Some thoughts and in need of advice

[henz]

I need some guidance from people in similar to my situation.

I have acquired some keyboards during my days here at GH which i consider collectables and dont want to get rid of, mostly korean customs.

At this time im having a hard time using all of them because i'm not happy with them, but on the other hand, i don't want to have the same switches on all the keyboards i own. I also dislike linear switches, i like clicky, but i want to be able to use the keyboard everywhere(at the office). so blues and greens are out, same as reds and blacks, that leaves different varieties of clears, browns, greys and some modified versions blues(jailhouse, lubed) which i don't really feel like spending my time on, takes ****load of time to make jailhouse blues.

The list kf keyboards:
LZ-FE: Fixed up to my preference with lubed Ergo Clears, i use this board as my reference to my other boards, and this is the board i usually come back to after i have used some other board for a while.
KMAC II: Currently with lubed MX browns, i dont usually like browns but when used together with orings it feels really nice.
456 GT: MX browns, i do not use this keyboard, i need to do something with it. Not sure what.
CTRL alt gon 60: Gateron blues. too loud, just soldered on the blues to try them out, have not gotten leds on it because i'm not sure what switches to use. Need to swap the switches
TGR Jane: same as the ctrl alt, but instead of gateron blues, it has gateron browns, which are not nice... Need to swap the switches
KMAC Happy: Sweet board with ergo clears, use it at home. I don't bring my other boards home because i like this too much.
Kaliet sandwich: Currently trying to find time to solder on smd diodes and rgb leds on the tx87 pcb, will have stickered ergo Greys.

I also have more boards, which i don't need to mention here but which ill have no problem of getting rid of. Do you guys just put your favorite switches on all the boards? Im a bit ocdish about doing this, i rather find a solution where i like all my boards and want to use them. Any ideas? Do you know anyone which makes jailhouse blues?

Or maybe i have too many boards and needs to sell some All input is appreciated. I might consider having ergos on more boards, but i need good reasons for example id consider it a waste to put ergos on the kmac,jane,fe and the 456-GT(has a steeper slope though) as they are pretty similar to each other.

[suicidal_orange]

I don't have an opinion on your too many board dilema, but Jailhouse blues don't take that long to make if you use dental bands so you could try that?

[FLFisherman]

I'm not in a similar situation, but I have some advice for you regardless.

If you've already invested in the keyboards and don't need more money at the moment, hold on to them. You sound like a collector, and parting with a portion of that collection because someone else says you have "too many" will make you unhappy. Yes, you sound like you're in over your head with keyboards, but that's your hobby. Keep it all. You'll find some use for whatever you're not immediately using.

As for using your keyboards, why not try out an assigned usage dates for them? For example, have two or three "work" keyboards (with clears, browns, etc.) and cycle between them weekly, or daily. Use your clicky boards on weekends. Alternate between your other boards every weekday at home. Just find some way to cycle between them so you use them all.

Another alternative is to get a display case or hang a few up on the wall. People hang up paintings, and your keyboards sound like pieces of art to you. Show them off! If you ever want to work on them or use them then all you have to do is just take it down.

Just like we all have wardrobes for different occasions, so should you have a keyboard for different occasions. Make use of that. =D

[henz]

I don't have an opinion on your too many board dilema, but Jailhouse blues don't take that long to make if you use dental bands so you could try that?

I'm not in a similar situation, but I have some advice for you regardless.

If you've already invested in the keyboards and don't need more money at the moment, hold on to them. You sound like a collector, and parting with a portion of that collection because someone else says you have "too many" will make you unhappy. Yes, you sound like you're in over your head with keyboards, but that's your hobby. Keep it all. You'll find some use for whatever you're not immediately using.

As for using your keyboards, why not try out an assigned usage dates for them? For example, have two or three "work" keyboards (with clears, browns, etc.) and cycle between them weekly, or daily. Use your clicky boards on weekends. Alternate between your other boards every weekday at home. Just find some way to cycle between them so you use them all.

Another alternative is to get a display case or hang a few up on the wall. People hang up paintings, and your keyboards sound like pieces of art to you. Show them off! If you ever want to work on them or use them then all you have to do is just take it down.

Just like we all have wardrobes for different occasions, so should you have a keyboard for different occasions. Make use of that. =D

Good advice, thanks!

[Bromono]

I decided that instead of having multiple boards (and feeling wasteful for not using them) I would only have 2.

One for my desk at home and one to travel with.

