2 layers114.5 × 125.5 mm
2 layers133.5 × 120.5 mm
Tactile r
dazed-16/TactileA modular clean custom split keyboard
- Size
- 133.5 × 120.5 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 52
- Nets
- 76
- Pads
- 261
- Tracks, vias
- 510, 69
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 7 Oct 2026
- Updated
- 12 Oct 2026
Overview
Tactile r is an open-source printed circuit board by dazed-16, from the dazed-16/Tactile repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 133.5 × 120.5 mm with 52 parts on 76 nets, routed with 510 tracks and 69 vias.
It is built around the 74HC595, CSD83325L and 1N4148W, with the EG1218 among its other parts. Its parts include 19 switches, 18 diodes, 5 ICs, 3 connectors and 2 resistors. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards and the nRF52 and nRF5x boards of this library.
Main components
4
74HC595
SOP-16-40℃~+85℃ 1 100ns@5V,50pF 10MHz 2V~6V 74HC 8 Serial-to-Serial or Parallel Tri-State SOP-16 Shift Registers ROHSGRShift Registers
CSD83325L
PicoStar-6-55℃~+150℃ 1.17nF 1.25V 10.9nC@4.5V 12V 144pF 2 N-Channel 2.3W 243pF 8A 9.9mΩ@4.5V Common Drain N-Channel PicoStar-6 MOSFETs ROHSTexas InstrumentsMOSFETs
1N4148W
SOD-123150mA 1A 1V@50mA 1uA@75V 400mW 4ns 75V Independent SOD-123 Switching Diodes ROHSSTMicroelectronicsSwitching Diodes
EG1218
插件-20℃~+70℃ 11.6mm 200mA 30V 4mm 7.4mm Black PC Pin Rectangular Columnar SPDT Through Hole Plugin Slide Switches ROHSE-SwitchSlide Switches
README
README.mdTactile
Tactile is a custom split mechanical keyboard for programming, live coding and CAD, with a thumb touchpad for pointer control.
Why make it?
The aim is a keyboard that feels personal and comfortable during long desk sessions. A split layout lets each hand rest at its own angle, while thumb controls reduce trips between the keyboard and mouse. Tactile switches give clear feedback, and printed keycaps and a case leave room for customization.
How it works
A wireless controller connects to the computer over Bluetooth. A ribbon cable joins the two halves, and the controller scans the key matrix. The right thumb controls the touchpad; left-thumb keys handle mouse clicks. Layers provide the remaining keyboard functions.
Challenges so far
Fitting the thumb keys and touchpad into a useful layout has meant balancing comfort with space for the electronics. Another challenge has been choosing a controller and expanding its pins to handle both the keyboard and pointing device. Matching component footprints and keeping the parts affordable still need attention.
The project is in the design stage. The boards and schematics are present; firmware and the physical build are still ahead.
Design pictures
Files
Open the left and right projects under Tactile/PCB/ in KiCad. Custom libraries are in Tactile/Libraries/, and printable geometry is in Tactile/Model/. The purchase list is also available as BOM.csv.
Gerbers and drill files are in the left fabrication folder and right fabrication folder, with a ZIP package for each half. These are design exports; fabrication checks are still pending.
Purchase BOM
Submission estimate in USD, using the current supplier list and delivery to Mexico. Prices are per listed purchase unit; line totals already include quantity. Estimated order total: $211.80 ($76.80 components + $95.00 shipping + $40.00 tax/import allowance).
