{"id":17857085,"url":"https://github.com/jsmith01/zx-keyboard","last_synced_at":"2026-01-25T01:32:13.714Z","repository":{"id":244463600,"uuid":"815315355","full_name":"JSmith01/zx-keyboard","owner":"JSmith01","description":"Another ZX Spectrum keyboard based on Cherry MX switches","archived":false,"fork":false,"pushed_at":"2024-10-10T19:36:02.000Z","size":12065,"stargazers_count":1,"open_issues_count":0,"forks_count":1,"subscribers_count":2,"default_branch":"master","last_synced_at":"2025-04-02T18:22:57.310Z","etag":null,"topics":[],"latest_commit_sha":null,"homepage":null,"language":"HTML","has_issues":true,"has_wiki":null,"has_pages":null,"mirror_url":null,"source_name":null,"license":null,"status":null,"scm":"git","pull_requests_enabled":true,"icon_url":"https://github.com/JSmith01.png","metadata":{"files":{"readme":"README.md","changelog":null,"contributing":null,"funding":null,"license":null,"code_of_conduct":null,"threat_model":null,"audit":null,"citation":null,"codeowners":null,"security":null,"support":null,"governance":null,"roadmap":null,"authors":null,"dei":null,"publiccode":null,"codemeta":null}},"created_at":"2024-06-14T20:53:13.000Z","updated_at":"2024-10-10T19:36:06.000Z","dependencies_parsed_at":"2024-10-28T03:26:47.522Z","dependency_job_id":"897ab4a3-dfbd-475a-999b-48968eaccebb","html_url":"https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard","commit_stats":{"total_commits":16,"total_committers":1,"mean_commits":16.0,"dds":0.0,"last_synced_commit":"258d32b68e87e607ca039b568a7cb1e8b5c17ac4"},"previous_names":["jsmith01/zx-keyboard"],"tags_count":0,"template":false,"template_full_name":null,"purl":"pkg:github/JSmith01/zx-keyboard","repository_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/JSmith01%2Fzx-keyboard","tags_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/JSmith01%2Fzx-keyboard/tags","releases_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/JSmith01%2Fzx-keyboard/releases","manifests_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/JSmith01%2Fzx-keyboard/manifests","owner_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners/JSmith01","download_url":"https://codeload.github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/tar.gz/refs/heads/master","sbom_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/JSmith01%2Fzx-keyboard/sbom","scorecard":null,"host":{"name":"GitHub","url":"https://github.com","kind":"github","repositories_count":286080680,"owners_count":28740905,"icon_url":"https://github.com/github.png","version":null,"created_at":"2022-05-30T11:31:42.601Z","updated_at":"2026-01-25T01:25:41.653Z","status":"ssl_error","status_checked_at":"2026-01-25T01:25:34.364Z","response_time":89,"last_error":"SSL_connect returned=1 errno=0 peeraddr=140.82.121.5:443 state=error: unexpected eof while reading","robots_txt_status":"success","robots_txt_updated_at":"2025-07-24T06:49:26.215Z","robots_txt_url":"https://github.com/robots.txt","online":false,"can_crawl_api":true,"host_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub","repositories_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories","repository_names_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repository_names","owners_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners"}},"keywords":[],"created_at":"2024-10-28T03:11:19.122Z","updated_at":"2026-01-25T01:32:13.683Z","avatar_url":"https://github.com/JSmith01.png","language":"HTML","funding_links":[],"categories":[],"sub_categories":[],"readme":"# Another (ZX/PC) keyboard case with Cherry MX switches\n\n\n## Layout\n\n4 were designed:\n* `delta` reproduces classic ZX Spectrum+ / Delta-S clone keyboard\n\n  ![Delta-S layout](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/delta/delta-layout.png?raw=true)\n\n* `next-like` follows ZX Spectrum Next quite closely, but uses standard third letter row shift of 0.5u instead of Next's non-standard 0.75u. Some other keys were swapped to keep it closer to the Spectrum+ layout.\n  ![ZX Next-like layout](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/next-like/zx-next-like-layout.png?raw=true)\n\n* `13u` uses slightly condensed layout, requires only one stabilizer and only one stepped 1.25u key. Additionally it fits my 3d printer plate (256 mm square).\n\n  ![13u condensed layout](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/13u/13u-layout.png?raw=true)\n\n* `13u-pc` PC-like keyboard to fit into 13u limit, requires 2 stabilizers, keycaps can be either printed or bought (however, some keys are barely of standard sizes).\n\n  ![13u-pc condensed layout](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/pc-58-key/58-layout.png?raw=true)\n\n\n## Keycap models (Karon/Kopir-like)\n\n![ZX keyboard keys](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/keycap%20models/keys.png?raw=true)\n\n`.step` files are in `keycap models` directory, and the source can be found in the onshape CAD:\n\nhttps://cad.onshape.com/documents/8eec099704dd56ee90a99779/w/f094e603417fd53c8f53642f/e/6200ad26f37156b8d2f7b3c0 (needs free account)\n\n### Model params\n* `#h_units` - 1u key only (horizontal units, supports 1-3u, 4.5u, 6.25u)\ninside 1u key group - #stab_dist - formula to calculate distance between main key switch mount and stab mounts. Change it to support spacebars different from 4.5u/6.25u.