# gSender/AltMill 9-Key Pendant Keyboard **URL:** \ **Category:** 🪑 Projects\ **Created:** [March 14, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497 "2025-03-14T16:40:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fowler](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@fowler](https://forum.sienci.com/u/fowler)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/1 "2025-03-14T16:40:29Z")
Hey all, I had some mechanical keyboard parts laying around from an older project and found that I was able to make a custom 9 key pendant for gSender, controlling my Altmill on Linux. ![pendant](https://forum.sienci.com/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8f1ac45622413c3b429f0a11c7b725cc5c1e7321.jpeg) Basically this is an Arduino pro micro clone that is attached to 9 CherryMX Blue switches - the Arduino firmware just pretends to be a USB keyboard (using keyboard.h) and when the various buttons are pressed, they just output the defaultgSender keyboard commands for XYZ jogs and speed selectors . All of this is bundled in a 3d printed case and keycaps that show the moves. Time aside, I would guess this was about $10 of parts. Very happy with it, though there is a little delay/lag, but I believe that’s just gSender or the slow computer I have it running on, as manually clicking jogs in gSender has the same delay. Video of action: > **[New video · Friday, Mar 14 🎬](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN7KFjxRWXn0vp1hERX_0MfPZmLEO3pJFY-TCJ-Y5N5V0NBMC2gWtx3VcpJVLxt1Q?key=U2s2dmVPS053c05lcVNYbGNSdGF2NHpuRUxIQm1R)** ---
**Author:** ![gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/gwilki/32/366_2.png) [@gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/u/gwilki)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/2 "2025-03-14T17:13:28Z")
@fowler Nicely done, Fowler. Like you, I like to be close the action when I’m jogging my LM. ---
**Author:** ![cjm](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/cjm/32/8862_2.png) [@cjm](https://forum.sienci.com/u/cjm)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/3 "2025-03-14T20:56:54Z")
Nice, way better than a full keyboard. This is a future project that I have planned, good to see it works well. ---
**Author:** ![fowler](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@fowler](https://forum.sienci.com/u/fowler)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/4 "2025-03-15T16:59:14Z")
Posted some documentation and open sourced code/CAD files here for reference: > **[GitHub - wordupyo/3x3keyboard](https://github.com/wordupyo/3x3keyboard)** > > Contribute to wordupyo/3x3keyboard development by creating an account on GitHub. ---
**Author:** ![Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Jens)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/5 "2025-03-16T00:04:00Z")
An alternative 9 key keypad (wired as well as bluetooth mode). Sorry for the ridiculously long link. > **[Mini 9 Key Macro Keyboard, One Handed Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Triple Mode...](https://www.amazon.ca/Keyboard-Handed-Mechanical-Gaming-Programmable/dp/B0DDCBP3NL)** > > 1. Automatic Sleep Mode: This gaming keypad has an automatic sleep function, it will automatically sleep when not in use for a long time, energy saving and power saving. 2. Multifunctional: This one handed professional gaming keyboard is... ---
**Author:** ![Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Jens)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/6 "2025-03-16T00:17:29Z")
There are lots of keypads that have one or two knobs in addition to the buttons. What could these knobs be used for? ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/7 "2025-03-16T00:40:32Z")
There’s a 16 button keypad at Best Buy that I’ll pick up tomorrow. Don’t know how well it will work but worth a try for $12 ---
**Author:** ![Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Jens)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/8 "2025-03-16T01:49:39Z")
12 bucks … please report back! Best Buy is on my ‘never set foot in store’ list but for $12 I might make an exception. ---
**Author:** ![Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Jens)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/9 "2025-03-16T02:07:55Z")
I did some more searching on Amazon - first, the link I gave above is for a USB based keypad and not bluetooth (don’t know where I got that from). Anyway, looking at a bunch of these keypads, the reviews are mostly very bad. The one I linked to has no reviews at all so be warned. All of a sudden the DIY build option doesn’t sound so bad … ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 9:45am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/10 "2025-03-16T09:45:49Z")
My bad. 15$. [https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-ergonomic-wired-numeric-keypad-only-at-best-buy/12408881](https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-ergonomic-wired-numeric-keypad-only-at-best-buy/12408881) ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 9:47am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/11 "2025-03-16T09:47:19Z")
