Rookie looking for a complete kit to play with - thoughts?

[milchek]

Hey everyone,

New here, and just want to see what the thoughts are from the community on a good beginner kit that has everything needed to start building custom boards.

Obviously most important are to have the case, PCB and plates, if I can get something with switches that is a plus too. I'm new to soldering but I used to TIG weld, so how hard can it be right?  )

I'm after something in a TKL or 60% and something cheaper is preferable in case I mess up soldering etc.

Any advice or recommendations are appreciated!

[Gajible]

http://1upkeyboards.com/index.php?cPath=42

Might I suggest this? Full aluminium sandwich style case, and 1up has a bunch of Gateron switches to choose from if you don't feelios the Zealios.

It's a bit on the pricey side, but.. full aluminium!. Plus, the PCB is the cheapest part, should you mess it up.


Otherwise, look around for a KC60 kit.

[OfTheWild]

The Sentraq kit from Massdrop was my first build and aside from some general lack of beginner instruction I got through it and now i'm hooked. It came with everything you need except a soldering iron and solder.

[milchek]

Thanks Gajible, that looks nice, bit on the pricey side (I'm in Australia, so have to factor in shipping too I guess), I will also keep my eyes peeled for the kc60!

boostdemon, is that a kit that they have re-appear regularly? I only recently joined Massdrop (to buy the whitefox) so I'll keep an eye out.

I'm reluctant to buy the one off pieces for my first try (for example, plate from one seller, pcb from another) as I'm afraid i'll buy some items that aren't compatible (like a case/housing that doesn't fit the same board/plate). Any tips to avoid this?

[rowdy]

There's the sixkey from TechKeys: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/sixkeyboard

Minimalistic way to get started.

Next up is the JD40: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/jd40

A neat 40% keyboard designed by Jade Carpe here on GH.

Then the infamous GH60: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/gh60

A 60% keyboard, also designed on GH.

You just missed the WhiteFox on Massdrop, which is a great key and a great keyboard.

Mig welding (or any welding) would be like using a sledgehammer to feed a thread through the eye of a needle, but with a little practice soldering is not too bad.  If you can find an old electronic device (e.g. DVD player) that someone has discarded, you can use it to practice desoldering and resoldering the components without worrying about damaging an expensive keyboard kit.

[milchek]

Thanks rowdy, I actually did pick up the Whitefox (I paid for the assembled one, it's too nice to try and build as a first kit), those are all very helpful options, cheers!

With the JD40 and GH60, since these look like you only get the PCB, is there anything I should watch out for when looking for plates or cases for those particular PCBs? Some case sellers and plate sellers don't give much by the way of compatibility listings.

[bocahgundul]

GH60 with Tex alu case lipless

[milchek]

Thanks bocahgundul, I found a GH60 kit on aliexpress which I am considering as well (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Customized-KC60-Full-Set-Aluminum-Case-Programmable-PCB-Steel-Plate-Switches-LED-For-60-Standard-Layout/32620290856.html)

[kawasaki161]

This could be interesting: Sentraq S60x RGB kit preview

[OfTheWild]

boostdemon, is that a kit that they have re-appear regularly? I only recently joined Massdrop (to buy the whitefox) so I'll keep an eye out.

I'm reluctant to buy the one off pieces for my first try (for example, plate from one seller, pcb from another) as I'm afraid i'll buy some items that aren't compatible (like a case/housing that doesn't fit the same board/plate). Any tips to avoid this?

That particular kit has had 2 drops within the last 12 months that I'm aware of. There are plenty of others as well that are all-inclusive that show up probably every other month - That Whitefox drop had the option. The biggest advantage to building your own is that you can do what you want with the switches before they're soldered in place. I would say that if you're uncertain if something will work, just ask. I've found that in general the mech board community is quite helpful. So far I would say that from what I've seen, the 60% setups as well as the TenKeyLess (TKL) are pretty uniform in their parts. But just ask to make sure before buying.

One great way to get started is to grab a cheaper board and go through that initiation we all did of desoldering switches and changing them for something else. Keep an eye out for something on ebay like a CoolerMaster Storm or heck, i even found a "sold for parts" Ducky with a bad switch for $14 that I now use as my work board. Its a great way to get the hang of things and not risk ruining a pcb on an expensive kit.

Just my 2 cents.

[milchek]

One great way to get started is to grab a cheaper board and go through that initiation we all did of desoldering switches and changing them for something else.

That's actually a great idea, can't believe I didn't think of that! So I take it desoldering switches on a board straight from the manufacturer is do-able across the board? Like, they don't do anything funky with the way they put the switches on at the factory?

Sorry, I'm a massive noob I know, I just assumed that manufacturer boards with switches on would be harder to get off, and only custom boards are easy to desolder and swap out switches?

[Gajible]

One great way to get started is to grab a cheaper board and go through that initiation we all did of desoldering switches and changing them for something else.

That's actually a great idea, can't believe I didn't think of that! So I take it desoldering switches on a board straight from the manufacturer is do-able across the board? Like, they don't do anything funky with the way they put the switches on at the factory?

Sorry, I'm a massive noob I know, I just assumed that manufacturer boards with switches on would be harder to get off, and only custom boards are easy to desolder and swap out switches?

It's definitely do-able, but for the love of everything keyboard related, get a good solder suckers, wick, or desoldering station.. Otherwise you'll have the worst time ever.

[fohat.digs]

Re-jiggering a known board makes a lot more sense than attempting to re-engineer a product that literally thousands of engineers have been working to perfect for literally decades.

And there is always this: https://mightyohm.com/files/soldercomic/FullSolderComic_EN.pdf

[milchek]

Will do, I've already started researching on this and have some options in mind (Matt3os blog post had some suggested stations I think).

Thanks again everyone, very glad I joined this community!

[xtrafrood]

http://1upkeyboards.com/index.php?cPath=42

Might I suggest this? Full aluminium sandwich style case, and 1up has a bunch of Gateron switches to choose from if you don't feelios the Zealios.

It's a bit on the pricey side, but.. full aluminium!. Plus, the PCB is the cheapest part, should you mess it up.


Otherwise, look around for a KC60 kit.

hnnnnnnngg damn those are some sexy legs

[milchek]

This could be interesting: Sentraq S60x RGB kit preview

Thank you for this, funny that google searching sentraq 60 wouldn't yield his own site, but I found it through the comments on reddit!

[DALExSNAIL]

This could be interesting: Sentraq S60x RGB kit preview

I need this, ty