What keyboard were you thinking of building? 60%? TKL? 40%?
I'm glad you asked, and thanks for posting those links!
Currently, I'm facing two separate issues.
- My immediate need is for work. I'm currently looking for either a "90%" with the TenKey and no arrows, home, end, etc. like the CM Storm QuickFire TK. OR a 60% (maybe a Pok3r) with an external keypad. I'm stuck here because I need a smaller keyboard for my standing desk at work, but need a TenKey due to the nature of said work. As such, I'm at an impasse.
- As for when I actually do decide to build my own, I've been looking at the various Winkeyless boards and I've always wanted an Ergodox. I REALLY like the B.mini EX X2, but if and when I do build it, I'm not sure yet if I want to go full size, 60%, etc. The hardest part of building my own is trying to find various color/pattern/keycap combinations from other people's builds to see what they actually look like before ordering something just from a sheet.
Again, thanks for the links, they are much appreciated. As is the warm welcome! I would love any suggestions/comments you may have.
I can't recall any DIY keyboards like the CM TK.
Depending on how much you really use the numpad, you could always go for a 60% or, if you need function keys more, a TKL, and get a separate numpad. The benefit here is that if you don't use the numpad 100% of the time, you can shift it to one side and gain a little more precious desk space back (and I know how that feels!).
A 60% plus numpad might be a workable solution.
Depending on what you use the numpad for, be aware that some do not return actual numpad key codes, but just number codes as if from the top row of number keys. For many purposes this doesn't matter, but if you specifically need the numpad key codes to be generated, you'll need to make sure the numpad you choose generates them.
As for colours and styles, there are so many to choose from. Start with a black or white case - black is easy to get, white goes well with a surprising number of keycap combination. Find keycaps in your favourite colour combination, or maybe stick with a tried and true colourway like Dolch.
Keycap profile - Cherry, DSA, DCS, SA (uniform), SA (sculptured), OEM, ... Can't help you there, that is something very personal to each typist. Many prefer Cherry profile, so it might be a good place to start if you're not sure. Or, if you don't want to spend too much to start with, Tai Hao have some quite reasonable colour keycap sets in OEM profile, and either ABS or PBT.
