Sign in

wjrii.bsky.social

@wjrii.bsky.social
60 followers 272 following 90 posts
PostsRepliesMedia
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Dipping my toes back into the "Forty percent" scene to see if "Alphastagger" works better for me than true ortholinear did. DIY #mechanicalkeyboard using Signature Plastics DCS keycaps from a grab bag, tactile switches, and an RP2040 MCU. Structural elements laser cut or 3D printed.
DIY Forty percent keyboard with mix n match keycaps from a "grab bag" purchase
061
Reposted by @wjrii.bsky.social
Dave Snider @davesnider.com · 07/05/2026
Wrote a blog post about creating for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, Dungeons and Dragons players and Bluegrass communities. It also has a video of my keyboard setup if you're curious. www.davesnider.com/posts/workin...
davesnider.com
Creating for a niche
The joys of a small, passionate audience
071
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Made a DIY no-stabs #mechanicalkeyboard from PCB 3 of 5 in my order from 2 years ago, & used some interesting "half-height" clicky switches. Pi Pico running ZMK, & (mostly) VSA keycaps sold on ebay as DSA, even though they are not. Bonus points for spotting the 2 keycaps I accidentally flipped!
121
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Drop was selling ten buck aluminum cases in their close-out sale. I grabbed one and made it into a hand-wired #mechanicalkeyboard running ZMK.
Green and white TKL keyboardrear USB port (hot glue, bay-beeee!)hand-wired keyboard matrix
030
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Got a Primer61 PCB from Yushakobo in Tokyo! I designed a case, printed it in fun shiny filament, & ported it to use ZMK on a Nice!Nano clone. It's a Kishsaver homage that conveniently hides all my design sins. I'll leave it paired with my Mac Mini that runs all my local servers. #mechanicalkeyboard
A 60% keyboard in a 3D printed case and using Mac-themed XDA keycaps that are clones of the "Extended 2048" design. The case is reminiscent of the "Kishsaver" compact Model F buckling spring keyboard from IBM.Bottom of the keyboard uses self-adhesive cork feet, similar to the original Model F.case was printed vertically, leaving a few remnants of the process on the back surface.  The USB port can be sued for charging or wired connection.The plate with Epomaker Budgerigar tactile switches is free-floating, held in place by EVA and cork "gaskets."  The right side of the Kishsaver case holds the rest of the Yushakobo PCB, while the left side is used for routing the unnecessarily large cables and ports designed for external use.  The Primer61 uses a standard Pro Meicro for wired connections, or Yushakobo's BLE-enabled board with the same footprint.  I used the cheap and readily available Nice!Nano clones and ported the firmware from QMK to ZMK.  Due to quirks of the PCB's keyboard matrix, I don't expect battery use to be very efficient, but wireless performance is otherwise quite good.
120
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Is Topre still a #mechanicalkeyboard? Souvenir Realforce 45g TKL from Leaderskey in Seoul, plus an accounting write-off reclamation project on the cut-cord Rollermouse from eBay.
A tenkeyless Realforce keyboard with gray and blue keycaps included Korean sub-legends, along with a Contour Rollermouse Red with its cord re-soldered.
120
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
An actual fancy #mechanicalkeyboard this time. I won a GDK Lab DK1-TKL and immediately put Box Navy switches on it. I ran with Unicorn Barf SA from a grab bag for a bit, but settled on KAM Superuser. This is a very pleasant metal rectangle.
011
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
My DSS Honeywell keycaps needed a home, so I made them one that was inspired by the original terminal keyboards that inspired them to begin with. The 3D-print is not quite perfect, but I like the overall effect very much, & the black switches on my custom PCB feel nice. QMK/VIAL firmware on RP2040.
141
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
In a departure from my usual mechanical keyboard projects, I designed & printed a simple slide-on HUNTRIX topper for those generic concert light sticks for my daughter. I liked the ones on Etsy that screwed into the base of one of these, but I couldn’t find STLs, so… #3Dprinting #kpopdemonhunters
An inexpensive concert light stick with a custom topper inspired by KPop Demon HuntersAlternate view showing the open cage-like structure of a light stick with 3D printed topper.
020
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
This #mechanicalleyboard has a Meth button. A METH BUTTON! Also an internal PS/2 converter running VIAL and over half a pound of steel wheel weights stuck in the bottom because I thought a glorious board with a METH button (and a cocaine button, btw) deserved to feel a little more premium.
