This is a collection of useful links and resources for keyboard builders. Completely random order for now until I get a chance to organize them all one day.
Current as of September 3rd, 2024
3D Printing
3D Printable Kailh Choc and Cherry MX Hotswap Socket Holders
https://www.printables.com/model/284057-hot-swap-socket-holders
These 3D-printable socket holders work for both Kailh Choc and MX-style hotswap sockets. which are superglued into the holder.
The holder and sockets are then superglued into your 3D printed case so these are not meant to be reusable but will give your handwired build the flexibility of hotswap sockets.
Might also be good for use with repairing or repurposing prebuilt keyboards though I’ve not tried them.
Keyboard Design/Fabrication
Ergogen Tutorial: Design A Custom Split Keyboard From Scratch
https://flatfootfox.com/ergogen-introduction/
One of the best tutorials I’ve seen on how to use Ergogen which is a programmatic way of creating a keyboard design from scratch.
The tutorial focuses on designing a split monoblock keyboard but the concepts can be applied to proper splits or traditional staggered layouts.
Covers everything from key spacing to PCB design in KiCAD and generating usable keyboard case files from the KiCAD PCB.
Very in-depth and technical so may not be for absolute beginners.
Guide to Using Github Files to Order and Make a DIY Keyboard
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/yyri4x/
A great in-depth guide on how to take PCB files for open source keyboards from Github to getting them fabricated and turned into the parts for building and putting together a keyboard.
Photo above shows a Corne split keyboard (v4)–one of the most popular open source keyboards you can get fabricated and build yourself.
The Corne keyboards in my store are ordered in a similar fashion but come prebuilt and ready to go out of the box.