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The case for custom ergonomic keyboards

July 1, 2023

If we do our jobs right (programmers), we spend 40 hours a week typing on this thing called keyboard. Some people love keyboards—a lot. I am one of them. I started with mechanical keyboards, and I must warn you that this is addictive.

Mechanical Keyboards

A mechanical keyboard uses individual mechanical switches for each key instead of the membrane commonly used in most modern keyboards. Sometimes the mechanical switches provide tactile feedback and a distinct “click” sound when pressed. Mechanical switches are usually more responsive and comfortable for typing. All this to say mechanical keyboards provide a nicer experience.

cleaning mechanical keyboard

Custom Mechanical Keyboards

You can build a mechanical keyboard from scratch yourself. It typically involves selecting a custom mechanical keyboard kit or individual components, such as a printed circuit board, switches, keycaps, and a case and then assembling these components into the keyboard.

There are many particularities of mechanical keyboards that I will have to skip. I want to avoid the “switches war specifically”. I think we have way too many options. If you can, test brown, red, and blue cherry MX or similar brands. Then go from there. Don’t overthink. There are way too many options.

To me, the best example of this type of keyboard is the Planck. The keyboard was designed by Jack Humbert and is manufactured and sold by the company OLKB (Ortholinear Keyboards).

ortholinear example

Ortholinear vs Staggered

An ortholinear keyboard arranges the keys in a grid pattern, with keys aligned in straight rows and columns, unlike the staggered layout found in most traditional keyboards. This layout is intended to reduce finger travel distance and promote a more ergonomic typing position by reducing strain on the fingers and wrists.

Keyboard firmware

The keyboard firmware controls how the keyboard functions and communicates with the computer or other devices. ZMK, BlueMicro, and QMK are the most well-known.

Split keyboards

A split keyboard is divided into two or more separate sections, usually separated by a gap or a pivot. The sections can be adjusted to fit the user’s preferences, allowing for a more ergonomic typing position that reduces strain on the wrists and arms.

My *dreams* keyboard used to be the Kinesis Advantage360:

kinesis

Custom Split Mechanical Keyboard (CSMK)

Now the real deal. Custom Split Mechanical Keyboard is the holy grail of keyboards. It is the ultimate repetitive strain injury fighter. Bear with me. Your hands are going to thank you.

Examples

Kyria (https://github.com/splitkb/kyria):

kyria keyboards

Lili58 (https://github.com/kata0510/Lily58):

lili keyboard

Redox (https://github.com/mattdibi/redox-keyboard):

redox keyboard

George’s babies

I have two corne keyboards(https://github.com/foostan/crkbd). One wired and one wireless. I will break down how I built the wireless one, trying to shed some light on what you’ll need to choose to make a similar build.

This is my baby:

my keyboard 1

Bottom:

my keyboard 2

The parts are:

Once you get the parts, you need to put it together, solder it in place, flash the firmware, and learn how to use your new device.

Tags:
#productivity
#keyboards