this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2023
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Mechanical Keyboards

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Looking for a truly DIY keyboard kit (feddit.ch)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I would like to build my first keyboard, but I feel like the DIY-kits available don't let you get your hands on the keyboard enough. For instance, I looked into the M1W barebone as it checks all the criteria I have (I would prefer a 75% board, with a knob, and wireless option), except the only thing left to do is to plug-in the switches and put on the keycaps.

For example, the Zoom 75 is something I feel would suit me, but it's 200$, not counting the 60$ shipping, and it's "only" the board, so I need to buy the switches and the keycaps as well.

I saw the "Practice 75" board, which is nice, but for example there isn't the knob and I would need to solder the switches to the board.

Is there a board out there that would ticks all the boxes ?

Thank you in advance for your answers !

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If i was to follow that intermediate road, what are the caveats I should avoid? I tried looking for a website like PCPartPicker, unfortunately it doesn't seem to exist And I'm afraid of picking up different pieces that will end up not being compatible with one another

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

PCB, top plate and case need to be compatible, so you need to pick ones made for each other, usually from the same vendor.

99% of the PCBs and plates out there are MX compatible, so you can consider switches, stabs and keycaps universal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thank you ! Could you point me in the direction of one you would recommend, if you know any? Do you advise against some of them?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I've built two XD64s from kprepublic, one with Box Jades for home and one with Boba U4s for work, because they perfectly fitted my use case: flashable with QMK, ISO layout compatible, bottom layout flexible enough to fit an arrow keys cluster despite being 60%. They're very good.

I don't have any experience with other vendors.