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2 layers397.3 × 128.1 mmK8split, the printed circuit board in 3D

custom split keyboard for me by me

Size
397.3 × 128.1 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
233
Nets
169
Pads
776
Tracks, vias
38, 0
Pours
4
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
Created
5 Jan 2020
Updated
9 Sep 2026

Overview

K8split is an open-source printed circuit board by Ckath, from the Ckath/k8split repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 397.3 × 128.1 mm with 233 parts on 169 nets, routed with 38 tracks and 0 vias.

It is built around the ATMEGA32U4-AU. Its parts include 96 diodes, 12 connectors, 7 capacitors, 6 resistors and 1 IC. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards and the AVR (ATmega, ATtiny) boards of this library.

Main components

1

README

README.md

logo shoddy split keyboard for personal use, after ruining my chinese split keyboard I attempted to recreate what I wanted from that, minus all the annoyances.

for the previous more scuffed and QMK version see rev0.1

features

  • normal layout:
    • no ortho
    • no lack of function row
    • no weird thumbclusters
    • plenty bonus keys to add what you miss
  • no case or plate, only M3 holes
  • halves are linked hardwired to central controller (over VGA)
  • regular FULL SIZED USB PORT
  • powered by TMK

rev0.1->0.2 up/downgrades

  • no more dual mcu nonsense
  • no more QMK I'm not dealing with modern QMK
  • no more smd 4 pin crystal suffering
  • due to lack of pcb stabilizers for this formfactor: no more stabilizers
  • cherry low profile switches
  • boards themselves optimized for liquid damage mitigation, all throughhole for easy fixing

pics

keyboards

TODO

pcb

TODO

ordering

theres an ORDER folder in the pcb project, with all required files, dont honestly. if you want one I could probably send you one of my spare PCBs

advice

keep in mind this is a personal board made just for myself, it's more up for reference/show than it is meant for people to actually use it. that said, some advice if you do think about making one:

  • any still configured component part number is not updated, rev0.2 is made from what I had laying around and non pre assembled pcb
  • to keep things easy I recommend a flat profile keycap set like dsa
  • the nearly fully smd usb connector is a china find, you can find them on the regular places as "smd usb a female", the right ones should only have one shield pad on either side.
  • the 'case' hardware used is a standard M3 standoff set, anything works.

Parts

233
QtyValueFootprintReferences
96SOD123Diode_THT:D_A-405_P10.16mm_HorizontalD1, D2, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23 +80
83MX-NoLEDPCM_marbastlib-xp-choc:SW_choc_v2_1uMX1, MX2, MX10, MX11, MX12, MX13, MX14, MX15, MX16, MX17, MX18, MX19, MX20, MX21, MX22, MX23 +67
8Breakaway_Tabslocallib:breakaway-mousebitesJ3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8, J9, J10
8MountingHoleMountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8
422Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR3, R4, R5, R6
4DE15_Socket_HighDensity_MountingHolesConnector_Dsub:DSUB-15-HD_Socket_Horizontal_P2.29x1.90mm_EdgePinOffset3.03mm_Housed_MountingHolesOffset4.94mmJ1, J2, J11, J12
4MX-NoLEDlocallib:SW_choc_v2_2.25uMX5, MX30, MX60, MX94
4MX-NoLEDPCM_marbastlib-xp-choc:SW_choc_v2_1.5uMX3, MX6, MX93, MX96
30.1uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608MetricC4, C6, C15
210kResistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR1, R25
222pFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608MetricC1, C2
2MX-NoLEDPCM_marbastlib-xp-choc:SW_choc_v2_1.25uMX24, MX66
110uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608MetricC7
116MHzCrystal:Crystal_HC49-4H_VerticalY1
11uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608MetricC3
1ATmega32U4-AUPackage_QFP:TQFP-44_10x10mm_P0.8mmU1
1LOGOcad:lG***
1LOGOcad:ppppG***
1LOGOcad:pppG***
1LOGOcad:rG***
1MX-NoLEDPCM_marbastlib-xp-choc:SW_choc_v2_1.75uMX4
1MX-NoLEDlocallib:SW_choc_v2_2.75uMX95
1MX-NoLEDlocallib:SW_choc_v2_2uMX92
1SW_Pushlocallib:SKQGADE010SW1
1USB_A_SMTlocallib:CUI_UJ2-AH-4-SMTUSB1

Questions

How big is the K8split PCB?

It measures 397.3 × 128.1 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the K8split use?

233 parts, built around the ATMEGA32U4-AU. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the K8split KiCad files?

From the Ckath/k8split repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is k8split-PCB/_restore_backup_2026-07-29T21-33-59-735/k8split.kicad_pcb and its schematic k8split-PCB/_restore_backup_2026-07-29T21-33-59-735/k8split.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the K8split design in my own project?

Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).

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