In this video, Clem embarks on a captivating journey to craft an open-source Bluetooth keyboard entirely from the ground up, showcasing his passion for keyboard customization. Starting with the choice of clicky mechanical switches and a low-profile design, Clem combines elements from both English and German layouts to create a compact and highly personalized keyboard. He meticulously designs a custom PCB, integrating an ESP32 S3 microcontroller for wireless connectivity, and delves into coding the firmware from scratch. The uniqueness of his creation extends to 3D-printed keycaps with raised, durable symbols on the inside, ensuring a lasting, tailored typing experience. Despite encountering technical challenges, Clem's determination prevails, resulting in an open-source Bluetooth keyboard with a distinctive layout and innovative features, ready for fellow enthusiasts to explore.
Watch the Video:
Bonus Content:
Bill of Material:
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Quantity | Buy Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MULTICOMP PRO Zero Ohm Resistor, Jumper, 0603 [1608 Metric], Thick Film, 100 mW, 1 A, Surface Mount Device | Multicomp pro | 60 | Buy Now |
| BOURNS Small Signal Schottky Diode, Single, 40 V, 300 mA, 500 mV, 2 A, 125 °C | BOURNS | 60 | Buy Now |
| MOLEX USB Connector, USB Type C, USB 3.1, Receptacle, 24 Ways, Surface Mount, Right Angle | MOLEX | 1 | Buy Now |
| STMICROELECTRONICS ESD Protection Device, 17 V, SOT-23, 6 Pins, USBLC | STMICROELECTRONICS | 1 | Buy Now |
| MOLEX FFC / FPC Cable, Premo Flex Jumper, 10 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 6 ", 152 mm, White | MOLEX | 1 | Buy Now |
| MOLEX FFC / FPC Cable, Premo Flex Jumper, 10 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 2 ", 51 mm, White | MOLEX | 1 | Buy Now |
| MOLEX FFC / FPC Board Connector, 1 mm, 10 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52207, Surface Mount, Top | MOLEX | 1 | Buy Now |
| MOLEX FFC / FPC Board Connector, ZIF, 1 mm, 10 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52271, Surface Mount, Bottom | MOLEX | 1 | Buy Now |
| MIKROELEKTRONIKA Rechargeable Battery, 3.7 V, Lithium Polymer, 2 Ah, JST | MIKROELEKTRONIKA | 1 | Buy Now |
Additional Parts:
| ESP32-S3-Wroom1 |
| Keycaps 3d printed with MAYER MAKES ENGINEERING RESIN + Blue Dye |
| PCB provided by Aisler.net use code „thanks_mayermakes_23“ for a discount. |
| Switches used are Gateron Blue KS27, sockets are random parts i found by searching for the switches. |