A mechanical keyboard from 2010 made by TG3 for a Siemens chemical analyzer.  Cherry MX Black switches (except for the stabilized keys, which have Grey) and Dye-Sub DCS keycaps.Exposed PCB showing a "Soarer's Converter" style DIY adapter. Aluminum bottom plate with 9.25oz (262g) for slightly increased stability and undeserved premium feeling.
130
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
WILL I use my #mechanicalkeyboard and this Linux-converted ARM Chrometab with FocusWriter to write more? Unclear. COULD I? Yes.
Lenovo 10E education ChromeOS tablet running Focuswriter distraction-free word processor on fully installed Debian Linux, along with a DIY mechanical keyboard.
040
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Nothing makes you want to clean your #mechanicalkeyboard like talking a picture of it in bright sunlight, LOL. Fixed a bad solder joint and 3D-printed a “sidewall” case for this laser-cut Masonite board I made.
000
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Made a couple of prototype #mechanicalkeyboard keycap nesting trays, one on the laser and one on the 3D printer. I definitely want to get my @signatureplastics.bsky.social caps out of the ziploc, I can't shake the feeling that I'm overthinking this. Anybody got a scalable & CHEAP DIY-ish solution?
110
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Got a great deal on an aluminum #mechanicalkeyboard but it had issues. I laser cut a new plate so I could use the split-space hotswap sockets hiding on the PCB, changed the springs in the switches to be heavier, replaced the battery with extra weight, changed the keycaps, & flashed "real" QMK/VIAL.
Modified Epomaker Tide65 keyboardLaser engraver cutting 1/16" (1.6mm) birch plywoodDIY laser cut keyboard plate with switchesaluminum keyboard case with battery replaced by steel automotive wheel-balancing weights
100
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Made some "Redneck Dye Sub" #mechanicalkeyboard keycap legends with Cricut markers and a diode laser. A little annoyed that some of them didn't come out great, but enough of them did that I'm pleased overall, including the #yallmeansall one.
Completed jig holding 27 keycaps with DIY legendsjig holding PBT keycaps before cleaning with acetone5W Diode laser running at 2% and 45mm/min to sublimate Cricut "infusible ink" into PBT keycaps
172
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
I probably need a new plate frame, but the vinyl went on perfectly. #ihavefriendseverywhere, even in Texas. #starwars #andor
000
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
There are a million things I would change about this DIY Alps wooden keyboard, but overall it came out nice, and I learned a lot, including how to get VIAL running on a bespoke board.
100
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
The oil is drying on the walnut and pecan #mechanicalkeyboard case I (mostly) built this weekend for my bespoke Alps PCB. The strip of pecan was DEFINITELY on purpose and not to fix an oopsie. I swear!
010
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Latest in progress #mechanicalkeyboard project: Alps white, Focus keycaps, M0110a-ish layout, 3D printed plate, deeply flawed PCB that I am MAKING work because I paid stupid tariffs, and QMK on RP2040. Still to do: hardwood case.
020
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Next #mechanicalkeyboard is in progress. Trying to add to my skills, so this one will have a PCB with piggybacked RP2040 microcontroller, run QMK, have a wooden case, and reuse caps and Alps switches from a beat-up old Focus. After ordering the PCBs, I should have called it the Tariff 9000 :-)
A Keyboard Layout Editor screenshot showing a custom layout including PCB options.
020
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
It’s still #maythefourth in Denver and LA. Here’s my Yushakobo Primer79 with DIY case and plate, spring SA Tattooine keycaps. #mechanicalkeyboard
110
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
This #mechanicalkeyboard is one of a couple I keep coming back to. 3D-printed case, Masonite plate, PCB that handles the key matrix only (hand wired to the RP 2040 running KMK), Kailh Box Navy for moar clicky, Akko SAL keycaps, custom “no stabilizers” layout. The pink stripe makes it fast!
131
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Believe it or not, but “file dividers on a slab of MDF chalkboard on top of the dog crate” it is actually a noticeable improvement in storage and display for (most of) my #mechanicalkeyboard collection. 😂
010
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Made this hand-wired southpaw #mechanicalkeyboard a little while back. The cheap Cherry clones had enough keycaps to work, but it’s a bit more fun with some lasered legends and blanks on the two enter keys and the space bars, respectively.
Hand wired mechanical keyboard using an RP2040.
120
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Posted this #mechanicalkeyboard a while ago, but it soon started glitching. The old insulating tape on the back of the 1-sided PCB had degraded and some of its MANY jumper wires began shorting. I had to desolder the Alps switches to learn this, so I just hand-rewired it. RIP Focus Calculator. :-(
A Focus FK-5001 keyboard with a custom paper info card and a rotary encoder replacing the calculator LCD.A hand-wired matrix for keyboard keys on vintage Alps White (clicky) switches.An RP2040-based microcontroller board soldered to a crude wiring harness via prototyping perf-board.
