3/1/2026 9 AM - Switch matrix and Rotary encoder

Okay, so I completed the keyboard matrix and also added a rotary encoder. Wired it all (had to redo the keyboard matrix multiple times lol)

I think it looks quite good, gonna work on the RGB next.

3/1/2026 1 PM - LED matrix

Okay, this was more complicated than I expected!
I was worried about the LEDs using more current than available, (I am using the sk6812 mini e LEDs, 92 of them)
So I spent a loooot of time trying to find something lol
Ended up finding this fuse (just gonna use it ig)
https://robu.in/product/37011600410-littelfuse-37011600410-fuse-pcb-leaded-1-6-a-250-v-tr5-370-series-fast-acting-radial-leaded/#tab-description

Also, I have the neopixels divided into 4 equal groups (so that its easy to test and figure out whats the reason some LEDs aint working if they aint working)

3/1/2026 2 PM - ERC violations

Fixed all the ERC violations.
Mainly just unconnected items, so I marked those with the No Connect Flag.
There were also a few errors from the neopixels (mostly with power). I had forgot to connect a few of the pins there.

3/1/2026 4 PM - Imported in the PCB

Yeah so I imported everything, realised all the keys were messed up (not how i drew them in the schematic lol) and spent this much time fixing it. Anyways, I'll just generate the plate and then be right back!

3/1/2026 5 PM - Keeb layout

Okay, I think this layout looks GREAT :D

My KLE data, for future reference: https://gist.github.com/KavyanshKhaitan2/d66669fa88b57d3299d9c540a9043d84

Also, this is my KBPlate settings, if you are looking for it:

3/1/2026 8 PM - PCB and footprint changes

Okay, so I had to add a few more keys in the schematic, move the rotary encoder button over to the matrix (not really a big deal tho) and I added the switches where they should go.

Here is how it looks :yay:

Oh and I also removed one key from the end because with it it became 100 keys, just one more than how many I had (with full GPIO).
I didnt feel like changing everything with the LEDs, so I just removed that one key.

Also, decided to go with these LEDs instead (available in my region): https://quartzcomponents.com/products/ws2812b-smd5050-addressable-rgb-led-neopixel-led
And these switches: https://www.thecosmicbyte.com/product/gateron-mechanical-switches-compatible-with-cosmic-byte-hot-swappable-keyboards-qty-1pc/

Not because I wanted to, but because these are the only ones I have available in my region.

Oh, and I also arranged these pesky LEDs (took a WHILE)

3/3/2026 8 PM - Restart

Nuked most of my designs.
This is what I have now:

Also re-did the LED matrix to only use one GPIO pin instead of 4.

Before this, I had tried to route the old design, but it became almost impossible because of the matrix size I was using (9x9).
Using the pins freed when I changed the LEDs to only use 1 pin, I changed the matrix to be 16x7 instead.

3/3/2026 10 PM - Moved some components

Well, uhh, I moved these :D

still kinda annoying how these are like in a random order when you import from schematics.
Really hard to get them in order lol

3/4/2026 8 AM - PCB placement

Added some pads to test the LEDs before installation. (so that one bad led dont ruin all my leds)

Okay, instead of having one pad for LED testing, I added 3 status LEDs (connected to the board seperately) and I will use that for testing.

Placed the diodes and arranged the keys (this time with a better suiting matrix lol)

3/4/2026 9 AM - Updated layout

I updated the layout a bit (I was using 6u spacebar that doesnt exist lol)
also, added the correct footprints for each size of key (with stabs!)
This lowk looks good, LEDs next!

3/4/2026 5 PM - LED Placement

Placed all the LEDs for each switch.
Decided to add 3 LEDs to the spacebar because it is so long.

Routed like more than half of everything.
Down to 245 unrouted from 600.

3/5/2026 7 AM - Routed matrix and LEDs

Routed most of the stuff here!! Now mainly only the connections to the pico is left.
Also, forgot to place components for the rotary encoder lol. (Will do it in the next log)

3/5/2026 9 PM - Routed to MCU

Most of the routing (should) be done now :)))
will add a ground fill and fix the rest of the drc unconnected errors after that.
After doing the connections, gotta start working on the case lol

3/6/2026 1 PM - PCB complete

Ground fill done, edge.cuts done, fixed all the drc errors.

Looks pretty cool right? (tho i think the ground fill fills the whole board lol)
Curious to see how this turns out irl.

3/6/2026 4 PM - Case designing

I am quite happy with this even tho I used the hackpad guide as a reference and just built my case with that. This looks good!

Created a little assembly. Looks great!

3/6/2026 5 PM - Create README

Woah.
I think my README looks fire fr.

(This took me like an hour but whatever lol)

Now I am just gonna ask for a grant next, Hoping for the best lol.
Just wish they accept my draft.

3/20/2026 - Finding a spacebar stabilizer wire

Since all the full stabilizer sets were too expensive, I decided to buy individual 2u stabilizers, but that also had a problem.

I couldnt find any stabilizer for a spacebar seperately, and if I did, it was too expensive.
Then I realised we have a big box of non-functional membrane keyboards in some closet, so I tried finding a keyboard from that box that would be perfect for my purposes (6u stabilizer, 100mm).

I kept taking apart these keyboards, and eventually found this stabilizer which was perfect for my use:

For anyone wondering, used one of these generic logitech keyboards:

(every other keyboard I found didnt have the correct length, they all had either 10mm too big or 10mm too small lol)

Kept it aside if I need any other donor parts.

The StacksKB order

So, I received my StacksKB order today afternoon

this packaging was like impossible to remove btw ^^^

so I unwrapped it (didnt even have access to scissors 😭)

and I find there is a second layer (final boss)

it was just as hard to unwrap.

Anyways, after I did that, I got this:

Stabilizers

So I took the stabilizers and assembled them.

At the end, when I reached the spacebar, I realised that the short ends are a little too long.
After some fiddling around with tools, I found some nosepliers, and cut about 3mm from both the sides.
After that, when I installed them, the wire didnt fit in.
This is because the wire I found from that keyboard was a little thin, so I brought some white medical tape (that is the most accessible for me rn) and taped the stabilizers to the wire. I didnt tape it too tight so the stabs can still move. I taped them as loose as possible while still allowing for mobility.

After assembling all the stabilisers, now I have this: