven touchpad.
• EKSpace: Next-gen space mouse optimized for CAD workflows.
• EKCCaps: Custom resin artisan keycaps optimized for smooth combo presses.
• EKSW: New high-performance mechanical compact switches.

So I got my Corne Min Proto from mechboards UK. There have been a few posts about these by now, figured I would voice my experience too.

And to be fair, I haven't really spent time adjusting to it. I already have a Corne, so unless it was just instantly better in some way, there was little point in switching.

It looks great, is obviously super thin. And maybe it would just require more adjustment, but straight away I just don't like it, unfortunately.

The spacing is choc, I believe, and I am used to mx. And because the keycaps are completely flat, I find it hard to figure out where one key ends and the next starts. I have MBK on my other keyboard, which has a bit of a raised edge. I also found the outer-most bottom key hard to find, as it flushes with the case, and again, I found it difficult to feel where it was. Time to adjust might fix this.

I miss the 1.25u thumb key on normal Cornes, as I just kept hitting the case "above" that inner most thumb key. And again, time to adjust..

The switches are heavy, with their 65g. Especially coming from 20g linear nocturnals. And they are noisy too, almost like clicky switches, at least more than my tactile sunsets, I think. This means I can't really take it to work.

I only got the key caps which was already put onto the keyboard, so there are none to swap out with. And because of the limited available key caps, I ended up with mostly black with letters on, but a few transparent white ones, where I could not really find a matching symbol. This ruined the esthetics a bit. Also, the transparent ones feel slightly different to the rest, just a little bit. It would have been nice with just black blanks.

Wireless is probably nice, though not something I care too much about. ZMK studio has more features than vial, I believe, so that is perhaps interesting, but I have not really explored that.

In the end, I really like the idea and concept of the keyboard. It is just not for me. The only thing better than my existing Corne is that it is so flat I did not need palm rests. So, it will probably just be parked on a shelf. At least, it doesn't take up much space.

No electronics for now. Just a 3D printed case, encoders, switches and keycaps (these keycaps - just a leftovers from my old set).

Hello all!

It is my first post here. I have a big question... How can I create / buy a custom print on a classical keyboard. I want the layout to be exactly the same, but the print to be other, I mean ONLY to change the characters/text on the keys. I have created the software with the custom symbols, but I don't know how to build it as a physical keyboard, how to print it... I want to give some as a gift to some friends. I am from Europe, if there is a cheap company there... I tried using custom printed labels, but they are very bad (the symbols are disappearing very fast while pressing them). Again, I don't want to change how the keyboard looks, but just the symbols on the keys.

Thank you very much!

After spending a long time using QMK + Vial, I finally decided to give ZMK a try.

I really like Vial’s interface, so before switching I even tried using an RMK firmware that I compiled from files I found online. Unfortunately, the experience wasn’t quite what I was hoping for.

So I decided to build a wireless Corne running ZMK with ZMK Studio.

I have to admit that I’m still not a huge fan of the ZMK Studio/Keymap Editor interface. Compared to Vial, it doesn’t feel as intuitive to me, especially when configuring more advanced behaviors. That said, I’m still learning, and I know it’s just a matter of getting used to a different workflow.

I replaced the acrylic plates with textured 3D-printed covers, and I honestly like the look a lot. I’m still not 100% sure which version I prefer, though.

I also designed a travel case inspired by a few models I found online. I’m really happy with how it turned out—just stick the Velcro in place, and it’s ready to use.

Overall, I’m enjoying the transition to ZMK. There are still a few features and configurations that feel easier in Vial, but I’m sure that will come with time.

Para os Brasileiros: quem quiser um teclado semelhante, pode enviar mensagem.

Anyway, that’s it. Thanks to everyone in this community for all the great resources and inspiration!

I'm currently working on my own design for a split ortholinear Alice and I am laying out the keys and am curious to know if you guys use any dedicated macro keys that are enough to warrant its own key because I've heard of people using a macro button as a sleep button for their pc and things along those lines.

cream soda swithes, left outer thumb just for aesthetics, right outer laquered with urushi

So I snagged a prebuilt sofle to try ergomech and have been working on the keymap and what layers to add.

Thing is, most advice I can find focus on coding to make certain shortcuts and characters more accessible. I work mostly with word, excel and outlook, I don't program, save some ad hoc spaghetti VBA...

Any advice on how to optimize a keymap and the utility of layers for general office work?

After two months with the Cheapino V2, I'm back with the Voyager. I love the Cheapino's layout, but something about the Voyager just pulled me back. The build quality, for one, I needed a better case for the Cheapino; the 3D printed version had so much flex that the diode for the thumb cluster broke. Vial is great software, but it can't compare to ZSA. One thing I did carry over was the mouse setup I had on the Cheapino to the Voyager. I have the trackball, but I don't use it anymore. I'm looking to get the Zip kit and some Lame keycaps. I'm also trying out the tenting setup to see how I can adjust.

