How hard is it to build your own keyboard?

[snarfarlarkus]

So I want to try to build my own keyboard as I feel like I'd appreciate a keyboard more knowing that I built it myself. My Model F is still my angel but shes too big and heavy to take around with me on travels so maybe a cute 60% build would be appropriate for that (too bad you can't build buckling spring keyboards!).

I saw the infinity keyboard build guide on Massdrop and that looked really easy, just poke the pins of the keycaps through the PCB and solder them and you're pretty much done. Is it really that easy for all keyboards? And what are the best parts to use to build a keyboard?

Cheers!

[FrostyToast]

It is infinitely easier to solder a keyboard than it is to desolder one.
The most painstaking process in building a keyboard will likely be any sort of switch modding you do.

It really took me just over an hour to assemble my LZ CP. Considering it was the first keyboard I think you will find it easy too.
Though I would recommend getting some practice with board that you don't care to ruin.
Although the CP was the first board I built, it was not the first board I worked on. I desoldered a couple of boards prior to that and it gave me a ton of experience.

[Ir0n]

You can do a custom Korean keyboard which is a lot more easy than making a custom PCB and what not
Winkeyless and GON are good ones to look into if you want to just solder parts and pick out your own stuff (they provide everything you just pick the parts)

it really just depends how much you want to do o.o

I'm doing a Winkeyless build myself

[snarfarlarkus]

It is infinitely easier to solder a keyboard than it is to desolder one.
The most painstaking process in building a keyboard will likely be any sort of switch modding you do.

It really took me just over an hour to assemble my LZ CP. Considering it was the first keyboard I think you will find it easy too.
Though I would recommend getting some practice with board that you don't care to ruin.
Although the CP was the first board I built, it was not the first board I worked on. I desoldered a couple of boards prior to that and it gave me a ton of experience.

Why is it that the LZ CP is easier to build than others? And will I ever need to desolder if I leave the keycaps in there for its life time? Thanks for the help!

You can do a custom Korean keyboard which is a lot more easy than making a custom PCB and what not
Winkeyless and GON are good ones to look into if you want to just solder parts and pick out your own stuff (they provide everything you just pick the parts)

it really just depends how much you want to do o.o

I'm doing a Winkeyless build myself

Yeah I love winkeyless keyboards, they simply look a lot more sexy than winkey keyboards IMO. Do you have any recommendations on what korean keyboard I should build that is winkeyless?

TBH, I just want a high quality, heavy winkeyless 60% keyboard with something like ergo clears.

[azhdar]

he was speaking of http://winkeyless.kr/ I think.

[FrostyToast]

It is infinitely easier to solder a keyboard than it is to desolder one.
The most painstaking process in building a keyboard will likely be any sort of switch modding you do.

It really took me just over an hour to assemble my LZ CP. Considering it was the first keyboard I think you will find it easy too.
Though I would recommend getting some practice with board that you don't care to ruin.
Although the CP was the first board I built, it was not the first board I worked on. I desoldered a couple of boards prior to that and it gave me a ton of experience.

Why is it that the LZ CP is easier to build than others? And will I ever need to desolder if I leave the keycaps in there for its life time? Thanks for the help!

It's really just as easy to build as most other things. The good thing about this board is that the resistors for LEDs and diodes switches came presoldered which are the hardest parts for any board.
Try to look for boards with presoldered components.
While switch diodes can be through hole instead of SMD which is much harder, LED resistors are always SMD which is a pain to do.
It's very easy to screw up SMD if you don't have the right skill/equipment.

You will never need to desolder a board unless the switch goes bad.
Desoldering is just good in case you make a mistake. Say, when you install an LED the wrong way or put too much solder on a joint.

[Ir0n]

he was speaking of http://winkeyless.kr/ I think.

Yeah oops guess I should of specified a little more!

[snarfarlarkus]

It is infinitely easier to solder a keyboard than it is to desolder one.
The most painstaking process in building a keyboard will likely be any sort of switch modding you do.

It really took me just over an hour to assemble my LZ CP. Considering it was the first keyboard I think you will find it easy too.
Though I would recommend getting some practice with board that you don't care to ruin.
Although the CP was the first board I built, it was not the first board I worked on. I desoldered a couple of boards prior to that and it gave me a ton of experience.

Why is it that the LZ CP is easier to build than others? And will I ever need to desolder if I leave the keycaps in there for its life time? Thanks for the help!

It's really just as easy to build as most other things. The good thing about this board is that the resistors for LEDs and diodes switches came presoldered which are the hardest parts for any board.
Try to look for boards with presoldered components.
While switch diodes can be through hole instead of SMD which is much harder, LED resistors are always SMD which is a pain to do.
It's very easy to screw up SMD if you don't have the right skill/equipment.

You will never need to desolder a board unless the switch goes bad.
Desoldering is just good in case you make a mistake. Say, when you install an LED the wrong way or put too much solder on a joint.

