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Hi there, basically my question is, if I get a Barebone keyboard that's in ISO layout, do I get ISO-DE layout with the correct keycaps and language setting in Windows or is that basic ISO with just the large enter? Kind of a dumb question but anyways...

Ok so... I recently bought a Keychron K10 for my GF as a birthday gift. She deoesn't know it yet, I just got it and I will mod it until her Bday. The only thing I can't decide is which switches to get. She will use it on ber job so it shouldn't be the loudest switch ever, it has to be linear and not too heavy. pre lubed would be nice, however I don't care as long as it doesn't scratch. Of course I could buy some single switches to test but I'm living in Europe and custom keyboards are not very popular here (at least I had a hard time with my own keyboard) and not every seller has hundreds of switches available. So I would buy from like 5 different sellers and I want to avoid that. I looked up on several YouTube videos and reviews on different switches and here's my list of switches I got an eye on: gateron milky pro yellow/red ktt strawberry jwk hera durock black lotus gateron north pole (kinda expensive) akko cream yellow pro What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

I'm thinking of moving to a smaller keyboard but I don't want it to be wireless. I've seen some solid deals on complete Wired/BT/Wireless multi-connection keyboards and I'm tempted to just remove the battery and leave it in a wired mode, since I don't plan on having the battery discharging and don't want a swelling battery under my fingers. Has anyone done this and experienced issues from the battery being removed? Or has it been fine? My gut tells me its the latter.

I am starting to look into building a custom keyboard and right now I am looking at all the switch possibilities. I am currently using a logitech g613 with romer g switches and I think I want to go to a more clicky switch but I have a feeling it may be too loud. So, I am looking at switch testers. I have found a bunch of testers with popular switches but also a few gigantic ones with all kinds of possibilities. I am thinking of getting one of these big ones not just to see all the switches but also because I think it would be a cool thing to have around. So far I have found 3 possibilities: 72 Switches from KBDFANS $60 130 Switches from KPRepublic $60 81 Switches from KPRepublic $40 So my questions are: Should I buy a switch tester like these in the first place or is it a waste of money and the small ones are good enough? If it is a good idea to get a big tester, which (if any) of these would be best? The 72 switch one is as expensive as the 130 switch but seems to be higher quality. Lastly, do any of these sellers have high shipping costs or other fees that may make them bad choices? I am located in the US. Thanks in advance!

Wanted custom keyboard but could not afford it LOL!! OK ... truth be told we have an E-waste container and I was bored. Old broken IBM keyboard and cheap Bluetooth keyboard from AliExpress found in the E-waste. IBM keyboard gutted at cut in half, Bluetooth keyboard ripped out of the fake leather case it was in. Then all of the parts mashed together with superglue, double-sided tape, screws and paint. MOM!! can I have custom keyboard !! NO we have custom keyboard at home !! CUSTOM keyboard at home !!!

I found specific keyboard parts for a sub 200$ custom keyboard, they are the skyloong gk87 tkl kit, Halo clear switches, and the artifact bloom rainbow keycap set

I currently use a SteelSeries MX 750 and it has served me well. However, I would like a less bulky keyboard. I still want a good amount of functionality because I type a lot of essays and play a good amount of games. I'm stuck between TKL and 75 right now. I would do 60 however I need the arrow keys and numbers for what I plan to do. 75% is looking pretty good rn. I also would enjoy switch recommendations, I want something relatively quiet but what some good resistance to it. And if you guys could recommend any kits, aluminum cases, or soldering gear to buy as well I would extremely appreciate it. (For the switches I don't really enjoy Linear or Cherry MX Reds.) Thank you so much and I'm super thankful for the help!

Hello forum! Wondering if someone has some info / advice / help on a bit of a predicament I am facing. I have a Tofu96 with the DZ96 PCB. I was about to solder my switches in (Zealios v2 65g) but decided I wanted to solder LED's in as well. I'm having a hard time finding proper info about what LED's to use, size, type, etc. Was hoping someone here had a better idea or some experience. I don't need RGB, just static white is okay for me. I am looking at these 3mm LED Diodes to solder for each switch. If these are correct, will they interfere with the switch itself? Here are some pics of the sockets. I am also a bit confused as some have 3 holes, but almost all have 2 holes. Am I even looking at the right thing lol? I have solder switches before, but never RGB LED's or 2-pin LED's. Thanks in advanced!

