This is a complete beginner's step-by-step guide to build a corne keyboard including RGB lights. I go over everything you should know including all the parts you'll need, the soldering equipment I like to use, how to solder each of the components, how to flash the keyboard and finally how to put the PCBs into a case. Hope you enjoy it!
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?️⌨️ Visit the SplitType Shop & Build Your Corne: https://splittype.com
? Full breakdown of everything you'll need below:
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⌨️ Corne Keyboard Parts
1. Cherry MX Corne V3 Kit:
- Partially Assembled Kit (now with everything except microcontrollers and oled screens!): https://bit.ly/3wPLofX
- Regular Kit: https://bit.ly/3PicaE5
2. Elite-C Microcontroller:
- Little Keyboards: https://bit.ly/48Q9CDR
- Keebio: https://bit.ly/3Pm9lBJ
3. Low Profile Sockets & Mill-Max Pins: https://bit.ly/3wkiRPz
4. 128x32 Oled Screens: https://bit.ly/4a0gUFK
5. Corne Keyboard Case: https://bit.ly/48W6bLP or https://etsy.me/4ca7fPc
6. Corne Display Covers: https://bit.ly/48QgkJW
7. Switches & Keycaps: https://bit.ly/3Vbvrus
8. TRRS Cable: https://amzn.to/3PjyfBX
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⚡️Flashing Your Keyboard
- QMK Online Configurator: https://config.qmk.fm/
- My Corne Keyboard Layout: https://bit.ly/3TfZ8Ik (upload this file to the configurator)
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?️ Soldering Equipment Recommendations (choose what you need)
- Yihua 926 Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/49EtLhv
- Solder Wick: https://amzn.to/3v3NacL
- No Clean Flux: https://amzn.to/4cdlD9y
- Better Lead Free Solder (0.5 & .08): https://amzn.to/3Pcyajl
- Better Desoldering Pump: https://amzn.to/3PhnPD8
- Heat Resistant Tape: https://amzn.to/3v3NB6T
- Precision Tweezers Set (includes revers-action): https://amzn.to/3TeIgkZ
- Wire/Flush Cutters: https://amzn.to/3TzeM2V
- Soldering Mat: https://amzn.to/49PXZy8
- Solder Smoke Absorber: https://amzn.to/43cKtC8
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? Helpful Soldering Tutorials
- SMD Soldering Tutorial: https://youtu.be/fYInlAmPnGo?si=8oxYTJ_dthblg4_n
- Soldering Crash Course: https://youtu.be/6rmErwU5E-k?si=KWURzpKquMdM6npu
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⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:22 - Corne Keyboard Parts
05:38 - Soldering Equipment Recommendations
08:19 - Solder Diodes
09:40 - Solder Underglow LEDs
11:10 - Solder LEDs For Switch Lighting
12:36 - Solder Kailh Hotswap Sockets
13:29 - Solder Trrs Jack
13:59 - Solder Oled Screen Socket
14:16 - Solder Reset Button
14:30 - Socket Microcontroller
16:46 - Install Oled Screen
17:37 - How To Flash With QMK
22:32 - Install PCBs Unto Case
27:07 - Conclusion
Correction:
21:51 - CONNECT TRRS FIRST, THEN USB. Connecting the trrs while the keyboard is connected to power has a risk of damaging the microcontroller.