Building my own keyboard! Figuring out where to start =)

[Xarmydis]

So, I've decided that the route that I want to take is to build my own keyboard. I have a ducky shine v1 (blues) that I got a few years ago, which I adore as my first foray into the world of Mech boards, but I've grown.   

Here are the things I'm trying to figure out before I get down to business:

Size:
I want a 60% board, ANSI layout. All there is to it!

Programmability:
I'm looking for something that I can reprogram as my needs see fit. I've never dealt with hardware programming, but I am a programmer by trade, so I'm not too worried. Figuring out which teensy/controller to use is what's kind of scaring me.

I think I've read that most people use the Teensy++, but would there be any issue with me going for the 3.1? Cheaper and newer.

Plate:
I want me a plate. I like the sturdiness and rigidity accompanied by a plate, though I understand it ~will~ restrict my access to the switches if I feel like replacing them. It'll require desoldering, etc. etc.

Case:
I got no idea what to look for in terms of a case. Just gonna save time and leave it at that, if anyone has basic recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

Switches:
The blues, while fun, are too light and much too loud. I love tactility, it gives me that tingly feeling like when Mr. Nelson from next door used to babysit me. 

I've been thinking about Cherry MX whites--heavier than blues/as heavy as greens, tactile, and supposedly softer. Can anyone confirm how much softer they are (in volume) to blues/greens?

Cherry MX tactile grey. Heavy, tactile, supposedly soft. Thoughts?

Cherry MX clears--they're as light as blues, but they get a LOT heavier supposedly after they actuate. An interesting idea.

Cherry MX clicky grey. These appear to be extremely heavy--is this just idiotic to use for a keyboard outside of just a spacebar? Also, if they're as noisy as the others, I won't waste my time.

Keycaps

To be honest, these aren't hard to find, but as someone who has never had PBT keycaps, should I make the jump? Or ABS doubleshots? Or what?

I appreciate any help I can get, or if there is anything I'm missing. I'm a simple man who just wants a keyboard to call my very own

[Defect]

Sprit's Round 2 GB has the Face-W PCB.  I'd try to get in on that if you're patient.  GH60 is in production as well.

MX White have high variance between switches.  Some are exactly as loud as Greens, others are much quieter.  And some don't click. (Bag of 50)

Clears I think are best with Black Spring (Panda Clear).  A lot of people around here like light spring and lubed clears.  Best to wear them down before lubing, also.

For keycaps, these are my favorites:
Linear: POM
Clicky: Thin ABS, Thin PBT
MX Clear/MX Grey: Thick PBT

[Xarmydis]

Sprit's Round 2 GB has the Face-W PCB.  I'd try to get in on that if you're patient.  GH60 is in production as well.

MX White have high variance between switches.  Some are exactly as loud as Greens, others are much quieter.  And some don't click. (Bag of 50)

Clears I think are best with Black Spring (Panda Clear).  A lot of people around here like light spring and lubed clears.  Best to wear them down before lubing, also.

For keycaps, these are my favorites:
Linear: POM
Clicky: Thin ABS, Thin PBT
MX Clear/MX Grey: Thick PBT

I love the look of Panda Clears. Absolutely love it. I'm curious though, what are the advantages of the Face-W vs. the GH60?

I'm still a bit lost on keycaps, what's POM? Also, why do you prefer Thin PBT on clicky, but thikc on Clears/greys?

[Defect]

Sprit's Round 2 GB has the Face-W PCB.  I'd try to get in on that if you're patient.  GH60 is in production as well.

MX White have high variance between switches.  Some are exactly as loud as Greens, others are much quieter.  And some don't click. (Bag of 50)

Clears I think are best with Black Spring (Panda Clear).  A lot of people around here like light spring and lubed clears.  Best to wear them down before lubing, also.

For keycaps, these are my favorites:
Linear: POM
Clicky: Thin ABS, Thin PBT
MX Clear/MX Grey: Thick PBT

I love the look of Panda Clears. Absolutely love it. I'm curious though, what are the advantages of the Face-W vs. the GH60?

I'm still a bit lost on keycaps, what's POM? Also, why do you prefer Thin PBT on clicky, but thikc on Clears/greys?

Face-W supports LED's.  Other than that I'm not smart enough to tell you the differences.

POM is a plastic.  I prefer thin caps on clicky because the thick caps take away a lot of the tactility and I don't like the sound they make.  Thick pbt on clears are great because the upstroke is so snappy, and it's all made crisper and cleaner with thick PBT.

[Findecanor]

The difference between the keycap plastics and thin vs thick is miniscule. You've got to be a real connoisseur to tell the difference.

There is a Face-U (or Face-W) -like GB on Deskthority also. Then there is the "Red Scarf GH/DT edition" that also includes a numpad. The Face-W will probably be the fastest available.

[Xarmydis]

So, I noticed the Face-U is like $50, and the GH60 went on sale for like $6. Can someone point me to my options? I'm having trouble figuring out what group buys are still open, and which ones are closed o.o the first posts are confusing me. :X Just spent a while in that section trying to figure things out.

Also, in terms of plates, I have the options of an Acrylic or a Steel plate. Is there really a difference? I'd be willing to pay more for more stability, but if it's artificial, Acrylic all the way!

[agodinhost]

Same post here right?

[Xarmydis]

Yea, I meant to close this one, got tripped up >.< Anyway, moving it to over there.