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
You should probably buy the new plastic cases if this is your intention, they seem to have a small gap in the middle, it might be for the bluetooth modules in further revisions
However, in general, 60% cases are VERY crammed, impossible to cram lithium batteries in, so your best bet is the plastic case, it looks similar to the V60 plastic case, which had the most room I've seen in 60% cases
You should also find HaaTa on geekhack/github, he might guide you
Personally, I think bluetooth would take away from the robustness of the keyboard, however it's a personal preference All the issues I have with the infinity keyboard is related to the plate and the top-row, so my solution was to 3d-print the plate, and the first trial was very successful, I'm going to improve the plate pieces, print the plate in 3 pieces with carbon fiber pla, convert the pcb to have an 2u top row, while also improving the spacing, so far I'm pretty satisfied with this plan, otherwise I was also considering getting a Nerd60 (the gon/nerd60 seems to have bluetooth/lipo modules by the way, but it's a bit more expensive)
I couldn't decide between printing the plate myself or getting it produced using a service like Shapeways. Just getting it done by a CNC also makes more sense, but I will definitely get the dimensions right first by doing it myself, I don't like the gaps the current plate has, I will definitely enlarge the model by 1-2mm before the manufacturing - I'm most probably going to melt my extruder if I attempt the carbonfiber print tho :)
trev, it's nice to hear a positive experience, hhkb/unix users generally have it easier :) - I'm using dedicated arrows myself, I'm a very unoptimal typist, I almost never used the right shift, so the dedicated arrows there is just perfect for me
I initially tried to adopt the hhkb layout, as it's more optimal, but the changes messed with my reflexes a lot, the ISO to ANSI switch took an hour for me, the ANSI to 60% with dedicated arrows was similar, however for the 60% to hhkb switch, I was still maimed after more than a day, so I returned back to the ANSI with modified arrows
If I manage to drill the pcb and integrate the 2u backspace position, the keyboard will become just perfect for me. From the photos, it's extremely doable, luckily there are no electronical connections between the top 2x1u switch positions
Edit: Just inspected Shapeways further, the possibilities are indeed exciting