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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: makkaniii on Sun, 23 February 2020, 12:28:10
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Hi, guys I just want to make a budget board with a few specifications.
Important: Tkl and if not then 75%, USB-C, plate aluminium or brass. Budget around 200-400€
Fully programmable keys.
Most important i want the novelkeys cream switches or others that sound similar, so the pcb must support them (no clue what switches support what pcbs).
Never built a keyboard so any tips would help.
No pressure just hoping some people with some experience are willing to help
Thanks :)
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So TKL is not that popular (the smaller the more popular, for some reasons) so options may be a bit restrictive, if you want it ready to use forget the 400 euros as well, given your spec it will be all home soldered at this price point, especially as you can't really order from china right now. an other problem might be sourcing the cream switches, novelkey does not seem to have any in stock.
usually hotswap kb are more expensive so on a budget maybe stay away from those (at least until you are sure to have the money for it) if you do not mind the case being plastic and just want the plate in metal then your price point is much more realistic. hope that helps, and hope that more knowledgeable peoples sees this thread.
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Monstargears Ninja87
CFTKB Mysterium (restock soon)
TX EO87
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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TKL is definitely more popular than 75% and if you want custom caps I would be very wary of 75% (and 65%) as there is no "standard" compared to other layouts.
For $400 you will be looking at a kit or modding an existing board, especially since probably no one sells a board with those switches. Note: So long as the board is MX compatible they should fit.
As mentioned, most kits come from China, especially in that range and they will be difficult right now. Beware kit prices, they can be quite deceptive, sure the kit is $200, but by the time you add switches, caps, better stabs, maybe some springs or o-rings that kit can quickly double in price.
If you really want to dive in though, modding an existing board isn't a bad thing and should actually be higher on people's list, especially if you plan on using it daily. Parts are easy to get and they tend to be fully fleshed out, true, most are not programmable, but some are or can be made to be for pretty cheap, though I would recommend you think about why you need it and if it can just as easily be done with software, some may laugh, but software can be extremely powerful, seeing as how it can detect what app you are using, unlike the keyboard. Meaning you can automatically disable winkey when a game starts.
If you want to build, while it won't be flashy, there are several Cooler Master and Filcos you can get replacement controllers for as well as different cases. With some work they can even me made to have a universal plate allowing you to open and swap switch internals too. Best of all, if you mess it up, replacement parts are easy to scavenge. You won't feel as bad burning up a Cooler Master PCB as you would a $400 that will take months to source a new PCB for. Best of all, you end up with a VERY reliable board, that is super strong and several options, but you can also get one now, not in 6-9 months and you might learn some new skills. For what you have to spend, you can build one heck of a hefty, reliable keyboard that will last forever. Take a look at my signature for what all I did to a Filco, the only stock remaining part is the bare pcb.
Don't forget to also look at used if you plan to use it and don't be scared of a minor blemish. Sure, everyone wants pristine, but how long will it stay that way under hard use? Not very, so why pay a bunch more for something just to look "perfect" for a month or two, that goes double for a blemish on the rear or bottom. I get it if it's meant to ride a shelf, but if you use it, it's going to get some wear and tear. Too bad you aren't closer I have a YMD75 that's never even had switches installed, nice board, it's just not for me.
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I second getting a Monstargear TKL
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I'm just going to second what Leslieann said about modifying an existing board. It is cheap, it is fast, and it should last basically forever with a solid soldering job. The best part is that it would actually be unique, because it seems that few people actually modify existing off-the-shelf boards, so you could literally be the only person with a Cooler Master Quickfire Rapid with cream switches, or whatever else.