Help on building a custom keyboard

[Smackaroy]

Hello I'm interested in building myself a custom keyboard my only problem is I only know the basics and I'm overwhelmed with choice and I don't know what's good or bad.

 

The keyboard I want has to be 80% or bigger and have hotswap because I can't solder. It can't cost over £200 aswell.

 

Edit. I can figure out what key switches I want it's just the other stuff that I'm struggling with.

[Deadpool2onBlu-Ray]

32 minutes ago, Smackaroy said:

Hello I'm interested in building myself a custom keyboard my only problem is I only know the basics and I'm overwhelmed with choice and I don't know what's good or bad.

 

The keyboard I want has to be 80% or bigger and have hotswap because I can't solder. It can't cost over £200 aswell.

 

Edit. I can figure out what key switches I want it's just the other stuff that I'm struggling with.

https://novelkeys.com/collections/keyboards/products/nk87-entry-edition?variant=41740390662311

 

 

[Deadpool2onBlu-Ray]

35 minutes ago, Smackaroy said:

Hello I'm interested in building myself a custom keyboard my only problem is I only know the basics and I'm overwhelmed with choice and I don't know what's good or bad.

 

The keyboard I want has to be 80% or bigger and have hotswap because I can't solder. It can't cost over £200 aswell.

 

Edit. I can figure out what key switches I want it's just the other stuff that I'm struggling with.

Don't bother with GMK keycaps. Their lead times from the group buys are over two years out. Grab a decent MT3 set from drop. Also, what kind of switches are you considering (linear, tactical, clicky) and I'll give recommendations 

[Deadpool2onBlu-Ray]

38 minutes ago, Smackaroy said:

Hello I'm interested in building myself a custom keyboard my only problem is I only know the basics and I'm overwhelmed with choice and I don't know what's good or bad.

 

The keyboard I want has to be 80% or bigger and have hotswap because I can't solder. It can't cost over £200 aswell.

 

Edit. I can figure out what key switches I want it's just the other stuff that I'm struggling with.

This one is good too but a bit more expensive than nk87 

 

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q3-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=39773519118425

[SinistralFern23]

What YouTube channels would you all recommend for building mechanical keyboards?

[Smackaroy]

5 hours ago, Ryan829 said:

This one is good too but a bit more expensive than nk87 

 

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q3-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=39773519118425

That looks perfect thanks.

 

Can't seem to get it in the uk at the moment

Edited April 6, 2022 by Smackaroy

[rikitikitavi]

I'm a proponent of a customizable firmware, and ergonomic and non-staggered layouts, so my suggestion is a bit different:

 

QMK - a customizable keyboard firmware. Remap buttons, create layers (with a press/hold of a preconfigured button you can change a selection of keys).

Few example:

- number row can become F1-F20 row

- arrow keys become Home/PageUp/ etc

- WASD become arrow keys

- hold space bar to Tob or double tap to backspace.

- macros...

 

QMK and alternatives can be found on many different keyboards.

 

With QMK in mind, my suggestion is to go less than 80%, since you can have it all in a neat and compact package.

 

OLKB Plank or Preonic (bigger) (both have hotswap boards, come without switches and caps, and support QMK).

 

 

[VicBar]

11 hours ago, SinistralFern23 said:

What YouTube channels would you all recommend for building mechanical keyboards?

 

14 hours ago, Smackaroy said:

Hello I'm interested in building myself a custom keyboard my only problem is I only know the basics and I'm overwhelmed with choice and I don't know what's good or bad.

 

The keyboard I want has to be 80% or bigger and have hotswap because I can't solder. It can't cost over £200 aswell.

 

Edit. I can figure out what key switches I want it's just the other stuff that I'm struggling with.

I'm also just getting into this whole rabbit whole. I learned about mods with a friend who taught us and another guy to mod a prebuit he just bought. I asked him his opinion on your guys' questions. This was his response hope it helps you guys out too:

[Deadpool2onBlu-Ray]

17 hours ago, SinistralFern23 said:

What YouTube channels would you all recommend for building mechanical keyboards?

I like brandon taylor and badseed tech.