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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: PhoenixUNI on Thu, 14 May 2020, 15:35:57

Title: First Build Part Questions
Post by: PhoenixUNI on Thu, 14 May 2020, 15:35:57
Hey y'all! Looking at doing my first build here soon; settled on an XD75, as I've fallen in love w/ the split layout.

I've been surfing around KPRepublic all day, and think I settled on all the parts that I need. Just wondering if it's proper, and a few questions off of it.

First, the parts.

For caps, I'm going to pick up the MDA Big Bang V2.0 https://kbdfans.com/collections/mix-profile/products/mda-big-bang-v2-0-keycaps-set (https://kbdfans.com/collections/mix-profile/products/mda-big-bang-v2-0-keycaps-set)

So my questions:

Title: Re: First Build Part Questions
Post by: Sup on Thu, 14 May 2020, 16:18:19
Why buy a plate when your case has one build in basically lol. For the rest its okay
Title: Re: First Build Part Questions
Post by: treeleaf64 on Thu, 14 May 2020, 16:50:56
Quote from: Sup on Thu, 14 May 2020, 16:18:19
Why buy a plate when your case has one build in basically lol. For the rest its okay

What he said. Your case is an integrated plate case, meaning the plate is integrated into the case. You don't need to buy a discrete plate.  :thumb:
Title: Re: First Build Part Questions
Post by: IronCheeks on Fri, 15 May 2020, 22:54:58
Quote from: PhoenixUNI on Thu, 14 May 2020, 15:35:57
   
  • I've never soldered before; don't even own an iron. Is it worth paying KPRepublic the cost (I think it's around $20 total for switches and LEDs) to solder it all for me? Or should I attempt this?

You do not need the plate since it's built into the case.

As a fellow newbie keyboard hobbyist, I would prefer to learn how to solder.
In the long run, it's a good skill to have for whenever you want to tackle building your first board. Also, I believe in being able to enjoy something you have mostly put together with your own hands and labor.

However, since you do not a have soldering iron, I can see the $20 soldering service as a good way to get closer to the finished product.
Buying a soldering iron, solder, and a solder sucker (in the event of having to desolder in case a switch isn't working or some other scenario) are also all extra costs to be considered.

 
Title: Re: First Build Part Questions
Post by: Sup on Sat, 16 May 2020, 02:39:27
Quote from: IronCheeks on Fri, 15 May 2020, 22:54:58
Quote from: PhoenixUNI on Thu, 14 May 2020, 15:35:57
   
  • I've never soldered before; don't even own an iron. Is it worth paying KPRepublic the cost (I think it's around $20 total for switches and LEDs) to solder it all for me? Or should I attempt this?

You do not need the plate since it's built into the case.

As a fellow newbie keyboard hobbyist, I would prefer to learn how to solder.
In the long run, it's a good skill to have for whenever you want to tackle building your first board. Also, I believe in being able to enjoy something you have mostly put together with your own hands and labor.

However, since you do not a have soldering iron, I can see the $20 soldering service as a good way to get closer to the finished product.
Buying a soldering iron, solder, and a solder sucker (in the event of having to desolder in case a switch isn't working or some other scenario) are also all extra costs to be considered.

The thing is for 20 dollars you can get a soldering iron and a solder sucker. I am using a 10 Euro soldering iron on a 700 dollar keyboard, because trough hole soldering is easy as hell and doesn't need anything special like a HAKKO. So investing that 20 dollars can better go into the soldering iron then paying for a build service. Unless he knows he is not gonna build any other board in the future and he is content with what he got. But we all know everyone is not gonna stop at one board :)
Title: Re: First Build Part Questions
Post by: IronCheeks on Sat, 16 May 2020, 03:37:55
Quote from: Sup on Sat, 16 May 2020, 02:39:27
I am using a 10 Euro soldering iron on a 700 dollar keyboard, because trough hole soldering is easy as hell and doesn't need anything special like a HAKKO.

Where in the world did you get a 10 Euro soldering iron? I think the question this opens up is:
"What is OP's budget at the moment?"

Most of the highly rated soldering irons on Amazon are anywhere between $26-$80 USD. The extra $20 can be saved for going towards a soldering iron, sure, but solder wire itself can cost $16 USD or more. Especially quality solder, such as Kester 44 63/37. All in all, he can be spending a bit more here.
Don't get me wrong - I'm on the same boat for learning and investing in soldering for sake of being a hobbyist, but I was just thinking that this may be a point of consideration for everyone to ponder about.
Title: Re: First Build Part Questions
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sat, 16 May 2020, 04:33:40
A soldering iron is good to have for fixing random things too, though less so with the current 'wires are bad, spend more to destroy some mountains so you can pay extra to charge everything and hope it works when you need it' thinking.

A keyboard is about as easy as it gets so if you have any interest in soldering you should get one :)