YOU CAN BUILD THIS SPLIT ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD YOURSELF, EVEN IF IT IS YOUR FIRST ONE
A split ergonomic keyboard designed so a beginner can solder it, with no diodes and non-flippable boards.
by beekeeb
Open-hardwareWorkshop
- difficulty
- ●●○○○
- time
- a weekend
- license
- GPL-3.0
- repo
- repo ACTIVE857 stars
●●○○○ · a weekend · GPL-3.0 · 857 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
The Piantor is a 42-key split keyboard (36 if you snap the pinky columns off) that removes the two biggest traps in a first keyboard build: it has no diodes, which takes out dozens of tiny solder joints, and both halves use the same PCB so you cannot build a mirrored board backwards. Each half runs on a Raspberry Pi Pico or compatible RP2040 board and they talk over a 3.5 mm TRRS cable you already own. The aggressive column stagger follows finger lengths instead of typewriter rows, which your hands notice within a day. Switches can drop into Kailh hotswap sockets so you never touch an iron again, or be soldered for a rigid build. The repository is complete: BOM with part numbers, KiCad files, STLs for the case, a build guide, and precompiled firmware. What will go wrong: if you have never soldered surface-mount hotswap sockets before, those will be harder than the switches, and the pinky snap-off only works cleanly if you score it first. The column stagger is aggressive — if you want something close to a normal keyboard, this is not it. But if you want to build a split keyboard and have never done it, this is the on-ramp.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —Full KiCad source files for both PCBs are in the repo
- —STL files for the printed case and switch plate are provided
- —Complete bill of materials with part numbers and sourcing links
- —Build guide and precompiled firmware are both present
- —GPL-3.0 license permits commercial use
- —Repository carries a PCBWay affiliate sponsorship link — beware vendor lock-in signals
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterHeyGears G1: 10M+ colors and transparent parts in one print, plus UV printing on flat objects. Figures, parts and labels — no painting.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the build guide in the repo (Covers both hotswap and direct-solder builds)
- 2.Order PCBs from the Gerbers in the repo, or find a vendor link in the README(The repo links a PCBWay affiliate page — you can use any board house)
- 3.Source the BOM(Part numbers and links are in the repo BOM file)
- 4.Print or order the case and switch plate(STLs are in the repo; acrylic kits are also available from third parties)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
KNOWN ISSUES
- If you have never soldered surface-mount hotswap sockets, those will be harder than the switches — watch a tutorial first and use flux
- The pinky snap-off works cleanly only if you score the board first with a knife; snapping it cold can crack traces
- The column stagger is aggressive and will feel wrong for the first few days — this is not a compromise layout
- Choc v1 keycap selection is much narrower than MX, and most sets are flat profile — factor that into your budget
- If you use non-Pico RP2040 boards, verify the pinout matches or you will have to remap in firmware
- The TRRS cable carries data, not just power — a cheap cable with a broken pin will make one half silent
Can I use MX switches instead of Choc?
No, the PCB footprint is Choc v1 only. If you want MX, look at the Corne or Lily58.
Do I need to flash firmware or does it come preloaded?
You need to flash it. Precompiled UF2 files are in the repo and the Pi Pico is drag-and-drop, so no toolchain is needed.
What if I want more or fewer keys?
The pinky column snaps off to go from 42 to 36 keys. If you want more, this is not the board — look at the Sofle or Iris.
Can I build just one half to try it?
Technically yes, but a single half is not useful as a daily driver and you will still need a full BOM to test it properly.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
The pinky snap-off goes from 42 keys to 36 with no tools — and dozens of builds in the wild run that way. Would you snap them, or is 36 keys too few to start?
beekeeb
beekeeb designed the Piantor as an accessible entry point into split ergonomic keyboards, removing the diodes and mirrored-board traps that stop most first-time builders. It is based on the Cantor keyboard by diepala, adapted to be more forgiving.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM13d ago
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is complete and the diodeless design claim is real — every other beginner split keyboard has 40-50 diodes to solder, and this has none. The aggressive column stagger will feel wrong for three days and then normal, which is the part most reviews understate. The pinky snap-off is a clever idea but only works cleanly if you score the board first with a blade — that detail is in the build guide but easy to miss. The hotswap sockets are surface-mount and will be the hardest part if you have never done SMD before; if that worries you, just solder the switches directly and skip the sockets entirely. No official video walkthrough exists, but the build guide is thorough and the BOM has direct part links.