\n* `#side_angle` (25 deg) \n* `#front_angle` (35 deg)\n* `#rear_angle` (5 deg)\n* `#key_bend` (0.6mm) - amount of key surface bending, mm. 0.01mm is the minimum, also 4.5u automatically uses 0.01mm (flat surface for 3d printing)\n\nAll keycap parameters are set after Delta-S keyboard (Kopir / Karon factories), except the slightly bigger base key size. Here it is 18mm, common size for Cherry MX-based key switches, and on the real ZX keyboard it was 17.8 - 0.27mm according to factory blueprints (found an archive with it on the zx-pk.ru forum) - see `keycap blueprints` directory (all labels there are in Russian).\n\nMX key spacebar stabilizer positions come from https://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions\n\nOther keycap dimensions are from https://blog.maxkeyboard.com/dwkb/keycap-profile-size-information/\n\nLayout design service used: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/\nPlate generation service used: http://builder.swillkb.com/\n\n\n\n## 13u wide keyboard case for a wedge case computer (WIP)\n\n![RPi Zero 2 W wedge case computer](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/pc-58-case/pictures/Image00005.jpg?raw=true)\n\n![RPi Zero 2 W wedge case computer](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/pc-58-case/case.png?raw=true)\n\nFiles for case parts are in `pc-58-case` directory. The main design constraint was, again, to fit each piece entirely into my 3d printer volume (cube of 256mm).\n\nFor my implementation I chose RPi 2 Zero W as a main board, mainly because of its low price and the fact I already had one. The design is parametric and it can be changed to adopt almost any board. The back cover of the case is a separate piece, so in case of re-printing it would require changing of the bottom piece and the back. The plate and the front keyboard case will remain unchanged. The case design is WIP still, however, I was able to print the plate, keycaps, and assemble it.\n\nCAD link: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/80a6f71aa4ea5afbe3c2f400/w/0c9d95387bdbef7828758cf6/e/f104cb4e70454155592a95cd?renderMode=0\u0026uiState=66de39ae955acf43bb4a916e\n\n![RPi Zero 2 W wedge case computer](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/pc-58-case/isometric-case.png?raw=true)\n\n### 13u wide keyboard layout (PC like)\n\nThe directory `pc-58-key` has all the files for the layout, keycaps used, plate `.dxf` file. For the design, the only concerns were to fit into 13u limit, and have dedicated cursor keys (I hope it would help with retro gaming).\n\n![RPi Zero 2 W wedge case computer](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/pc-58-key/58-layout.png?raw=true)\n\nIt uses the same keycap models as ZX keys, but with other parameters:\n* `#side_angle` (20 deg) \n* `#front_angle` (30 deg)\n* `#rear_angle` (1 deg)\n\n![58 keyboard 13u wide](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/pc-58-key/58-keyboard.jpg?raw=true)\n\nThe keyboard needs 58 key switches (I used yellow gaterons), and 2 stabilizers - 2u and 4.5u (uncommon, but see below about using common 6.25u).\n\n\n## Re-bending key stabilizers from 6.25u / 6.5u / 7u to 4.5u\n\nSince I didn't find plate mounted stabilizers for 4.5u space, I had to bend the existing 6.25u stab to the needed dimension. This is a small guiding tool that helps to re-bend stab rod to the size of 4.5u. It requires two M2 screw bolts, 6-10mm long each. The model can be found in `auxilliary` directory.\n\n![re-bend tool to 4.5u](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/auxilliary/re-bend-4.5u.png?raw=true)\n\nCAD link:\nhttps://cad.onshape.com/documents/ae3792f91f504da8d6e72a6f/w/ced467ad9bcd54dddc1017f0/e/babc9538a75bcf5462f88daf?renderMode=0\u0026uiState=66de3a5012896b37f23ab387\n\n\n# Wiring\n\nI wired keyboard using 1N4148 diodes, that I solder their pins to each other making rows, similar to the process shown in this video: [Hand-wiring a custom layout keyboard](https://youtu.be/3uSKgCuK3tc?si=MMpzzscPRhe9YTKL\u0026t=43). The only difference I bend diodes upfront, so I've made a tool for that. Files can be found in the `auxilliary` directory.\n\n![diode helper](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/auxilliary/diode-helper.jpg?raw=true)\n\nResult looks like this (I use 8mm wide capton tape for isolation):\n\n![wiring in process](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/auxilliary/wiring.jpg?raw=true)\n\n![wired keyboard](https://github.com/JSmith01/zx-keyboard/blob/master/auxilliary/wired-keyboard.jpg?raw=true)\n\n\n## Tool for converting KLE .json to .svg\n\nTo prepare keycap labels it will be useful to create SVGs from appropriate layout files. So I've created `kle2svg` tool to do so.\nIt's pretty limited for its support for KLE features, but works for my layouts.\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fjsmith01%2Fzx-keyboard","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fjsmith01%2Fzx-keyboard","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fjsmith01%2Fzx-keyboard/lists"}