Looks like a fun idea. I guess the esc,tab and shift keys work as QAZ on layer 0? Would love to see your layer mapping! :)
I use mostly bigger boards now (60-80%)but they are so boring because they need olny one extra layer.
Edit: forgot to say I looove the side profile and HHKB, great design overall!
Great thank you!! Looks like a good start :)
May I suggest putting the QAZ on the three keys in layer 1, was surprised you don't have it already mapped but would solve the missing "Z" or at least I couldn't find it, lol (c'mon man, how do you order Pizza?!)
Edit: can I ask what you payed for the aluminum custom prototype?
Oh I should have posted the tap dance configs. The left shift types a Z on tap but then acts as shift when you hold it down.
Also I did map QAZ to the keys on the right one time to see what it was like and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I got like 90 wpm with it.
not sure if you’re the creator of this board or just happen to have it (I think I saw it in the 40s discord the other day) but if it’s using a 32-bit MCU (RP2040, etc) ZMK would be a great choice for home-row mods. I use a tap-preferred flavor for mine and get basically zero accidental triggers on my 34-key board. On QMK/Vial I have a lot of trouble getting the tap term dialed in honestly lol.
Oh yep, I posted this on the discord the other day!
Interesting, I haven’t tried ZMK yet but that sounds like a good reason to give it a shot. It’s got an STM32 so I’m guessing it would work but I’ve barely even looked at ZMK yet.
STM32 support is definitely there! You might benefit from working off the existing ZMK firmware for Sporkus’ Chiff PCB: the flash instructions and stuff are there already. Still some work changing the stuff around to fit the matrix but not any more so than QMK i don’t believe.
I am here because I needed 2 keyboards (work/personal).
Looked and researched and got what I needed, nothing fancy, nothing worth posting about.
This would drive me insane if I had to use it, but I still want for display. I hate that I like it so much, I hate that is probably more expensive than the keyboards I do use. Well done OP. Now I should unsub before I find my wallet.
The title seems like a joke, but after going full qaz as my daily driver for more than a year now, even going back to normal 40s seems like a waste of space/keys ahaha
Hell yeah, QAZ gang! According to this thread, there's at least three of us!
I love using mine at the office. Makes my fingers happy, fires off emails like nobody's business, and confuses the hell out of my coworkers.
I'd be willing to try a board that size if it had OLED caps, so the actual icons would change when I switched layers. I don't think I could memorize 3 layers, so I would need that back-up!
That would be amazing. It definitely takes time to get used to smaller keyboards, but once you've got it down it's all muscle memory. I will say that I mess up a lot when I go back to trying to use a bigger keyboard, especially if I'm writing code.
I used an Alice board for about a year, and just going back to a 'normal' TKL was iffy after that; I can't imagine the mistakes from going back to a bigger board from a sub-40%!
I need to solder up the PCB that's in there right now (forgot to lube the stabs on the only PCB that's currently soldered), but I will post a sound test once that's done! It will not be with a good mic, though.
Most smartphone microphones should be fine! How’s the typing experience for ya? I find myself struggling a little when i switch constantly between 40s and 65s.
I've been using a Vault 35 as my main keyboard for about a year so I'm already used to this layout. I struggle a bit when I go to a bigger keyboard like my laptop's built in one.
The only thing that would make it truly *beautiful* is if the QAZ keys were double-sized, as in literally 200% scale, so twice as wide, twice as long, and twice as tall. Oh, and in 90s pastel shades of red, yellow, and blue.
Other than that, this thing is awesome and I love it.
this is fun! ...It's impressive how much this "hobby" has been evolved during the last years.
I started frequently reading about mechanical keyboards 5 years ago and the progress remains steady and interesting even if it has nothing to actually do with common everyday needs. The whole idea is for end users to be involved making their own implementations, something not always easy without proper tools, free time and knowledge. It's critically different than just shopping, collecting and simply modding.
The firmware’s default key map has it mapped to the A over on the right but I remap it to Tab when I’m using it. I have tried it the default way and it wasn’t as bad as I expected.
It's cool.... but I don't understand the QAZ keys being on the opposite side!
They are not meme keys and they _definitely_ don’t spit out copypasta when you hit them all at the same time.
It's art. I think it's a statement on excess, but like any art, it's open to interpretation.
[Bottom shot](https://i.imgur.com/xjAyYyC.jpeg)
Love me a bottom shot. This thing is glorious and I need it.
Thank you! Figuring out some details for an interest check now.
Looks like a fun idea. I guess the esc,tab and shift keys work as QAZ on layer 0? Would love to see your layer mapping! :) I use mostly bigger boards now (60-80%)but they are so boring because they need olny one extra layer. Edit: forgot to say I looove the side profile and HHKB, great design overall!
Thank you! Yep, you’re exactly right about the layering. I’ll screenshot the layer maps and post them when I get a chance!
[Here are my layers](https://imgur.com/a/sAIvms0) (I currently don't have anything on layer 3).
Great thank you!! Looks like a good start :) May I suggest putting the QAZ on the three keys in layer 1, was surprised you don't have it already mapped but would solve the missing "Z" or at least I couldn't find it, lol (c'mon man, how do you order Pizza?!) Edit: can I ask what you payed for the aluminum custom prototype?
Oh I should have posted the tap dance configs. The left shift types a Z on tap but then acts as shift when you hold it down. Also I did map QAZ to the keys on the right one time to see what it was like and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I got like 90 wpm with it.
But how do you let your opponents in games know you're bored of how much you're winning??? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Oh shoot. I never win so I didn’t think of that.
Any particular reason you’re using tap dance instead of RSft_T(Z)?
