this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2023
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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

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¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
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Sweep Bling MX with Triumph Adler keycaps salvaged from an old Gabriele 9009 typewriter.

As they are mostly uniform profile, I could actually make them fit my layout 😍

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[–] overby 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That is some cool caps you got there

[–] apfel 4 points 2 years ago

I got so lucky with these caps! Found the full Gabriele typewriter on an eBay listing in my area for 5€ 😅

[–] chetco 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Looks nice, well done. Friendly reminder for anyone interested to please use lead-free solder, especially for something like this.

[–] apfel 3 points 2 years ago

Yup, big agree! Lead-free is perfectly fine, just have to crank that soldering iron up a bit.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Forgive my ignorance, but ELI5 on the lead solder debate? I was under the impression that lead solder produced joints that are less likely to crack, ergo it was better? What have I missed?

[–] apfel 3 points 2 years ago

Most importantly, lead is very poisonous.

And while it is possible to use it in a safe fashion if you know what you're doing (thorough cleaning of everything it may have touched, especially your skin and everything you may touch again; usage of fume extractor), lead-free solder is perfectly fine to use, especially for undemanding applications such as keyboard PCBs.
It merely requires higher soldering temps around 300 degrees Celsius (I personally prefer 330 as a default, going up to 380 when desoldering).

Another thing to be aware of that lead-free solder doesn't fix is the fumes from burning flux. So even with lead-free solder you should use a fume extractor.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why the modified Colemak layout?

[–] apfel 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

this is the aptmak layout. I'm using it because i find it to be more comfortable than colemak, especially on my usual 28-key boards.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Definitely going to need to give this a once over. I've never even heard of apt before. Thanks for the info!

Edit: Forgot to mention that the keys are absolutely gorgeous. What kind of switches are you using?

[–] apfel 2 points 1 year ago

Yea i can only recommend aptmak, super comfy!

In this build i have milky yellows, but i'm not super happy with them. My current favourites are the trash switch (linear) and kailh midnight pro yellows (semi-silent tactile).