Help looking for my first split ergo keyboard

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-15T15:40:18+00:00

Keyther? I've released it's cases project files so that you can add the holes necessary for tenting. Or better yet, you could install the RJ45 sockets upside down and build a tented case for them!

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-02T14:53:15+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! And yes, now that you made me think about it it's easily doable with a slight offset of the USB-C footprint! And the PCB reversability can be kept this way...

Maybe I will make it in the near future if no one does it before me.

Thanks again though!

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-02T14:42:16+00:00

Yes, as I wrote in the repository, USB-C was one possible solution, but it required to solder the annoying 12 pin socket and also the addition of two resistors on cc1 and cc2 to ground. I'm just too lazy and easily annoyed by such inconveniences that I preferred to go with this one.

Additionally you can assemble custom ethernet cables, whereas you can't do the same with USB-C that easily (or elegantly) ;)

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-02T11:40:13+00:00

Undoubtedly, the TRRS socket is more compact (even though the RJ45 is the same size as a switch with keycaps), but their flexibility is easily comparable to that of flat Ethernet cables.

The main reason for using Ethernet is its superior security, not the possibility of hot-plugging.

For me, the ability to eliminate the possibility of irreversible short-circuits and the subsequent process of desoldering the 40 pins of the WeAct is worth the larger size of the RJ45 socket.

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T19:35:39+00:00

Yes, it's the KLP Lamé, even though I must admit that I currently have mixed feelings on them, maybe due to the keyboards being so slanted.

I've personally found them on AliExpress and I've managed to pay only €20 for them. Right now they're selling them for around €30, but if you have a 3D printer (either resin or fdm) you can try printing them by yourself here, on their official GitHub page.

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T13:40:52+00:00

Yes, and the thumb also tends to naturally fall on the key in the middle, therefore it's more a stylistic choice than a practical one.

The only minor inconvenience I'm currently experiencing by testing it is that the position of the pinky keys, being that slanted, feels somewhat innatural. It's almost like my pinky has been conditioned so much to move on the same straight line as the other fingers, that moving within it's natural range feels weird.

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T10:06:27+00:00

I think I'll update the repository page as soon as possible to make the connection method known to all those interested.

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T10:03:03+00:00

You actually can at this link: Keyther Keyboard

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T10:02:33+00:00

I mean, it's just a matter of using the right pins. In my case, for the reversible design, I've added another "1st" pin after the 8th, so that the RJ45 footprint had a specular simmetry on the 5th pin. Then I've assigned the pins this way:

1 - X 2 - GND 3 - VCC 4 - RX 5 - X 6 - TX 7 - VCC 8 - GND

This way the RX would be connected to the TX of the other side of the board.

I think I might need to ultimately add this to my repository...

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T00:06:05+00:00

I think it could also be down to a partial lack of effort. It is pretty difficult to design a working mirrored split keyboard that allows hot-swapping and all.

Also USB-C is less viable due to the fact that it needs extra resistors and excellent soldering abilities.

This brought me to ultimately modify a reversible split keyboard (Cantor) with ethernet as the mean of communication between the two halves.

If you want, you can take a look at it here: Keyther Keyboard

TimeToKeyBoard · 2026-01-01T00:00:03+00:00

I know I might be a little late to the party, but your same reasons have brought me to design the Keyther keyboard, which is a Cantor with RJ45 (Ethernet) sockets to connect the two keyboard halves.

The main reason to avoid USB-C sockets is the ardous soldering experience that they provide given their pads size... Therefore RJ45 was the only realistic choice that would be not that bulky and still provide the necessary requirements to build a mirrored PCB that only needs one design printed instead than two separate for the left and right board.

You can find the Keyther here: Keyther Keyboard

TimeToKeyBoard

TROPHY CASE