Welcome to Gigaboard v1 a fully chaotic, DIY, tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that I built basically for vibes.
Two PCBs, a bunch of parts, and me learning PCB design on the fly..
Is it practical? Nah.
Is it fun? Absolutely..
- Tenkeyless Layout, Standard layout, compatible with Cherry MX-style switches (I used Kailh Box Crystal Jades clicky bois)
- Per-Key RGB, Reverse mounted SK6812 (Neopixel) LEDs for maximum gamer energy
- 16x2 Character Display, Retro LCD, mainly for flex (TBD on actual use)
- Knob (Rotary Encoder), Twist it to feel something
- Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico, Because it’s small, cheap, and CircuitPython just works
- Two Custom PCBs, Designed in KiCad, manufactured properly, because perfboards are cringe
- Aesthetic Screws & Standoffsoffs, To hold the chaos together
| Qty | Part | Cost (USD) | Why it’s here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raspberry Pi Pico | $5 | Brains of the build |
| 87 | Kailh Box Crystal Jade Switches | ~$55 | The thock, the click |
| 87 | SK6812 Reverse-Mount LEDs | ~$20 | RGB everywhere |
| 1 | 16x2 Character LCD (HD44780) | $4 | Retro display vibes |
| 1 | Rotary Encoder + Knob | $2 | For spinning, obviously |
| 1 | USB Type-C Breakout/Adapter | $2 | So it actually connects |
| 1 | USB Type-C Angled Adapter (90°) | $3 | Makes cable management slightly better |
| ~100 | Diodes (1N4148 or similar) | $6 | Keyboard matrix wizardry |
| 2 | Custom PCBs (both plates) | ~$25 | This is the real deal |
| ~12 | M2 Screws + Standoffs | ~$3 | Holding the thing together |
| ~ | Connectors, headers, JSTs, vibes | ~$5 | Wiring party |
💸 Approx. Total → $125 - $130
