Top products from r/ergodox

It'll probably be slightly different if you're in the US, as I've sourced the PCBs from a polish company (Falbatech). I got the resistors and small electronic components from a local hardware shop for 36p, but the US has a good source that I didn't want to use because of the export/postage to the UK for the little bits. It'll save you a lot of the little ebay purchases. But one of the main reasons I chose the ErgoDox was because you can actually get your hands on a PCB. In the US you can get them from amazon for cheaper than what I paid.

I got the list of things required from here, it also has a bunch of links to guides. I've watched a few youtube videos of builds too so I'm feeling pretty confident. Not actually started building yet, a bunch of stuff is still being posted from China.

Keeping track of costs and sources using a spreadsheet:

Component|price|pounds|source|
:--|:--|:--|:--
PCB|€25.00|£21.77|https://falba.tech/product/ergodox-pcb-electrical-boards-set-of-2/
AU Switch Plate (optional)|€15.00|£13.06|https://falba.tech/product/cnc-switch-plate-for-76-key-ergodox-set-of-2/
Postage|€6.00|£5.22|
Gateron blue switches|$16.00|£15.34|https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/products/gateron-swtich-3pin-or-5pin?variant=35765200205
Keycaps||£13.36|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pbt-Keycaps-DSA-Blank-Keycaps-for-Ergodox-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-DSA-Profile/142657612181?hash=item21370e6995:m:mSd5PwNPG6mx3nS5rZFr1RQ
Teensy 2.0||£7.67|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Teensy-2-0-USB-Keyboards-Mouse-8-Bit-AVR-Board-Cable-Box-For-Arduino-Applied-Top/401500938672?hash=item5d7b5221b0:g:4dMAAOSwXxhZ-Bv5
MCP23018||£3.58|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MCP23018-E-SP-Supervisor-Integrated-Circuit-1-8-5-5VDC-DIP28/112613346113?hash=item1a38474b41:g:bEwAAOSwdnZZ7PLN
100 1N4148 diodes||£1.68|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-100-1000pcs-1N4148-Fast-Speed-Switching-Small-Signal-Diode/231876409019?hash=item35fce936bb:m:md8l0VsUpY287D1JFmsoPDA
TRRS ||£3.33|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-audio-socket-TRRS-x2/183009131674?hash=item2a9c31bc9a:g:4wMAAOSwMfhaVOaq
USB connector||£2.37|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-USB-5-Pin-Type-B-Female-Socket-PCB-Mount-DIP-Connector-Adapter-10-Pcs/132547574592?epid=1538345671&hash=item1edc737b40:g:eNkAAOSwwB1as1m~
Resistors & capacitor||£0.36|Local electrical store Maplin
Cable||£0.99|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-1M-4-Pole-Jack-Male-To-Male-Earphone-Headphone-Audio-Extension-Cable-FG/273040624430?hash=item3f927d4b2e:g:64kAAOSwh1haIl6u
tinsy headers||£0.99|generic headers from ebay!
|||£89.72|

The case is definitely one of the most pricey parts of a build. I'm planning on making one from some scrap aluminium I've got, and maybe buying some copper or wood for the sides. I'll post when I get around to it.

Edit: Just spotted an error, the USB plug is only 2.37, so the price has gone down nearly a quid!

I installed led's on my Infinity. Really any 2x3x4 LEDs should work. I used these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YCEWH74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XIVRybNG7ZBWX

I don't know about individually controlling them, I just leave them on all the time. But soldering is pretty straight forward, just stick the two prongs in the small led holes and solder them. The +/- side does matter, and each row is different, also some LEDs sometimes don't work. So the best way to not mess up is to test every individual light in its respective slot with the keyboard on, before actually soldering.

Sure. I think in order to get some pain relief a high priority is mostly to stop typing on bad (read: my laptop) keyboards. I have an old ergonomic keyboard which I actually find more comfortable than my current ergodox layout.

I want to be super-duper clear that I think the ergodox is in theory a beneficial keyboard. Given my current small desk, dining chair and inability to figure out what would actually be pain-free, I usually find myself aching after a long typing session.

On the positive side, I think the ergodox is philosophically a keyboard which is really closely aligned to the way I think. I like the programability and that I don't have to stretch for oddly shaped key chords. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how I type and that effort has paid dividends in efficiency for me over the initial layout. It's also my first mechanical keyboard, which certainly biases my favor towards it.

Thanks for the links. Thanks for letting me know layers are not accessible from USB that narrows my options. To clarify my non USB option was to solder a set of wires to the boards next to one of the ALPS switches and run the wires from those ~4 switches down to a row of foot switches so I can press the modifier with ether the keyboard or my foot. https://www.amazon.com/Etopars-6Pins-Momentary-Switch-Guitar/dp/B07519FJM7/ref=sr_1_130?ie=UTF8&qid=1525493883&sr=8-130&keywords=foot+switch something like this in a box with a hing for each and a piece of sheet metal over them as peddles. Or I could splurge on something like 4X of these: https://www.amazon.com/Philmore-LKG-Momentary-Foot-Switch/dp/B004GIIYK0/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1525493691&sr=8-14&keywords=foot+switch

I've actually wondered about this a lot before too...

Seems like it would be pretty easy to build...

