Time Spent Overall: 24.5h

July 14th: Learned about different keyboard styles and layouts

Read online about mechanical keyboard design and layout. This guide from Keyboard University was extremely helpful. I have decided to go with a 65% because it is compact but perfectly fits my needs.

Finalized this layout

Total time spent: 2h

July 15th: Made a rough BOM and a rough wiring

Researched about key switches and different parts that go into making a keyboard. Made a rough BOM about what is needed. Also, I am making this one wireless using a nice nano clone!. Made a rough matrix wiring diagram through multiple iterations to meet the number of pins available.

Final layout

Total time spent: 3.5h

July 17th: Made the schematic

Made the schematic in Kicad, connecting so many switches correctly was painful.

Total time spent: 2.5h

July 19th: Finished the PCB

Used keyboard layout plugin to place the components in the PCB editor. Routed everything

Total time spent: 3h

July 20th: Critical mistake and fix, Case

As it is obvious (not in the first glance) that I mistakenly built a mirror image of the keyboard. I tried to use flip and mirror but nothing worked. I had to redo the whole PCB wiring.

Changes the positions of some diodes so that they dont interfere with the stabilizers. Added some silkscreen art.

Added a switch to conserve battery.

Finalised other components like PCB receptacles, battery and power switch and added them to BOM.

Started working on the case, made the bottom. Used the hackpad guide as a reference to make this. One new thing I learned is adding an angle to improve ergonomics.

Made the plate for my keyboard. Designed it as a 3mm plate since 1.5mm is a bit flimsy.

Have made notches for my switches to mount on and have left spaces for the stablizers.

Total time spent: 6h

July 21st: Test fitting

Imported the 3d PCB design to Fusion and test fitted with the base and plate.

Added 3d models of switch, keykap and stabilizers to for a better test fit.

For access to the USB port and On/Off switch I have added cutouts in the base.

Total time spent: 3h

July 22nd: Case top, finishing touches ad firmware

Added a case top with extrusions for my bolt heads.

Used the fillet tool to round the edges. Looks very beautiful now.

Added a small holder in the case bottom for my battery so that it dosent move.

Made small holes in the case bottom to add non slip feet.

Learned about ZMK from various sources like Scotto Keebs and ZMK website. Tried to code the keymap on my own but found it quite overwhelming. Then I found this great tool which made the process a breeze.

My default layer has the normal keyboard buttons-

The other layer has Functions, Bluetooth settings and mouse control.

Total time spent: 4.5h