Split Keyboard Mk. I - Instructions

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hermod-thumbnail This is my very first split keyboard build ever, and while it’s far from perfect, it was an amazing learning experience.

Disclaimer:
This DIY split keyboard PCB was designed for personal use and is shared as-is. While it works well for me, it’s not a professionally validated design—there may be imperfections or quirks. If you decide to build it, please do so at your own risk. Double-check everything, and make modifications as needed. Happy building!

Requirements

To complete this build, you’ll need the following:

Required

  • 3d Printer or ability to get 3d printed parts
  • Soldering Iron
  • Computer

    Optional

  • Hot air soldering station
    • Alt. is to order your PCB’s assembled

3D Models

I have included a link to the 3D models on Printables for you to download and print, but in case the tolerances aren’t correct for your printer, I have also included the Fusion360 project so you can adjust them yourself.

  • Printables
  • Fusion360 Projects
    • Right - https://a360.co/4jo1lfW
    • Left - https://a360.co/3HjPXUH
    • Numpad - https://a360.co/3FjKqgo

PCB

Use this link to get $5 off your first order! - https://pcbway.com/g/F41R62

  • PCBWay Project - You can order it directly from here, and even have it assembled.
  • KiCAD Project - In case you need to reference the PCB or Schematic during the soldering process.
  • PCB BOM - If anything is missing from this list please contact me on Discord so I can update it!

Hardware BOM

Item Description Unit Price Extended Price USD Link
USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0 HRO Koreaparts M-14 mid-mount USB-C 2.0 $1.65 $1.65 Link
Magnetic Pogo Connectors 4 sets of male+female $1.91 $7.64 Link
2.2” LCD Display - No Touch This keyboard uses the 2.2 No touch $4.85 $9.70 Link
Choc Hot Swap Sockets - 1u These are for both the 1u and 1.5u switches. $12.88 $12.88 Link
Kailh Choc Low Profile Switches The actual switches that plug into the Hot Swap sockets above. $54.82 $54.82 Link
1u Keycaps   $25.06 $50.12 Link
1u Homing Keycaps   $3.49 $3.49 Link
1.5u Keycaps 2 Pack $3.55 $24.85 Link
M3x8mm Bolts M3x8mm $0.12 $2.64 Link
M3x3mm Heat Set Inserts M3x3mm - Pack of 50 $0.12 $5.95 Link
Poron Foam - 3mm 50X15X0.3CM $5.69 $5.69 Link

Building

PCB Assembly

TODO

Assembly

TODO

Firmware

Please keep in mind that you will still need to customize the firmware to some degree. The current layout of this keyboard isn’t for everyone, and the displays show images of my Keymap.

  • Vanilla Hermod Firmware
    • Base Firmware to get you started. No display animations or sleep timers. Pretty basic, but gives you full control over what you do with the firmware.
  • Userspace Valhalla Firmware
    • Pretty much what I run normally, without my custom macros.

If you find yourself needing to customize the displays, macros, activity timeouts or anything else QMK Specific, either check out the QMK Docs or reach out to someone on the QMK Discord.

You can also reach out on my Discord, though I likely won’t be much help to you, as I barely scraped this together.

Resources

Absolute TOP resources:

Everything else

Below is a list of every single link I saved during the building of this keyboard. It might not be complete, and it might actually be a little bit overwhelming, but they were each helpful to me in some way, so I figured better safe than sorry and included them all!