• microUSB port in
  
• bluetooth radio
  
• firmware to handle bluetooth pairing/connection/etc, read usb HID and reproduce via bluetooth
  
• battery pack to power keyboard and bluetooth
  
  Seems like it would be neat, but very niche.
  
  
  Edit: something like https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Convert-Adapter-USB2BT-Assembly/dp/B00PI7MDK0

Anyone can manufacture the PCBs and sell them on Amazon, and not all PCBs support LEDs. That said, this was the first item I found in the search.

I haven't done a board with LEDs so I can't say for sure, but the second set of "square and round" pads below the keyswitch look like they might be where an LED would go. One review mentions LEDs, so I would say signs point to yes. But you post the exact Amazon item you bought so folks can tell you. Ergodox is open source and many folks make the boards, so it's hard to know with the information you've given.

Nope, they’re these ARKON Heavy-Duty Clamp Mounts. With the clamps removed, in this setup.

I really don’t get much wobble at all, with the way I have them secured now. Originally I tried clamping below the desk and connecting up through the bottom of the mount; there was a lot of wobble and the mounts would slowly shift downward and away while in use. I’m a pretty heavy-handed typer at times, so that’s no bueno.

As long as everything’s tightened, I haven’t noticed any movement over time with this arrangement yet. Since I’m extending everything with the longer bolt, there’s a bit of natural bounce if you push down on the wrist rest, especially while utilizing the negative slope, but it holds in its place well, even despite that. Of course, if I was to push down super hard, I’m sure I could shift the whole mount, but that’s way harder than I’d ever be leaning or typing. I haven’t wanted to test the limits required for destruction, for obvious reasons.haha

I got the measurements from a kind fellow on /r/mk already, thanks though! Now I just gotta find somewhere to source foam pads kind of like these: https://www.amazon.ca/Notebook-Silicone-Reposition-Travelling-MacBooks/dp/B00CMJ1S8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483469476&sr=8-1&keywords=macbook+wrist+rest

Not sure I want to pay $17 for some foam and adhesive. If I can source it from AliExpress, that'd be awesome.

Link to the original idea - https://www.reddit.com/r/ergodox/comments/82cpv6/showcase_awesome_carrying_case_on_the_cheap/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Got the case at a discount on Amazon. Usually it's like $16 or so. Link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PMMB4X8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_003yDbGQ060WC

I second this. I recently did the same. Works great.

Cable Matters USB 2.0 Type C (USB-C) to Mini B (Mini USB) Cable in Black 3.3 Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UUBS0SS/

Yes, I have ordered several that didn't work. This one does (as the interconnect between the two boards). The main cable doesn't seem to be as picky


Hopefully this works for you, my disclaimer is that I can't promise that it works for others the way it does for me.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01809N39W/

I use a vertical mouse with my right hand to the right side of my ergodox.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TJ56XD0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uBJqDbRFYBWD3

There isn't really anybody making a mini thumb trackball as far as I know (and I'd like to know because that or a TrackPoint would be awesome). A lot of people put a regular trackball in the middle, which is a decent compromise. It's possible to make one and integrate it directly with the keyboard, but I haven't really seen it done.

Putting a heater in the case is not a good idea, though. Apart from being complicated and a bit dodgy, hardly any of that heat is gonna conduct into your fingers. There are tons of small electric heater fans you can get that would do the job better, for example this one.

Ergodox is DIY and open source. You can mod it however you want if you're willing to put in the work to do it.

Something like this, maybe?

using the V3 Accessory Kit for Kinesis Freestyle2 Keyboard, slightly modified and aligned so the flash button is still accessible. used flush cutters to trim off the latch and lock tab and the side ribs, i could have left the side ribs if i double up on my 3M tape but wanted a lower profile.

https://imgur.com/gallery/gk2OM

works with the 5, 10 and 15 degree settings.

also have my case plates out of order for a higher key extension and like the allen screws on the bottom better.

Also interested. This one?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019TRW4HQ/

I've looked for the same thing. Some Reddit users said this one works:

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01809N39W/?coliid=I1O20EL7NA504G&colid=GDHS94UZ4NHG&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

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I myself have gotten used to tucking the original long cable under the keyboard already.

​

I .... bought an orthodox (and then an Iris) because of this. :)

That said, a pelican case or the like would work for this.

Or... somebody linked this a while ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0170RIRVY/

Found the first one on US amazon! Took a bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Aproca-Logitech-Wireless-Illuminated-Keyboard/dp/B07Q2FL4Z8

They are rare but not unattainable:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DELOCK-Cable-Jack-Male-4-Pi-White/dp/B00I95MLVE/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connection-Cable-Pioneer-4-pin-Klinkekabel/dp/B00CXLTW5I/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5-Mini-Plug-Male-Round/dp/B00M3EIBIY/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ligawo-6535074-Jack-Cable-4-Pin-White/dp/B013GLWS1S/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conwork-Universal-Auxiliary-Extension-Headphones/dp/B016B5KS8Q

IMO €16 for the simple cloth bag is a robbery. I would look for something that is not made specially for expensive keyboards, it might be cheaper. Also, there is no real protection in this “soft case”, you may just put your keyboard in plastic bag with the same effect.
Look to this case for instance https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBKHYJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_E7JgAbGS7P54F
I also bought stethoscope case at amazon for my Planck for just $10, while I see “soft cases” selling at mechmarket for 30 and more.