Well, I am starting on this world now. Kind of.
As the OP I started with a DAS Keyboard, later bought a second one. I kept one at home and another at work. I was really happy and had no idea of what the mech keyboard scene was like.
A while ago, when the virus start hitting, I became aware of custom builds and 60% boards.
More than once I was about to buy stuff for assembling one myself, but refrain since I was having doubts if I could do it. I got some soldering cheap tools, just to understand a bit on how to use it, and to get some of the technique. I ended up buying a Drop Alt, and this is my daily driver since April 2020. I got some keycaps in Ali Express, still not with me due to a few logistic issues. And just today I purchased an used Infinity Ergodox, that should arrive in a few days.
I can feel the trend, the rabbit hole calling me. In December/January I will have at least 2 weeks off, and I want now to buy parts and build my own keyboard, from top to bottom. I still have many doubts on the parts to get, the switches to choose, if a 40%, 60% or Ergodox layout. I go to sleep asking myself if I should go full throttle on soldering or if I should get a hot swapable board. All of it without thinking for a moment how much it would cost. I am playing on the card “I deserve it”, and here is where it gets dangerous.
It is true that as adults we are the captains of our lives, and that our parent’s are not there to stop us to make questionable decisions. But if you are married or have kids, all can change. Today my main deterrent to giving up to the siren call is the judgmental look of my wife, each time a new keyboard appears in the house. If boxes of parts start arriving at the front door, I bet I will have a hard time from her - on her view it is a bad choice of where to spend money. I am aware she will not be happy when the Ergodox arrives...
In a way I thank her. On the other hand, here I am, lurking in a forum on a Sunday morning reading about mech keyboards.
I hope it all ends well...