fine, FINE. I give up. I will be using mouse switches. Basically any switch that has 5.08mm between pins with mostly any height can be used, just need to adjust stand offs. Kailh mute's 2-pin up to TTC gold dustproof, to Huano 80M blue pink dot, Kailh GM8.0 black/transparent, etc.

edit : Let's say one day I want to have keycap compatability, I just need to have a plastic part molded for the top plate with cherry stems over the keys.

This picture alone has enough pixels to compensate for other posts lack of pixels. Save some pixels for the rest of us. sheesh.

easily obtainable switch. Hot swap capabilities with millmax sockets like keyboards and as far as the PCB goes, well, I did sent it with the image I posted unfortunatly. I fixed the PCB with V0.2. I'll use some wire and some trace cutting for V0.1 to punish me for fucking the diode arrangement lol

edit : and the switch isn't as a mystery as you may think. Plus the PCB hints at it anyways.

Alright, fixed it for V0.2, added your name to the list I'll be creating of people who contributed. Thanks again.

I simply want to share my work so far with the community. Once I have my first working prototype, I'll be posting pictures.

The PCBs are currently being manufactured (5 of each) of the V0.1 with the stupid row diode arrangement that I've fixed for V0.2.

I already have the switches, diodes, teensy 2.0 loaded with the firmware, wire to fix my diode fuck up. The switches I have currently are real shitty and more just to use for proof of concept. PCBs supposed to ship in three days per AllPCBs order thingy.

edit : as far as switches go only a few select people who have helped me so far (one for firmware and another for PCB design). I have a far way to go before making V1.

I've been searching and I've found 40+ switches so far that can be used. from 0.10$ a switch up to $2 a switch, similar to actual mechanical keyboards.

want a pepper shaker too with that salt?

fuck, you're right. At least it's an easy fix with a tiny bit of wire, but damnit, thanks for spotting that.

But the difference is that those you usually use aren't made for high cycle lifes, usually don't last very much. All potential switches I'd consider using are 1M+ life cycles.

edit : the vast majority of switches I can use are clicky, but can be made silent.

The top plate is totaly custom, you can literally put any graphics you want over it.

0.5mm travel a nightmare? How many 0.5mm travel keyboard devices have you used that proved to be a nightmare to use?

Yes, Mechanical switches, quite a few to choose from too actually.

I understand you have tunnel vision on current mechanical keyboards, but that doesn't mean it's the only possible sort of mechanical keyboard that can exist. Be open to new designs.

edit : How many of them have NKRO? touchscreens are 0gf needed to activate, this isn't anything like that.

but then it wouldn't be a mechanical keyboard wouldl it? ;)

I haven't revealed which kind of switch I'll be using yet, I'm speaking with a manufacturer for a batch before proceeding to buy bulk. There will be 10 or so switch options when the design will be finished. I'm going to start compiling a list of potential switches.

To be really honest, I have a degree in industrial engineering and most of it was already acquired knowledge.

Here were my sources for information, extract from it what you can, it should help out. If you need anything, just shoot me a DM.

https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/10/i-built-a-keyboard-from-scratch/

https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7177&start=

https://trauring.org/hand-wiring-a-keyboard/

https://kbfirmware.com/

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/

Since y'all didn't react much to my post yesterday of the new keyboard I'm making from scratch, I decided to post the PCB aswell in hopes to trigger some people. Enjoy, open to any question, comments, concerns, insults, what ever.

thanks fam, I appreciate it :)

the only thing I don't like about the design is that on any other keyboard, you feel a groove, a shape, something to tell you you're on another key and I'm hoping that prototype 1 will not feel like this.

at least someone gets it

keycapless...

wondering the same, but tbh, people are always reluctant to change. It's not like I'm saying I'm going to revolutionize or change the keeb hobby, I'll just be bringing something new

The travel from top to bottom of the switch is <0.5mm and because of the design it will end up ~0.3mm for a key press. The prototype will be a sandwich with handwiring but I hope to make a working PCB afterwards once I dial down my design. Since this switch does not mount like any mechanical keyboard switch, I'll be going with a two part plate design to hold them down which can be replaced by a PCB eventually even if socket mounted.

edit : and thanks I appreciate it. I understand that the community is quite unsure and skeptical about this, but trust me, I really think it's going to bring something new to keebs.

I could incorporate easily a cherry stem fortunately.

I hope to have time to design and render a prototype this weekend to show you guys, since I don't have a solidworks license anymore I'm converting my skills to Fusion360, so far so good, mostly a matter of finding where things are.

I honestly think it belongs here as it fits the bill of a mechanical keyboard as much as any diy kit except keycaps. I think there would be appeal to users who want to reduce movement because of possible carpal tunnel or injuries or even just want to prevent anything. With the amount of travel, I think it would also appeal to gamers wanted the fastest possible reaction time with their keyboard hand.

It's vastly different in terms in construction, but at it's core it's the same. I'm focusing on first and foremost having the "as basic as possible" model prototyped first, then aiming for improvements through revisions.

I really really think this will bring something new to the keeb realm. You'll just have to wait and see for the first render.

I simply want to show my design further along my design phase, at least when I can show an initial render.

In it's simplest form, it would be <0.5mm travel and keycapless, in 60% form factor. It is infact a mechanical keyboard, much like the rest here and the ones I own, just reimagined. Instead of keycaps.

I'll leave it at that for now and repost about this when I'm further along the project as I agree it's mostly empty statements at this point from my part. Worry not though, it'll come. So far, this is a 1 of 1 project for myself, but who knows.

I could make it so that it uses keycaps though, but this keyboard would still be at about 0.25±0.1mm (design not finalized) travel plus won't be overly expensive to make. It will be relatively thin, so keycaps could be easily incorporated if I find a way to mount them.

This gives me a great idea as to an alternative design. I really appreciate your input.

it's not.

First I'll be designing following the traditional 60% design then it'll be easy to extrapolate. Do you guys prefer long travel? Short travel?

This "new" type of keyboard is really new, I don't want to post much details for now, but I've ordered everything I need and have been hard at work on drawing the key layout. First versions will be hand wired, but eventually will be PCB.

To get your attention, I will say that this keyboard won't have keycaps.