[ GLYPH_ ]

[ a custom split keyboard ]

[ for portably and comfortably interfacing with computing systems ]

Glyph is the keyboard I wish I had. It's a finger-staggered split mechanical keyboard with hotswap support, powered by the Raspberry Pi Pico and KMK QMK firmware. The main gimmick is a joystick next to each thumb switch that acts as a novel way to switch layers, run macros, and navigate documents.

I had made the Hexapad (a macropad) before, but I wanted something to replace my Keychron. It was a pretty nice board, but it had a boring standard layout, non-customizable firmware, and no extra features apart from a per-key white backlight. I saw a video on youtube about someone making their own custom split keyboard, and that planted the seed in my head. When Highway was announced I was sure that this would be my first project. Glyph has a 6x3 main grid on each side, and instead of a vanilla thumb cluster, it has one thumb button and a joystick.

{ visit the journal }

{ demo video }

{ left pcb }

{ right pcb }

{ case }

[ made with Hack Club's Highway, a hardware grant program for teen hackers ]

[ BOM ]

prices in CAD	ITEM	INFO	COST PER ONE	QUANTITY	TOTAL COST	SOURCE
COMPONENTS	MX switches	It's a keyboard	~$0.29	38	~$12	Already own
	Hotswap sockets	To swap out switches if needed	$0.15	40 (comes in packs of 20)	$10.68	https://www\.aliexpress\.com/item/1005008954571807\.html?mp=1
	Raspberry Pi Pico (or equivalent)	So that the fifteen minutes I spent writing firmware doesn't go to waste	~$4	2	~$8	Already own
	COM-09032 joystick	[glyph]'s gimmick	~$8	2	~$16	Already own
	Diodes	The Matrix	$0.04	36 (thumbs are directly wired)	$3.91	https://www\.aliexpress\.com/item/1005007131309837\.html?mp=1
	TRRS jack	for communication with the other side	$0.29	10 (will use 2)	$2.89	https://www\.aliexpress\.com/item/33029465106\.html?mp=1
	Capacitors	for RGB	$0.39	10 (will use 6)	$3.93	https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009302222368.html?mp=1
	RGB LEDs	glowy :3	$0.16	20 (will use 12)	$3.15	https://www\.aliexpress\.com/item/1005005193716172\.html
	Components total				$23.96	AliExpress
PCB	Left-side PCB	Handwiring is hard	$12.59	1	$12.59	JLCPCB
	Right-side PCB		$12.87	1	$12.87	JLCPCB
	Estimated shipping	Cheapest option	$14.84	1	$14.84	JLCPCB
	PCB total				$40.30
MISC	M4 nuts and bolts		~$0.50	16	~$8	Already own
	Keycaps	MOA profile for my nonstandard layout	$22.99	1	$22.99	https://www\.aliexpress\.com/item/1005009118477177\.html
TOTAL	Parts already bought				~$44
	Subtotal				$87.25
	With tax (5% GST)				$91.61
	With tax + buffer	in case of e.g extra taxes	etc		$100