Long time lurker!

[Baddy126]

Been lurking on this and /r mk for awhile but I think it's finally time for me to join and get myself some custom keycaps or perhaps even build my own (I have 0 knowledge and 0 skills when it comes to building a mechanical keyboard)

[joostflux]

Been lurking on this and /r mk for awhile but I think it's finally time for me to join and get myself some custom keycaps or perhaps even build my own (I have 0 knowledge and 0 skills when it comes to building a mechanical keyboard)

Welcome! I was also a lurker on here (still kinda am) but beware this site is one of the best wallethacks around. But at the same time it is also one of the best communities around for our shared interests 

As far as building goes, it's not all that difficult. My first custom was my ErgoDox and as long as you know how to solder (even if you don't YouTube can and will teach you) it's pretty easy. Just take your time and enjoy it, building is one of my favorite things whether it's keyboards, computers, or cars so just have fun and if you need help don't hesitate to ask. There are plenty of threads on here with people designing their own keyboards with help from other members.

Long story short, I'm still new here but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Your wallet though? Not so much!

[Baddy126]

Been lurking on this and /r mk for awhile but I think it's finally time for me to join and get myself some custom keycaps or perhaps even build my own (I have 0 knowledge and 0 skills when it comes to building a mechanical keyboard)

Welcome! I was also a lurker on here (still kinda am) but beware this site is one of the best wallethacks around. But at the same time it is also one of the best communities around for our shared interests 

As far as building goes, it's not all that difficult. My first custom was my ErgoDox and as long as you know how to solder (even if you don't YouTube can and will teach you) it's pretty easy. Just take your time and enjoy it, building is one of my favorite things whether it's keyboards, computers, or cars so just have fun and if you need help don't hesitate to ask. There are plenty of threads on here with people designing their own keyboards with help from other members.

Long story short, I'm still new here but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Your wallet though? Not so much!

Thanks for the welcome! I don't own a soldering station or a soldering iron so that's not going to be happy on the wallet too. I've been reading up on a lot of these DIY's but it seems like it's more expensive to do than just purchasing a mainstream keyboard. I have a pok3r right now and I feel that I don't even use the programmable layers.

 Is there a tkl or something like the keycool 87 of some sort (at least has arrow keys + 6 keys above) that's relatively cheap without all the extra functionality like programmable layers? Sounds like a fun project but extremely expensive.. might be just better for me to get some keycaps for my pok3r!

[xtrafrood]

Hi welcome  Well, if you want to build a tkl keyboard you could possibly modify the Phantom's layout to be just like any other qwerty board.

[Baddy126]

Hi welcome  Well, if you want to build a tkl keyboard you could possibly modify the Phantom's layout to be just like any other qwerty board.

I'm not quite sure how much a phantom pcb costs. And as far as I know that pcb has a lot of programming capabilities which I don't require. Is there a most cost effective one that just has one single layer?

Also, is it possible to use a phantom pcb while having it look like the b.face case? I'm not entirely sure what it's called but I like how the casing looks.

[kohi]

Hi welcome  Well, if you want to build a tkl keyboard you could possibly modify the Phantom's layout to be just like any other qwerty board.

I'm not quite sure how much a phantom pcb costs. And as far as I know that pcb has a lot of programming capabilities which I don't require. Is there a most cost effective one that just has one single layer?

Also, is it possible to use a phantom pcb while having it look like the b.face case? I'm not entirely sure what it's called but I like how the casing looks.

welcome to GH! the phantom pcb is ~$35 on mechanicalkeyboards.com and it's a good pcb for a TKL, especially if you don't care for LEDs. You can try finding other PCBs, but you'll either have to source them from another keyboard, buy a korean custom pcb (which is more expensive considering shipping costs as well) or buy them through a groupbuy AFAIK. not sure if it'll fit in a b.87 acrylic case, might have to check the standoffs for that, but it'll most definitely fit in a stock filco case.
as for soldering stations, you can buy a super cheap one if you're really tight on budget -> yihua 936 - which is what I used for a few projects and it hasn't caused any trouble yet.. it's like $15-20 - but you'll have to source your own soldering tips. hakko tips will work fine since it's a replica (you can get like 10 for $7 or something on aliexpress)..but yeah, welcome to wallethack

[Baddy126]

welcome to GH! the phantom pcb is ~$35 on mechanicalkeyboards.com and it's a good pcb for a TKL, especially if you don't care for LEDs. You can try finding other PCBs, but you'll either have to source them from another keyboard, buy a korean custom pcb (which is more expensive considering shipping costs as well) or buy them through a groupbuy AFAIK. not sure if it'll fit in a b.87 acrylic case, might have to check the standoffs for that, but it'll most definitely fit in a stock filco case.
as for soldering stations, you can buy a super cheap one if you're really tight on budget -> yihua 936 - which is what I used for a few projects and it hasn't caused any trouble yet.. it's like $15-20 - but you'll have to source your own soldering tips. hakko tips will work fine since it's a replica (you can get like 10 for $7 or something on aliexpress)..but yeah, welcome to wallethack
[/quote]

Thanks for replying! I'm assuming from what you said the phantom PCB has no LED compatibility? I was looking at the SEEED soldering iron... it's more expensive than the yihua you recommended but I don't mind paying a little more as long as it'll last me.

It doesn't really have to be the b.87 or the b.mini. I just like how the whole thing is put together... the floating keys as well as the lights... something like http://i.imgur.com/JWobQmm.jpg

If anyone knows of other "casing" (not sure if this is the right term for it) that's similar to this I'd appreciate it!

