What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
Up until earlier this year, I hadn't done any soldering for about 20 years. I had done some soldering for various projects in high school and university, but nothing as extensive as the ErgoDox.
Before I received the kit, I watched several videos for a refresher on soldering techniques, and watched the WhiteFireDragon video to get an idea of all the steps for building the ErgoDox. WhiteFireDragon's video is here:
I watched all 3 parts of the EEVblog soldering tutorials. The first one goes over tools for soldering:
. The second one goes over technique for typical components (such as chips and resistors):
. The third one goes over surface mount components:
.
After watching those videos, I decided to get a soldering iron that wasn't a cheap one from Radio Shack or Harbor Freight. I ordered a Hakko FX888D, but you don't need to spend this much, unless you plan on doing more soldering projects (like I have). I know others have assembled their ErgoDoxen with irons from Radio Shack.
Knowing the surface mount diodes will be tiny, hard to see, and hard to handle, I bought a set of Vetus precision ESD tweezers: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EINM5BC/, and an illuminated head-mounted magnifying glass: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UCODIA/.
For the surface mount diodes, I used WhiteFireDragon's technique of applying a blob of solder to the square pad. I did this for all the SMD locations on one board. Then using a flux pen, I added a bit of flux to the solder blob just beforehand. Then using tweezers, I positioned the SMD line side onto the solder blob, and heated both the solder and the SMD leg until the solder flowed and the SMD sank into the blob. I verified that none of these were cold solder joints. Then I went back and soldered the other side of the SMD. A multimeter is useful for verification of the diode connections and direction. I want to emphasize that the extra flux is important, to make sure the solder flows properly.
All the other components were pretty straightforward. I think I had the most trouble with the USB cable. I used a Dremel/rotary tool to cut away at the housing of the USB mini connector. Then I carefully stripped the cable sleeve off, and used the old-school technique of biting on the individual wires to strip them (bite down, then pull away). I tinned the individual wires before feeding them through the PCB, and soldering the other side.
One other thing I wanted to note was that the USB mini connector that gets soldered to the PCB uses more solder than expected. I ended up solder both the top and bottom.
There are kits that can be bought to learn how to solder. They include a small PCB and some components. I can't recommend any, but I know they are out there.
Good luck.