Theseus75 | GB LIVE | JULY 1-20

Table of Contents

• Background
• Specifications
• Pricing
• Vendors
• Gallery
• Acknowledgements
• Changelog

Background

I've been itching to try my hand at a hand-wired board for some time now, but without a case to put it all in, it was easy to be dissuaded. Macropads are fun, and they seemed like a good place to start, but I wanted to make this project count—I wanted my "endgame." Inspired by several boards already on the market, this was my attempt to assemble all the features I liked into the form of a high-end, the function of a 75%, and the flexibility of a split. Originally my plan was to make the case by hand out of hardwood, but after diving further into the keyboard atelier rabbit hole journey, finding the right materials and manufacturers to mill such a complex piece out of wood just hasn't been tenable. But after modeling and rendering an aluminum frame with several color finishes, I fell in love: hardwood or not, I needed it. Thought you might too.

The name for this board was born out of the many times I've started this project over from scratch: rebuild after rebuild, was it still the same board I started with? Figured I'd leave that one to the philosophers. In either case, as something you can take apart and put back together, the name just felt right.


Specifications

• 6° typing angle
• 75% layout w/ macro column + exploded navigation
• Two Alps EC11 rotary encoders w/ 1.5mm push-button switch
• 20mm front height (~36.6mm overall height)
• ANSI hot-swap or ANSI/ISO solder PCB
• RGB LED under-glow and caps lock indicator
• QMK/VIA compatibility
• Magnetic interlocking
• LEMO-compatible 1B 5-pin interconnect
• Embedded USB 2.0 hub (useful for Yubikey, Logi Receiver, etc.)
• Hybrid mount design
• 6063 aluminum frame
• Frosted polycarbonate base

All PCBs will include the following options:

• Stepped capslock
• Split left shift
• Split backspace
• Reversible 1.25/2.25u spacebar

Note that the hot-swap PCB will have only ANSI (2.25u) enter support, and solder PCB will have both ANSI and ISO enter options.

UPDATE: by popular demand, the solder PCB will also include pseudo-Tsangan support (1.5+1+1.5+2.25+1 on the left, 2.75+1.5+1.5 on the right).
Note that this will come at the expense of clip-in stabilizers — i.e., most clip-ins will NOT be compatible with the solder PCB. If you feel strongly about this and prefer clip-in support, I highly encourage you to note it in the IC — there is a question added specifically for this, so that way this decision reflects the majority of user requests.


Colors

In keeping with the Greek mythology theme, I am planning to make the board available in the following colorways:

(e-white) (anodized black) (anodized silver) (anodized blue) (anodized burgundy) (anodized emerald green) (e-pink) (anodized purple) (e-yellow)




UPDATE:
Given the latest IC feedback, I am also gauging interest for two additional colorways:

(anodized violet) (e-beige)


Considering the logistical complexity that this would add to an already sizeable list of colors, the level of community interest will determine whether these are made available for the official group buy, whether they end up as limited-edition units, or whether they get produced altogether. So if you are interested and passionate about seeing these colors run, I highly encourage filling out the IC form.


Mounting System

Originally, the Theseus was designed as a top-mount board, but with the overwhelming requests for gasket-mounting early on in the IC, I caved and switched to a more mainstream mount. However, since everything else is designed to be mounted to the top of the case (DBs, FLEMO connectors, and the PC base), I realized that in practice, the floating gasket approach becomes awkward to deal with during assembly and makes alignment extremely finicky. Along with sound and feel, I want to prioritize ease-of-assembly for this board — which is why I'm excited to share this new mounting system.

The latest iteration will use grommets to align, isolate, and secure the plate during assembly. These custom-designed silicone grommets are snapped into leaf springs cut into the plate, placed into the case with recesses to guide, and then (optionally) fastened to the top of the case with screws. Not only should this keep things properly in place, but it also affords the choice of sticking with a screwless gasket mount if you prefer. Each kit will come with two sets of grommets, each of varying hardness (50A and 70A)—meaning you can opt for a stiffer or more flexible feel by swapping them out. All this will be used in combination with extra-soft PORON gaskets on the sides of the plate, so there's no gap showing at the split.




Estimated Price
~$400-500 USD

Includes the following kit contents:

• Keyboard case (aluminum frame + polycarbonate base)
• Left + right PCBs (choice of hot-swap or solder)
• Left + right daughterboards w/ cables
• LEMO-compatible 1B panel-mount connectors w/ cables
• LEMO-compatible 1B interconnect cable w/ braided PET sleeving
• FR4 plate (additional plate materials as extras)
• PORON® gaskets/plate foam
• PORON® Switch pads
• PORON® PCB foam
• 2 PVD-coated brass knobs (additional colors as extras)
• 2 Aluminum knob mounts
• 2 Knob mount set screws (M2)
• 2 Knob mount silicone o-rings
• Friction-fit silicone feet (1 set black + 1 set white)
• Silicone grommets (1 set 50A + 1 set 70A)
• Grommet screws (M2)
• Daughterboard screws (M3)
• Case screws (M2.5)
• Plate standoffs and screws (M2)
• Assorted tools
• Custom-designed carrying case

Note that the price point above is only a rough estimate, and that the final GB price may change. I am aiming to keep the cost of the board as affordable as possible while ensuring the kit includes all the necessary components, so this price point and IC will be refined as the project solidifies. You can visit the IC form at any time to change your answer.

Extras

• Plates: brass, aluminum (black anodized), POM (black), polycarbonate (clear), carbon fiber
• Knobs: gold, rose gold, black, chroma PVD
• Split wrist rest (matching case colors)
• Additional hot-swap or solder PCBs
• Custom-designed interconnect cables (provided by VoxelMods)

If you have an idea for something not on this list, mention it in the IC form — I can't guarantee it will be offered, but if there's enough interest I'll definitely try to make it available.


Vendors

DangkeebsDeskheroProto[Typist]KEYGEMALL CAPSzFrontierZion StudiosiLumkbMOKB Store

Gallery

Latest Prototypes:


CNC Prototype v3:
v2 Studio Renders:
CNC Prototype v2:
CNC Prototype v1:
SLA Prototype v1:
v1 Studio Renders:
Renders w/ GX-16:
Initial renders:



Acknowledgements

• PCB design: @ebastler
• Renders: @its.hymn, @mark_the_weeb, @lizcuits, @keebpixel, @Pontus
• Photos: @captain.sterling, @oh.type
• Others TBA soon!
• Special thanks to the keborb atelier peeps for all the tips/tricks/guidance.

Updates
Changes will be summarized here as the thread is updated.

2022-10-26: OP 2022-11-13: Blue colorway added, features updated 2023-01-02: 3DP prototype photos added, PCB designer announced 2023-02-28: Colorways updated, PCB options announced, renders added 2023-03-01: Banner render added 2023-03-31: Pseudo-Tsangan support added, rough CNC proto photos added 2023-04-21: First round of vendors added 2023-06-28: Second round of vendors and proto photos added 2023-08-02: Base kit details updated, professional photos added, OP reorganized 2023-08-03: New mounting system details added 2024-02-02: Colors, mounting details, kit contents, and extras updated; Vietnam vendor added 2024-06-24: Vendor list updated, GB date added to subject 2024-06-27: Link to GB thread added