Advice for 65/75% Retro Board with Backlighting

[Tribal]

I’ve wanted to create a retro-themed 65/75% keyboard with backlighting and need some advice.  I have Drop Skylight Classic keycaps and ergo clears.

Must Have:
*Blacklighting or RGB
*Compact form factor - 65/75%
*No rotary knobs
*IBM-style beige/off-white
*Hotswap
*Standard bottom row

Prefer:
*Plastic case
*Function keys on left
*Not made in China
*Somewhat hefty for the size

The PC66 and NK65 come close, but neither quite work.  I have an Alt that would work if I knew how to spray paint decently.

Any suggestions?

[kajahtaa]

What in the world is "standard" ?

[Leslieann]

65% and 75% almost never have a "standard" bottom row due to the need for an FN key and squishing due to the arrow keys, something has to give. Also that FN on left voids the whole standard layout as well. 75% is the least popular and least standardized format there is so your choices are going to be very limited for that size (and color!).  Just because it's common on laptops doesn't mean it's common on desktop.

The preference for plastic case and made in the U.S. are in conflict, most US made keyboards are small companies or (more likely) just a group buy, pretty much all of which are going to be aluminum because of low volume manufacturing. Plastic cases require injection molding and that requires a massive up front investment, something a small company or group buy isn't going to do. Plastic is also in conflict for weight, if you want weight you're going to have to go with a metal case.


As for your ALT, you could disassemble it and send it out for anodizing, powder coat, ceracoat or paint. Beware powder coat is thick and could cause tolerance problems and normal paint won't stand up to the abuse very well.