In the world of mechanical keyboards, brands like Corsair, Razer, HyperX, etc., occupy most of the scene. The majority of these brands claim to offer the best in terms of quality and functionality, but this is not always the case. While popular game brands have pushed the awareness and adoption of mechanical keyboards into the mainstream, compromises on quality are almost always made in order to drive down prices. When you compare your available options, you'll quickly realize that the exterior design is the only differentiator. Choose your design, choose your switch, that's all.
But what if I told you that every part of a keyboard can be customized? This goes far beyond the aesthetics of buying the latest set of Massdrop keys or the exchange of a braided cable.
With pre-assembled cards, you do not have to choose size or layout. If you want a programmable keyboard in a 60 percent format with dedicated arrow keys, but it is only available without the programmability, then you will need to compromise and choose the features that are most important to you. If you are not one to compromise, it may be time to build your own.
Image credit: Geekhack
When you start a DIY project, you need to know what parts you need to buy. The last thing you want is to sit down with your soldering iron only to realize your missing an important piece.
You need six components to assemble a functional keyboard with a USB cable:
All of these parts have a wide range of options to customize your keyboard and many options for one party can determine or limit your options for another.
Choosing the right places to buy your pieces can be quite difficult if you've never built a keyboard before. Your first instinct might be to jump on Amazon and start looking for coins. You can find good options this way, but it's a lot easier if you can get multiple parts from the same source.
There are some different stores that I like to buy my parts. KBDfans has a large selection of components and they carry more enclosures and circuit boards than any retailer I've seen. It is quite possible to get everything you will need from them, but their selection of keycap leaves a lot to be desired. 1UP Keyboards is another unique shopping destination for mechanical keyboard parts. Their case selection is not as robust as KBDfans but if you live in the United States, you can save on shipping by ordering from them. If you are looking for basic key sets to run your forum, one or the other of these stores will protect you.
If, however, you are looking for something a little more unique and with a wider range of compatibility, you will need to look elsewhere. Massdrop is a great way to get more expensive and limited key sets for substantial savings if you are ready to drop them and ship. If you're not ready to wait and you're ready to spend all you need, Originative offers a wide variety of high quality branded key sets like GMK and Signature Plastics.
Now, before spending money for everything and anything, we will detail each part so you can see how it goes.
Choosing Components for Your Mechanical Keyboard
Case
Before choosing your case, you have to decide what keyboard size you want to build. The size you choose will reduce your box options, but each size or layout, whether it's 40%, 60% or full size, will have multiple boxes to choose from. Once you have decided on the size of your keyboard, you need to decide on what material you want your case to be made. This usually comes down to the budget and does not affect the keyboard functionality. Suitcases are usually available in one of 4 different materials.
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- Wood
- Transparent acrylic
Aluminum is the most expensive option but offers the most powerful platform for your keyboard. The added weight can help keep your keyboard in place during work or play sessions. It also provides a premium look that you will not find in plastic cases. Other than the cost, the main disadvantage is the effect on the acoustics. Typing on a keyboard with an aluminum case can be much louder and provide a more metallic and hollow sound. Some people prefer that, but it is something to keep in mind.
Plastic cases offer the best value for money. The added strength that aluminum provides may seem more advantageous but is rarely a requirement. Plastic cases are still very strong and less likely to show scratches. They are also cheap and greatly reduce the overall cost of your keyboard. You have a more limited color choice with the majority of cases in black and sometimes in white. You do not get a lot of the vibrant finishes that anodized aluminum housings offer.
Wooden crates are by far the least common option, but they can offer a beautiful aesthetic that combines nature and technology. They are usually sitting in the same price range as the aluminum housings and share the weight advantage and a heavy aluminum case can provide. While the wood itself is durable enough, the finish can show signs of wear much faster than aluminum or plastic.
The last option that has become very popular is the clear acrylic case. These housings offer all the benefits of a plastic case and they allow the light to shine through which creates a really neat effect if your PCB provides RGB lighting.
PCB
The PCB is the heart of your keyboard. It allows you to send your inputs to your computer and control the switches that perform the functions. Choosing the right PCB may seem like a daunting task, but it offers some of the most interesting customization options for your keyboard.
While you have already determined the size of your keyboard, your choice of PCB offers many options for layout. If you have a 60% case for example, you may decide that you still need dedicated arrow keys. Many circuit boards allow you to change the layout of your switches so that this is possible.
By reducing the size of some keys and shifting their positions, you can make room for extra keys. This is certainly not limited to the addition of arrow keys, but it's one of the most common non-standard layouts offered in the 60 percent format. The only drawback of using a non-standard layout is the increased difficulty finding appropriate keycaps, but we'll come back to this later.
Most ready-to-use keyboards do not offer the ability to reprogram the function of each key and with those who do, your remaining components are limited to the choices that the manufacturer has made for you . Most PCB choices available allow you to change the function of each key and usually offer a few different layers to program. Depending on the model, this is done either with external software, then flashed on the firmware of the card, or directly on the keyboard via specific key combinations.
The majority of printed circuit boards also include RGB lighting options or, at the very least, the ability to solder backlights mounted on the switch. If you choose a card with pre-soldered RGB LEDs, you will get a nice transparency effect that can be accented with a clear or frosted acrylic case. This is another example of how one component can help to choose another.
