Drift Keyboard V2 by Timception

• For those interested: Drift Keyboard V3 is now available

• These can be shipped internationally - DM me on INSTAGRAM

Contents:

• Specifications - Some details about the Drift Keyboard

• Basics - How to use / Basics

• Versions - Versions of the Drift Keyboard

• Updating Early Versions - How to update earlier versions with newer firmware

A Hearty 68-Key Split Keyboard using Vial-QMK firmware

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*Can fully support the Thai Alphabet (สปลิทคีย์บอร์ดสำหรับคนไทย)

This keyboard was designed for users who prefer a familiar typing experience of a 65% keyboard
without having to learn new shortcuts — while enjoying the ergonomic benefits of a split layout.

Adobe .ai files to lasercut your own acrylic plates

Specifications:

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MCU: RP2040-ZERO

Switch Support: 5-Pin or 3-Pin Cherry MX switches - the PCB has hotswap sockets.

OLED: (Horizontal) SSD1306 128x64

Encoder: The Limited Panasonic EVQWGD001 Roller Encoder and the EC11 Encoder

Serial Connector Cable: Either TRS or TRRS 3.5mm audio jacks can be used

Dimensions: Width: 128mm, Length: 196mm

Important

⚠️ Important Safety Notice for Split Keyboard Users

• Never plug in or disconnect the 3.5mm audio connector while your keyboard is connected via USB-C. Doing so can permanently damage the keyboard.

• When unsure, simply unplug USB-C first. This quick habit will save you trouble every time.

✅ Why the 3.5mm audio connector is the better choice
From experience and community knowledge, 3.5mm audio connectors are far more reliable than USB-C for split keyboards.
They’re durable, easy to replace, and don’t require advanced soldering skills if something ever goes wrong. Many builders learn this the hard way once they’ve used or repaired split keyboards.
If you are afraid of this issue, I highly suggest getting the wireless version instead - problem solved.

🛠️ In case of mistakes
If damage ever occurs, the MCU can be replaced using a heat gun, but it’s a time-consuming process (and definitely not fun when removing the residual solder from the pin holes).
Always remember to flash the firmware onto the replacement MCU before installing it.

📌 Flashing firmware on RP2040-Zero

1. Flash one side at a time (unplug the 3.5mm connector between sides).
2. Hold the BOOT button before plugging in the USB cable.
3. A new drive will appear on your computer.
4. Drag and drop the .uf2 firmware file onto it.

🔒 Additional tips

Disconnect or power off your keyboard when not in use.

Keep it out of reach of children to avoid accidents.

Basics

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• You can download the Vial App to see where all your keys are, this is a must.

• To turn off the beeping sounds you can press "Audio Toggle" found on the last layer (then on the left encoder).

• This keyboard also has a Music Mode (an interesting feature that could be implemented and therefore, was implemented).

  • By pressing the left encoder on the default layer you will toggle Music Mode. Your keyboard is now a musical instrument and unusable until you press "Music Toggle" again (you won't hear anything unless audio is on through Audio Toggle).

  • These audio toggles can be found in the Quantum section of the vial app (I have disabled this by default recently because almost everyone asks how to turn it off).

• The three curved keys on the bottom of each half are called the "Thumb Cluster". By default, the middle key of the thumb cluster on each half is the spacebar.

• It is highly recommended that you understand LAYERS - when a momentary layer key is assigned "MO(layer number)", the keys on the layers above it should be set to transparent (KC_TRANS), the triangle symbol in the Vial App.

  • This keyboard has 4 layers and the first layer is layer 0 (Zero), so this is the order: Layer 0, Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3.

Current Versions of the Drift Keyboard

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• Version 4 (Drift Keyboard V4) - A 3D-Printer-friendly, smaller, 64-key version (ready soon!)

• Version 3 (Drift Keyboard V3) Wireless - Drift V2, but with a Bluetooth Enabled MCU / Nice!Nano using ZMK firmware

• Version 3 (Drift Keyboard V3) Wired - Drift V3, but with an RP2040 Promicro MCU using Vial-QMK firmware

• Version 2 (Drift Keyboard V2) - The original Drift Keyboard by Timception, with an RP2040-Zero MCU running Vial-QMK

• Early Versions - These versions have a master (MSTR) and slave (SLV) switch beside the OLEDs

Updating Earlier Versions

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If your Drift Keyboard has switches on the side that determine the master and the slave, you can update your firmware and forget about those switches forever.

• You will have to update one half at a time, so do not insert the 3.5mm audio jack.

• Starting with the left half, set the switch to Master (MSTR) then plug the USB-C into your computer.

  • You can hold the MO(1) key then hit the RESET button on the top left of the keyboard to enter bootloader mode.

  • You can drag and drop the .uf2 firmware file for the LEFT side into the drive that shows up after entering bootloader mode.

  • After the firmware has completed loading, the drive should disappear then you can unplug the keyboard and set the side switch to slave (SLV) and never care about it again.

• Do the same with the right half: Set to Master, press RESET to enter bootloader mode - Hold MO(2) and press the top right button.

  • Drag and drop the .uf2 firmware file for the RIGHT side into the drive that shows up after entering bootloader mode.

  • After the firmware is done loading, you can unplug the keyboard and set the side switch to slave (SLV) and never care about it again.

• After these steps have been done successfully - you could even snap the switches off with some cutting pliers to prevent yourself from accidentally switching them on in the future.

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Pixel Art by OLIVlOUS | KO-FI

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I owe ZANNIKB a HUGE thanks for Cooler Animated versions of Firmware!

Cool Wallpaper by my pal Danm.edits

Special Thanks to Tecsmith for making this keyboard even possible since the start, and for helping with the keyboard layout code.

Special Thanks to TweetyDaBird for patiently helping with some issues when RP2040-Zero was still a new mcu for QMK.

Inspired by Foostan's Corne Keyboard

The reversible pcb design from the Sofle Keyboard was also an inspiring factor

Acknowledgments & Licensing

This project makes use of code and ideas from the following repositories:

• QMK Firmware (GitHub) – The foundation of modern custom keyboard firmware, whose open-source work made this project possible.
• Vial-QMK – Extending QMK with real-time keymap editing and powerful features that bring even more flexibility to end users.

All third-party code remains under their original licenses.