

Tmk mainboard
A minimal, opinionated, column-staggered 42 key split keyboard based on the KLOR.
- Size
- 160.1 × 118.3 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 49
- Nets
- 58
- Pads
- 486
- Tracks, vias
- 1,192, 250
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 7 (file 20221018)
- Created
- 11 Jun 2024
- Updated
- 28 Jun 2024
Overview
Tmk mainboard is an open-source printed circuit board by themissingcow, from the themissingcow/themissingkeyboard repository on GitHub, published under the GPL-3.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 160.1 × 118.3 mm with 49 parts on 58 nets, routed with 1,192 tracks and 250 vias.
Its parts include 21 diodes, 21 switches, 1 IC and 1 connector. It belongs with the keyboards and input and computers and single-board computers boards and the AVR (ATmega, ATtiny) boards of this library.
README
README.mdThe Missing Keyboard

A minimal, opinionated, column-staggered 42 key split keyboard based on the KLOR.
- QMK firmware with developer-focused QWERTY and COLMAK layouts.
- Home row mods.
- Per-key RGB matrix.
- Minimal 3-board construction.
- Choc v1 hotswap (or soldered KS-271)
It has the same staggered key layout as KLOR, but with a smaller footprint.
Extra Layers
- LOWER Numeric keypad.
- UPPER Shifted top-row numbers, arrows and brackets.
- LOWER + UPPER Switch layout.
Parts
Aside from the PCBs, you'll most likely need:
- 42 Choc v1 hotswap (or KS-27*) sockets + key switches.
- 2x [ProMicro ATmega32U4 or compatible MCUs2 (machine pin sockets recommended).
- 42x SK6812 Mini LED (not Mini-E) 3535 size.
- 2x PTS636 reset switches.
- 2x TRRS 3.5mm jack sockets (MJ-4PP-9 or PJ320A).
- 1x TRRS cable.
- 8x M2 Standoffs (4mm for choc).
- 8x M2 screws (3mm for choc).
- 8x Sticky feet.
Note: This is my first build, so please double-check parts and quantities before ordering in case I messed anything up!
Build
You should hopefully be able to follow the original KLOR Build Guide, omitting the removed components.
The main difference is that with the stacked PCB build, you'll probably want to mount the MCUs upside down on the top of the board (see picture). Especially if you're socketing it.
Assembly
Once the main board is fully soldered, stack the switch plate on top, and push the key switches through into the sockets on the back of the main board. You can then screw the stand-offs to this, before putting the backplate PCB on the bottom.
Thanks
Many thanks to @GEIGEIGEIST for the original design, and @sadekbaroudi for the choc version.
Footnotes
Parts
49| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | CHOC_V1_HS_SOCK | fingerpunch:Kailh_socket_PG1350_reversible_with_sk6812_mini | SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20, SW21 +5 |
| 21 | D_Small | KLOR:Diode_SOD123 | D1, D2, D3, D4, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D19, D20, D21, D22 +5 |
| 4 | MountingHole_3.2mm_M3 | MountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3 | MH2, MH2, MH6, MH7 |
| 1 | MJ-4PP-9 | KLOR:MJ-4PP-9 | J1 |
| 1 | ProMicro | KLOR:ProMicro | U1 |
| 1 | SW_RST | Lily58-footprint:TACT_SWITCH_TVBP06 | RSW1 |
Questions
How big is the Tmk mainboard PCB?
It measures 160.1 × 118.3 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Tmk mainboard use?
49 parts. 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 Tmk mainboard KiCad files?
From the themissingcow/themissingkeyboard repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/tmk_mainboard.kicad_pcb. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Tmk mainboard design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the GPL-3.0 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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