Thanks! I'm trying my best and my hard work on pcb design seems to be providing pretty good outcomes!
Thank you both! Hopefully get to come out with even more crazy fun ideas soon!
Hey! Haven't written much lately as I've been chasing new crazy ideas. Many of which aren't seeing light just yet but soon TM!
Firstly, it's been a year. The business has survived! Even expanded. I can't take all the credit for that though. The support from the Ergo community trying my keyboards and pcbs has fueled many a long night of prototyping and development. Thank you all for the kind words, and general support!!!
I started selling flexible pcbs a little more than 12 months ago. Even back then people were happy with the time savings, but the version back then was so simple compared to the lofty goals I had. I think I've gotten quite a bit closer. There are some much more radical changes I'm going to be demoing here in the next couple of months but this solution right now is down right amazing.
I'm having a sale of all things and stuffs till sometime next year starting today!
https://thebigskree.etsy.com I need to finish work on my actual website to match Etsy. If you want Kinesis keyboard key swaps though www.skree.us is the place to go!
New products: The Skree Tail: this custom FPC cable takes some hints from Cyboards evolution of my flexible pcb design and improves on it.
Curved smooth traces, and edges. These help minimize breaks of the cable.
Tree style via routing. I've very specifically tried to place vias in ways that minimize any risk to the strength of the cable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVJxFxteJ8&t=30s Sorry for the long winded video. I'm not so good at these things!
The skree tail can be cut to size. There are two current versions in 6 and 7 column lengths. No need to fold the cable over, or bend things to try and work on the left and right. The extra long connector to the MCU allows for the columns to be connected the same on both the left and right side of a case.
7 columns 6 rows, full RGB with only soldering required if you change a column length.
LEDs are supported with proper resistors for incoming data strings, and capacitors to ensure that there isn't issues with voltage delivery.
My flexible pcbs will now fully support choc v1 and choc v2 hotswap, and MX hotswap, and soon Gateron 'Low Profile' hotswap sockets too! All fully customizable in length.
I populate the pcbs in house! This means if you want a matrix that has different sized columns then message me and I'll build them to your specs, this saves you a little bit of money, time, and also saves materials if you care about the whole material waste thing!
But wait! I've figured that forcing people into using your own specific MCUs isn't really the best idea. While I have a RP2040 board in the works, as well as a nrf52840 module design that will supply something around 32 pins, alot of people want to work on THEIR equipment!
So I made the Skree Translator! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVJxFxteJ8&t=188s)
This super cheap little daughter board allows for connection with JST-SH cables, or hand soldered with through-hole soldering! It translates your wired rows and columns to both my Skree Tail and flexible pcbs but also supports my Toe Beans FPC connection! with this you can have near zero to zero soldering required for connection to ANY MCU! Everything becomes simply plug and play.
I also have a Raspberry Pico breakout board that I designed for WylderBuilds https://wylderbuilds.etsy.com/ that provides USB-C instead of TRRS (though you can still wire it to a TRRS header with the JST-SH connector). Skree tail and thumbs support, RGB, and even SPI / I2C breakouts for trackballs, and oled connections! His boards are down right fantastic and knows his software stuff like no-one else!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVJxFxteJ8&t=859s
Moving on, I've been making prototype after prototype of tenting and palm rest devices.
The Skree Perch, provides infinite fine adjustment for tenting any keyboard! The magnetic system allows for you to either imbed a metallic plate in your case base or stick it anywhere you want!With a customizable base profile, rubber anti-slip feet, and a phillips screwdriver you can tent your keyboard to any angle you'd want, while being highly rigid. Then fold the whole unit up and disconnect it from the base for ease of travel! All while costing less than traditional tenting mechanisms. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVJxFxteJ8&t=1074s)
Palm rests are something I've been very cautious about regarding design. Often you'll see wrist rests used in ways that will likely cause further harm instead of doing their actual job. While I don't believe I've stumbled across the panacea, I've instead decided to support a variety of solutions that a user can pick to match their needs.