GMMK Pro Review Pinnacle Value of the 75% layout? Intro: Lets begin with the main highlights of the GMMK Pro, when the launch of this went live in November 2020 it was highly talked about, Glorious was giving us all the features we wanted. 5-pin hot-swap sockets CNC aluminum case Gasket mount PCB Screw in stabilizers Per-key RGB Customizable layout via GloriousCore software or QMK (QMK compatibility may not be possible for later production models) And a highly coveted rotary knob All of this comes in at $170usd (pricing for batch1), and represents what is likely the best al-round value for a ready-built DIY mechanical keyboard, especially for a 75% layout. I placed a pre-order ($70 deposit) when first launched on Nov.11/20 for Batch1 and received my order on Apr.15/20 (paid remainder $100), there were some delays due to the global logistics being completely overwhelmed, and my order also had to ship to Canada. However, Glorious was very good about keeping the customers updated and even provided info on the ship which their container was on (sitting in the port of LA for more than 2+ weeks). All-in-all a positive buy experience, and despite some delays this was a relatively short turnaround time between pre-order and delivery. Especially for the custom keeb community where a 8-14 month wait time is not at all uncommon. Build: For a hot-swap socket build the process is always easy, as this board comes assembled it makes it even easier, I did not do much other than lube my stabs with Krytox 205g0. Once that is done you mount your switches, then keycaps and you are ready to go! My original build process was a little more lengthy as I decided to lubricate my Equalz C³ Kiwi switches, for more info on that process check my upcoming Switch Lube Guide. The C³ Kiwi tactile switches are one of my favorite switches and lubing has made a big difference, as noted in my C³ Kiwi VS Zealios V2 comparison. However by the time of this review I swapped out the switches for the heavier Zealios V2 78g, another highly recommended tactile switch. My keycap of choice was the Drop MT3 Camillo, lately I really like MT3/SA profile keycaps, and this is now my 3rd set. Originally, I was leaning towards the GMK Civilizations but ended up missing the GB and in some ways I am happy with this as the ‘White Ice’ is not as described (more on this later). The aesthetics with the additional gold rotary knob I purchased looks really good in my opinion. Parts: Thoughts On The GMMK Pro: Overall I am very impressed with this keyboard, it is well made and delivers on the pre-order promise. As stated earlier this board is assembled out of the box and ready to use. For new enthusiasts this can make the barrier to entry for custom mechs a lot easier, something the GMMK lineup is very good at. However unlike previous GMMK boards the Pro welcomes a healthy amount of customizing that we did not get with the past GMMK Full-Size/TKL/Compact keyboards. This includes desired features that the enthusiast community is demanding more of, and in the more desirable layout. So for first time builders it does not get any easier while still allowing for the base building experience, and the healthy dose of premium features. For my build I only made one change, and this was just a simple lube stabilizer mod, otherwise I left the board as is. Which oddly enough seems to be one of the main complaints with this keyboard, the stabilizers comes with a rather thick (described as glue like) lube, and the go-to mod is re-lubing them. I cannot confirm the type feel of the stabs with the original pre-applied lube as I removed mine for lubing thinking they were un-lubed, subsequently found out they were, but just went ahead with lubing them anyways as I assumed Krytox 205g0 would be better (turns out it is), and as I had just purchased the lube I wanted to try if for the first time. I will also note that the switch mounting is probably one the better experiences I have had. The switches click in with ease and are very easy to remove as well. Not something I get a consistent experience with for past DIY builds, especially budget kits, for an equal experience it often costs significantly more. Making the key switch swap more enjoyable and easy for newcomers to the hobby. The construction between the PCB and plate is very good, the gasket between the two is done well as far as I can tell and I have no obvious issues to report here. However, I did find a minor imperfection in the case aluminum, as it is on the inside edge no one would notice unless they took the board apart. Likely a tooling / QC issue with Batch1, I do not care as it is so minor. The GloriousCore Software works but is slightly annoying to use, for customizing your key-map each individual change needs to be applied then saved. The software is still a bit buggy and feels like another Corsair iCUE bloatware, but less intuitive. The good news is you can customize your layout and RGB, flash the board. And never touch the software again as it is not required for a