I'd like to build either a 75% or TKL keyboard, I know that I will need to use the F keys enough to justify having them (i write code, and I bind those keys).
Looking for tips on how to find compatible parts. The most concerning aspect of this endeavor to me is time.
Budget: 300USD
Necessary traits:
- programmable. QMK?
- no usb mini port pls. usb micro or usb c interface
- Aluminum case
Desired
- bluetooth and battery capability
- multi client bluetooth, whatever that is called. Often have 2 desktops at home that all have displays and i want a hardware method to switch between them. Currently use a Logitech G613 there and it supports two machines because it has bluetooth and a wireless usb dongle and dedicated mode switching buttons.
- individually addressable RGB LEDs (would give these up for bluetooth, but it would be good to have a keyboard that has LEDs when plugged in but turns them off when running on battery.)
- aluminum keycaps? Is that even a thing? Are they unreasonably expensive?
Questions:
- how do hot swap key switch sockets work? You slide them in? What happens once they get loose? Can I make them permanent by soldering them anyway? Are they secure? How can i evaluate prospective PCB and switches to see if they'd be compatible? Because of these concerns and not being easily able to find information about how this is all supposed to work together, I am leaning towards soldering. I enjoy soldering, but if I can actually do zero soldering I'd be willing to spend an extra $40.
- I have built a keyboard before. it had alps switches and a bent aluminum case, i cannot for the life of me remember the name of it though. I never ended up using it much because the debouncing did not work very well. Sometimes keys would repeat when pressed. It's possible that I just had to replace switches or resolder, But this sort of thing is sort of an unacceptable time sink for me. The other thing I realized was the 60% layout was very painful when F keys were needed.
I really want to try out Zilent V2 switches. Also a coworker has some kind of clicky switch that is too noisy for me but extremely tactile. That's pretty much the only reason I am willing to put up with the risk of ending up with a keyboard that i might need to tune to get it to work properly, as that's already happened to me before.
