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Kit46

The Kit46 is a 3x6+5 split, BLE, handwired, keyboard powered by ZMK firmware, tailored specifically for my hand size and preference. This is a follow up work from HelloWorld8, a proof-of-concept 2x2 split keyboard project.

Final Keyboards Image

The casing, board, cover, keycaps are all 3d printed, and the circuit handwired. Both sides are powered by a battery each, and have a switch to turn the keyboard on and off.

The name originates from my shorten online alias and total number of keys available, 2x (3x6 + 5) = 46.

Features

Magnets!

Magnets are inserted into the base of the keyboard on both sides.

Magnets

Probable Use Case #1 You are walking around with your Kit46 keyboard, and want to get a drink from the fridge. Rather than set your keyboard aside, you can make use of its magnets. Fridge

Probable Use Case #2 You are taking a break, when you receive a work notification and need to transition back to work. You retrieve your keyboard from under the table where it's magnetically attached. Under Table

Misc

Power Switches

You feel cool turning on the keyboard in this manner.

Power on

Casing

Comes with protective casing for smooth travels.

Casing

Batteries

Kit46 comes with a chonky 1000mAH 102050 Lithium battery on each side, enough to last for 3 months without charging for the left central keyboard, and 11 months for the right peripheral keyboard, according to ZMK Power Profiler.

Please bear in mind that the batteries were chosen solely based on the duration specified above, and upon delivery, their sizes were quite surprising to the keyboard creator.

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) Support

This comes for free as part of using ZMK firmware, not trying to claim credit for it, it's awesome that it works out of the box for me. I toggle the keyboard between 2 BLE profiles, one for my phone, one for work.

Build Details

Both boards exposed The keyboard switches are snap fitted into the board, and soldered directly to, each switch paired with a diode. While the microcontroller is housed together with the switches on the board, the batteries are stored separately in the base, due to the weight and size. In the image above, one can see several areas that are duct taped, my amateur skills are showing through.

The board and base are joined together via same sized indents located on both ends, the friction ensures that they are stuck together without some manual force prying them apart.

The cover went through 3 iterations to eventually use snap fit to securely hold the keyboard when travelling.

Keymap

Layout created using https://jaroslaw-weber.github.io/keyfab/.

Keymap

This definitely isn't the best layout out there, I left the numbers and function (F1-F12) keys in the same columns as a regular layout, and have redundant TAB and ENTER keys on my base layer. I use a range of programming languages at work, so there's no real symbol priorization on the symbol layers, outside of -, _ and =, which are regularly used for command line usage.

Additionally, there are additional layers and details (BLE management, Home row mods, combos, macros) that are not displayed due to a lack of effort on my end, and also since they are more prone to changes since I'm still experimenting around.

Bill of Materials

Core purchases

Can't build a keyboard without any of these.

Material Cost (SGD) Notes
NRF52840 Dev Board 2x $8.18, from Shopee Reused from my HelloWorld8 project.
3.7V 1000mAH 102050 Lithium Polymer 1x $16.30, Pack of 2, Shopee Decided 1000mAh based on ZMK Power Profiler, and the large battery size created constraints that served as a major factor for the final keyboard shape being pistol-shaped.
Switches $73.81 2x Pack of 30 switches, Kailh Shadow Series Low profile - Ghost
Diodes $4.06, Pack of 100
Wires Free Extracted copper wires from a spare HDMI cable.
Keycaps Free-ish 3D printed, see next section for filament cost.
Section Total $110.53

[Cases / Base / Cover] related purchases

Can't nicely use the built keyboard without these.

Material Cost (SGD) Notes
Magnets 4x $5.30 Pack of 5 (20x10x10mm) magnets Used to stick left side to the right side when stowing away.
Power Switch $2.71, Pack of 5
Rubber stoppers $3.38, Pack of 50 gains Used for keyboard base rubber feet.
Paper Clay $6, Pack of 1kg Used for text infill (See "This Side Down" text).
White Marker $3 Used for keyboard cover edges.
3D print filament 2x $15.40 'Transulent Blue' and 'White' colors, 1kg PETG, ALT TAB Filament.
3D printer - Borrowed.
Section Total $67.09

Misc purchases

Material Cost (SGD) Notes
Soldering tools (Soldering iron, Stand, Solder, Flux, Desoldering Pump) $50 Brought a set from a friend.
Soldering Mat $9 From Artfriend
Safety Googles $7
Copper tape $8.60, [5mm x 13m] roll Failed experiment, ended up not using it in the final product.
Section Total $74.60

Total cost: S$252.22

One of my motivations going into this project is to keep costs low, I didn't expect to spend such a huge sum by the end.

Alt Text

Build Log

Board

  • TODO

Casing

  • TODO

Cover

  • TODO

Typing Test

Kit46 typing test

Thoughts and Future work

TODO section:

  • Notes
    • Looking into creating PCB designs for next keyboard
    • Want to add mouse controls in the form of a trackball
    • Want to add display so as to know which layer and BT profile I'm connected to

About

ZMK config repo for Kit46, a 3x6+5 split keyboard

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