profile that is flashed to the board. As this is a Batch1 board the PCB is also QMK compatible, I tested both GloriousCore and QMK compatibility. Using QMK is just as I have experienced with all my other QMK compatible boards, set your profile via QMK Config, export your profile, flash via QMK Toolbox, and you are good to go, no issues via QMK, which is very good. (As mentioned QMK compatibility may not be possible for later production models) When purchasing you have two colour options, Black Slate and White Ice. I chose White Ice, and in my opinion this should really be called ‘Super Silver’ the colour is not white and the stock photos used on GMMK’s site are not very representational of what this board looks like in real life. As shown: This is why I was happy about missing the GMK Civilizations GB. They would not match the silver colour of the board very well, But the Drop Camillo matches perfectly. Ultimately this does not sway any use or functionality of the board but the custom keyboard market loves aesthetics and style, I think that many would be disappointed by the colour of the ‘White Ice’, myself included. And while I do not mind the silver now that some time has passed, I am disappointed. The RGB is satisfying enough, while I set mine to static white I did play around a bit in GloriosCore and was content enough. The lightbars on the side are a unique touch that help distinguish it over competitors, and I like that they flash when Caps lock is ‘On’ although depending on the lighting of the room you are in this is not really visible. But a nice feature regardless. On final order (now in stock) you get to add options that were not available when the pre-order was made, this included coiled aviator cables in various colours for $50. Backplates options (ANSI), brass for $50, polycarbonate for $20 (aluminum plate included by default). Additional rotary knobs for $10 (black, white, and gold), a carry case for $25, and many keycap, switch, plus various other Glorious accessory options. All of these are optional and are not required in order to use the GMMK Pro, I only added an additional knob as I wanted another colour. The only two items required are switches and keycaps. For those looking into ISO layouts they do not seem to be available directly through Glorious on PCGamingRace, but instead through Authorized Retailers & Distributors listed on the main landing page for the GMMK Pro, CandyKeys is one of the many retailers in the EU. As of completing this review the ISO layout is now available directly through Glorious. I like the varying options you can get with your keyboard right at the time or purchase, and it gets users to buy more and customize their boards, which falls right into the hobby. A smart move by Glorious, but a pricey one as they charge a bit of a premium, although I can appreciate the ease of a one-stop-shop, I decided to get my accessories elsewhere. Type Test: Stock Zealios V2 78g switches, stabilizers lubed with Krytox 205g0. Zealios 78g Keyboard Type Test.mp4 * Amplified audio by 10db * (Audio recorded with a Blue Snowball Mic, at approximately 15cm from the keyboard) Pictures: Mixed in some Zilent V2 67g on the top row and right column. Simple matching custom cable from Donut Cables. This is a placemat on my dining table and not a desk mat, just to clear up some possible confusion haha. Not some limited edition GB. Shown here on my desk with a custom coiled cable from Zap Cables that I am using for another build. Conclusion: I think that for $170usd in the current mech market there is no direct competitor with the GMMK Pro. You either spend the same or less, and get a significantly lesser board in terms of quality and/or features, or you spend a considerable amount more to get one that has the same features. In an upcoming build with the KBD Bella 75% I will look back and compare that board to the GMMK Pro, but for about $120 more you get what is essentially the same board (options wise), other than the missing rotary knob. Thus at the time of writing this GMMK has nailed the market segment. They have included the most ‘wanted’ features of a custom mech in 2021, and at a price point nobody can touch at this time. You get a lot of board per $ and unless you are looking at a very specific layout, style, or specific feature, you are likely going to pay a significant premium, a $200-700usd DIY board is not uncommon and most equal competitors (in terms of features) with the GMMK Pro start at around $250+. The ID80 is probably the best direct competitor as it sells for the same price as the Pro, but it does not offer as many features, or equal build quality, making the decision easy now that the Pro is in stock. After several months of using this as my daily driver I can confidently recommend this keyboard. I am very happy with it and the features it successfully delivered on, it is by far the best value I have gotten from a keyboard and other than my issues with the “white” colour it is a very good option that I highly recommend.