The Skree Bean solution provides either an adjustable via magnetic spacers, or a custom printed based on height and angle palm rest. Using memory foam instead of messy to clean up gel kidney bean rests, that are imbedded within the print instead of always falling out on the move.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVJxFxteJ8&t=1161s
The Skree Tilt solution moves away from the standard common wrist rest and instead takes design characteristics from more professional solutions. The tilt angle of is based on the well loved Kinesis Advantage 2's tilt and slope.
It comes with customizable inserts too! Select from leather (horween cavalier series pull up leather) or custom die cut mousepad material that provides a fantastic level of squish without being too much like gel solutions. Also the Skree Tilt can be printed to match your keyboard height and tilt if you contact me with a model / stl!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVJxFxteJ8&t=1232s
Here's a google Album of most of the crazy new designs and stuff I've gotten done! Some of it is likely not to see the light of day but most of it should be! https://photos.app.goo.gl/NMufeuVYKKPSKoJe9
The future:
Custom sublimation Keycaps. I know it's almost been a year, but I think I've figured out the printer issues! NOTE I think I can sublimate on clear!
Potentially crazy solution to not being able to make double shot keycaps for shine through. This will be shown off very soon!!!
Clear, and crazy cool resin cases!
Airbrushed cases! With all the cool colors that entails!
CNC? Yes. Wood? Yes! Soft metals? Skree! More? Shhhhhh soooon.
With the Skree pad (module powered keyboards, I'll have flat panel pcbs with the MCU tucked away so that there's no MCU bump, or a minimal bump)!
Wireless Trackballs? KMK has solved that issue! Expect to need bigger batteries but we're there boys and girls!
Stickers! The SO has been having fun figuring out stickers.
I know, this is silly long. I'm not very good at the whole writing, video recording, and explaining stuff. But my hardware designs work as expected and I'm here to support all my work with whatever ways I can!
Not that I'm aware of but the DRC systems should be able to make it pretty clear if there's track issues.
There are circuit / electrical simulators but that's a very complicated solution for keyboard designs that tend to be simplistic.
Matrix circuit designs are not much to be worried about. If you had a design in question I'm sure someone including myself would be willing to look at it.
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What kind of plastic? If PLA 3D Gloop PLA works amazing. Otherwise hotglue, or my suggestion is don't do single key pcbs / handwiring (ad) I make flexible pcbs for curved keywells (specifically used them on my dactyl keyboards I've sold, hundreds in the wild without any issues! www.skree.us or etsy.com/shop/thebigskree if you're interested in that. (I ship internationally but it can sometimes take a while to arrive).
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If the micro controller works with the software (ZMK / QMK / KMK etc) then yes, it works. Both of those would work.
Wired I can do more of. Just order two I have spares for the extras I'll gladly just include. The actual cost in time is minimal for the extras.
Non-transparent they'll do light sanding to. Transparent they come with supports removed, but there is very fine markings where supports attached to the model.
Yep, just cut. Super simple to do, right at the start of a flex strip. I've got lots of things going on! I sanded the verticals on one half for a frosted effect. The other half I have to prep and figure out what clear coat I'm going to spray on it. Been utterly distracted doing the pick and place machine (got my flexible pcbs populated with diodes) learning how to do multiple components is going to be the next step.
As in 5 rows 7 columns? My flexible pcbs can be linked together for infinity columns.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1367143291/dactyl-flexible-pcbs-4-and-5-high I'm out of populated 5r pcbs but I just got the pick and place machine populating diodes (I'm short on hotswaps but they're super easy to solder).
QMK or ZMK?
I've used ZMK reset and bootloader keys for well over a year.
Should work fine. If you're worried I can print a single column cut from the skeletyl to test.
Kill your board? No! They're all data pins, so there isn't current to kill anything unless you short to the PCB or a battery somehow!
