Behind the scenes #205

Keyboard Builders’ Digest / Editorial

Behind the scenes #205

Behind the scenes with the KiiBOOM Meow keycap set and AM Infinity mouse critiques, plus open-source tasks, keyboard artwork, meetups, plenty of new distributors, and reductions.

dovenyi
Printed January 26, 2026

Hey, what’s up everybody!

Welcome again for one more recap and behind-the-scenes write-up – with cool tasks from the DIY keyboard scene, but additionally some promising closed-source industrial tasks.

If you’re new to kbd.information, you’ll be able to learn how this began out and what that is all about these days. For those who like what you see, subscribe to the publication (free) and donate some bucks to maintain this in any other case free and ad-free mission alive.

Chef’s selection

For those who solely have time for a handful of tasks, take a look at these:

Some posts value sharing

• Hm. The pictures turned out fairly good, however no shock with these cute caps and colours: A mixed evaluate of the KiiBOOM Meow Pudding PC keycap set and the blue KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Lite keyboard.

• An open-source wi-fi cut up keyboard by yyevax: Xavient is offered each in 36-key or 42-key configs.

• The MX Unsaver is a customized keyboard and numpad by nearestexit: impressed by the classic IBM “Unsaver”.

• MagoSaronno‘s cut up Keyther is a Cantor-derivative – halves related by an Ethernet cable.

• The wi-fi Ashwing64 by Flexyjerkov is a 64-key monoblock keyboard with uncovered diodes.

• A 52-key wi-fi cut up keyboard: Phanny by zackattack.

• A 36-key monoblock cut up primarily based on the Yolochka: Yolochka Remastered by turtle_bazon – with PCB.

• Bonus evaluate: A top-tier, ultralight mouse in a cool magnesium/aluminum body: AM Infinity. Whereas I am cautious about such gentle mice as I favor some heft for higher management, I ended up utilizing this fancy mouse as my each day driver at house.

• I like the brand new orange Cornix 2.0(?) – pre-order. Aside from the brand new coloration choice, solely firmware adjustments I assume, plus improved high quality management. Now bought via OZO from the UK.

• mikefives – the cut up brother of the unibody mikefive by dynam1keNL.

• Daily58. A wi-fi, repair-friendly Lily58 variant by lvl3-diy.

• An open-source numpad by PhudnerDev. With customized software program. Nonetheless work in profress, however some information already on github.

• Robertferanec is designing a modular keyboard. STM32 MCU, CAN bus for communication.

• ScottoT9 – PCB version of Joe’s macropad that implements old-school non-predictive T9 character enter. Github repo with out PCB.

• And the ScottoRang, the creator’s newest handwired keyboard, that includes 16x16mm spaced Choc switches.

• FishKeeb is a handwired ScottoFly-adaptation. By Lander03xD_.

• Mantis v1.0 growth replace by Felix Kuehling. The loopy angled monoblock board with hex grid and caps – now with an built-in trackball or trackpad.

• Mono is a cut up with trackpads by Okay-March1037.

• Dullboy prototype by Blind_Heim. A wi-fi low-pro Choc monoblock board with offset halves.

• The ult 42 is a WIP true cut up by paper5963, with the creator’s stackable (adjustable-height) caps.

• DCF Kimera by AyzenShiro. A semi-ortholinear southpaw lengthy boi.

• Holy moly. kle-ng can generate KiCad tasks now. Shared by admwscki.

• Defend Wizard is a web-based, no-code configurator for ZMK. It generates a ZMK “person config” repository with shields in your customized keyboard design (supply).

• DYTCOM Ok-261 with MX-compatible Taiwan Jet Axis switches. Pictures by humanplayer2. From the ’90s, in response to ThereminGoat.

• WorkerJunior1429 put a keyboard on a keyboard. An artisan impressed by classic typewriters. Handmade resin with give attention to proportions and element.

• Lucy R2 keycap set pre-order – I just like the playful quantity row with the clear ABS.

• Vendigo PCB artwork. (A Sweep type experiment by leifflat.)

• Stacked acrylic bLAEde by Calumwri posted by alrahm.

• Haha, noimaginasian‘s pocket book keyboard is definitely a MelGeek Pixel with some clear silicone tubing.

• Pureya – pictures by Slashin28.

• NomadBase – sofa-friendly keyboard instances/lapboards by PrintStation.

As with the Elytra, the product is prepared for mass manufacturing and even supply? I am undecided. What I am positive about is that it is a kick-ass cut up for those who insist on the traditional horizontal staggering. Charming walnut(?) palm rests, wonderful hard-shell carry case, and the same old high-quality milled low-pro aluminum chassis from JZF.

Jeez, these silent Kailh Deep Sea MINI Pink Island Choc V2s are very nice to kind on. Not utterly silent, however they make the sound loads deeper, even with out the walnut tray.

For all of the donation choices take a look at the donation web page!

Meetup database

The meetup database serves as each a calendar and an archive, so be at liberty to ship me upcoming occasions and even ones from the current previous to make this assortment as complete as potential.

Not too long ago added

Meetup galleries

Vendor information & Reductions

Be at liberty to make use of the KBDNEWS low cost code at 191 keyboard outlets worldwide! And don’t hesitate to report any points! 🙂

New outlets and updates to the database of keyboard distributors this previous two weeks:

• Contura Keyboards is the store of Russell Dame (aka DepressedCabbage/GurApprehensive), creator of the Hephaestes38, who supplied you a 5% low cost (KBDNEWS coupon code).
• Whalebone (US) gives some good 3D-printed keyboard stands.
• Keycapsule, a French studio with restricted runs of keyboards/keycaps/deskmats/cables, was added.
• ElimKeys – it was excessive time so as to add this website after the Elytra evaluate.
• lvl3.diy (IN) sells the Lily58-based Home58 – a wi-fi cut up with AAA batteries.
• Neo Macro (IN).

Developments

• Nut a lot. I’ve managed to combine one other store within the swap database/gives part, however that was it concerning developments within the first weeks of 2026 I assume.

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That is all for right now. Thanks for checking by. As at all times: Continue learning and constructing!

Till subsequent time,
Tamás

Printed on Mon twenty sixth Jan 2026. Featured in KBD #205.

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