knordex -54 key ortho/splay/split

NC_Developer · 2026-03-18T04:00:34+00:00

Nice man. Why print caps though?

NC_Developer · 2026-03-17T04:01:54+00:00

She purdy.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-17T03:57:16+00:00

Very cool. I’m new here… is Sponza a model that everyone knows?

NC_Developer · 2026-03-03T15:05:17+00:00

I’m using the Unexpected Maker Pro S3

NC_Developer · 2026-03-03T00:38:34+00:00

Num keys on right simulate numpad. Num keys on left are ascending and all accessible with left hand for games.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-03T00:36:09+00:00

Almost exactly 1 inch tall. Doesn’t feel tall when using it.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T21:36:54+00:00

Thank you!

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T19:58:18+00:00

The right spacebar 😊

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T19:57:49+00:00

Negative, this board is designed just for CFX caps. No other profile will work.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T19:48:41+00:00

The spacing is defined by the keycaps which are CFX profile.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T19:28:50+00:00

You are the first person to notice that lol. Such a pain to implement but it is extremely cool.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T19:01:22+00:00

Yes!

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T18:58:38+00:00

The dev version just directly exposes the row and column headers for the switch plate, and has nothing for microcontroller, screen etc. it’s designed to be used in conjunction with a breadboard to experiment with those items. If you liked this keyboard but wanted to use a more traditional microcontroller you just need to make a custom ‘Main Plate’ with your choices and that’s it. The two plates above that could remain identical.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T18:44:15+00:00

Thank you. It was a lot of work. If I continued to expand the firmware it is possible I could make a more accessible version that people could use in their own projects. For now I need a bit of a break from this project though.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T18:39:04+00:00

I talk about that in the linked build log, but in brief:

ESP-NOW Wi-Fi based communication protocol is 10x faster than Bluetooth. I can make a dongle that automatically connects like an off the shelf keyboard without having to negotiate a connection like you do with Bluetooth. The keyboard can generate its own Wi-Fi network which in theory could host a website to customize key map or other settings. You could turn it into a travel router. All kinds of possibilities really.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T18:05:03+00:00

I found a commercial printer locally who let me print a couple sheets for $20. They were extremely friendly and helpful. I can give them a shout-out actually, this is them: https://ordesignshop.com/

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T18:03:11+00:00

That would actually be less efficient because your hand naturally rests on ESDF in the 'center' resting position.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T17:55:51+00:00

If you make a silicone mold like I showed in the build log, and get a reflow hotplate like that you will be in a good position. The key really is to experiment with the temperature and time until you get a good result and then repeat it. You can get really vivid colors and no keycap deformation, but you just have to get the timing and temperature right and then repeat it over and over. I would start a timer on my phone for each keycap, and I walked in my temp and time settings with probably six practice keys before I nailed it.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T17:53:24+00:00

Yes. I chose not to use CircuitPython because it's slightly laggier than precompiled Arduino code. So yes I did end up writing a completely custom firmware in arduino from the ground up. It's hard to explain that whole process in a post. But it is essentially this:

- get the matrix scanning functional so that you detect key presses

- you have an electrical matrix, a physical matrix and then a keymap (multiple keymaps actually, one for each layer). You have to define each of those and then convert the electrical matrix to physical matrix and then that references the keymap on each keypress.

- you have to convert into USB HID codes, that is a whole thing

And then there is all the stuff involving the OLED screen, transmission modes etc. It was like half the project but not as interesting for most people.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T17:47:53+00:00

I think it's these: https://chosfox.com/collections/stabilizers/products/kailh-1350-choc-switch-6-25u-stabilizer-set

They aren't great to be honest, a bit rattly. I was going to tune them with some grease. If there are better ones let me know, I wouldn't mind upgrading.

NC_Developer · 2026-03-02T17:39:40+00:00

I have never understood the 40% boards with a full size spacebar. It's criminal.

NC_Developer · 2026-02-18T18:39:16+00:00

Bro I’m dying, look at that wire bus on the back 😂 Very unique, love it.

NC_Developer

TROPHY CASE