This Split Keyboard Uses VGA

I’ve been teasing this project for a while now and decided it was time to release it. The keyboard itself is handwired just like all my other boards but this time it is split and uses VGA cables to connect the two halves. The switches are stock Outemu Blues and the board is powered off by an Arduino Pro Micro running QMK. The keycaps are DSA Astrolokeys from Drop.

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Some links may be affiliate links where I will make a small commission. Nothing in this video was sponsored by any outside party and I wasn't paid for the content in this video.

#mechanicalkeyboard #3dprinting #electronics

[joe_scotto]

So yeah, that's the VGA keyboard idea I've been teasing for a while now. I plan on eventually expanding upon the idea with a numpad or arrow module but if you have a different idea, let me know!

[suzannelowry]

I have a need for a split keyboard as I am bedridden. The cord between the two sides would not need to be coiled as it either would go over my body at my hips (ugh) or both sides would go directly to the computer. That would be preferred or better yet WiFi if blankets don't interfere with transmission.

I would need a ten-key on the right side and we would have to determine where to put the function keys. I'd want a spacebar, delete, backspace and enter on both sides with arrow keys on the right side, possibly emulating the 108 keyboard.

I have been thinking about this and needing it for years. It would allow me to go back to work and get back to writing. I'm a 70 year young widow needing to learn coding. A laptop is too difficult to use when laying mostly prone due to spinal issues.

I have some floating monitor needs, too, but one thing at a time. Thanks for reading my post.

[bobbyhutter]

what an insane idea; i love it! this is the kind of chaos that i love from DIY boards. very very cool.

[AlexanderRainov]

I was surprised to see you got only 5k subs... Video quality, sound and edit are great. Keep up the good work man, respect!

[yohaanmaster]

"old days for monitors" Well my school ONLY has vga ports on the AIOs in the classrooms, and none of the teachers understand how to operate them for some reason, so i'm forced to spend a minimum of a cumulative 20 minutes a day just screwing in vga cables 😭

[pastasuta]

Gotta say I love your videos. Found you recently and am watching you since. Your videos look so professional and you explain everything really well. Maybe something I'd like to see more are different case designs? Anyway, keep up the good work man!

[Gzalo]

Nice! You could have used a DE9, the connector usually used for serial port/rs232... It has exactly 9 wires and a shield, may have been a bit easier to wire

[wereoctopus]

I've been thinking about this exact topic -- not VGA cables specifically, but some other compact-ish cable that mitigates the need for a second microcontroller (or a shift register, or some other means to expand GPIO pins). An ethernet cable is good for 8 pins, but that limits a split board to 16 keys per half. JST connectors might not handle the stress of moving split keyboard halves around.

USB C (the connector itself, no using any USB protocol) seems like a decent choice for a larger keyboard -- passing 24 pins through, or 12 if you want to keep the cable reversible. Just needs some physical indicator on the keyboard to remind users not to use it as a USB port.

But of course, half the fun is in using some obsolete cable. Some of my earliest, fondest computing memories are connecting an external CD-ROM drive via a SCSI cable to play Myst. Apple's early PowerBooks used an HDI-30 connector for the SCSI port, which arranges its 30 pins (225 keys per half!) in a nice compact 5 by 6 grid. 10 of those are ground pins though, and I'm not sure whether the male and/or female connectors physically shorted the pins together.

[ThePhobosX]

Can you make a video about connectors to link handwire split keyboards (types, pros/cons). Best ways to mount most popular connectors on 3d printed case etc.

[derekcoley]

Such an informative 5 min vid of a cool project! I would love to see a WKL 40 if thats possible to do with 3D printing. Keep it up man your channel definitely deserves to blow up with this quality of content

[RicardoJunqueira]

Your builds are from out of this world.
So cool, so unique.

[overvoltagestudio]

This is genius! I actually had a similar solution using ribbon cables but never got around it. This is a way more cool solution, though maybe not quite as easy to manufacture

[bluedude]

Could you please elaborate more on why a Pi Pico did not work? I was thinking of building something similar with that controller, so I would like to understand.

[earlygrayce]

To lock in the VGA connectors use standoffs and screws behind them or standoffs with a male screw at one end and secure with a nut.

[zodi]

is hdmi or mini hdmi cable suitable? Probably use two female hdmi ports (the one which is connected to a pcb which spreads out the connections for soldering wires). Solder wires to the female hdmi port and use a regular hdmi cable to bridge the connection. I have no idea about the pin out or compatibility of wires etc tho.

[andrasbiro]

Really good quality and understandable explanation! I was surprised you don't have a lot more subs already : )

[shawnmcelroy]

If it requires a wire for each row/column then how does it w9rk with the normal TRRS cables. Thats at most 4 right?

[vbrtrmn]

2000-something I had an Acer ERGO split keyboard which had a removable keypad which connected to the main body with a 9-pin serial cable.

[GreyDeathVaccine]

Looking at the way you wrote, it seems that apart from the outermost key, the keys from the thumb cluster will not be very comfortable to use. Or maybe I'm wrong?
Great video 🙂

[QwrwQ]

Have you thought about LPT cable?

Also, maybe you have or could make a video for KiCAD (If you have any exp with that) and 3d modeling a case from zero? Cause I would like to make a case and PCB (Matias and choc switches).