Building a DIY 75% or 60% keyboard

[Triboal]

Hey guys,

 

Sorry to be a pain but I was looking to build a DIY mech keyboard, including buying PCB and case, however I'm struggling to find sites that: a) sell PCBs and cases, and b) have it in stock? Also, that are based in the UK/Europe and/or can deliver to the UK.

 

Also, are there any good guides to the process of building a mechanical from scratch that you would recommend? Please let me know.

 

Thank you!

[Eschew]

18 minutes ago, Triboal said:

Hey guys,

 

Sorry to be a pain but I was looking to build a DIY mech keyboard, including buying PCB and case, however I'm struggling to find sites that: a) sell PCBs and cases, and b) have it in stock?

Hey there.

 

Here are some vendors for mechanical keyboard parts. I've linked to their PCBs or Parts sections below:

• CandyKeys: Germany-Based Store.
• KBDfans: China-Based Store. Worldwide Shipping (Not-Free).
• KPrepublic: China-Based Store. Free Worldwide Shipping.
• Mechboards: U.K.-Based Store.
• Optic Boards: U.K.-Based Store.

 

18 minutes ago, Triboal said:

Also, are there any good guides to the process of building a mechanical from scratch that you would recommend? Please let me know.

We, er, have An Introduction to Custom Mechanical Keyboards? It's less of a step-by-step guide and more of a condensed primer for those just starting out or have an interest in custom keebs. See Section [4.3] Assembly if all you're interested in is the assembly process, but it's very far from the best tutorial out there. 

[geo3]

3 hours ago, Triboal said:

Also, that are based in the UK/Europe and/or can deliver to the UK.

KBDFans or KPrepublic are probably your best. And most customs can support ISO layout. 

[Triboal]

@Eschew @geo3 thanks for the recommendations guys, just bee looking at it now and watching youtube videos on how to build a mechanical keyboard.

 

I was debating getting this:

 

https://kprepublic.com/cart

 

 

Obivously doesn't include the switches or the keycaps yet but I know I will probably want to get Kailh BOX red (probably buy it from overclockers or something) and keycaps I'll shop around until I find double shot PBT ones that I like.

 

Really appreciate all the help!

[geo3]

3 minutes ago, Triboal said:

@Eschew @geo3 thanks for the recommendations guys, just bee looking at it now and watching youtube videos on how to build a mechanical keyboard.

 

I was debating getting this:

 

https://kprepublic.com/cart

 

 

Obivously doesn't include the switches or the keycaps yet but I know I will probably want to get Kailh BOX red (probably buy it from overclockers or something) and keycaps I'll shop around until I find double shot PBT ones that I like.

 

Really appreciate all the help!

You can't link a cart like that.

[Eschew]

8 minutes ago, Triboal said:

https://kprepublic.com/cart

Er...

Might want to screenshot your cart or provide a list of links to the products? The link above is just a generic link to a KPrepublic Shopping Cart.

 

8 minutes ago, Triboal said:

Obivously doesn't include the switches or the keycaps yet but I know I will probably want to get Kailh BOX red (probably buy it from overclockers or something) and keycaps I'll shop around until I find double shot PBT ones that I like.

Kailh BOXs are solid switches for those just starting out, I've got BOX Blacks, BOX Ancient Grays, two other types of BOX switches, and I stan Kailh BOXs am very partial towards them.

 

Doubleshot PBT keycaps are a good choice as well.

 

8 minutes ago, Triboal said:

Really appreciate all the help!

Happy to hear that the help was appreciated!

[Triboal]

@Eschew @geo3 ahhh my bad! I've screenshotted and shown below:

 

I was also debating this (kit 3):

 

https://kprepublic.com/products/xd60-xd64-3-0-pcb-custom-mechanical-keyboard-kit-underglow-rgb-gh60-60-programmable-mx-alps-stem-split-spacebar-type-c?variant=11852302516268

 

Apologies for the mistake 

[geo3]

Your PCB won't fit the case and plate. 

 

Also see if you can get Zeal or Durok stabilizers. 

[Triboal]

37 minutes ago, geo3 said:

Your PCB won't fit the case and plate. 

 

Also see if you can get Zeal or Durok stabilizers. 

Okay, this is what I have so far then:

 

I opted for the "kit 3" in the link I mentioned before which includes the xd64 PCB and the (2.25U Lshift) aluminium plate.

 

Only thing I have missing is the stabilizers - do you know where I could get those brand (Durok and Zeal) of stabilizers from?

[geo3]

I would check the EU based shops in Eschew's guide. I'm in the US and am not familiar with them. But here I would get them from either novelkeys.xys or zealpc.net

[Triboal]

1 minute ago, geo3 said:

I would check the EU based shops in Eschew's guide. I'm in the US and am not familiar with them. But here I would get them from either novelkeys.xys or zealpc.net

Okay, will do.

 

What do you think of the build list so far? In terms of compatibility?

 

[geo3]

17 minutes ago, Triboal said:

What do you think of the build list so far? In terms of compatibility?

Looks good so far.