That lead me to my RealForce and HHKB. Now instead of buying other boards, I just buy stuff I really want for these 2 boards. Cables, Caps, Wrist rest, you name it.

[sircheddar]

i am just starting my collection, but am putting gat browns on all my boards currently. I have gone through a drastic change in favorite switch, tho, and ended up w/ browns after leaving blues.

as far as your boards go, i would either change the switches or sell them to people who you can confirm will love them. I think its sad when boards go unused, and thats why I am limited myself to only a few. the others i have to get rid of ]:

[sircheddar]

I decided that instead of having multiple boards (and feeling wasteful for not using them) I would only have 2.

One for my desk at home and one to travel with.

That lead me to my RealForce and HHKB. Now instead of buying other boards, I just buy stuff I really want for these 2 boards. Cables, Caps, Wrist rest, you name it.

i like the idea of having one at home, one at work, and one for travel personally, but thats just me 

[Hypersphere]

My collection is large and still growing. Some keyboards are in storage boxes waiting for me to find time to refurbish them. Ultimately, I probably will sell some of the duplicates or those that are not my favorites for various reasons, including form factor, layout, and switch type.

I have two workstations at work and one at home, so I keep three keyboards at a time in an active rotation. I like to change up from time to time among form factors, layouts, and switches. I keep some quiet ones (such as my V60MTS-Q or silenced HHKB Pro 2) at the ready for situations when others are working nearby or when I am typing notes during a telephone conference. Other times, I like to use keyboards that make a racket, such as my V60MTS-C or IBM XT.

[hwood34]

I've really slimmed down my collection. I figured I'd just have 3 boards to have my favorite of each type of MX switch

[henz]

I've really slimmed down my collection. I figured I'd just have 3 boards to have my favorite of each type of MX switch

Which are?

[hwood34]

I've really slimmed down my collection. I figured I'd just have 3 boards to have my favorite of each type of MX switch

Which are?

vintage 65g clear, hirose orange, gateron blue (which I might put 67g springs in)

[billnye]

Just get a HHKB and forget about these silly MX boards

[hwood34]

Just get a HHKB and forget about these silly MX boards

just awful

[azhdar]

Just get a HHKB and forget about these silly MX boards

u r  a sham

[clacktalk]

Just get a HHKB and forget about these silly MX boards

banned from ps4 club

[henz]

Just get a HHKB and forget about these silly MX boards

Who do you take me for, ofc I have a hhkb..

[ghostjuggernaut]

Just get a HHKB and forget about these silly MX boards

Life advice

[SamirD]

It's easy to become overwhelmed in a hobby you have a passion for.  So it's time to take a bit of a step back and breathe.

Ask yourself what makes you happy about keyboards to begin with--collecting?  using?  building?  something else?  Understand yourself and what makes you happy.

Then look at what you have and see how those boards line up with what makes you happy.  If a board isn't making you happy, selling it to someone that will cherish it is a way to pass on the passion.

Good luck on figuring it out and let us know what you figure out because you're definitely not the only one with this dilemma.

[jcoffin1981]

I am not familiar with most of those boards you mentioned, except for the Gateron Brown switches, which I love.

An issue you are going to have is you may have trouble selling them because they are obscure boards.  Also, you are not going to get your time and money and labor spent returned to you on resale.  It may be worth it to hold on to them for occasional use cycle through them, and wait until you by chance run into a perspective buyer. 

[KaminKevCrew]

I think the real solution here is to build a system that goes with each board, then you can use each one for a specific task. One for gaming, one for typing emails etc, one for research, one for programming, etc etc...

In all seriousness though, I think hanging them on the wall sounds like a great idea. There's no reason to get rid of them, and if you have a couple you like to type on more than others, but you still enjoy looking at them (as I know I would), then having them on the wall seems like a great solution. Also, they would make a great conversation piece at that point. Not to mention that if you had some nice acrylic cases made or something like that, you could easily switch between them if the mood ever struck you.

So I vote a +1 to putting them on your wall!!!

Also a Ferris wheel would be a cool idea for being able to rotate them on your desk...

[taylordcraig]

i am just starting my collection, but am putting gat browns on all my boards currently. I have gone through a drastic change in favorite switch, tho, and ended up w/ browns after leaving blues.

as far as your boards go, i would either change the switches or sell them to people who you can confirm will love them. I think its sad when boards go unused, and thats why I am limited myself to only a few. the others i have to get rid of ]:

just wanted to point out that browns vs blues is a very misleading comparison because of cherry vs gateron

[Sifo]

I'm in you situation. I just use the one I like best at home, 1 that I need for work, and the rest sit in their cases. I know I'm terrible.

