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DropTop55 (DT55) - 55% keyboard - Added renders (New IC Form for options!)

geekhackauto-imported

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UPDATE 2: Thanks for all the interest! I've decided to just go ahead and order one last prototype to see if people would be still interested. I'll be sure to post pictures and do a build once I've verified that everything works. Currently based on the interest, I'm comfortable with a 40-50 spot GB. For those numbers, pricing will be ~$350-400 to make sense. Initially I'm thinking of using CF or PC for the plate material. I've added a new IC form to get your feedback on materials and colors. Please fill one out if you are still interested! Thanks again!

Options IC Form

Hey everyone! I thought I would share a small side project with you all to see if there was any interest in this layout. I currently have a working prototype but there will be changes to the case so this is mostly feedback on the layout. Currently the prototype is a sandwich mount but we'll be change it to be a top mount. The case is also just aluminum with no weight to it in order to keep costs down. I wanted this to be a very fun and easy board to get into if trying something smaller than 60% was intimidating.

Idea:

The idea came up when I wanted to try a small board but didn't want to spend extra on a 40s kit. I also don't know whether or not I would be able to get used to not having a num-row or the punctuation to the right of the 'P' key that many 40% boards get rid of.

Layout:

The layout is meant to be very simple but is meant to use only base kit keys. As long as the kit includes a second 2.25u shift, split spacebars shouldn't be needed. This is also the first PCB that I designed myself (with some help along the way) so I kept the layouts as simple as possible. Considering there aren't many keys missing, I didn't think there would be any need for additional bottom rows. The bottom row has a 1.5/1/1.25/2.25/2.75/1.25/1/1.5 layout in order to make it semi-symmetrical and so that we keep the stagger with the row above it. Any adjustment will cause a cross between the bottom row and second to bottom row which I like to avoid. Some newer boards tend to only care about symmetry on the bottom but I want to make sure that no key is directly underneath the one above it.

Edit: I've added some more compatibility based on the feedback received on the IC form and from the thread. Let me know if you have any other changes you think would make sense. Thanks everyone!

Specs:

STM32 MCU
QMK compatible
USB C Daughterboard - C1/C3 compatible
Minimal holes in the PCB
5 degree case
Top mount - semi seamless design
CF or PC plates

Prototype:

Render:

FAQ:

Who is this for? - For those who want to try a num-row-less board without sacrificing too many keys
Why would I want this? - Why not? It's mostly just a fun board that you can try out.
Why don't you include this or that key? Why don't you remove this or that key? - I wanted to keep it as basic as possible. This board actually started out with the name Base50
Can you include more pictures of the case? - The final case design isn't finished yet. It'll be a top mount half seamless design. I currently have the prototype of the first revision. Once I have renders or a new prototype, I'll post it here.
GB date estimate? Price estimate? - Since I don't have the final case design yet, this is mainly looking for feedback on the layout to see if there is interest and ways to make it better. Once that's finalized and so is the case design, I'll get some quotes and another prototype before moving forward with a GB. If there's not enough interest, then I'll just keep my prototype I have now and close the project.

Special thanks: