I Tried Building a CUSTOM Mechanical Keyboard: Everything I Learned
Ғылым және технология
Custom keyboards have been around for quite a while now and there are a ton of great Keyboard centric youtube creators out there that somehow make the topic of keyboards, fun, interesting, sound great and look so freakin’ cool. I’ve always struggled with finding the perfect keyboard. If you’ve been a long time follower of this channel, you know how many keyboards I’ve gone through through. The pursuit of the perfect keyboard has always been a constant struggle.
Affiliate links to KZread gear I use:
Sony a7siii: go.magik.ly/ml/1qb8i/
Sony A7c: go.magik.ly/ml/1qb8k/
14in M1 Pro MacBook Pro: go.magik.ly/ml/1qb83/
Mac Studio: go.magik.ly/ml/1qb8o/
0:00 Introduction
1:07 Why A Custom Keyboard
2:07 Keyboard Sizes and Bodies
4:09 Key Switches
7:43 Keycaps
9:58 Buying Components
12:01 Modding
13:15 Conclusion
So it seemed like the perfect solution was to build it myself, that way I get all the features I want, in the layout I want, with no compromises.
Keyboards come in a bunch of different sizes. The most common ones I’ve seen are 100% which are the 100%, 80%, 75% and 65% which removes the entire function row of keys. There are plenty of options for cases out there for keyboards, and there are many options for all form factors, it's kind of like selecting a pc case if you’re familiar with building a PC. While the exterior provides aesthetic value it also affects the angle of the keyboard, and depending on body material, can also affect the sound of the final product. Basically every choice determines how it looks, feels, and sounds.
Beyond that you also have to consider what type of key switches you want. Key Switches are one of the biggest factors on how a keyboard sounds and feels. Most custom keyboards use cherry mx keyswitches with clicky, linear, and tactile key switches.
Then there’s keycaps. They come in a bunch of different colors, shapes, fonts, materials and can even affect how your keyboard sounds. The quality, fit and finish of each keycap set will be completely different depending on the type of keycap you buy and the quality of the manufacturing. There are some keycaps in the keyboard community that are generally considered one the more premium options, and these are GMK keycaps. But they are super expensive, at least $100 or more for a set, which is the cost of a whole mechanical keyboard from well known brands. You don’t have to get GMK keycaps just because they’re the premium “Standard”, there are plenty of options out there that vary between prices. There are two types of plastic you’ll find on keyboards ABS and PBT.
Once you have all those sorted out, you have your parts listed out, it’s time to buy your parts right? Wait. What is this? Waitlists? GroupBuys? Interest Checks? The thing about custom keyboards, is that they are custom, and a hobby that has a bunch of growing pains. It’s not streamlined like the PC building community, a lot of the times, keyboard components that are unique or fit an aesthetic, you gotta be at the right place, at the right time, and also willing to wait to get them. This is the process for a lot of keyboards and keycaps. And it can be really discouraging for people who are just starting out. Because often times, the parts you want are not going to be in production for months and they’ll just slowly trickle into your mailbox with time. So if you’re looking for a real custom experience it takes a lot of time to gather all of the components you want to build that “perfect” keyboard.
Once the parts arrive, it’s easy to put the keyboard together, they usually come with manuals. The whole process only takes about 2 or so hours.
Now that we have a complete custom keyboard. What did I think of the whole experience? It was fun to learn something new and try to figure it out. This keyboard cost about 350 to make. Of course, that’s because I was willing to pay that much, you can easily put something together for less that still feels and sounds good. While $350 sounds pretty pricey for this keyboard, since all the components are modular, we could always reuse certain components, change out pieces that are getting old, falling apart, or get a new case altogether if we’re looking for a new experience, which you can’t normally do with a bog standard mechanical keyboard from a big brand. Also, building a custom keyboard doesn’t have to be expensive either, Amazon has a ton of hot-swappable keyboards available that you can just buy and start tinkering with. Overall, building a keyboard is a fun way to learn something new, and get the exact look, feel, sound, and functionality you want out of a keyboard. You really get to control every aspect of a device a lot of people use daily. I’m ready for the next one.
