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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Willyc277 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 22:52:53

Title: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: Willyc277 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 22:52:53: Pretty satisfied with my current lineup (HHKB Pro 2, Poker II with clears, and Ducky DK9087 with blues), but I still want more. I feel like the only thing left to do at this point is build a new board myself. I'm a huge fan of the 60% layout so I think I'd like to slap one together! I'm really looking to go as cheap as possible in case I end up fecking it up! I've got a Poker II case I can throw it in so I'm covered there. Still haven't decided if I want a plate or not since I like the idea of being able to open up the switches for stickers/springs/lube pretty easily.

TL; DR: looking for a cheap 60% PCB and maybe a plate to go with it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: exitfire401 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:01:57: This is currently the cheapest way to go:

http://zealpc.net/products/gb

edit: Plate also allows for switch opening (as long as you don't have leds or have them in sip sockets)
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:46:58: Quote from: exitfire401 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:01:57
This is currently the cheapest way to go:

http://zealpc.net/products/gb

edit: Plate also allows for switch opening (as long as you don't have leds or have them in sip sockets)
Well, if he want to wait for the gateron switches, he could buy like 70, get an acrylic plate cut, handwire, and throw a 20 set on, and that would be less if he finds a good deal on acrylic cutting. ponoko.com is really cheap as far as acrylic goes.
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: Willyc277 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:52:45: Quote from: exitfire401 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:01:57
This is currently the cheapest way to go:

http://zealpc.net/products/gb

edit: Plate also allows for switch opening (as long as you don't have leds or have them in sip sockets)

Should have been more specific. I'm looking for a PCB and maybe a plate. I have a case and I'm in the Gateron GB. Thanks
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: Willyc277 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:55:52: Quote from: pwnnarwhal on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:46:58
Quote from: exitfire401 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:01:57
This is currently the cheapest way to go:

http://zealpc.net/products/gb

edit: Plate also allows for switch opening (as long as you don't have leds or have them in sip sockets)
Well, if he want to wait for the gateron switches, he could buy like 70, get an acrylic plate cut, handwire, and throw a 20 set on, and that would be less if he finds a good deal on acrylic cutting. ponoko.com is really cheap as far as acrylic goes.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a 20 set? I actually am waiting for the Gaterons, that GB make the decision to build a board much easier! Really looking for the cheapest PCB available at this point.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:57:19: Quote from: Willyc277 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:55:52
Quote from: pwnnarwhal on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:46:58
Quote from: exitfire401 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:01:57
This is currently the cheapest way to go:

http://zealpc.net/products/gb

edit: Plate also allows for switch opening (as long as you don't have leds or have them in sip sockets)
Well, if he want to wait for the gateron switches, he could buy like 70, get an acrylic plate cut, handwire, and throw a 20 set on, and that would be less if he finds a good deal on acrylic cutting. ponoko.com is really cheap as far as acrylic goes.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a 20 set? I actually am waiting for the Gaterons, that GB make the decision to build a board much easier! Really looking for the cheapest PCB available at this point.

Thanks!
My bad, 20 dollar set.
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 19 February 2015, 23:59:13: If you really want cheap, go for the GH60, and order it from oshpark or something
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: Oobly on Fri, 20 February 2015, 01:22:05: Well, there's cheap and then there's inexpensive.

I recommend getting a GON NerD60 PCB ($55 from his site). You can also order stabilisers from him.

It's thick, high quality, fully programmable, comes with the main SMD components already soldered and looks awesome.

Then you'll have a Korean custom once you're done ;)
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: Willyc277 on Fri, 20 February 2015, 04:24:48: I'm looking to find one from the GH60 gb. $30 and pre-soldered.
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: ideus on Fri, 20 February 2015, 08:22:14: Chinese sites like taobao carry previous versions of the GH, and some are under $20 dollars, the process to get them into ConUs is not an easy task though.
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 20 February 2015, 09:57:22: Quote from: ideus on Fri, 20 February 2015, 08:22:14
Chinese sites like taobao carry previous versions of the GH, and some are under $20 dollars, the process to get them into ConUs is not an easy task though.
qtan or tbfocus are your best bet.
Title: Re: Looking to build a 60% board for as cheap as possible
Post by: Defect on Fri, 20 February 2015, 14:19:02: My first build was a 60%
Watermelon (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58732.0)

Using cheaper parts, you could manage (prices in USD):
Pure PCB with stabilizers: 20
Case: $40-50 (or use the stock poker you have)
Switches: $30-40
Lube: $5
Cheap ABS Caps: $5-15

I built another 60 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68363.0) using a Face-W PCB from Zeal. Easy to remap and program.