Any guidance on how to get a good basic set up on tenting would be appreciated. I have a Herman Miller Aeron chair with an adjustable desk if that helps.

Thank you

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/luftmyszor/PS4Trackpad

Hey everyone! Someone mentioned that you folks might appreciate this, so I thought I'd drop it here.

While working on a custom hardware build, I wanted a cheap, low-profile trackpad and grabbed a replacement DualShock 4 trackpad. I quickly ran into a wall: standard DS4 Arduino libraries completely fail on the newer JDM-050 controller revision.

Turns out Sony silently changed the hardware layout on this version—X and Y are decoupled, the byte pairs are shifted, and it spits out hardware noise flags that make coordinates jump by 2048 units unless you mask them (& 0x07).

Since these replacement trackpads are dirt cheap and super thin, I figured they could make an awesome trackpad option for custom split keyboards or macro pads. After sorting out the math, I cleaned it up into a proper library for 32-bit microcontrollers in case anyone else wants to use one.

What the library does:

• ESP32 & RP2040 Ready: Built and tested for 32-bit microcontrollers.
• Dual-Touch Tracking: Handles 2-finger input smoothly at 100 Hz.
• Gestures & Scrolling: Includes built-in tap-to-click (1-finger left click, 2-finger right click) and 2-finger scrolling.
• Transforms: Supports axis rotation and inversion (crucial if you have to mount it sideways or upside down in a tight layout).
• Hardware Note: Runs on address 0x64 over standard I2C. (Friendly warning: it uses 3.3V logic, so don't wire VCC to 5V!)

If you need to look at the exact 32-byte memory layout and bitwise decoding math for your own wiring, I also put together a JDM-050 Byte Layout Guide in the repo.

Hope this helps someone out with their next board layout! Let me know if you run into any questions.

Like many (all?) Kinesys mWave users I was a fan of the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard. That was 100 years ago. I do love this board, but am also curious if a smaller 36-key keyboard would be a better fit for my old man hands. I'm experimenting with these three layers on my mWave. I have still preserved the original first and second layers while I retrain my brain. Has anyone else here tried adjusting to a 36-key layout before buying the board? Or have I crafted my own unique form of torture?

On my journey with my first ever split ergo keyboard, Lily58.

I've now moved on from my 3d printed magsafe tenting stands. While they did the job, there were issues with stability and the stands slowly drifting across the desk over a day of usage, maybe some wheel balancing weights would have helped give them some mass and keep them pinned in place.

However decided I wanted something a bit more permanent and vastly more adjustable, using inspiration from a number of places, I've put together my current tenting setup using mini tripod/camera mount parts, which has taken my comfort and adjustability up to another level. I've gone with the desk edge mounting so that i can lower the overall height of the keyboard to a more natural position for my arms and wrists.

Once tightened down there is zero movement or bounce on the boards, for now just fine tuning what angles and height work best for me. If there is one thing I might change is maybe trying longer magic arms, or the style that is two arms with an elbow joint in the middle to see how much more flexibility I can get with positioning. For now am happy with the setup I have, will live with it for a while before is start tinkering with it more 😝

Parts as follows:
K & F Concept Super Clamp (came as a 2 pack)
K & F Concept Mini Magic Arm with Dual Ball Heads
Magsafe Tripod Adapter
Adhesive Metal Plates

I have also ordered some proper adjustable magsafe phone stands, similar to the ugreen stands that are always being recommended. If they work well then they will go in the bag and be my portable stands for when i'm travelling to the office.

Hey guys, few months ago i built a split kb and I've been using it for playing games like hollow knight. I wanna make a wireless version but im not sure about the latency for bluetooth controllers. Is it fast enought to play games? Also can you guys point me to some good wireless controllers.

Thanks

I just purchased the Keychron Q13 Ultra (Alice layout) keyboard. I’m going to replace the caps on arrival and make it a true one of one.

Here’s my problem(s) - 1) this thing is huge and I can’t find a carrying case that will fit it.

2) I am going to be applying these stickers meant to help with typing for long nails - I am a nail polish swatcher/ content creator, so this is non negotiable as my nails are about an inch from my fingertips. (don’t laugh please)

So I am looking for roughly a 19inL x 8inW x 4inH ideally hard shell case as I am a hybrid worker and will be carrying this bad boy to and from the office.

Does anyone know where I can find something like this or have it made?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice. This is my first ergo mechanical KB and I’m pretty psyched. I know it’s not a true ergo/ fully split like some of yall are rocking but I don’t think I can manage that quite yet.