Split 64 Keyboard (Red Alert)

Description

I wanted to build a keyboard for awhile but I couldn't find the right option for me. Finally this sp64 hot swapable kit showed up on my amazon feed and I bought it immediately. I like that I can split and tent this keyboard for ergonomics. Splitting and tenting is much more comfortable but it's... odd. This keyboard lets me slowly adapt.

I knew I wanted a split keyboard. I was looking at the "hot-dox" but it looks very alien and I feel like adapting to it would be difficult. The other option was a Kenesis Advantage 2 but then I'd be stuck with brown switches. I don't mind brown switches but I really wanted hot swap-ability so I could play with other switch options.

I ended up getting the aqua zilent switches ... oh my. There's a really nice popping through feeling you get at the top. I can immediately tell when I'v actuated the switch and my fingers naturally let off.

Components

Project Logs

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New keycaps
Geek Centric • 07/03/2020 at 04:57 • 0 comments

New key caps came! They look nice but might take some time to get used to. The red body is still off for me. Deciding between painting the case black or grey. ?
Assembling
Geek Centric • 06/24/2020 at 13:43 • 0 comments

Ordered the PCB and case as a kit from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W93LSL7?pf_rd_r=KPWBXM7FMVEQC79NBFA0&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

This what a bit of a bummer. The pcb came in with a loose smd in the bag. Had to re-solder. I hadn't done any small solders like that before. Terrible . . . terrible solders joints were made - but it works.

Got a pack of Aqua Zilents. 2 out of 70 had an off "boing" noise. Going to use the extras to practice lubing. I'm going from Cherry browns to these.
https://zealpc.net/products/aqua-zilents

Hot swap mounts make this reeaaalllly easy. I like that I can swap them out later if I want to experiment with other switches.

The mis colored keys look a little goofy but I’ll spray paint them later. I was pretty happy testing it. The keys are really quite and I love the bump at the top from the aqua zilent switches. The super quite switches make the stabilizers sound really loud X( going to have to spend some time working on that.