building_mono

Building

Print the pcb

Download the gerber file here.

You can order your PCBs with JLCPCB or PCBWAY.
Unfortunately, you can't order less than five PCBs (this is the reason why the splitted chew PBC is reversible).
Drop the .zip in their website, select these options and keep the others on default:


PCB Qty	5
Different Design	1
PCB Thickness	1.6
Via Covering	Tented
Remove Order Number	yes
PCB Color	your choice
Surface finish	your choice

(The most beautiful is blue + ENIG)
Pay and wait.

Soldering

Prerequisites

You can use a flux pen to make it easier and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol to clean it.
I used my solder pen at 330°C, don't forget the hottest part of the pen is not the peak so use it with tilt and always moist.
And to desolder, use a good solder sucker like this one.

Diodes

Let's start with the diode, there is one per switch.
Be very careful with the orientation !
There is a line on the diode which has to be in the same side than the line drawn on the PCB.
⚠️ Orientation varies according to the switch. ⚠️

Now for each diodes:

Apply some flux (all the time, it really helps).
Add some iron on your solder pen.
Maintain the diode with tweezers.
Put the solder pen on the pad until the iron has melt.
Check the diode position and restart if necessary.
Solder the other side.

MCU

Sockets

The best choice for the controllers is to use sockets.
If you have any doubts, trust me or read this article on splitkb.

Cut and insert them in their holes.

Then use tape to maintain the position.
Try to keep it as vertical as possible.

Turn the PCBs over, apply some flux and solder all the pins.

Once it's done, turn the PCBs over again and use a needle to break through the tape on each hole.

Now, stay cool and insert a pin in all the sockets.
Do it gently with the flat side of your nail. (you'll probably fail several of them 😅)

MCU

It's recommanded to flash the controller once before soldering.
See the Firmware flashing section to do it.
Then place it as picture below.

Maintain pressure on the controller and solder all its pins.

Remove

Once again, for this step, stay calm and remove the controller gently.
Try to pull it vertically all the time.
(that's ok if some pins are bent)
Remove the tape but don't reattach them right now.

Hotswap sockets

The PCBs allow you to solder your switches or use hotswap sockets (be careful to buy the Choc V1).

As usual, apply some flux, put the hotswap in place, insert your pen in one side and add some iron.
Maintain the socket in position with your finger while the iron is still liquid.
And do that 68 times.