Пікірлер: 62
Welcome to the cult! At first, I didn't understand the obsession with building keyboards and especially spending so much money on it - Now, I'm looking for right group buy for my 5th custom keyboard. It just so awesome to find such an interesting and diverse hobbie in something which is so simple as a keyboard. Amazing video and looking forward to check the one you build for yourself!
@BenjaminTrillington
Жыл бұрын
What are you getting? I just did my first GB for the qk80
Built my first keyboard yesterday and I have to say even with the many months of me binge watching KZread videos and learning the jargons, the actual assembling itself still took a lot of time.
Great video! Getting into this community can be a real struggle because almost none of it is consumer friendly. Its getting better, but we've got a long way to go.
I haven't built a custom keyboard yet, but I recently also fell down the Rabbit hole, especially Hipyo Tech got me binging lol. Should I ever upgrade my old, beat up laptop to a proper PC, I'm definitely gonna get a nice custom keyboard with it :D
I went done this rabbithole about 2 years ago now. Built my first board and fell in love with the hobby. I now have 8 boards plus 3 others that I've sold already. There is some tactiles that have the bump right at the top or the whole way down. Generally the sound is more due to material used in the switch from both the housing and the stem as well as the board material.
Compared to most, this is a really good dive down the rabbit hole, and has very few mistakes as far as information goes. You clearly did the proper research, and Switch and Click is an awesome resource for beginners (people always complain there's no beginner info, when that website is like a gold mine for beginners). Awesome job, this is a great intro for new people to the hobby from an outsiders perspective! Great job! Hope you had a fun time diving down the keyboard rabbit hole!
Really great video, good logical flow, simple analogies, and very easy to follow for newcomers :-D. Btw the QK65 you built for your wife is really clean, the caps and color selection look great!
I am now in the - learning everything about soldering, buying soldering iron kit, and starting to experiment on soldering on older/cheaper keyboards - phase of the hobby.
Custom keyboard building is like computers. Difference is availability and shipping time
I've built several keyboards at this point. The most involved one was the QK75 that I'm typing on right now. Hardest part was definitely getting the stabs installed. It was my first time working with screw in stabs and having to hold the stab in place with one hand, while working with the tiny washers and screws with the other was a challenge for me. After getting that done the rest was a breeze. Still, I think I might go clip-in stabs in the future.
Dang it Jimmy, I just bought everything to build my custom keyboard yesterday and you decide to post this video today! I would've loved to watch this sooner!
nice! i dropped 200 and made a cool custom one earlier this year too. It's so fun tinkering, but I also love having no keycaps with that nice sound
Just picked up a second hand Keychron V1, don't think I'm ready to fall into the rabbit hole of going full custom, but currently looking into picking up some tactile switches for it and a new set of keycaps
Max I've probably spent close to $900 max $1000. I recently ordered the Zoom 65 V2 this will be my last keyboard 😅
Since joining the cult, I've learnt patience as well as how to solder. Can't believe that I'm 2 years and 6 keyboards into the hobby but none of my GMK sets have shipped. Despite that, I've learnt patience as well as soldering which will help with my other personal projects.
@Amehnice17
Жыл бұрын
_Congratula.tions_ 🥇 _Hello subscriber you have just been luckily shortlisted among my giveaway winners for today's batch send me a message following the above name_ 👆
Bought a keycbron k4 in jan 2022. Now sitting at 5 boards built and 2 group buys on the way
I went from the rog falchion to the akko 3068B plus, swapped the switches for the akko wine reds (lubed) used the included white foam the keyboard came in, used the tape mod on the back of the pcb and band aid moded with medical tape. My god I love this keyboard... now I get the addiction...
@buddybleeyes
Жыл бұрын
It was a pretty budget built in comparison with other keyboards. Think in total it was like £130/140 ish. I just screwed up and got the tactile switches that I wasn't that keen on. Atleast I tried them!
If I can leave advice to anyone starting. Check your local area to see if there is a keyboard community and if they meetup from time to time. These “meetups” are where people bring their boards and you can try other people’s boards to see what you like. This is also the heart of the community to be able to meet, discuss and teach some new tips on the hobby!