I make flexible pcbs with hotswap for dactyls (and other curved / flat keyboard production). They save oodles of time, and make troubleshooting easier too! All you need is a little hotglue on the edges to lock the pcb fully in place (I have a screw version produced too just need to get a good source of screws to include).
Handwired builds, especially uninsulated are more prone to shorts that will cause unexpected switch behavior. PCBs even per key help minimize that risk.
Not 100% sure on if you can easily get this consistent. I know that there are ways of dying resin post print though.
I wonder if you can just get evenly tinted semi-clear automotive for it.
SK6812 Mini-E (they're the big legs, but I don't know the component name difference).
They can be per key (not supported on ZMK currently) or just treated as up facing underglow. BUT! The biggest concern I've had is the realization thaht all RGB boards on the market that use SK6812 in bulk don't seem to consider the total peak power consumption.
One color can peak at 12ma at 5v. They're often ran at 3.3 or 3.7v. 3 colors per led for 36ma per led. So on sofie type boards where there's ~30 keys per half you're pulling 1.08ma if you ran the leds at max white. This would be HIGHER if they're run on 3.3v or 3.7v due to the relationship between wattage and voltage. Yet! They've worked fine. I've had good success.
Going forward I'm swapping to SK6805 surface mounted leds. I've got the pick and place running, and the goal is to have per key rgb with underglow. That would almost 1/3rd the amperage requirements. Also gives me a little more board space I'm hoping.
Ideally, I'll have non-rgb options, up facing perkey rgb, underglow, and up and underglow rgb options (probably 2 independent rgb channels aka underglow has its own data pin). All in either Choc v1, MX, and whatever else I decide to support.
I've got a working "screw" mount solution that works! The problem is with the pcbs fitting super well (model dependent) (I've based on the standard dactyl) why bother using lots of screws when a little hot glue does the job. My first versions were wrongly sized and I ended up being extra cautious with lots of extra glue to ensure there's never a issue with pcbs coming free, but at this point I'll either cut the number of screw points down, or honestly supply it but not use it myself.
The nice thing with getting access to production equipement (my designs are all about saving my time in production) you get to save that time too.
Sorry for the silly long response!
It's resin from JLCPCB. My small resin printer just can't do a 5x6 sadly. The first transparents I had done was with PETG.
Sadly, JLCPCB doesn't do tinted black, but honestly a clear coat with a little black alochol dye probably would do the trick.
I was blown away with the quality from JLCPCB. It's not that expensive but shipping hurts. Holes aren't perfect, but my switch dimensions worked great surprisingly. I need to do a little more work getting the threaded inserts I have fully working (might have to drill potentially because I didn't expect the oval circles). Their texture really confuses me. I legit don't know for sure what technology they're using for their resin prints.
It can be a pain. That and tuning supports so they don't fail, or slice you up trying to get them out.
Jumping in here to say I've worked with Wylder for quite some time now. He's quick witted and really knows his stuff!
Hey! Marshall here from Skree LLC. I'm so very lazy at posting advertisements and community updates but I figured I should get off my butt and do something.
So I've been at this for about a year. The rave reviews and many customers turned friends I've made leads me to assume my work is at least of pretty good quality! I make only wireless builds unless you want something specifically custom.
My dactyls can be ordered with whatever switches you want, they're all hotswap too! I produce custom keycaps to your specifications, including font, format, size, position, etc!
I've got lots of new stuff on the horizon! Choc dactyls, choc flexible pcbs, custom MCU-breakout boards that allow for near ZERO soldering thanks to the use of FPC and JST cables! Just assembled a pick and place machine for all custom pcb manufacturing!
You can check out my reviews, customer photos, and work at SKREE.us or etsy.com/shop/TheBigSkree
If you want any custom work at all let me know! I'm always looking for fun projects!
PS: If you want kinesis board work, be it foam, switchs changed, or even repairs I'm far quicker and have no "lead time" like the current other options!
