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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: kaseys on Fri, 05 June 2015, 16:58:47

Title: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: kaseys on Fri, 05 June 2015, 16:58:47

Hey I am completely new to this but am looking to find a kit or just build myself a mechanical keyboard for my boyfriend for his birthday. Can anyone offer any guidance or suggestions of where to start looking?

Thanks:)

Title: Re: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: KatzenKinder on Fri, 05 June 2015, 17:00:37

As long as you know what you're getting yourself into! Building a keyboard from scratch will certainly be a task, but there are a lot of resources out there to help you get started.

Matt3o has a great guide here : http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/building-a-custom-keyboard-from-the-ground-up-t5761.html

Title: Re: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Rotaku on Fri, 05 June 2015, 17:02:35

If you could get a hold of the recent infinity 60% the just ended on massdrop, and then learn how to solder, that would be a great way to go! The infinity kit is also nice because all you need to do is solder the switches, and program the layout you want and you're good to go! No need to solder diodes or resistors :) that, and it's a great kit for beginners due to the pricing and all the stuff you get with it

Title: Re: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: kaseys on Fri, 05 June 2015, 17:06:15

Rotaku, I can solder but anything for beginners would be the way to go for me! Do you have any idea how I can get my hands on that kit?

Title: Re: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Rotaku on Fri, 05 June 2015, 17:10:04

Quote from: kaseys on Fri, 05 June 2015, 17:06:15

Rotaku, I can solder but anything for beginners would be the way to go for me! Do you have any idea how I can get my hands on that kit?

You can either keep an eye on the classifieds over here on geekhack till a kit pops up (also over at /r/mechmarket), or you can just wait another month or two till the infinity kit drops again on massdrop!

Title: Re: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: retrochick on Fri, 05 June 2015, 17:42:12

I would highly recommend the SPRiT 60% custom keyboard. You can order it here:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60887.0

This was my first custom keyboard and everything worked out great. The PCB is presoldered with diodes, resistors, etc. and you just have to insert stabilizers and solder in switches and LEDs(optional).

Title: Re: Looking to Build a Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 07 June 2015, 01:32:42

Welcome to Geekhack!

Building a keyboard for someone is a fairly significant undertaking if you haven't done something like that before.  But with a little patience and care, it is quite doable.

If you do run into strife, you can have a look in the making stuff together (https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0) section, where there are soldering guides and various build logs by other GH members.