I startred down this rabbit hole by building and modding a custom numpad becuase it was a lot cheaper than a full board. Now I'm 4 boards and 2 numpads deep and I want more lmao
Excellent video! Sadly I've fallen head first as well!
"amost sounds like a cult" you sir are correct
TACTILE GANG RISE UP!!
3000$ down the line, still looking out for new gbs everyday and i dont regret anything
Nice. It's a rabbit hole.
you have summoned the keyboard enthusiasts.
Welcome to your new addiction lol
Hipyo always typing extra soft in the soundtests lmfao.
"with absolutely no compromises" *north facing PCB appears...
@Sylveighty
Жыл бұрын
Its no longer a big deal with all the long pole switches that are now out in market
I have 3 but I want a perfect 7
lmao "It is a cult... and we are accepting new members."
Cherry lol
I try sh** all the time and realize I’ll never accomplish anything, keep your head up. I mean captive mice WILLINGLY run on their wheel… the wheel is good.
Welcome to the deep deep rabbit hole! Here's a tip: don't calculate how much you've spent on the hobby 😭
@JimmyTriesWorld
Жыл бұрын
It hurts just thinking how much I’ll unknowingly spend. 🥲
Do you recommend building a custom keyboard or just beat a homeless man?
Keyboard is nice, but CHERRY MX😭
remember that building customs is not as hard as it may seem in this video, if you’re really worried there are tonnes of discords for this hobby that you can always join and ask
And if pcb dies..... Dread taking it all apart for new part
@vak2586
Жыл бұрын
I *dare* you to kill a modern PCB through normal use. Actually, I DOUBLE dare you.
@yorha.a2
Жыл бұрын
Same can be said for custom pcs. If your mobo dies, you basically have to rebuild it
Bluetooth on AAA batteries lasted me abit more than 2 weeks. What are you on about. P.S. TESTER68
@mrekt4u401
Жыл бұрын
No hate but a keeb with 3000 mAh last around a month with rbg on.
If I paid $350 and only got 65% of a keyboard, I'd be pretty mad.
@Rubixo69
Жыл бұрын
People choose for it to save space on the desk
@ojgimpson
Жыл бұрын
Once you use a 65% it's so hard to go back to larger sized boards.
@ciaojay7025
Жыл бұрын
@@ojgimpson yep. My first one was a 65% when I used a 75% it really felt weird when gaming
This is not rocket science. It's not as difficult as you make it. Watch some quality KZread videos, do some research and you shouldn't have any problems.
@unzkipriime4283
Жыл бұрын
honestly easier said than done, the first boards cam be difficult, especially for overanalytic people
@AltoidX700
Жыл бұрын
@@unzkipriime4283 I agree, if you over-think the process it can be overwhelming.
@ShaXCwalk
Жыл бұрын
I just built my first board. Tbh it is not rocket science but it has so many components that it overwhelmed me at first. I had to learn a lot about all the different components. Where to buy. What materials. What mods... more and more
@mrekt4u401
Жыл бұрын
I beg to differ. It is rocket science and im tired of saying its not. Ever mod and ever choice and even changes matters. The best thing to do is get a cheap hotswap able one and get hands on with it first. Ones ur comfortable enough then join the big leagues.
@bananza9860
Жыл бұрын
Do you mean it IS as difficult as you make it?
I got my first mechanical keyboard barebones coming later this month 🥹 I got my favorite TTC Gold Pink switches and Honey and Milk Keycaps so I’m quite stoked for it to come in. I don’t plan on doing any mods as this is my first attempt for a mechanical keyboard but I’m excited about it. I been using a split keyboard for a many years now and would like to get rid of the wires I do work from home and type about 12-16 hours a day but going for a 65% keyboard is more than fine for me because I use short cuts and hot keys to navigate around anyway it’s not an issue 😊
Nothing will improve razer keyboards.
@_ExTitus
Жыл бұрын
aside from the keycaps, older 2014ish razer boards sound pretty good
My first is a prebuilt one thinking I won't buy another one. After I modded it I bought a cheap custom one. Now I'm planning to buy another one with a different lay out. And I'm still 3 months into the hobby 🥲🤣