Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Powerspill
Sandalmoth published the Powerspill, a Dactyl-like split with keywell.
Published March 22, 2024
Creators! Feel free to tip me off about your keyboard related projects to bring them to 100K readers.
The handwired Powerspill, designed by Sandalmoth, is yet another Dactyl-like split with keywell.
My first design had the keys just a bit too close together and a thumb angle that was too steep for my hands. I also decided to add another row, as I find that it's pretty easy to reach and didn't see the harm in having it – Sandalmoth.
Initial layout created via OpenSCAD, design done in Blender.
Design considerations
- The stagger is "a mix of vertical and back to front".
- Pinky keys are slightly closer together than the others
- Columns are flatter on the far end than on the close end.
- The thumb cluster angle is reduced compared to previous designs.
- Pitch is 17.5 mm vertical (16.5 for pinkies) and ~19 mm horizontal.
The author found that he doesn't really use his pinkies for the number row, so two keys in the top row are positioned for the ring finger – that's why the unusual shape.
Resources
Published on Fri 22nd Mar 2024. Featured in KBD #159 (source).
Related
Squeezebox v2209
Peter Lyons announced Squeezebox v2209, the latest iteration of his distinctive ergo keyboard.
Dactyl Manu-tide
Smeeba posted Kravchenko32's Dactyl Manu-tide featuring an extreme keywell (git).
New flexible PCB
Alakuu from Skree.us revised his flexible PCBs and designed a new XIAO-Flex MCU breakout board.
Explorer RxCT
A modular split keyboard with keywell and adjustable thumb keys: Explorer RxCT by Dream117er.
Glove80
The Glove80 by MoErgo is the end result of hundreds of ergonomic A/B testing experiments.