Hello from Monument, CO

[BenMR721]

Hi,

My name is Ben, I'm a 32 year old software engineer and nerd/lover of gadgets and technology.

I have a Race3 with mx browns, a Cooler Master Masterkeys S with mx reds , and a cheap gaming keyboard I found at Good Will with mx blue clones.

Currently I am thinking about starting to build my own keyboards. I like to tinker with things and I think it would be a fun and satisfying hobby. I just gotta put down on all the cash for the hardware (soldering gun, solder) and the kit. I really, really want to build one with Novel Key Creams as the Taeha Types sound test video he posted is literally the most satisfying thing I've ever heard.

I am also interested in getting an ErgoDox and trying to find one used if possible.

Since a keyboard is a crucial tool for my job, I feel like it makes sense to be into this hobby.

Besides tech, I like art, movies, reddit, going into the YouTube rabbit holes, reading, sleight of hand, and leather craft, which I think wrapping a keyboard case with nice leather might produce an interesting look/effect.

Hope to talk with you all soon.

-Ben

[jacethesaltsculptor]

There is some good truth here, me getting into mechanicals did make me a lot more efficient at work, since I started to use macros,

and for a brief time even had a mechanical there.

Still, welcome to Geekhack.

[Maledicted]

Hi Ben. How did you manage to score a mech board at Goodwill? I used to hit Goodwills with unhealthy regularity, all I would ever find of keyboards is crappy OEM rubber domes, and the rare lucky "gaming" rubber dome. Do you prefer linears of the 3 types you have already then? Those creams have tempted me as well, at least for maybe gaming or something. I prefer clicky otherwise.

[BenMR721]

Hi!

I started my "career" late and before I was a software engineer I was flipping stuff on eBay to get by, so I was in GoodWills regularly and happened to spot it, but yeah majority are bad rubber domes that come with the PC. I don't think I would have found it if it wasn't for the frequency that I was visiting those stores.

I actually have it disassembled right now and I am waiting on my soldering iron/desolder pump and supplies to come so I can practice desoldering and lubing up some stabs.

I actually am not sure what I prefer... It is really a toss up between browns and reds so slight bump vs linear. I have been using my Coolermaster with reds lately and just put new PBT caps on it. It is sounding very nice, not too scratchy but the stabs are so loud and rattle very bad. That's why I am going to practice on my cheap board and see if I can do it on my better board... But I will be buying a custom kit soon with the Creams because I am obsessed with it for some reason haha.

[jacethesaltsculptor]

There is a lot of cool switches coming out right now, it's an exciting time to be in the hobby. 

Will this cream switch keyboard you make be the leather wrapped one? That'd be badass to see.

[Maledicted]

There is a lot of cool switches coming out right now, it's an exciting time to be in the hobby. 

Will this cream switch keyboard you make be the leather wrapped one? That'd be badass to see.

Agreed, that would be a cool board.

I used to hit Goodwills at least once a week, sometimes more than one in a given day. The best keyboard I ever found was some red backlit gaming rubber dome, unless you count wireless Logitech keyboards.

What kind of iron and pump did you order?