Arc Surfer - The Mechanical Keyboard for Arc Raiders

I'm a huge fan of Arc Raiders by Embark Studios but I just couldn't get the precision I needed from a Game Pad and so I designed and build this custom keyboard so I could play smoothly with keyboard and mouse.

The keyboard is compatible with standard MX switches or Kailh low profile V2 switches.

Print instructions:

I typically print keyboard enclosures with 4/5 perimeters, 6 top and bottom layers and 25% gyroid infill (although this keyboard doesn't need much infill!). Due to the bevels, I reccomend using 0.15mm layer height or smaller if your printer can handle it. I print with a 0.6mm nozzle but it should also be fine with 0.4mm too. PLA is totally fine, but you can also use PETG/ABS etc if you prefer.

Electronics:

• 1 x usb-c Microcontroller (I recommend the Waveshare RP2040 Zero. The Seeed Studio Xiao RP2040 will also work but doesn’t have enough pins if you want to add RGB)

• Thin, flexible silicone wire

• 1.5mm flexible copper rod (I buy mine from Aliexpress)

• Suitable heat shrink tubing

• 26 x 1N4148 Diodes

• 26 x Keyboard Switches and Caps

• 6 x M3x12mm hex machine screws

I'm can't walk you through building the keyboard here but I highly reccomend checking out tutorials from Joe Scotto on YouTube for guidance on that front. The firmware for this board can be found on GitHub . As long as you wire up as provided in the picture, the firmware should just be drag and drop!

Please share your makes, I love to see my projects out in the wild!

If you are looking for a pre-build version of this keyboard, drop me a mesage. I'm taking commissions!

Update 02/01/2026 - Added an additional base which adds 8 degrees of tenting to the board for a more comfortable playing experience. Let me know if you would like to see steeper tents and I can add more!