[Steezus]

I'm starting to develop a similar situation as you...

I currently have:
 - RS96 with 62g Vintage MX Blues, it was my first board ever built. They're honestly one of my favorite switches and favorite layout but the case is very poor imo.
 - TGR-Jane with Vintage/Old MX Browns, my latest board that I've built. This is my first time using linears, I swapped the switch tops with clear gaterons and it adds the slightest bit of smoothness to it. I choose these switches when I eventually get a job after college and need a board for work. I don't mind the switches but they're definitely not my first choice. I don't see myself putting browns in another board but definitely like to have at least one board with browns in the rotation.
 - Orion v2 with 62g Purple Zealios. I opted for a plastic plate, the tactility is fantastic and the sound is much more mute than with an aluminum plate. If this board didn't shine like 1000 suns I could definitely see myself using it in an office environment. It wasn't my intention to make the sound more mute but it is a great combination of the plastic plate and purple zealios.
 - TGR-Jane CE which is obviously not built since the boards haven't been shipped out yet. I was planning on putting in some 65g lubed purple Zealios but seeing his new cyan/aristotle switches I am quite interested to try them out.
 - Mira TKL, as for this board I believe I will make it for my father(when the GB comes to fruition) and have no clue what type of switch he likes considering he's been using the same rubberdome for 10+ years and think my keyboard hobby is a waste of money. I'm still on the fence of whether or not I should keep the board for myself and just clean up a nice 1800 for him instead.

I also have two Pok3rs, one with MX Blues and one with MX Clears that I have not touched since building my RS96. Overall my explanation for my switch choices is to have some variety. I'm not planning on having a board for each switch, I'll mostly stay away from reds, greens, and maybe a few other ones. I don't want to have the same switch on all these nice boards, however the downside is that some see more use than others. My advice would be to create a rotation, maybe swap boards once a week. I'm finding it hard to keep a rotation when I build a new board since I'm excited to finally get it put together but once I slow down with my collection I believe I will be able to keep the rotation more constant.

[Bucake]

i have 9 keyboards but i just can't get myself to get rid of them:
two Model Fs (122 and XT)
three linear keyboards (Cherry MX Red, SKCL Green ALPS, NMB Hi-Tek)
two topre RF87 (variable, 55g silent)
bolt-modded Model M
topre HHKBP2 silent

at the very least, i will keep a model F, the HHKB and the silent 55g realforce:
i use the HHKB the most because the 60% factor is so convenient for my posture. (my other 60% uses cherry mx reds but those switches are less nice on my fingers - way harsher bottoming-out.)
anything from TKL and bigger will usually annoy my shoulders (when using mouse + keyboard).
the silent 55g RF and model F are just the sexiest keyboards. any other clicky or tactile switch i've tried has felt inferior to these.

the other keyboards.. i fear it's either because of sentiment that i keep them, or just saltiness (because i'm not gonna get even on them, financially).
most keyboards are quite awesome in terms of quality, but i guess they've become more like collectors' items or hobby-projects, rather than hardware which i actually use..

i really like typing on any of them, but i can only use one at a time!
i would certainly use the other switches (way) more if i had them in a programmable 60% keyboard maybe some day i'll have the knowledge, skills and tools to build awesome things like this.

[henz]

I'm in you situation. I just use the one I like best at home, 1 that I need for work, and the rest sit in their cases. I know I'm terrible.

Im thinkin in the lines of showing my boards in some kind of glass box. with some tilt. Would look sweet.

[ideus]

You need to get a spare of each one, just in case.

[Steezus]

I'm in you situation. I just use the one I like best at home, 1 that I need for work, and the rest sit in their cases. I know I'm terrible.

Im thinkin in the lines of showing my boards in some kind of glass box. with some tilt. Would look sweet.

I've been thinking of something like this, it is definitely key to have it enclosed to keep the dust away. With a google search you can find a fair bit of glass display shelves, they can get a little costly though. The tricky part is I don't think there will be one that provides any tilt unless it is custom made.

[mashby]

I have a lot of 60% boards and still seem to be buying more, so I get where you're coming from.

You have some REALLY nice boards, so I wouldn't feel guilty about the collection that you have. Sure it's a punch to the wallet when a custom comes out, but I'd rather that than the regret of not being able to get that board again. I'd love a KMAC Happy, but have had no success finding one.

