Author Topic: Beginner needs help for first 75% build  (Read 2209 times)

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Offline xIssaPx

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Beginner needs help for first 75% build
« on: Tue, 27 August 2019, 17:17:40 »
Hello everyone, I hope this is the right place to ask for help, if not please move!

My Plan: Since I love to tinker with my computer, I decided to build a new keyboard instead of buying a prebuilt one, but after extensive research I still have some questions:

1. I found two 75% kits: the KBD75v2 and the Mechboards 75% Kit. Do you have experience with these and can tell me which one is better?
2. Is it possible to make the PCB hot swappable, in case I dont like the switches I put in? I saw others using the HOLTITES 8134 but some people also said, the fit depends on the size of the holes in the PCB. so I'm not sure if it would fit on either of the two PCBs.
3. "Best" linear switches? I know this is mostly personal preference, I saw the Taelios v2, Gateron Yellows and Kailh Box Black being recommended. The main use will be gaming, maybe you can help me decide or have even more alternatives?  ;D
I plan to lube the switches with Tribosys 3402, good choice?
4. Good place to buy keycaps in EU? So far I found candykeys and mykeyboard. Im looking for good price/performance caps, but to be honest I'm not sure what I have to look out for (I understood there are different methods how the text is printed onto them, but which one is the best/most cost effective?).

Edit: I plan to use the ISO Layout, dont know if that changes anything.

I hope these beginner questions dont bore you, I appreciate any help!  :)

Best regards,
Pascal
« Last Edit: Tue, 27 August 2019, 17:25:15 by xIssaPx »

Offline ITzNybble

  • Formerly curro123083
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Re: Beginner needs help for first 75% build
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 29 August 2019, 13:50:08 »
Number 1, I have heard good things about KBD stuff, I personally have not heard anything about Mechboards, I am US based, that may be why.

I would go with whichever looks better to you :/

Number 2,
I believe with the correct Holtite sockets for switches and LED(if you are going to have LEDs) you should theoretically be able to make a pcb hotswappable.

Just a quick link I found for MX cherry PCBs - https://mehkee.com/products/holtite-sockets-for-switches?variant=41169538959

for number 3, I do not use Linear but I hear Zealios's are the best.....take that with a grain of salt.

I cannot answer number 4 as I am US based.

WASD V1 Custom - MX Blue
Custom Miami QFR - MX Green
Handwired Redox-Manuform - Box Pink/Box Navy
KBD67 MKII PolyCarbonate - Gateron CJ

Offline xIssaPx

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Re: Beginner needs help for first 75% build
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 29 August 2019, 15:40:01 »
Hey Nybble, thanks for your reply!

I ordered the mechboards kit, simply because it gets shipped from the UK and I dont have to worry about duties and shipment. I also ordered the Tealios, because they are on sale and they get recommended a lot. Regarding the hot swap plans, that seems to be a more difficult topic. Before I buy 180+ sockets, I wanted to try out with a small quantity first but the Holtites seem to only be available in the US (and I would have to pay 20$ shipping for 3$ worth of sockets) and the Mill Max ones are also just available in very small quantites in the EU, I might order them anyway just to try them out.
The biggest problem right now are the keycaps, as ISO-DE Keycaps are very rare and mostly sold out everywhere. There are some EnjoyPBT sets available but to be honest, I didnt plan to spend 130$+ on keycaps, but it looks like I have too...  :))
If anyone has an idea where I can find cheap ISO-DE keycaps or how I can mix different sets, I would be very happy!
This whole project got way more expensive than planned anyway, but compared to more keyboards I see here that seems to be normal...  ;D

Regardless, I will probably report back when I get the mechboards kit and maybe the Mill Max Sockets.