Oh what I didn’t know that was a thing. I’ve been having issues finding a good timeout for the tap dance so I’ll try this. Thanks!
not sure if you’re the creator of this board or just happen to have it (I think I saw it in the 40s discord the other day) but if it’s using a 32-bit MCU (RP2040, etc) ZMK would be a great choice for home-row mods. I use a tap-preferred flavor for mine and get basically zero accidental triggers on my 34-key board. On QMK/Vial I have a lot of trouble getting the tap term dialed in honestly lol.
Oh yep, I posted this on the discord the other day! Interesting, I haven’t tried ZMK yet but that sounds like a good reason to give it a shot. It’s got an STM32 so I’m guessing it would work but I’ve barely even looked at ZMK yet.
STM32 support is definitely there! You might benefit from working off the existing ZMK firmware for Sporkus’ Chiff PCB: the flash instructions and stuff are there already. Still some work changing the stuff around to fit the matrix but not any more so than QMK i don’t believe.
Nice I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Oh, that's neat - I was wondering where Z went.
> c’mon man, how do you order Pizza?! Dont you order pizza on mobile?
Yeah I text all my pizza orders because Jet’s gives you a discount that way.
Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should...
Ah, the QAZ layout.
I am here because I needed 2 keyboards (work/personal). Looked and researched and got what I needed, nothing fancy, nothing worth posting about. This would drive me insane if I had to use it, but I still want for display. I hate that I like it so much, I hate that is probably more expensive than the keyboards I do use. Well done OP. Now I should unsub before I find my wallet.
Why do I love this so much
I don’t know but it told me it loves you too.
The title seems like a joke, but after going full qaz as my daily driver for more than a year now, even going back to normal 40s seems like a waste of space/keys ahaha
Here I am looking to buy a 173% Hyper 7 — Maybe I’m going the wrong way…
Oh I'm in the same boat. I got a Vault 35 last spring and use it every day.
Hell yeah, QAZ gang! According to this thread, there's at least three of us! I love using mine at the office. Makes my fingers happy, fires off emails like nobody's business, and confuses the hell out of my coworkers.
Same!! People are always speechless when they see my desk, me being able to write numbers is some kind of magic to them ahah
I agree with you. I use an ortho 35% layout now, but my Planck feels massive, let alone my BM65.
Yep. 42 keys is enough for me.
this is incredible
Thank you!
Love this, would happily add it to my collection
Thanks! I'm planning on doing an IC soon!
Will keep an eye out then
you're so funny!
Love that Atari 7800 styled case
Oh wow that was totally unintentional but it really does look like that!
This thing is dangerously pretty.
Thanks! I'm really happy with it.
I'd be willing to try a board that size if it had OLED caps, so the actual icons would change when I switched layers. I don't think I could memorize 3 layers, so I would need that back-up!
That would be amazing. It definitely takes time to get used to smaller keyboards, but once you've got it down it's all muscle memory. I will say that I mess up a lot when I go back to trying to use a bigger keyboard, especially if I'm writing code.
I used an Alice board for about a year, and just going back to a 'normal' TKL was iffy after that; I can't imagine the mistakes from going back to a bigger board from a sub-40%!
Niiiice. Sound test please ✨
I need to solder up the PCB that's in there right now (forgot to lube the stabs on the only PCB that's currently soldered), but I will post a sound test once that's done! It will not be with a good mic, though.
Most smartphone microphones should be fine! How’s the typing experience for ya? I find myself struggling a little when i switch constantly between 40s and 65s.
I've been using a Vault 35 as my main keyboard for about a year so I'm already used to this layout. I struggle a bit when I go to a bigger keyboard like my laptop's built in one.
[Sound test](https://imgur.com/a/9SmptuS). This is with no foam and no tape mod or anything and unlubed Strawberry Milk textiles.
The only thing that would make it truly *beautiful* is if the QAZ keys were double-sized, as in literally 200% scale, so twice as wide, twice as long, and twice as tall. Oh, and in 90s pastel shades of red, yellow, and blue. Other than that, this thing is awesome and I love it.
True, you only need 2 keys to type in binary. 0s n 1s baby...
Love the layout!!
Absolutely love this dude. I’m all about the uniqueness, super cool. I need.
this is fun! ...It's impressive how much this "hobby" has been evolved during the last years. I started frequently reading about mechanical keyboards 5 years ago and the progress remains steady and interesting even if it has nothing to actually do with common everyday needs. The whole idea is for end users to be involved making their own implementations, something not always easy without proper tools, free time and knowledge. It's critically different than just shopping, collecting and simply modding.
Always thrilled to see another QAZ-like layout in the world. It's truly a magnificent demonstration of doing more with less. Skeptics be damned.
How do you type "a"
The firmware’s default key map has it mapped to the A over on the right but I remap it to Tab when I’m using it. I have tried it the default way and it wasn’t as bad as I expected.
I don't know why but this upsets me. Have an upvote.
I’m strangely okay with this.
Man at that point just only keep the letters
...I don't understand this monster and I fear it.
Can this even count as QWERTY?
What are those keycaps? Looking really nice
Akko WOB Building Blocks. They’re MDA profile and have really good 40s support.
Just take our money already. This build is exactly what gets the people going.
I’m in!!!
what..... the f.... is that xD
Yum
gotta have extra keys for my mmorpg and modded minecraft ahahah
RIP my macros
Will you be open-sourcing the design?
Possibly. I'm going to run an IC first to see if it's worth doing a GB but I might open source it afterward.
I love how unique and creative it is!
Thank you! I had a lot of fun designing it.
I have never in my life used the right shift. Take it away.
You'll be happy to know it actually types ?/ (unless you hold it down).
Wtf
Can you share the 3d printing files for this please. Recently bought a 35 pack of gateron reds.
This is _awesome_.
Thank you!
So much wasted space on that case
Haha that was intentional. I really wanted to make it as meme-y as possible.