Resource collection

Here’s a general list of resources & links that may be useful to you!

The most useful thing you can get from this though is to get into the habbit of searching stuff up! There are so many resources out there and this page can only cover so much

Finding 3D models & libraries

• GrabCAD community library (this has LITERALLY any 3D model you can think of)
• SnapEDA has footprints & symbols for most electronics components if you can’t find one online, but I would recommend making your own when possible

Useful software

• Excalidraw is an awesome site for making really quick sketches that look good
• For PCB design, use KiCAD!. It’s free, open source, and works on any platform.
• For 3D modelling, use either Fusion360 or Onshape!

Technical resources

• Ellis’ 3D print tuning guide has swaths of really useful information
• The Keyboard Atelier Designer Spreadsheet

Project inspiration:

• Adafruit is one of my favourite resources! There are literally hundreds of insanely cool projects out there.

Communities

Discords:

• KiCAD (PCB design and help)
• QMK (Keyboard firmware)
• VORONDesign - 3D printing discord dedicated to their ow

Subreddits:

• r/mechanicalkeyboards (keyboard help)
• r/QMK
• r/3DPrinting
• r/electronics

Measurements list:

These are the measurements I use to design parts for 3D prints!

• M3 screw head diamter: 6mm (this is both for socket head and button head - they’re approx. the same!)
• M3 heatset inserts: 4.7mm OD, 4mm depth
• M3 screw-ins for plastic: 2.9mm
• M2 screw-ins for plastic: 1.9mm
• M3 SHCS screw head depth: 3.1mm
• M3 BHCS screw head depth: 1.8mm

Most of these were taken from the VORONDesign team’s designs - I’ve found them to just generally work pretty well across other designs as well