Double Action Keyboard

Here are some pictures of the latest double action keyboard V1.1. This keyboard is electrically almost identical to the V1.0, however, the mechanical design has been updated significantly. The case is manufactured out of sheet metal parts and the keyboard is wider and it has a fixed wrist rest. The wrist rest has a foam core to make it softer and more comfortable compared to the wooden wrist rest of the V1.0. Also, the joystick is mounted slightly higher than in the previous versions. The LEDs (for caps lock and FN-layer) have been positioned to the middle for better visibility. This keyboard has also an USB type-C connector.

The files can be found in the PCB directory.

Here are some pictures of the new keyboard.

The larger joystick is much better to use than the old one.  Also the feel of the keys is much more rigid. The keyboard weighs almost 1.2 kg. The wooden parts are made out of oak.

The wrist rest is attached to the keyboard with magnets. There are two magnets in the keyboard and in the wrist rest. This works quite well.

After all I'm quite pleased how it turned out.
 

This is the case for the new keyboard.

The case of the Double Action Keyboard V 1.0 is going to be made out of two 1.5 mm stainless steel plates. One will be on the bottom and the other on the top of the keyboard. The edges and the wrist rest will be made out of wood.

The steel plates will be laser-cut, but I haven't got them yet

This is how the new layout is going to look like. There are 1.25u wide keycaps on the edges and two 2u keycaps in the middle. Obviously the functions of each key can be modified, so the second picture is just an example how the functions could be configured. 

I decided to use DSA keycaps for the keyboard, because they have a flat profile and therefore suit well to the unusual layout of the keyboard.  The switches are Gateron browns.

I started building a second version of the double action keyboard, it is based on a Teensy-LC and the case will have a removable wrist rest. The layout will be slightly different and the navigation button is going to be bigger and more comfortable to use. Otherwise the keyboard is going to be quite similar as the first one.

This time I ordered the PCBs. Here are some pictures: