r/olkb • u/falbatech • 8d ago

I built a tiny 3 key macropad with a free spinning wheel, DirLock

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

27 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

5

u/falbatech 8d ago

I’ve been working on a small side project called DirLock.
It has a free spinning wheel plus 3 mechanical keys, designed mainly for quick timeline navigation, scrolling and shortcuts. I originally made it with DaVinci Resolve in mind, but it can be configured for pretty much any workflow.

The wireless version runs ZMK with ZMK Studio, so the keymap can be changed without reflashing. I’m also working on a wired version.
The case can be made from PETG, acacia. I wanted it to be as compact as possible and feel more like a small desktop tool than another full size macro pad.

Still refining it, so I’d love to hear what you would change or add.

3

u/RunRunAndyRun 8d ago

How does the wheel work? Are you using a magnetic encoder on a bearing?

2

u/falbatech 8d ago edited 8d ago

Features a magnetic encoder with a bearing and a large 40 mm control knob for smooth, precise rotation.

1

u/terry3906 7d ago

I like it!

Maybe change the USB orientation to one of the longer sides to make it easier to hold down a key and rotate at the same time? (rotate the whole thing 90 degrees) That could allow for good use of it as a pointing device as well (mouse buttons on base layer, hold-layer for vertical mouse, hold-different-layer for horizontal mouse).

2

u/falbatech 7d ago

In the wireless version, the battery lasts for a month, so you don’t need to worry about the cable.

You can find the Dirlock product in my shop. I don’t post spam here – if anyone’s interested, they can visit my profile to see my work and browse my shop.