| Component or charge | Buy quantity | Unit USD | Line total USD | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLE controller | 1 | 9.90 | 9.90 | Part |
| Tactile switches | 2 packs | 9.99 | 19.98 | Part |
| Touchpad | 1 | 9.63 | 9.63 | Part |
| Matrix diodes | 100 | 0.0665 | 6.65 | Part |
| Shift registers | 2 | 0.30 | 0.60 | Part |
| Capacitors | 10 | 0.098 | 0.98 | Part |
| Touchpad connector | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 | Part |
| Touchpad cable (estimate) | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 | Part |
| Ribbon cable | 2 feet | 1.79 | 3.58 | Part |
| IDC sockets | 2 | 0.60 | 1.20 | Part |
| IDC strain reliefs | 2 | 0.10 | 0.20 | Part |
| IDC headers | 2 | 0.63 | 1.26 | Part |
| Power switch | 1 | 0.72 | 0.72 | Part |
| Battery | 1 | 9.95 | 9.95 | Part |
| USB cable | 1 | 4.95 | 4.95 | Part |
| Battery protection IC (estimate) | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | Part |
| Dual MOSFET (estimate) | 1 | 1.50 | 1.50 | Part |
| 330 ohm resistor (estimate) | 1 | 0.10 | 0.10 | To select |
| 2.2 kOhm resistor (estimate) | 1 | 0.10 | 0.10 | To select |
| Battery connector (estimate) | 1 | 0.50 | 0.50 | Part |
| DigiKey shipping | 1 | 30.00 | 30.00 | Part |
| Seeed shipping (estimate) | 1 | 10.00 | 10.00 | Part |
| Akko shipping (estimate) | 1 | 15.00 | 15.00 | Part |
| Mouser shipping (estimate) | 1 | 20.00 | 20.00 | Part |
| Adafruit shipping (estimate) | 1 | 20.00 | 20.00 | Part |
| Tax and import charges (estimate) | 1 | 40.00 | 40.00 | Part |
The unquoted components and shipping use planning allowances, not supplier quotes. Shipping assumes separate orders from DigiKey, Seeed, Akko, Mouser and Adafruit. DigiKey's $30 follows its published Mexico rate below $100; the remaining shipping allowances are provisional. The $40 tax/import allowance is a budget reserve, not a tax-rate calculation or guaranteed upper bound. Final checkout and carrier charges may differ.
Verified diode price: 100 × $0.06650 = $6.65, cut tape. Other listed component prices are earlier supplier estimates. No parts order has been placed.
Parts
52| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1N4148W | Diode_SMD:D_SOD-123 | D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18 +2 |
| 18 | SW_Push_45deg | Button_Switch_Keyboard:SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB | SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18 +2 |
| 2 | 74HC595 | Package_SO:SSOP-16_5.3x6.2mm_P0.65mm | U2, U3 |
| 1 | 2.2 kOhm | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R2 |
| 1 | 330 ohm | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R1 |
| 1 | AWHW14G-0202-T-R | AWHW14G-0202-T-R:CONN_AWHW14G-0x02-T_ASM | J2 |
| 1 | BQ29700DSET | BQ29700DSET:DSE0006A | U4 |
| 1 | CSD83325L | CSD83325L:YJE0006A | U5 |
| 1 | Conn_01x02_Socket | Connector_JST:JST_ACH_BM02B-ACHSS-GAN-ETF_1x02-1MP_P1.20mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | EG1218 | EG1218:SW_1218_EWI | SW19 |
| 1 | FH12-12S-0.5SH55 | FH12-12S-0-5SH-55:CONN_FH12-12S-0.5SH55_HIR | J1 |
| 1 | LOGO | Keyboard footprints:right | G*** |
| 1 | XIAO-nRF52840-SMD | Seeed Studio XIAO Series Library:XIAO-nRF54LM20A-SMD | U1 |
The 48 most common of 52 parts.
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Questions
How big is the Tactile r PCB?
It measures 133.5 × 120.5 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Tactile r use?
52 parts, built around the 74HC595, CSD83325L, 1N4148W and EG1218. 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 Tactile r KiCad files?
From the dazed-16/Tactile repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is Tactile/PCB/Right side/Tactile-r.kicad_pcb and its schematic Tactile/PCB/Left side/Tactile-l.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Tactile r design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask dazed-16 before reusing the design.