I was watching this video And on 6:44 We can see a really cool and useful little keypad, that a guy did by himself. I think that'll besuper useful for people with super-small keyboards without macro keys and, maybe, video-editors. I found some resembling keypads, but they're priced like a whole cheap mechanical keayboard, but with only 8 keys .-. I know where to buy switches and a plate, but how to do other stuff like programming and circuit (maybe?) Sorry for my bad English

ok so, i have a very rare CM Storm green switch trigger, and i want some stiffer than green switches. So i ordered 150g springs. I really really dont want to desolder all the the switches and the leds. so im looking for a full 104 size pcb and case that i can build my. i would like a pcb mount kit so i can change the springs if i want to. any advice would be helpful. thanks guys.

Hello once again, I will be building a custom keyboard, when I decide what it will be eventually, I'm thinking to use outemu sky switch(still deciding though), and then there is the layout.. Not gonna do 60%, thinking about standard 65% or TKL without function keys. What do you guys think about these layouts? And yes, they are very similar.I'm looking for any advice that's based on something, on experience or knowledge. Leaning towards 65%, but still very unsure. 65% TKL without function keys

Looking to replicate the keyboard in the image and cant find a suitable production keyboard that would work. I need a mechanical keyboard that is at least a 15x6 straight grid in order to arrange the custom key-caps like they are on the sample image. Was thinking a custom PCB but cannot find a suitable one either anywhere. If anyone knows of a suitable keyboard/ custom pcb available please let me know. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Hello once again, i'm planning to build a keyboard of my own and I need a switch that would have similar actuation force to cherry mx brown, I would prefer 5 grams higher, with a more prominent tactile bump. There are some options for this type of switch, and I can't decide what would be the best. I heard good things about Kailh box jades which are tactile and clicky, would like some input on them, or any other switch that would be suitable for me. Clicky is also good but not a priority, I would prefer non clicky, but that's not decided still..Also side question without creating another topic : what are the benefits of handwiring a keyboard besides lower price?

im looking for the right switch for me. i want a silent linear switch. i like the sound of the Zeal Rosélios. anything similar?

I am looking to build a keyboard and i am looking at keyboard body kits trying to find one i like. i like the Glorious GMMK-TKL-RGB keyboard body https://www.newegg.com/black-glorious-gmmk-tkl-bare-bones-no-switches-included/p/N82E16823634004 . i also like the look of the Hexgears Gemini Dusk, https://kono.store/products/gemini-dusk?variant=15397902385235 but this is a full keyboard. I want it to be tkl, hotswappable switches, and a similar design style to these. if anyone has any suggestions that would be awesome!

Im looking to build my first custom keyboard and im not sure what switch i need to buy (and no i dont mean blue brown or red) i mean 3pin or 5pin and stuff. Ive chosen the gk61 kit from bangood ( https://www.banggood.com/Geek-Customized-GK61X-GK61XS-Keyboard-Customized-Kit-Hot-Swappable-60-pencent-RGB-Wired-bluetooth-Dual-Mode-PCB-Mounting-Plate-Case-p-1719597.html?ID=6288382&cur_warehouse=CZ ) It's pcb has built-in rgb leds so i dont think i need switches with lighting. Also, where can i buy switches from and what switches do you recommend? (im looking for budget browns) I looked on kbdfans but shipping is $18 for my country

Hey everyone, I am looking into building my first fully custom keyboard. I am willing to do all the assembly as long as it doesn’t include soldering as my soldering skills are...not good to say the least. I’m looking for a full size keyboard with the numpad, USB-C connectivity if possible and Cherry Switches (have not decided on the switch yet). Hoping to find a heavy aluminum or metal base. If you guys have any suggestions on sites to look at that could be a one stop shop that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all of your help. As for budget I’m looking to spend about 5 or 6 hundred bucks max all in.

I want to make a lego keyboard like the one that JK Brickworks made. Here’s the link to the video he shows it in What’s the cheapest keyboard with Cherry MX Brown or blue switches, I don’t care about the actual build quality of the keyboard case or keycaps because I’m go Ng to replace hem, like in the video.

Hello, please someone help. I built a custom keyboard, coded it using this lovely guide: https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/how-to-build-your-very-own-keyboard-firmware-t7177.html Everything is all well and good until I try to make the .hex Makefile. I've tried Cygwin. I've tried just using the Command Prompt. Both times I made sure I was in the correct folder. Both times I would try to use the command "make -f Makefile" as the tutorial says to. It always says that the "make" command is not found (Example: in Cygwin: "-bash: make: command not found"). I'm on Windows 10 64-bit. I would rather not try to download a Linux thing. Please help.

Hi,is the guide on geekhack would be the best one to look up to, or you can recommend better ones? I already have most of the parts I need, plate is on the way, also the switches, controller I have already,diodes too, all the tools already available. BTW, the guide I'm talking about : https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87689.0

I want to order a 15x6 (90 key) custom keyboard but the manufacturer has a min order of 10 units. https://www.access-is.com/products/keyboard-90-key If anyone wants one let me know and once I have 7-8 people commit - Ill place an order and send out the keyboards. And if you know how to get single units of these please let me know!