And I won’t get my Altmill until May/June, so I won’t be able to try it before then. ---
**Author:** ![Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jens](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Jens)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/12 "2025-03-16T11:24:56Z")
There is no mention of it being programmable … seems it would just duplicate the keys on the keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/13 "2025-03-16T12:10:16Z")
That was my impression as well and hopefully the shortcuts you can assign in gsender will be sufficient. I’m also getting the gControl panel computer and might not need a full sized keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/gwilki/32/366_2.png) [@gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/u/gwilki)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/14 "2025-03-16T12:42:36Z")
You may want to look at these threads for ideas on how to control your machines. > [@Mini Numeric Keypad](https://forum.sienci.com/t/mini-numeric-keypad/3112): > > Hi gang! In case anyone is interested in using the keybinding setup of gSender I ran across this neat numeric keypad on Amazon. I tried the Jelly Comb wireless USB but it didn’t have enough keys to cover all of the functions I wanted to use. This keypad has 35 keys but 3 of them are for special computer funcitons like search, calculator and screen print so they can’t be used. There is also a 00 key that performs like the 0 key so consider it a duplicate. That leaves 31 keys which is more than en… > [@Controlling gSender with a tablet](https://forum.sienci.com/t/controlling-gsender-with-a-tablet/7869): > > New to me controller for gSender. For quite a while, I had been using a wireless numeric keypad to send the keyboard shortcuts to the Long Mill controller for the gSender functions and for macros that I have written. I first got the idea from @Heyward43. It worked very well, but was limited by the small number of buttons available. I tried a mini keyboard, but putting labels on the very small keys didn’t work and I couldn’t remember the key assignments without labels. (Getting older sucks.) R… ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/15 "2025-03-16T12:55:05Z")
Thanks. Method 1 is what I’m hoping to accomplish and think that 16 buttons will be enough. But without my Altmill, I still don’t know what my workflow will look like. Method 2 looks nice too. I happen to have several old android tablets lying around. We don’t use them because the charging connector doesn’t work well. Might still try them out to see how well this method works. Have a few android phone as well. ---
**Author:** ![gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/gwilki/32/366_2.png) [@gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/u/gwilki)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 1:03pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/16 "2025-03-16T13:03:36Z")
@Chucky_ott I did the same thing. I had an older 7" android tablet and got the paid version of touchportal. That allows me unlimited gui buttons. I’ve recently changed the main screen to include buttons for my rotary axis. It’s great because I can have the tablet right on the table so that I can see the movement of the router while jogging it. ---
**Author:** ![spcnc](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@spcnc](https://forum.sienci.com/u/spcnc)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/17 "2025-03-16T13:38:24Z")
I’ve play around abit with this: > **[VAYDEER One-Handed Mechanical Keyboard with 9 Fully Programmable Keys, Support...](https://www.amazon.ca/One-Handed-Mechanical-Programmable-Multifunctional-Compatible/dp/B08V8GNHLF)** > > VAYDEER One-Handed Mechanical Keyboard with 9 Fully Programmable Keys, Support NKRO,Hotkeys,One-Click Start,Floating Window and Macro Multifunctional Keypad Compatible with iOS,Windows : Amazon.ca: Electronics You can map all buttons to shortcuts. For example, I’ve used the perimeter 8 to jog in all directions, then holding center button (as an additional button in the shortcut) all 8 then have a secondary function without any switching. ---
**Author:** ![spcnc](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@spcnc](https://forum.sienci.com/u/spcnc)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/18 "2025-03-16T14:02:42Z")
Do you have an arduino uno lying around? You can install vanilla grbl and do generic testing at the comfort of your office chair/computer. ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/19 "2025-03-16T16:02:46Z")
sadly, no. Seems like it would be fun to play around with one though. ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497/20 "2025-03-16T16:04:19Z")
Just picked one up. They have wireless ones too. I know what you mean about Best Buy. I was accosted by sales reps 4 times between the front door and the keyboard section. [Next page](https://forum.sienci.com/t/gsender-altmill-9-key-pendant-keyboard/16497.md?page=2)