Hi. I’ve been using Dactyl Manuforms for quite a few years now. Settled down with a 5 column with an extremely sculpted SA keycaps and bobba u4t switches. I use only 2/3 thumb keys regularly but enjoy having more.

I’m interested to know if anyone thinks an alternative is worth trying ? Any input would be appreciated!

  • DanL4@lemmy.worldOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    edit-2
    8 months ago

    I’d love to try it out! Looking forward to it.

    Do you intend sharing it in this sub?

    Now to look for a good and not too expensive place to print it :-)

    Edit: Forgot to ask - is it too thin to handwire? Was hoping to keep it cheap.

    • demibyte@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      8 months ago

      Yes I will share on this sub. Since you are interested though you are welcome take a look at my github early. Added a 3x5 version of the case there as well (not tested printing).

      Hand-wiring shouldn’t be much more difficult than my first build with per key pcbs. It is pretty thin though and assembly will be a bit tricky regardless of how it’s wired. For printing I’ve only tried with MJF and SLS and I didn’t really take into consideration any limitations of Resin or FDM printing. I don’t think there is anything that would make printing any of the parts with those techniques (though maybe some parts are a little thin for FDM) so keep that in mind.

      • DanL4@lemmy.worldOP
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        Wow, Thank you! For the 5 column fix especially. That’s very generous of you.

        I know next to nothing about 30 printing, I intend to order it from some service. Any settings I should ask for? Which would be altogether better, MJF or SLS?

        • demibyte@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          8 months ago

          You’re welcome, like I said was easy enough to chop off a column.

          I’m in more less the same boat as far as printing goes. Either MJF or SLS will be fine. This iteration as MJF previous was SLS. MJF is a little nicer imo. Smoother surface finish and it can be dyed black. SLS is a little cheaper though. I used jlcpcb and didn’t ask them to do anything special.

          • DanL4@lemmy.worldOP
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            8 months ago

            I’ll look at the design and maybe order it this evening.

            I’ll also see how easy it could be to connect a xiao ble controller instead.