Building a keyboard for my first mechanical keyboard. Any tips?

[Siraj]

Having missed out on the Sentraq 60% kit drop on Massdrop, I've decided to embark on voyage of building a keyboard.
Having never owned a mechanical keyboard before, it's quite daunting but I want to invest in something I'll use and enjoy daily.
So, as I understand it, there are 6 main parts to a keyboard:

• Case
• PCB
• Switches
• Plate
• Stabilizers
• Keycaps

I'm looking for a parts list that is a replica of the Sentraq kit, or something that's similar to the Pok3r that I can upgrade individual parts of in the future.
I checked out the Satan GH60 for a PCB but I believe that's a Chinese knockoff, which I'm not looking for.
My budget is around £150  for the parts alone, but I could extend to £200 if it includes shipping to UK.
I know this is a bit vague, but as I said, I'm new to the keyboard enthusiast world so hopefully you fellows could hold my hands through the first purchase.
Thanks

[Moistgun]

You should buy a good bit of that through the classifieds to save some money, and to get quick shipping.
Alot of your parts will have to come from China if you buy online.

did you have a switch type in mind?

[Siraj]

You should buy a good bit of that through the classifieds to save some money, and to get quick shipping.
Alot of your parts will have to come from China if you buy online.

did you have a switch type in mind?

Thanks for the reply. I'm new to Geekhack too, so I'm not too sure what you mean by "classifieds".
I know that I'll have to buy a lot of stuff through China, and I heard that Taobao is a good vendor, but I'm a bit scared of having to arrange an agent to deliver the goods. I've heard the name "qtan" mentioned a few times, but I'm not sure how he works, how much he charges etc.

As for switches, I've only tried Cherry browns and reds and I really like reds. However, they feel a little light for me so if I got a custom keyboard I'd be able to replace the springs with heavier ones.

[Moistgun]

Classifieds are the board to post up personal sales. someone wants to sell switches, they post it there
https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=59.0

Don't always be afraid of clones and knockoffs.
For example, Gateron switches are a cherry mx clone switch.
A lot of people say Gateron switches are actually smoother when comparing linear switches. such as reds.

I would read up on that if you wanted to save some money.

You can also source your parts from ebay and all sorts of places.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272032784852?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
for example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272096159040?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Siraj]

I made a parts list in excel ( http://i.imgur.com/sVJPUSC.png )
It has parts from the seller from eBay you listed.
Comes out at a whopping $250, excl. VAT and keycaps.
That's 250% of the Sentraq kit ($99), which I believe has a genuine SPRiT FaceW.
The parts list has a $73 aluminium case, but even then I don't know why it costs so much more than a kit.
And regards to knockoff/clones, I know that a lot of people favour Gaterons over Cherry because they're smoother, but I feel that genuines will be more reliable and have a higher longevity and support.
I'll check out the classifieds, but I wouldn't feel comfortable giving $200 to a guy through the internet which probably won't provide any buyer protection or support if it didn't turn up or was faulty.

[Moistgun]

The Sentraq price was for 99 dollars, not including shipping.
The 99 dollars was for Gateron switches, Cherrys were extra money.
Also the cable was a plain micro usb, not your custom Pexon. So remove that.
Subtract 93 from your 250 for the aluminum case and shipping and replace it with a 15 dollar free shipping plastic one from aliexpress cause thats what you'd get with that kit.

Remember you would now need to source these parts at an individual price, not a group price.

You cant compare the price of those random individual parts with shipping to the 99 dollar kit.
You're trying to misconstrue the costs by leaving out additional costs from the drop, and adding extra more expensive items (93$ aluminum case and 30$ custom cable).

[Siraj]

If sourcing individual parts isn't much more expensive, or even cheaper, than buying a kit, is it possible for you to suggest a parts list that will give me the same layout and form of the Pok3r but that has a fully programmable PCB and which I can update individual parts of?
Although I'm fussy with vendors, I feel that $285 should be enough to get what I'm looking for without having to buy from non-mainstream vendors.
For that matter, is actually possible to buy a Pok3r and replace the PCB to something like the FaceW or Nerd60?

[Moistgun]

Don't want to be unclear,  individually sourcing will be more expensive, I just wanted to point that it wasn't THAT much more expensive.

Its hard to say where you would source cheaply with tons of options since you're uncomfortable buying from Chinese sites and other users.
your best bet then would probably be Ebay. 

I think you could do the poker swap out

[Moistgun]

from what I understand the b.face and spirit w face both have closed firmware anyways that is somewhat difficult to keymap. like its doable but much more difficult than TMK 

[Siraj]

I think I'll source from eBay then.
Have you had any experience with the Satan GH60 or know someone who has?
I don't want to buy a PCB, wait a month for it to ship and have it break a few months later.

[Moistgun]

To be fair, I have heard people say that theyve read about issues.  but I never firsthand read of any.  I have one unused, Connly33 has one in use right now.
Whenever I solder everything together I can link my build log and tell you if anything comes up for sure

[Siraj]

Sounds good, thanks for the help
Just as a last request, could you check compatibility on my items:
http://i.imgur.com/ToLqZtu.png

http://www.ebay.com/itm/60-Plastic-Case-for-Mechanical-Keyboard-GH60-Poker-Universal-Frame-DIY-CHERRY-/272090905539?var=&hash=item3f59e1bbc3:m:mcm5K7rVhhVj8FpkDiQd_KA

http://sentrantpc.com/products/60-aluminum-plate-1?variant=10596342663

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-2x-1-6-25x-PCB-Mount-Mechanical-Keyboard-Cap-Stabilizer-for-cherry-MX-switch-/272096159040?hash=item3f5a31e540:g:OsUAAOSwwPhWjBHy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/61-87-104-108-PCs-Cherry-RED-3Pin-MX-Series-Mechanical-Switch-Keyboard-DIY-/281881329422?var=580858232442&hash=item41a16fbf0e:m:mpIln6-DNa5fNaFqxlskpFw

Thanks

[Moistgun]

those would all work together.

[phoible]

Another option would be to just wait until another 60% kit drops on Massdrop. Seems to happen with some frequency.