2015-12-01 (Tu) Desktop Chording Keyboard COMPLETED: Wooden Keyboard

An ordinary 4 line phone connector was purchased. This was not a Cat5e socket so it was not expensive. Rather than bladed terminals which require an impact tool this device had screw terminals. Screws were removed and a continuity tester was used to determine which wire color was associated with each wire in the cable. Each wire would be run to a numbered Arduino pin.

RJ45 phone line enclosure

List of wire colors and Arduino terminals

Spade terminals were removed by cutting them away and the wire was stripped a couple millimeters. Each wire was tinned then soldered to its corresponding pin on an Arduino Micro. No mouse features were used in this adapter. Hot glue was used to hold the Arduino Micro in place. Care was taken to keep glue out of the terminal holes in case hardware is added later like a joystick or lights.

Wires soldered to Arduino terminals

Arduino glued in place

Some of the plastic from the enclosure had to be cut away in order to access the USB socket. Flush cutting pliers and a square file were used to remove unnecessary material. After assembly it became apparent the Arduino should have been mounted closer to the edge since the USB socket is recessed more than necessary. A USB cable with a long plug was able to reach but care should be taken in the future.

Outline of where to cut plastic

Finished desktop chording keyboard

Downloadable Files:

To do:
  • Build plastic base
    • Cut shape from sheet plastic
    • Drill wiring holes
    • Attach keypads
  • Write instructions

The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.

First time here?

Completed projects from year 1.
Completed projects from year 2



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2015-08-22 (Tu)

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