DeskFighter Gallery

There's also a long article with more information.

screenshot of the keyboard layout in Figma — working out features and layout in Figma

photo of keyboard layout paper printout — full size paper mockup for sanity check

photo of key sampler — testing different key switches (Kailh Choc V2)

screenshot of 2u keycap in FreeCAD — creating keycaps in FreeCAD

screenshot of key labels in Affinity — creating key labels in Affinity

screenshot of 1u keycaps with labels in FreeCAD — extrude imported SVG graphics to create 3D labels

screenshot of keycaps in Bambu Studio — keycaps in Bambu Studio, ready to print

photo of 3D printed keycaps, still on build plate — freshly printed keycaps (using 0.2 mm nozzle)

photo of 3D printed feet with heat set inserts and rubber pads — 3D printed feet with heat set inserts and rubber pads

screenshot of spreadsheet with keyboard matrix — optimizing key matrix to avoid ghosting with help of a spreadsheet

photo of electronic components on table — shopping for electronic parts

screenshot of schematic in KiCad — drawing schematic in KiCad

screenshot of routed PCB in KiCad — arranging parts and laying out PCB tracks

screenshot of kicad 3d viewer with keyboard pcb — checking 3D view

rendering of the keyboard including keys, keycaps and USB wire — using Blender for quick visualization

photo of macro pad — MacroPad created to check design

photo of PCBs with different quality black soldermask — comparing soldermask quality of different manufacturers

photo of DeskFighter PCBs, front and back — PCBs fabricated by JLCPCB

screenshot of terminal while writing firmware to microcontroller — flashing firmware

photo of DeskFighter PCB with soldered SMD components and red power LED lit — using tweezers to test if all keys work

photo of PCB with all keys soldered — soldered keys and encoder; assembling remaining parts

photo of PCB with black painted edge — edge painted black

photo of keyboard on desk — all done