Keyboard Builders’ Digest / Editorial
Behind the scenes #213
Behind the scenes with the XVX L75 Air and MoeeTech artisan evaluations, open-source and business initiatives, keyboard artwork, meetups, new outlets and reductions, and so forth.
dovenyi
Printed July 1, 2026
Hey, what’s up everybody!
It has been some time. Welcome again for one more recap and behind-the-scenes write-up – with cool initiatives from the DIY keyboard scene, but additionally some promising closed-source and business initiatives.
In case you are new to kbd.information, you may learn how this began out and what that is all about these days. In the event you like what you see, subscribe to the publication (free) and donate some bucks to maintain this in any other case free and ad-free venture alive.
Yep, I’ve an enormous backlog once more. Do not hassle in search of the previous couple of days’ initiatives. I maintain bookmarking stuff, however I simply can’t convey myself to submit when the temperature is above 40°C…
Some posts price sharing
- A pleasant low-profile keyboard: I reviewed the XVX L75 Air – 75% wi-fi, that includes a smooth aluminum high case and introducing new low-pro IMD keycaps.
XVX L75 Air overview
MoeeTech customized steel artisans
- The Haili58 is an nrf52840 primarily based 58-key wi-fi cut up keyboard by Juho T.
Haili58
- A wi-fi low-pro cut up with a pleasant CNC alu case: LP44 Cut up by juncho26.
LP44 Cut up
- Yanos626 shared the STL recordsdata of his handwired Tofu Dactyl, designed through the Cosmos generator.
Tofu Dactyl
- A generative low-pro cut up with a clean construct pipeline: Temporal by curbol.
Temporal
- Two row-staggered cut up keyboards by Yuburoll: Ilwol and Phalwol – with reversible PCBs.
Ilwol & Phalwol
- An open-source Corridor-effect wi-fi cut up keyboard with keywell: YKB Skadi by YarmanKB.
YKB Skadi
- Oldie however goodie: David Barr‘s Demeter is a 34-key diodeless cut up.
Demeter
- Ognjen Bjeletic‘s open-source Twin Blades function Matias Alps switches – but additionally help MX ones.
Twin Blades
Closed-source, WIP, and so forth.
- Cloudsplit36 by NightVisixn. A wi-fi cut up keyboard with the column stagger of a Corne that makes use of a reversible SMD PCB design. To be open sourced quickly.
- Falbatech shared a Redox FT case 3D printed from recycled PET plastic bottles – shredded and became filament.
- A blast from the previous: Lou D.‘s ErgoMax is an Ergodox with F-row. Reversible model additionally obtainable. A 7 12 months previous venture rediscovered by djevo8.
Business
- Hm. Leversteno (preodrer) by Noll Electronics is a 3D-printed lever-actuated stenography keyboard with an actuation drive round 7g.
- Undecided learn how to classify this, however Sensitive-pad by geeksville is an open-source app that turns numerous low cost ($15-$30) “https://kbd.information/aliexpress” shows right into a USB HID touchpad.
Handwired
- Kuma 2 by trabusfu. A handwired cut up with 3D-printed plate that includes channels for wires and room for hotswap sockets.
- HWFW keyboard by vostoklabs. A pocketable unibody that includes hotglue insulation and handwritten legends.
3D
Suggestions, Typing, Keymap
- Entropy is a desktop app by kissetfall_eh, a cross-platform configurator for Vial/QMK and RMK units (r/olkb).
Historical past/Discovery
- Yamaha SX-100 and Victor HC-30 – MSX1 computer systems posted by Starwisher7.
Keyboard artwork
- Fnctl.co Burly 65 posted by enomooshiki.
- Tiraaamisu keyboard by ataruno_key, who painted it to appear like tiramisu utilizing modeling paste and acrylic paints. Two varieties of paste have been used to create completely different textures: one tough and one clean.
- KOSANJI is a 2kg marble keyboard case teased by AlternativeSale7574.
I could not convey myself to throw away an previous Ethernet cable, so I turned it right into a keyboard panel as a substitute – Mrs_Fancy_Pants.
Diderot impact (aka equipment)
- Ghostpad is a pressure-sensitive mousepad prototype by cmajmus. With a 4×4 grid for macros.
Within the mailbox
The already reviewed XVX L75 Air got here together with some Whisper switches: magnetic, silent, 2-in-1 EC / HE switches. Domes on HE boards? I am going to give this a strive quickly.
Donations
- No new donations this time.
- Two long-time donors have gone.
- As all the time, many because of my superior common supporters and everybody who helped this venture to date.
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.
Upcoming meetups
Lately added
- 2026 Canadian Mechanical Keyboard Meetup, July 11, Toronto, Canada
- 2026 Madison Mechanical Keyboard Meetup, July 19, Madison, WI, US
- PDXKBC Keyboard Meet, July 26, Portland, OR, US
- Colorado MechMeets July 2026 meetup, July 26, Erie, CO, US
- Alabama Mechanical Keyboard Meetup, October 3, Huntsville, AL, US
Vendor information & Reductions
At first, be at liberty to make use of the KBDNEWS low cost code at 174 keyboard outlets worldwide!
New outlets and updates to the database of keyboard distributors:
- 10% low cost at Ergomech.retailer (coupon: KBDNEWS) – on high of current reductions! For chosen keyboards, most $50.
- King Cables – Customized cables from Bulgaria. Ivailo provided you a 15% low cost! (Coupon: KBDNEWS)
- Desktop Tribe (China) added. Makers of the VINTEM75 with the sick encoder knob.
- Fellow redditor SuccessfulYou8810 stumbled upon “The Laboratory by RF” in Singapore, and shared some pictures.
Laboratory by RF, Singapore
As a few of you might know, a number of of us have been doing this awhile and labored for a spot referred to as (Mass)Drop as soon as upon a time. We by no means needed to step on any toes up to now, however since Drop formally introduced they’re shutting down we’ve obtained some messages from previous associates in search of a brand new place to make cool stuff. […] We’re going to convey again some oldies, replace some classics, and provides folks the prospect to make new gems. DSA Astrolokeys, Preonic rev4, GMK CYL Hyperfuse Origins, DSS Dolch, SA Retro, and lots extra on the best way. Possibly you’ve acquired one thing rattling round in that ol’ noggin of yours that you simply need to make? Shoot us a message and let’s cook dinner(am I doing that proper? I do not assume I am doing that proper. I’m so previous…) – aposaudio.
Developments
- Change database backend: Improved helper scripts to establish inconsistencies, eliminated merchandise from outlets, and so forth.
- Database cleanup: Numerous long-gone merchandise eliminated.
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That is all for at this time. Thanks for checking by. As all the time: Continue learning and constructing!
Till subsequent time,
Tamás
Printed on Wed 1st Jul 2026. Featured in KBD #213.
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