The last consideration to consider when selecting your PCB is whether you know how to weld, and if it is not, if you are ready to learn. There are some printed circuit boards that support hot-swappable switches. This means that you will never have to touch a soldering iron to assemble your keyboard and you will have the option to change your switches on a whim. There are some disadvantages on this route. Your PCB options become relatively limited because most cards on the market are designed to be soldered. It is also possible that the outlets are damaged or removed from the circuit board when removing the switches. This is not very likely, but it is something to keep in mind. Welding is also a very valuable skill; building a keyboard is the perfect project to learn with.
Switches
All mechanical keyboards require switches and all mechanical switches perform the same basic task - each type of switch does it a little differently.
Every change, whether from Cherry, Gateron or Khail, is color-coded to indicate these differences. The differences between how two different switches feel squeezed are determined by the point of actuation, the trigger point, the weight of the spring and whether the switch is linear or tactile. These four attributes make for a wide range of different sentiment switches. Some are more aware of specific tasks such as typing or playing, but ultimately the choice is entirely subjective. Most pre-built keyboards are available with a limited variety of switching options but none are available with each one of them. When you build your own keyboard, your switch choice is entirely independent of any of the other components you choose to use. Because choosing the switch is such a personal thing, you need to know how each switch feels to make the best decision for you.
Many companies sell switch testers that you can buy. These are usually a small box with a variety of different switches mounted. If you do not want to spend money for something you can only use a handful of times, I recommend you go to your computer store. local and test different demo cards and note the type of switch. Personally, I recommend brown switches, either Gateron or Cherry. They provide a tactile bump on the actuation while being tame enough to not interfere when you play and quiet enough to not annoy your neighbors. If you want to deepen the differences between the switches, be sure to consult this guide.
Mounting plate
The mounting plate is one of the last components you need to select because it depends on your case and card choices. The plate protects the board and serves as a guide to hold the switches in place when soldering to the board. It also makes the end product more beautiful and comes in a variety of materials and finishes to add a personal touch to your construction. They all perform the same function and the only real consideration when selecting your plate is to make sure that the cutouts allow you to use the desired layouts and match your card and case.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are a component often overlooked when building a keyboard. They are not very exciting or customizable but you will know immediately when they are missing. They work exactly as their name indicates, keeping some keys such as your shifts and your spacebar flickering when you press them. They are usually sold as a standard game to work with most keyboard layouts. The mark is not too important as long as you lubricate them before installing them, otherwise some cheaper options can become quite noisy.
Clochettes
Whether it is prefabricated or tinkered, keycaps are the most obvious way to add a unique look to your keyboard; However, when it comes to selecting keycaps for DIY constructions, there are additional things to consider. As long as you stick to a standard layout for the chosen size, finding keycaps with the appropriate captions is easy. Any standard set of keys will work for your keyboard, with many brands even offering the same number of keys you need for some smaller setups to save you money.
If you chose a non-standard layout, your options are greatly reduced. You will need to stick to packages that offer a high level of compatibility for non-standard layouts like those in GMK or those that allow you to purchase additional packages that cover the most common non-standard configurations like those of Massdrop . The problem with one or the other of these options is that they are significantly more expensive than standard key sets because they are usually produced in limited series.
If you excel at the level of tactile input, there is another method, much more profitable, than whites. Losing the requirement to have captions on your keys dramatically opens your options with non-standard layouts, especially if you go with an un-carved key profile like DSA. This allows you to use capital letters anywhere in the standard layout to fill your non-standard configuration, provided that they are the same size.
As with any project, there are some tools needed to get the job done right. For the most part, you do not need to spend a ton of money, especially if you only use them for one or two projects. That said, the old adage, "You get what you pay for" is true here.
No specialized store is required here, Amazon has everything you need, but you have to buy the right tools for the job and there are certain features for which you may want to pay extra.
Without further ado, here are the tools you will need to complete your first keyboard:
Soldering iron
As long as it is not battery powered, any basic soldering iron will do the job; However, it is worth paying extra for a variable speed model and support. It is usually best not to drill holes in household items when you need a spare hand.
Soldering blower
Mistakes will be made and without any of them, you will have no way to remove the old solder before repairing them. It's a very basic tool and any model will do it.
Welding
Your choice of welding can make this project relatively easy or extremely frustrating. Although lead-free solder is less dangerous than lead solder, it also has a higher melting point, which makes it much more difficult to obtain proper bonding. It is also important to choose the right size for the job. For soldering switches, the 63/37 core solder is strongly recommended. Make sure you choose the right size, usually anywhere between 0.03 and 0.06 will work here.
Filtration system
Welding smoke is dangerous, especially if you use lead solder. Be sure to pick up a welding fume extractor. They can be obtained for less than $ 100 and will keep you safe.
I know that is a lot of information to consider, but there are many things to consider when choosing your components. The good news? The selection of your parts and tools is the longest aspect of this project, assembly is the easiest part, which we will cover in the second part later this week.
TechSpot Series:
Build your own mechanical keyboard project
TechSpot Series: While major game brands have made known and adopt mechanical keyboards, what happens if I told you that every part of a keyboard can be customized? If you are not one to compromise, it may be time to build your own.
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