Author Topic: Custom Mechanical Keyboard Questions  (Read 2199 times)

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Offline yodasnow

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 2
Custom Mechanical Keyboard Questions
« on: Sun, 07 April 2019, 16:00:58 »
Hey,

I currently own 2 mechanical keyboards: Razer Blackwidow X Chroma (Razer Green) and a Corsair K70 RGB MK2 (Cherry MX Red). I want to try building my own mechanical keyboard so I can customize it better to suit me as a programmer and as a gamer. From what I have gathered I need a couple of things: Case, Key caps, PCB, Plate, Switches and possibly stabilizer and springs.
Both of my current keyboards are full size, but I have heard that full size starts to get really expensive, so I was looking at getting a TKL keyboard. Basically my questions are:

What are good TKL cases?
Key cap recommendations? (87 total)
Switch recommendations? (Looking at getting a non Cherry switch for experimentation)
What PCBs can fit TKL cases ideally with hot swap capabilities?
What plates would fit?
Do I need stabilizers and springs? If so how many?
Is lubing switches recommended/really worth the time and effort?

I assume that I have missed a lot of things so feel free to mention anything that I may have looked over.

Thanks for reading!

Offline randomist

  • Posts: 29
Re: Custom Mechanical Keyboard Questions
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 07 April 2019, 16:13:21 »
How do you want to change it from a standard TKL? Do you want multiple programmable layers, different layout etc?

It sounds to me like you might be better off going for a non-gamer board, like a Ducky, Filco, Varmillo or whatever, and maybe customising the keycaps and using software like autohotkey for anything else you want. Get a switch tester or try different switch types if you can, switches are very much personal preference, as are caps. You will need stabilisers for any large caps, like enter and space. There are two common types, cherry, and costar. Cherry, like extra mini switch posts, are easier to swap caps with, but costar, the wire type, are often preferred for feel and occasionally sound.

Offline yodasnow

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 2
Re: Custom Mechanical Keyboard Questions
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 07 April 2019, 16:16:58 »
Probably was not the best explanation. I don't want to change from a standard TKL. I have a full size currently with numpad, but am wanting to change to a TKL instead.

Ideally as well, I want to build without a keyboard as a "base" as I want to get some experience playing around with the stuff.

Hope this clears it up,
Thanks for the reply

Offline Tactile

  • Posts: 1439
  • Location: Portland, OR
Re: Custom Mechanical Keyboard Questions
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 07 April 2019, 19:52:27 »
One quick 'n' easy way to get started - buy a kit.
REΛLFORCE