Are you feeding the leds with 5v or 3.3v? I've had issues with 5v and no shift registers as the led won't pickup the high state of the leddata without a shift register.
https://github.com/WainingForests/zmk-config-xiao/tree/Xiao_rgb I have successfully done LEDS just fine. Per key is a misnomer though. ZMK doesn't allow individually addressing each key. Instead, you'll be using underglow to apply effects to the whole "chain."
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.
I can also relatively easily tweak the pcb dimensions if needed to fit. Including switch center to center "flat" distance!
I'm so torn; while I'm glad to not be supporting the mess that reddit was devolving into. I miss the shear volume of content that was on Ergo Mech Keyboards.
Also, it's killed sales! So why not have a sale, for more sales?! https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBigSkree
Or if you want to hit me up directly: www.skree.us or on here, or email me at thebigskree@gmail.com. Discord too; Alakuu or Skree_LLC
I offer what, I and many of my customers have stated as the best FDM BLE dactyls you can buy!
Lots of super cool things being cooled in the background like near solderless flexible PCB, MCU, and custom thumb single key pcb support for any kind of keyboard building!
That's a very old version, but the idea is to offer JST and FPC options that either support my flexible pcb ecosystem or with JST cables you can solder to ANY existing pcbs you'd want! The MCU I'm dubbing the "pad" allows for either the use of the built in LIR2450 battery or use of any size Lithium battery you want if you solder to the battery pads! More details to follow once I get the final revision pcbs in and tested.
RGB underglow; finally got a order and it turned out super neat!
! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFUalBG_SUE
Choc v1 dactyls are basically done, just need to order switches in volume so I can keep my normal out the door in ~1-4 days. I'll have more traditional thumb clusters (maybe advantage like too?) when I put up listings. If you want to try my weird design let me know! I've got the flexible pcbs that I'll be selling for Choc v1 here soon too!
Dactyl-CC. I've seen this repo for a while and with my current work on providing Kinesis switch replacement and general board repair I figured I'd try it. The board feels pretty spot on to the Advantage line!
Speaking of Kinesis! How about some Heartbeat switches on a 360pro?
If you want to have your switches professionally replaced, or if you have a old, broken, or misbehaving Kinesis keyboard I'd gladly talk with you and figure out a solution!
There's tons more, I'm a bit scattered. With the big sales slump I'm blaming on the lack of eyeballs that were on Reddit (hoping it's not general economic downturn stuff) I'm less able to finalize products. But I'll get more interesting things out the door very soon!
Hey!
So, I just finished and have now finalized my work flow for processing Kinesis Advantage 360 and 360 pro switch replacement process. I was contacted regarding doing such a service and as a result found out about how UpgradeKeyboards handles their "only authorized" service.
In that they've got a 6 month+ lead time.
While I'm not "officially authorized" I do terrific work. I'm just finishing up designs on 3d printed soldering shields to make the process further streamlined.
If you don't want to wait an near infinite amount of time to have a functional board in your hands let me know!
I haven't fully hammered down the price but the process takes me ~2.5 hours. (~75-100$)
It would function in the following way; Contact me; I'll need you to send me the board; and if you want specific switches I can order them or what I've had work before is just include them keyboard.
My turn around time is literally 1 day unless I get utterly flooded.
I build keyboards for (almost a living) I'm using professional equipment; can diagnose other problems, and while I'm reasonably new (8~months in) I've made pretty solid impressions with my own designs, so I believe I can at least help offer to deal with the current lead-times.
You can checkout my reviews, work, and anything else at my site or etsy store: www.skree.us www.etsy.com/shop/TheBigSkree
You can reach me on discord at alakuu or skree_llc
The Meep and the Merp of www.skree.us, www.etsy.com/shop/TheBigSkree, and Skree LLC.
I make keyboards, hydroponics that no one has seen and lots of cool pcb / mass production solutions. Reach out if you want to discuss anything.