What if I don't want LED's in my keyboard? I'm use to my Model F which has no LED's besides the num lock, caps lock and scroll lock LED's. I see LED's as a gimmick rather than something I'd desire in my own keyboard build. If I don't want LED's, can I just forget about thé whole LED resistor, SMD diodes thing?

he was speaking of http://winkeyless.kr/ I think.

Oh my mistake, I didn't even know that was a website haha! As for the Winkeyless.kr, if I buy somethign like the B.miniR X2 PCB, do i still need a case tok place the PCB inside? I'd prefer a metal case rather than a acrylic or plastic one...  And when they ask if you want lube, stickers and springs, do they do all of that for you? Or do they just provide the parts and you install them yourself?

Thanks!!!

[FrostyToast]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

[snarfarlarkus]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

DO most PCB's come with diodes ready for the switches?

[FrostyToast]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

DO most PCB's come with diodes ready for the switches?

Most will but just make sure to check that they do.
In the case that they aren't pre soldered, many boards will have through hole pads for diodes, but don't assume that either.

[snarfarlarkus]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

DO most PCB's come with diodes ready for the switches?

Most will but just make sure to check that they do.
In the case that they aren't pre soldered, many boards will have through hole pads for diodes, but don't assume that either.

Thanks. On the winkeyless website, under diodes and resistors, must I choose 'diodes and soldering'? That means they'll solder the diodes on for me right? And does the PCB have to fix exact in a case that i want to use?

[FrostyToast]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

DO most PCB's come with diodes ready for the switches?

Most will but just make sure to check that they do.
In the case that they aren't pre soldered, many boards will have through hole pads for diodes, but don't assume that either.

Thanks. On the winkeyless website, under diodes and resistors, must I choose 'diodes and soldering'? That means they'll solder the diodes on for me right? And does the PCB have to fix exact in a case that i want to use?

Yes. You will need diodes and soldering.
For housings you will need to go here.
There's the possibility that you can have a custom case cut for you but then you would need to make the appropriate CAD files.
The only PCB that can use other housings would be the B.FACE X2 PCB which will work with Poker cases.

[neverused]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

Technically LEDs are diodes (light emitting diodes), but are not really suitable to prevent ghosting...

[agong8664]

Lived in Taiwan so I get cheap PCBs which are pre-solder with diodes from taobao.I simply solder on switches(which is kinda easy), assemble stabilizers, and put it into the case.
I found the hard part is to modify small things so it feels good(springs, stabilizers, case, etc...)
The first custom made keyboard may not be such satisfying, but after learning experiences my second custom keyboard which I am currently using is quite satisfying.

[snarfarlarkus]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

DO most PCB's come with diodes ready for the switches?

Most will but just make sure to check that they do.
In the case that they aren't pre soldered, many boards will have through hole pads for diodes, but don't assume that either.

Thanks. On the winkeyless website, under diodes and resistors, must I choose 'diodes and soldering'? That means they'll solder the diodes on for me right? And does the PCB have to fix exact in a case that i want to use?

Yes. You will need diodes and soldering.
For housings you will need to go here.
There's the possibility that you can have a custom case cut for you but then you would need to make the appropriate CAD files.
The only PCB that can use other housings would be the B.FACE X2 PCB which will work with Poker cases.

Are there anymore housings I can use? I quite like the 456GT housing with its winkeyless frame but instead in 60%. Is there any housing like that?

[Ir0n]

Diodes are entirely different from LEDs and resistors. All switches still require diodes. You won't need the resistors for LEDs but without the switch diodes the matrix won't operate properly.

DO most PCB's come with diodes ready for the switches?

Most will but just make sure to check that they do.
In the case that they aren't pre soldered, many boards will have through hole pads for diodes, but don't assume that either.

Thanks. On the winkeyless website, under diodes and resistors, must I choose 'diodes and soldering'? That means they'll solder the diodes on for me right? And does the PCB have to fix exact in a case that i want to use?

Yes. You will need diodes and soldering.
For housings you will need to go here.
There's the possibility that you can have a custom case cut for you but then you would need to make the appropriate CAD files.
The only PCB that can use other housings would be the B.FACE X2 PCB which will work with Poker cases.

Are there anymore housings I can use? I quite like the 456GT housing with its winkeyless frame but instead in 60%. Is there any housing like that?

I don't know but massdrop has a 60% Anodized Aluminum Case drop going on now https://www.massdrop.com/buy/lambo-60-anodized-aluminum-case

[Ellipse]

Snarf you can make or order a brand new 60% Model F buckling spring board!  Not to toot my own horn but I paid for the Model F tooling from scratch and will be selling these F77 and F62 boards in the coming weeks.  I posted a thread in the interest checks subforum if you are interested.

[ideus]

I recently found a source for old Cherry switches that have a diode built in, but apparently they cannot take LEDs along with the included diodes. Just to add a grain of salt to the conversation.