u/salavatme

I built a handwired trackball to sit next to my keyboards. It comes in two versions.

Wired: RP2040-Zero running QMK with Vial, so the number of buttons, DPI, scroll speed and handedness are set in the Vial app. The case comes with one, two or three buttons.

Wireless: nice!nano clone running ZMK, three buttons, a small battery. Hold the middle button to scroll, middle plus left or right changes the DPI, and the DPI is saved when you switch it off.

An honest note: with this sensor the wireless version drains the battery fast, the cursor is less smooth over Bluetooth, and it is a tight fit inside the case. If you want to build one, build the wired version.

If you'd like to know more about the trackball, the full build log, QMK and ZMK firmware, and case files are on my site. You can also find my other builds there.

I've always been fascinated by the Canon Cat, a 1987 computer designed by Jef Raskin. Its interface used two LEAP keys under the spacebar to navigate and select text without reaching for a mouse.

As a product designer who has spent years working on interfaces and is also into keyboards, I really wanted to try this system for myself. So I built a keyboard that recreates the Canon Cat layout and works with its emulator.

I wanted the keycaps to match the original legends as closely as possible, so I wouldn’t have to keep mentally translating a modern keyboard layout to the Canon Cat’s. I recreated the typeface and legends in Figma, then worked with Yuzu on a custom set. They made the set for me for free, just like they did for my Atari Boy build.

A few compromises were unavoidable. Yuzu didn’t have an Enter key in the original shape, so I used an ANSI Enter and right Shift instead. Their printing process also doesn’t support front-printed legends yet, so I moved those legends to the top of the keycaps.

If you’d like to know more about the keyboard, the full build log, QMK firmware, and case files are on my site. You can also find my other builds there.

I've always loved how the Atari 800 looks. The industrial design, the color scheme, even the old ads. So I built a handwired keyboard that replicates its layout, wired to work with an emulator.

I wanted the keycaps to match the original legends exactly, not just the layout, but I didn't want to use stickers or 3D-print them. Therefore, I reached out to Yuzu with the idea. They agreed to back it, so I designed and ordered a custom set.

Didn't want to dump a wall of links here, so full build log, wiring, the keycap design process, repo, and case files are all on my site.

I've always loved how the Atari 800 looks. The industrial design, the color scheme, even the old ads. So I built a handwired keyboard that replicates its layout, wired to work with an emulator.

I wanted the keycaps to match the original legends exactly, not just the layout, but I didn't want to use stickers or 3D-print them. Therefore, I designed the legends and reached out to Yuzu with the idea. They loved it and made me a free custom set.

Specs
• Controller: RP2040 Pro Micro
• Switches: Gateron Pro Milky Red
• Case: 3D printed case
• Keycaps: Сustom by Yuzu, cherry profile

Didn't want to dump a wall of links here, so full build log, wiring, the keycap design process, repo, and case files are all on my site.

My first attempt at building a handwired trackball. Yes, it's far from ergonomic, but I decided to start with something simple.

RP2040 Zero, PMW3389 module from AliExpress, 38mm billiard ball