030
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Part of the problem here is that we are on US Constitution version 2.27 (version 1 was a buggy mess and quickly re-written). Unfortunately, the v2 underlying engine was only built to be compliant with the “Democratic Republic 1787” set of standards.
111
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Got some amazing #mechanicalkeyboard themed Valentine’s Day gifts! A framed print of a drawing from the original (US) patent for Topre, and a nice keeb-specific tool kit. I’m very lucky.
020
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Not really of the faith myself, but happy 40s day to those who celebrate. The first hand-wire I made was a Planck with an extra column, which by the way solves several layout issues for people are coming from larger boards.
A DIY ortholinear keyboard with 50 keys on a 13x4 grid. Gateron KS-3 blue.  Matcha XDA clones.  RP2040. KMK.
460
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
My GE Healthcare Model M buckling spring keyboard (and dusty deskmat). Electrically identical to any other Unicomp-made board of its era, but with cool keycaps and some sort of story to tell that I will likely never know.
020
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Q: Do you want the function keys on the top or to the left? A: Yes. #mechanicalkeyboard
000
Reposted by @wjrii.bsky.social
acfoltzer @acfoltzer.net · 18/01/2025
almost done! just need slightly longer standoffs to clear the KB2040 board on the back, and then I can finally play Caves of Qud (no, you don't actually need a numpad for Qud, I just decided that's how I want to enjoy it)
a computer numpad on a blue silicone soldering mat. the numpad's structure is a purple printed circuit board, and it has keycaps in indigo, pink, white, and two shades of light blue. the glyphs for numlock and the arithmetic operators are the indigo keys and look more like pictograms and mathematical symbols than text characters. the overall effect is satisfying and lightly retro-future
0111
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Finally finished building a case for my Primer79 PCB from Yushakobo in Tokyo. 3D printed PLA (need to dial in my Y axis, I think), laser-cut (and spray-painted) Masonite, JWICK 67g Yellow linears, and SA Tatooine. MCU cover is based off the emblem for the Taitō ward where their shop is located.
Keyboard made from a purchased PCB and DIY case, using SA Tatooine keycaps.
040
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
Lovely visit today with my very tolerant family to the amazing Yushakobo shop in Tokyo. Looking forward to this Primer79 #mechanicalkeyboard build when I get back to Texas!
030
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
“There was a button. I pressed it.” -James Holden “It didn’t clicky enough. I fixed it.” -me #mechanicalkeyboard
010
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
My hand-wired #mechanicalkeyboard with 3D-printed outer case, Mitospeed keycaps, tactile switches, and a solenoid!
030
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Why yes, I actually DO work from home and my office IS on the other side of the house from my wife's. Why do you ask? #mechanicalkeyboard on.soundcloud.com/qXGawsqswmpk...
on.soundcloud.com
N3V4 Sound Test: Masonite plate, Akko SA-L caps, Box Navy
Listen to N3V4 Sound Test: Masonite plate, Akko SA-L caps, Box Navy by wjrii #np on #SoundCloud
000
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
My kiddo has a single (unusable) #mechanicalkeyboard full of leftover novelties and “artisans” from aliexpress. This spring she watched the excellent Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur cartoon, so I grabbed a couple of XDA blanks, traced some logos in Inkscape, and made her two novelty caps on the laser.
010
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
The tour through the #mechanicalkeyboard backlog continues. Full disclosure, my phone sort of glammed up the legends on these keycaps, and they are not quite as consistently dark as they seem, but they mostly came out well doing DIY Laser Dye-Sub.
homemade keyboard
160
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
So here is an odd 75% from the 90s. It was made by a US defense contractor, but it's really a UK-built capacitive rubber dome unit from Alfameric in a powder-coated sheet-steel case. True NKRO and really nice dye-sub keycaps with Keytronic mounts. Not really a #mechanicalkeyboard per se, but cool.
060
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Made my biggest, dumbest hand-wired #mechanicalkeyboard yet. 116 normal human keys, one industrial pushbutton, one rotary encoder.
110
wjrii.bsky.social @wjrii.bsky.social · 27/09/2024
Dusting off my BKsy account to post my DIY #mechanicalkeyboard; well, one of them anyway. I designed the layout (and sent out my circuit board to be made in China) and the case (I 3D printed and laser cut it myself) myself, then assembled and soldered it all. Kailh Box Navy and Akko SA-L.
160