What would you build for 300$

[VimLover]

Must in some way be built from parts, not just a mod for a prebuilt (no HHKB + Hasu). For 300$, what would you build?

[DoctorNunu]

Must in some way be built from parts, not just a mod for a prebuilt (no HHKB + Hasu). For 300$, what would you build?

Probably a KBD75 with:

- GMK(Cherry) Screw in stabilizers
- Some good value linears like Gateron blacks (preferably with milky tops) 
- Keycaps of your liking, perhaps you can get an ePbt set for a good price.


Switches and stabilizers lubed of course

[equalunique]

1x GMK Set ($130)
1x GMK 40s Kit ($40)
48x Switches ($25)
1x Planck PCB ($50)
1x Planck Case ($50)
1x 2u Cherry Stabilizer ($5)
(s/h ~$40)

Oops went over budget!

I wouldn't actually do this, just want to point out how insanely expensive it is to get a 48-key Planck outfitted given *most* GMK offerings.

Sent from my Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7 using Tapatalk

[Sup]

XD75 Build

Basic 60% alu case 40 ish dollar
XD75 PCB/Plate 50 ish dollar
Switches 80 Gateron yellow  15 ish dollars
80 DSA 1U key caps 25 ish dollar

very under budget but hey still a nice keyboard

[NewbieOneKenobi]

Probably a low-profile mech with a custom bracket to mount as low as possible over a laptop keyboard.

Or something with more spaced apart or larger keys.

[Sam_Kim]

Tofu96 kit

Gateron Black Inks

PBT Dye Sub Keycaps from KBDFans

Turns out to be $293.45

Given I have lube already and switch film.

[treeleaf64]

I would buy some blue alps and then make an Iris. That's what I'm doing now

[Steezus]

I would buy some blue alps and then make an Iris. That's what I'm doing now

Blue alps will run you $200+ for the switches so I wouldn't really recommend that for a budget-friendly build.

[Sup]

I would buy some blue alps and then make an Iris. That's what I'm doing now

Blue alps will run you $200+ for the switches so I wouldn't really recommend that for a budget-friendly build.

All depends on how much you are buying

[Steezus]

I would buy some blue alps and then make an Iris. That's what I'm doing now

Blue alps will run you $200+ for the switches so I wouldn't really recommend that for a budget-friendly build.

All depends on how much you are buying

You are very much correct. I was basing the estimation off finding a vintage board with blue alps to source the switches from. I've typically seen the switches sell for more when someone puts in the work to desolder and clean them.

[treeleaf64]

I already have some blue Alps, and I am in the stage of cleaning them now. I am going to sell them along with my Greens, which I have held off cleaning because they don't too good. Then, I'm going to get some excellent conditioned Browns or Oranges and put them in my Iris. Now that I think about it, that seems like a good idea, especially because I can bring my Iris to school and use it there without people complaining about the lovely sound.

Sincerely, treeleaf64

[Sup]

I already have some blue Alps, and I am in the stage of cleaning them now. I am going to sell them along with my Greens, which I have held off cleaning because they don't too good. Then, I'm going to get some excellent conditioned Browns or Oranges and put them in my Iris. Now that I think about it, that seems like a good idea, especially because I can bring my Iris to school and use it there without people complaining about the lovely sound.

Sincerely, treeleaf64

The sound would be good but some despise the mechanical keyboard sounds. And aren't Alps really loud though. My yellow Alps in my Filco Zero with alu tex case was super loud compared to normal mx counterparts. Maybe Tactile alps is different though.

[Sintpinty]

Everybody have alps while i'm stuck with only one mechanical keyboard that doesn't even work on older devices D:

[treeleaf64]

They are going to be pretty loud in general. If anyone complains I'll ask them to try my keyboard out, then they'll forget about their complaining.

[Sup]

Everybody have alps while i'm stuck with only one mechanical keyboard that doesn't even work on older devices D:

Ever heard of USB to PS2? Unless you are working on super old systems that use XT and ADB protocol.........

[chyros]

Uhhh, probably some kind of SMK build and piss the rest away xD .

[tex_live_utility]

One option is the shockingly high-quality KBDFans Pebbles ($200) with Gateron switches ($18), decent stabilizers ($10), and offbrand dye-sub Cherry profile PBT keycaps ($50-70)

Another option is the Mekanisk Type X $(165) including foam infill ($10), with basically the same parts as above, but you have more budget to buy nicer switches or keycaps.

For an ergo option you can build an Iris from keeb.io, and have a lot more budget to work with for switches and caps.

[Leovan_13]

Find the best sub $300 custom keyboard on GH/mechmarket.