Custom 60% Keyboard With Detatchable Parts
This is my custom 60% keyboard (technically larger) with a detachable F-row and Numpad
Created by
Owen C
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Owen C
added to the journal ago
Routed the Main Keyboard
I spent most of today routing the PCB for the main keyboard, this took me forever to do, I spent forever trying to make the traces look nice and clean. I also discovered how the key sizes are measured (don't know how I didn't know how it was done already as I have worked on keyboards for a while). Now I'm done with the main keyboard and I'm happy with how the layout turned out
Owen C
added to the journal ago
Some Auxilary Stuff
Primarily, I added some of the necessary stabs (Space bar, Shift, Bkspc, etc.) Then I decided I wanted to add a rotary encoder to be used as a volume knob. I also added a small OLED to be used to display random information or fun pictures. 
Owen C
added to the journal ago
Created the NumPad
I began creating the NumPad by building out the matrix (following the layout of a basic 100% NumPad layout)
I then followed that by connecting the matrix to a XIAO RP2040 (following a similar type of build as the Hackpad project). This will be a separate PCB from the main keyboard and will be connected by a custom USB hub (so that I dont have a million cables running through my desk). The case from the main keyboard will be connected via a custom joint built into the NumPad.
Owen C
added to the journal ago
Created Battery Charger/Power Source Switcher
I created a battery charger/power source switcher based around the MCP73871 Microchip that allows the keyboard to use USB power and charge a battery when plugged in but use battery power when unplugged for wireless use. 
Owen C
added to the journal ago
Created the Matrix
I started by creating a 60% keyboard matrix including a Function key to have a second layer to the keyboard. I made sure to use 45 degree switch symbols to save visual space as there will be a lot of components in this schematic. 
I then followed that up by connecting all of the columns and rows of the matrix to the RP Pico
Owen C
started Custom 60% Keyboard With Detatchable Parts ago
2/6/2026 2:27 AM - Created the Matrix
I started by creating a 60% keyboard matrix including a Function key to have a second layer to the keyboard. I made sure to use 45 degree switch symbols to save visual space as there will be a lot of components in this schematic.
I then followed that up by connecting all of the columns and rows of the matrix to the RP Pico
2/6/2026 2:34 AM - Created Battery Charger/Power Source Switcher
I created a battery charger/power source switcher based around the MCP73871 Microchip that allows the keyboard to use USB power and charge a battery when plugged in but use battery power when unplugged for wireless use.
2/6/2026 2:45 AM - Created the NumPad
I began creating the NumPad by building out the matrix (following the layout of a basic 100% NumPad layout)
I then followed that by connecting the matrix to a XIAO RP2040 (following a similar type of build as the Hackpad project). This will be a separate PCB from the main keyboard and will be connected by a custom USB hub (so that I dont have a million cables running through my desk). The case from the main keyboard will be connected via a custom joint built into the NumPad.
2/6/2026 2:51 AM - Some Auxilary Stuff
Primarily, I added some of the necessary stabs (Space bar, Shift, Bkspc, etc.) Then I decided I wanted to add a rotary encoder to be used as a volume knob. I also added a small OLED to be used to display random information or fun pictures.
2/6/2026 6 PM - Routed the Main Keyboard
I spent most of today routing the PCB for the main keyboard, this took me forever to do, I spent forever trying to make the traces look nice and clean. I also discovered how the key sizes are measured (don't know how I didn't know how it was done already as I have worked on keyboards for a while). Now I'm done with the main keyboard and I'm happy with how the layout turned out