Looking to build my first custom 75%

[silk186]

I'm looking to replace my Durgod Hades with a custom keyboard. I wanted to buy a rebuild, but if they all require modding I figure I should just go custom.
The Qwertykeys QK75 looks good but I can only find that plates on taobao and JD.
I'm looking at 65% and 75% layout.
I'm in Beijing so Chinese brands should be cheaper, I heard that Wuque Studio switches are good (Chinese brand) especially as I don't need to lube them.
Beyond knowing some switch names, I don't really know anything about customs.
I have a large desk so I don't have to go as small as I did in the past so I'm looking at 65-75% layout.

I want an aluminium chassis.
I heard that Wuque Studio switches are good, I like the gateron brown switches I have now and the WS switches are available here.
I don't know anything about midpalate material.
I was customisable RGB, as in I can select a solid colour.
I want keycaps that have shine-through keys.
It seems that gaskets are good so I want those.
I want a knob because it looks cool.
I also want good acoustics.

Basically, I want a no-compromise keyboard, budget is around 300 USD but I don't know much.
What should I be looking at, what are some good resources for research?

[HungerMechanic]

I gotta warn you about the Wuque Studio switches. They are actually quite good, but the tactiles are very tactile. They are like heavy tactiles, mostly, or medium at the lowest.

They are not Gateron Browns.

You might actually consider some of their linears like the ~55 G WS Yellow or the crystal

[transparent] blue, which are light linears that are smooth. It's just a step below a Brown in 'tactility.' And they are pretty poppy. The Yellow one is about Brown weight. If you are in China, you can go crazy getting AULA / Leobog Browns [also "Matcha Wood" Browns] for pennies. SP Star Meteor Orange and Durock Light / Medium Tactile should be cheaper there, also. You should probably look into the TTC Gold Brown V3 or Silent Brown V2 if Gaterons are your preference. Unfortunately, there is no centralized repository of keyboard information. There are simply too many models, and they are coming out too quickly. That is why Youtube is actually one of the better resources, even if many of the reviewers are biased. You can at least see the keyboard and its basic features. I wonder if BudgetKeyboards on Reddit may be helpful to you. They build under a price point, but try to get the best results.

[/td][/tr][/table]

[HungerMechanic]

If you are in China, see if anyone is selling a new KBD67 Lite. That was the unrivaled value in 65% boards.

The best part is, they are ready out-of-box, NO mods required. [Sure, you can add better stabilizers if you want.] They are better in operation than any earlier pre-built, and are hotswap. Way under budget, and you don't have to do anything.

EDIT: Oh shoot, you want aluminum. Well, the original KBD67 MKII is metal-cased. Should be more affordable in China, if available, than anywhere else. That's a full custom, though, not a pre-built item like KBD67 Lite.

[silk186]

If you are in China, see if anyone is selling a new KBD67 Lite. That was the unrivaled value in 65% boards.

The best part is, they are ready out-of-box, NO mods required. [Sure, you can add better stabilizers if you want.] They are better in operation than any earlier pre-built, and are hotswap. Way under budget, and you don't have to do anything.

EDIT: Oh shoot, you want aluminum. Well, the original KBD67 MKII is metal-cased. Should be more affordable in China, if available, than anywhere else. That's a full custom, though, not a pre-built item like KBD67 Lite.

Since I'm going swappable, I can always swap them to if I don't like them I haven't found the Chinese name for the WS stitches bt gateron pro 79 pack is only 82.6 RMB which is 11.50 USD shipped.
I'm also seeing a lot of TTC switches on taobao, also kaihl, cherry, outemu, leogob, dareu, dukharo, box, jwick, KTT, XCJZ lucy, AS, JKLP Rusty axis ... so many manufacturs.
I've only tried a couple switches, black and brown. The switches are the easy part, it's the plates, mounts, stabaliser, gaskets, PCB, dampening material etc. that are overwhelming.

I've checked and KBD67 Lite parts are cheap, around 100 RMB each.

[HungerMechanic]

Yeah, the switches are the easy part if you're dealing with hotswap.

Most of the brands you mentioned are good. JWICKs must be incredibly cheap in China! Worth trying the T1 V2 just for pennies. Kailh would be more affordable there [it's overpriced here.] Most of those others are already cheap, now you can save more. KTT is very good, often.

There's a sale on at AliExpress BTW. Largest it will be for a while.

Yes, KBD67 Lite is cheap, especially there. I guess it's like the 'Honda Civic' of 65%, but honestly it is better than entry-level. It is mid-tier feel at entry-level price. And easily moddable. There probably are metal cases available for it somewhere, but that is the territory of its predecessor, the KBD67 MKII.

WS Switches are actually good because they are pretty decent even without lube. They have a silent tactile, but it is heavier than comparable offerings from TTC.

The best thing for you to do might be to get onto the discord for mechanicalkeyboards [the Reddit], where there are people who will know what to buy in China. Especially join the KBDFans discord, maybe KPRepublic, and especially Wuque Studio. There are people who can point you to exactly what to buy, where, when, what link, etc...

[HungerMechanic]

If you can get in touch with Geon Works, that could be a major boon for you.

They make the famous Frog, which is a moddable TKL, but also some sub-TKL keyboards in the 65-75% range.

https://geon.works/

A large part of the price comes from shipping those metal things across the ocean, so if you can get one in that part of the world, there could be substantial cost-savings. These boards are great mid-tier than can be modified into endgame.

[silk186]

If you can get in touch with Geon Works, that could be a major boon for you.

They make the famous Frog, which is a moddable TKL, but also some sub-TKL keyboards in the 65-75% range.

https://geon.works/

A large part of the price comes from shipping those metal things across the ocean, so if you can get one in that part of the world, there could be substantial cost-savings. These boards are great mid-tier than can be modified into endgame.

Yah, the switch is the last thing I will think about. I will probably end up with many sets to play with over the summer. I decided to take the summer of to play with the kids and help my wife so I have a lot of free time now.

[silk186]

If you can get in touch with Geon Works, that could be a major boon for you.

They make the famous Frog, which is a moddable TKL, but also some sub-TKL keyboards in the 65-75% range.

https://geon.works/

A large part of the price comes from shipping those metal things across the ocean, so if you can get one in that part of the world, there could be substantial cost-savings. These boards are great mid-tier than can be modified into endgame.

Yah, the switch is the last thing I will think about. I will probably end up with many sets to play with over the summer. I decided to take the summer of to play with the kids and help my wife so I have a lot of free time now.

I actually came across this brand on a Chinese forum frontier.

While searching for the frog keyboard I came across this for Zouya LMK67 a very reasonable price (I'm tempted order one as the price is only 90 USD.

[HungerMechanic]

I'm not familiar with that model. You may want to ask on KeebTalk or Discord, although it may be a little-known brand.

[silk186]

Thanks for the suggestion. If I don't hear about any issues I will give the Zouya LMK67 a try ... after I manage to translate the 16 different switch options.
If it doesn't work out, it make a good birthday present for my sister.