For me, I tend to build up boards based on a theme. For example, I have a Poker II that I'm rebuilding now which will feature lubed MX-Black switches with orange switch stickers, orange LEDs, black plate, black FMJ poker case and Charred Orange key caps. Because of wanting a theme for each board, I suppose I have a little bit less guilt.

Beyond just the theme, it's also an opportunity to really try a specific switch. So far I'm not the biggest fan of tactile switches, but I find I have to type for a good week on a board to really get a feeling for it and there are so many variables that factor into it beyond just the feel of the switch. For example, the key cap and the case factor heavily into what I like and don't like and there is so much left to explore. I'm not saying I don't like Browns and Clears, I just haven't spent enough time with them to finalize my opinion.

I try to use my boards as much as I can, so rotation is my first choice, but I too like the idea of having a display case to feature these beautiful boards. This week's rotation as been:

• Poker X - MX-Black, Hammer case, Carbon SA caps (daily driver)
• Poker X - MX-Red, Duck Poker Case, Klaxon DCS caps
• Duck Viper - Nixdorf MX-Black, Round 5 SA caps

I guess what I'm saying is enjoy the keyboards that you have. It's a privilege to have a collection and to be able to use and admire them. Also, please share pictures of them!

[ideus]

So, rotation fights against consumer remorse?

[SamirD]

I've been thinking of something like this, it is definitely key to have it enclosed to keep the dust away. With a google search you can find a fair bit of glass display shelves, they can get a little costly though. The tricky part is I don't think there will be one that provides any tilt unless it is custom made.

These can be had for cheap if you can find a business going to out of business.  A lot of the major hardware like this gets sold at anywhere from 1/4 to 1/10 the original cost, so then it may suddenly be viable.

i have 9 keyboards but i just can't get myself to get rid of them:
two Model Fs (122 and XT)
three linear keyboards (Cherry MX Red, SKCL Green ALPS, NMB Hi-Tek)
two topre RF87 (variable, 55g silent)
bolt-modded Model M
topre HHKBP2 silent

at the very least, i will keep a model F, the HHKB and the silent 55g realforce:
i use the HHKB the most because the 60% factor is so convenient for my posture. (my other 60% uses cherry mx reds but those switches are less nice on my fingers - way harsher bottoming-out.)
anything from TKL and bigger will usually annoy my shoulders (when using mouse + keyboard).
the silent 55g RF and model F are just the sexiest keyboards. any other clicky or tactile switch i've tried has felt inferior to these.

the other keyboards.. i fear it's either because of sentiment that i keep them, or just saltiness (because i'm not gonna get even on them, financially).
most keyboards are quite awesome in terms of quality, but i guess they've become more like collectors' items or hobby-projects, rather than hardware which i actually use..

i really like typing on any of them, but i can only use one at a time!
i would certainly use the other switches (way) more if i had them in a programmable 60% keyboard maybe some day i'll have the knowledge, skills and tools to build awesome things like this.

If you don't want to get rid of them, definitely don't.  As time goes on, inflation and other things will push prices up to the point you can recover your original investment.  But the other thing to look at is the opportunity cost of being able to do something else with that money in the meantime. 

For example, if you paid $100 for that M and can only get $70 today or $100 five years from now (this is all hypothetical), and you can buy a board you really want for $100 in the next two year, your net cost on that new board is only $30 if you sell the M at $70.  Otherwise, you're out another $100 while waiting to get your original $100 back out of the M.  Make sense?

[mashby]

So, rotation fights against consumer remorse?

It's not so much the rotation but the fact that the boards are being used. At least, that's the way it makes me feel.

[jcoffin1981]

If you have a board that has not been used for year or more and is still sitting in a closet, then by all means sell it.  It's not doing you or anybody else any good.

Take your 5 most frequently used boards (with different switches if possible) and put those in the keep.  Then with the rest, try to find individual qualities that may be unique to that board and decide whether or not to keep it.

There are no right or wrong answers here.  I was going to keep my gateron board and sell by pok3r board.  Boy am I glad I never did.  Even though I use the poker less frequently, I forgot what a pleasure it was to type on it.  If you really have no need for the cash, keep them all except the ones yo NEVER use.

[SamirD]

If you have a board that has not been used for year or more and is still sitting in a closet, then by all means sell it.  It's not doing you or anybody else any good.

My luck is the second I get rid of something like this (literally the day after), is exactly when I need it.