My own split keyboard

By Thisan Krishnakumar (thisank)

1) Custom keyboard

I spend a lot of time on my computer, primarily writing code or playing video games. Therefore I wanted to try making my own split keyboard with as few keys but as much functionality as 60% keyboards, based on the Keebmaker model. Making a split keyboard for this project is considerably cheaper than buying one brand new on my end, as brand new ready-made split keyboards can cost well over 1000kr.

Both halves are powered by a Teensy microcontroller, which has full support for keyboards compared to an Arduino, where the pins on the controllers are connected to each keyboard switch via cables (PCBs for split keyboards are expensive and not easy to make) either directly or through a breadboard, and to connect them to each other I can either set up a removable communication cable between the keyboards, or set up communication through the computer OS if possible.

I can use the Keyboard library for Teensy to configure what input each key will set, as well as be able to set up custom combinations as well as configure the minimum delay between shortcut key(s) (e.g. ctrl) and the final input key to activate the shortcut. The Teensy offers much customizability on how key inputs are configured, which isn't the case for ready-made split keyboards on the cheaper end of the price range, which have limited to no customizability with regards to configuration.

2) Goals

Both keyboard halves should be able to work both connected to each other and separately.

I want my keyboard to be able to function like a standard keyboard with shortcuts.

The keyboard should be ergonomic (minor goal).

3) Description and sketch

An overview of the general split keyboard layout, with partial mapping of keys, placements of microcontrollers and connection between each keyboard half.

Note that this is a work in progress design and not the final result.

4) Bill of materials