[kohi]

Thanks for replying! I'm assuming from what you said the phantom PCB has no LED compatibility? I was looking at the SEEED soldering iron... it's more expensive than the yihua you recommended but I don't mind paying a little more as long as it'll last me.

It doesn't really have to be the b.87 or the b.mini. I just like how the whole thing is put together... the floating keys as well as the lights... something like http://i.imgur.com/JWobQmm.jpg

If anyone knows of other "casing" (not sure if this is the right term for it) that's similar to this I'd appreciate it!

ah, if you want something that looks like that with the LED glow on the bottom, I'd suggest you look into something like GON Nerd TKL PCB - which supports SMD LEDs that you solder onto the bottom of the PCB. but yeah, best bet would be to wait for a custom TKL groupbuy or to look for parts on the classified section. tbh there aren't that many TKL groupbuys available right now, in comparison to 60%s. quality custom TKL builds are always gonna cost quite a few $$$, but then again, I don't know what your budget is

[xtrafrood]

Thanks for replying! I'm assuming from what you said the phantom PCB has no LED compatibility? I was looking at the SEEED soldering iron... it's more expensive than the yihua you recommended but I don't mind paying a little more as long as it'll last me.

It doesn't really have to be the b.87 or the b.mini. I just like how the whole thing is put together... the floating keys as well as the lights... something like http://i.imgur.com/JWobQmm.jpg

If anyone knows of other "casing" (not sure if this is the right term for it) that's similar to this I'd appreciate it!

ah, if you want something that looks like that with the LED glow on the bottom, I'd suggest you look into something like GON Nerd TKL PCB - which supports SMD LEDs that you solder onto the bottom of the PCB. but yeah, best bet would be to wait for a custom TKL groupbuy or to look for parts on the classified section. tbh there aren't that many TKL groupbuys available right now, in comparison to 60%s. quality custom TKL builds are always gonna cost quite a few $$$, but then again, I don't know what your budget is

I've read a little bit about GON's work. I don't have the patience required to wait for goods. If you don't mind waiting and if you don't mind paying a hefty premium then go for it.

[Baddy126]

Thanks for replying! I'm assuming from what you said the phantom PCB has no LED compatibility? I was looking at the SEEED soldering iron... it's more expensive than the yihua you recommended but I don't mind paying a little more as long as it'll last me.

It doesn't really have to be the b.87 or the b.mini. I just like how the whole thing is put together... the floating keys as well as the lights... something like http://i.imgur.com/JWobQmm.jpg

If anyone knows of other "casing" (not sure if this is the right term for it) that's similar to this I'd appreciate it!

ah, if you want something that looks like that with the LED glow on the bottom, I'd suggest you look into something like GON Nerd TKL PCB - which supports SMD LEDs that you solder onto the bottom of the PCB. but yeah, best bet would be to wait for a custom TKL groupbuy or to look for parts on the classified section. tbh there aren't that many TKL groupbuys available right now, in comparison to 60%s. quality custom TKL builds are always gonna cost quite a few $$$, but then again, I don't know what your budget is
[/quote]

Went to GoN's website... that's definitely out of my price range... I was more looking for a simple DIY kind of kit that might also offer those lighting effects without having programmable keys and what not. I'm assuming it's not possible unless I dish out $200+ USD?

[Baddy126]

Thanks for replying! I'm assuming from what you said the phantom PCB has no LED compatibility? I was looking at the SEEED soldering iron... it's more expensive than the yihua you recommended but I don't mind paying a little more as long as it'll last me.

It doesn't really have to be the b.87 or the b.mini. I just like how the whole thing is put together... the floating keys as well as the lights... something like http://i.imgur.com/JWobQmm.jpg

If anyone knows of other "casing" (not sure if this is the right term for it) that's similar to this I'd appreciate it!

ah, if you want something that looks like that with the LED glow on the bottom, I'd suggest you look into something like GON Nerd TKL PCB - which supports SMD LEDs that you solder onto the bottom of the PCB. but yeah, best bet would be to wait for a custom TKL groupbuy or to look for parts on the classified section. tbh there aren't that many TKL groupbuys available right now, in comparison to 60%s. quality custom TKL builds are always gonna cost quite a few $$$, but then again, I don't know what your budget is

I've read a little bit about GON's work. I don't have the patience required to wait for goods. If you don't mind waiting and if you don't mind paying a hefty premium then go for it.

Is there something else you would suggest that could help me achieve that kind of build?

[xtrafrood]

I wish I could but I kind of just signed up at GH myself.



     This photo was taken on my first day.

[Baddy126]

I wish I could but I kind of just signed up at GH myself.

Show Image

     This photo was taken on my first day.

haha that's awesome!

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Building a keyboard does generally cost more, as you only buy enough components for one keyboard and don't get the volume discounts that the major manufacturers would get.  For example switches could cost, say, 30c each, and you'd need around 100 (or would probably buy a pack of 100) which would be $30.  A large keyboard manufacturer would probably buy 100,000 switches at once, and get them for 5c each or something.

Then you'd need diodes, resistors, PCB, case, controller, perhaps a little wiring, some plugs/sockets, plus the equipment to build it, plus the time to build it.

Assuming nothing goes wrong, you'd end up with a keyboard you could say you build yourself.

Or spend $80+ to buy a ready-made keyboard at a store.  Easier, usually clear channels to return it if defective, you can start using it straight away )

But if you would like to build a keyboard, have a look through making stuff together for some inspirations from what other have done.