Hey All From Kent South East England!

[DarkKnight24]

Just starting out in my mechanical keyboard journey, here to look at what people recommend and what peoples opinions are.

I know it might seem abit far fetched but I was looking at the option of building my own keyboard so peoples advise on that would be really handy. Also feel free to share the things you guys are into and your set ups! I love the customisability!

Specs id be looking for is around the £150 area solid quality, some of that rgb goodness and anything between 65% to TKL 

Cant wait to see what you guys have to say and being part of this community! Thank you in advance!

[Maledicted]

Hi DarkKnight24. Welcome to Geekhack.

People seem to routinely design their own PCBs, have them manufactured, and/or design their own case and plate, and/or hand wire all of the switches without any PCB at all, so nothing about building your own board sounds far fetched.

I like mostly vintage clicky switches like SKCM blue Alps and capacitive buckling spring. I like Kaihl's box jades and navies for modern boards.

If you want to assemble your own board, want something solid, and only want to spend that much, the Heavy Metal Keyboards GB is all that I'm aware of that kind of fits. I don't follow a lot of that IC/GB stuff though myself. You would still have to get switches. I have two of these on order myself. I do not believe that they have any LEDs.

You can get 60% aluminum cases on Aliexpress for reasonably cheap. I ordered a DZ60, which allows dedicated arrow keys, and a 60% walnut case for it a while back, but they've yet to arrive, so I can't comment on that.

What switches have you tried? Which have you liked?

[DarkKnight24]

Hey Maledicted! Thank you for the response!

I was thinking about making my own case actually, im a tradesman and have friends with cnc milling and routing machines so that could be a cool way of keeping costs abit lower and keeping good standard? Those ones you suggested do look pretty neat though!

Oh sweet! I really look the look of the wooden cases they seem to be more classy, I saw a build with a bamboo case and that really caught my eye.

Only really tried switches that are in main branded keyboards at the hardware stores. I don't like the clicky loudness, I do like the tactile and linear type ones though with a medium to lower pitch, but not too smooth they sound wet or slimy if that makes sense. Not too sure on brands and names of switches but I'm trying to explore all options, also open to lower profile options as I've only really typed on laptops

[Maledicted]

Hey Maledicted! Thank you for the response!

I was thinking about making my own case actually, im a tradesman and have friends with cnc milling and routing machines so that could be a cool way of keeping costs abit lower and keeping good standard? Those ones you suggested do look pretty neat though!

Oh sweet! I really look the look of the wooden cases they seem to be more classy, I saw a build with a bamboo case and that really caught my eye.

Only really tried switches that are in main branded keyboards at the hardware stores. I don't like the clicky loudness, I do like the tactile and linear type ones though with a medium to lower pitch, but not too smooth they sound wet or slimy if that makes sense. Not too sure on brands and names of switches but I'm trying to explore all options, also open to lower profile options as I've only really typed on laptops

You're welcome.

Cool. I'm sure plenty of people who have done something similar would have some tips for you if you asked about it in the Making Stuff Together section.

I agree. I'm a fan of old school wood and steel myself.

The MX and MX clone clickies are obnoxiously high-pitched for many people. Kailh's box jades and pinks are more bassy, if you look up sound tests. The jades also just so happen to be the best-feeling modern clickies in my opinion. The mechanism on the box clickies is a different design from MX.

You haven't found any that are too smooth, or don't like when they are smooth? If you've only felt retail store switches, my guess is they're probably mostly MX and the more common Chinese clones. Outemu seems to be the most common right now, and their switches actually mostly all to feel better than MX to me. Their clickies are just as good as Gaterons in terms of feel in my opinion.

You may want to look at Kailh Choc switches for low profile switches.