this post was submitted on 20 Jul 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.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid

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Custom Dactyl iterating (feddit.nl)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/ergomechkeyboards
14 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'm thinking about printing my own Dactyl exactly to my measurements but I don't want to print too many iterations before landing on my preferred layout. Any tips on how I could achieve that?

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[–] wolfwood 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (4 children)

my suggestion is to use a skeleton-edition style case so you print the minimum amount needed, and reuse the base plate. ie print only thumb plate til you get the position close, etc.

I've build a framework for this approach: https://github.com/wolfwood/tryadactyl

trying to link the keyboard parameters to measurable features of your hand helps some, but honestly there's no substitute for typing on it and realizing what you don't like :)

i've has a recent breakthrough (implementing hierarchical/delegated column placement) that makes merging multiple plates with differing centers of rotation just work when switching from an open case style to a closed case.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Do you have a configuration for starting in a more dactyl manuform like place?

[–] wolfwood 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

you could take my model and replace the cylindrical column spacing for pinkie and index with a flat spacing to have something less intense.

i don't have a clone, but it would be easy to do, for the dactyl fingers. the columns have a standard spacing I believe and the rows are placed on a cylinder with some radius and and a fixed angle (π/32 radians maybe?). then you can either replicate the column and Z stagger they use or tune your own.

the DM thumb is actively bad for me tho so if start with a simple 3 key arc (i think there is a tester for the arc placement) and add and remove keys as you try it out.

[–] Drudge 2 points 11 months ago

Wow, that's a pretty wild looking keyboard... Would be interested to see a typing video ⌨️

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Wow. That looks very interesting! I like the approach of using real world numbers. I’m going to try it out tonight!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Congratulations, you made the rabbit hole within the ergo rabbit hole within the keyboard rabbit hole.

Does it ever end?

Edit: Spelling

[–] Skree 5 points 11 months ago

Cut it up! Print only thumbs for a while that you can "locate" to a standard set of finger keywells. Do the same for other features you're wanting to customize.

[–] iZRBQEcWVXNdnPtTV 3 points 11 months ago

There's a 3D hand model roaming around somewhere that you can put into the Dactyl model and give it a try. Also, if you know anyone with a Kinesis Advantage (2 or 360) you can test drive a default Dactyl (it's based on that). I 3D printed mine blindly knowing that I have smaller than average hands and want more aggressive stagger + tent and it worked out really well for me.

Also check out Ergogen and Ergopad for truly customized to your hand experiences. This video is a great primer.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I know this is not part of your question, but I those wrist rests are beautiful. When you do get the layout you like, make the rest. Haha

[–] avyrla 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

This thing is gorgeous!

[–] Necromnomicon 1 points 11 months ago

A bit late to the game, but I happened to stumble upon the github to this very dactyl design today. Here you go, in case you ever felt like making it yourself.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Any refs on those wrist/palm rests? I'm thinking to make myself some once I finish wiring mine up.

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