Building a keyboard

[TurkishBTW]

Hello I was wondering if anyone can help me start to figure out where to start with building a keyboard I know some basic things about building them but don’t know what parts to get but honestly if there’s a prebuilt one that meet my wants then I will do that

 

I have a budget of $180 for the keyboard

 

I would like a tkl board/case that is black

 

the keycaps if they’re all black would be nice 

 

preferably with a knob if not not the end of the world 

 

Also I don’t like the tkl layout where the arrow keys and the keys like page up and down are squished in with the other keys I would rather them spaced out just like the roccat tkl

 

and if I can get switches that are creamy sounding I really like the sound of banana splits and mode reflex switches like the “building lego sound”

[Monkey Dust]

The layout without the numpad, but with the separate arrow keys and nav cluster, is an 80% board. The layout with the arrow keys and nav keys squished on the side is a 75% board.

 

There don't seem to be as many 80% boards about as there used to be, or maybe I'm just not looking? Keychron are on a mission to fill every possible niche, so offer a number of 80% boards at different price points.

[saintlouisbagels]

Keychron's website is blocked at my workplace, so I cannot check them for any models with a knob.

They have quite a few models available on Amazon

 

I would go for the K8 Pro for $105

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Wireless-Mechanical-Hot-Swappable-Programmable/dp/B0B97JZV99/

 

Then use the remaining budget for switches and keycaps.

The most important feature in keyboard is whether or not it supports hot-swappable switches. This allows you to puil out the switch and pop one in. No soldering.

 

There is also the C3 Pro for $40

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Keyboard-Programmable-Backlight-Mechanical/dp/B0CRDKFZWF/

 

I'm not a Keychron expert, so I don't remember the big differences between the Letter series, but it's just generally More Expensive = Better Build quality, which has an effect on how heavy and premium the board feels, and how typing sounds are affected.

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

2 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

There is also the C3 Pro for $40

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Keyboard-Programmable-Backlight-Mechanical/dp/B0CRDKFZWF/

I did not know a C3 even existed and I can't find it on their website. Could be a region specific thing, though.

 

Otherwise the K8 Pro or V3 max might be for you: https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-v3-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard

 

The latter also comes in a barebones version for less money, leaving plenty of budget for switches and keycaps.

 

Regarding switches and sounds, be aware that sound tests can be really tricky. Sound is the product of the whole setup, so not only switches but also keycaps, keyboard etc. Plus you have to consider the whole chain from recording, editing, compression, to how it is reproduced by your headphones/speakers.

 

A better approach is imho to go with popular and affordable switches at first. The difference in quality is often not that big, but the difference in price can be 2x to 3x. That way you can try out different types of switches (heavy or light linears, tactiles etc.) without breaking the bank. It also means that you have something to compare, so if you see sound tests of switches XY and AZ from your favorite creator, and you do know how XY sounds in your board, then you can infer a bit better how they would compare in your keyboard.

 

 

[TurkishBTW]

1 hour ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

I did not know a C3 even existed and I can't find it on their website. Could be a region specific thing, though.

 

Otherwise the K8 Pro or V3 max might be for you: https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-v3-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard

 

The latter also comes in a barebones version for less money, leaving plenty of budget for switches and keycaps.

 

Regarding switches and sounds, be aware that sound tests can be really tricky. Sound is the product of the whole setup, so not only switches but also keycaps, keyboard etc. Plus you have to consider the whole chain from recording, editing, compression, to how it is reproduced by your headphones/speakers.

 

A better approach is imho to go with popular and affordable switches at first. The difference in quality is often not that big, but the difference in price can be 2x to 3x. That way you can try out different types of switches (heavy or light linears, tactiles etc.) without breaking the bank. It also means that you have something to compare, so if you see sound tests of switches XY and AZ from your favorite creator, and you do know how XY sounds in your board, then you can infer a bit better how they would compare in your keyboard.

 

 

Ty for the response I was wondering if these would all work https://a.co/d/1mOgbV0

 

https://a.co/d/bnNaxmp

 

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k8-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard?variant=39755425972313
 

I get that obviously the switches and keycaps can go together but the k8 never specified what pins it can take but I researched and saw that it can take 3 or 5 pin switches so can the oil kings and k8 work

[TurkishBTW]

Hello was just wondering if these would work together and if I needed anything else. Just going for my first custom keyboard build 

 

 

Gateron Oil King V2 Pre Lubed 5pin Linear Switches for Mechanical Keyboard (90PCS, Oil King) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1K461D7?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ct_1ME2N2DS1HR3C6W4H8YG&language=en_US
 

PBT Japanese Gray Keycaps 144 Keys Cherry Profile DYE-Sub Custom Minimalist Keycaps for 60% 65% 70% 75% 100% Cherry Gateron MX Switches Mechanical Keyboards https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPXPQ4SS?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ct_MNT1XGJPREATAEZ61SZE&language=en_US
 

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k8-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard?variant=39755425972313

[saintlouisbagels]

10 minutes ago, TurkishBTW said:

Ty for the response I was wondering if these would all work https://a.co/d/1mOgbV0

 

https://a.co/d/bnNaxmp

 

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k8-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard?variant=39755425972313
 

I get that obviously the switches and keycaps can go together but the k8 never specified what pins it can take but I researched and saw that it can take 3 or 5 pin switches so can the oil kings and k8 work

5-pin and 3-pin switches use the same 3 pins for the center post and 2 signal pins.

The additional 2 pins refer to the small 2 plastic pins on the side that give additional stability.

 

The K8 Pro's pictures on Amazon show a 5-pin PCB.

If you ever need to convert a 5-pin switch to a 3-pin switch, it's a simple matter of using a pair of diagonal cutters or nail clippers to to cut off the 2 plastic pins.

 

Keep in mind that those keycaps are not shine-through keycaps. That means the text on the face will not light up.

Aside from that, those keycaps are cherry profile, which means you need a keyboard with south-facing LEDs which, thankfully, the K8 Pro also has.

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

49 minutes ago, TurkishBTW said:

Ty for the response I was wondering if these would all work https://a.co/d/1mOgbV0

 

https://a.co/d/bnNaxmp

 

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k8-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard?variant=39755425972313
 

I get that obviously the switches and keycaps can go together but the k8 never specified what pins it can take but I researched and saw that it can take 3 or 5 pin switches so can the oil kings and k8 work

yeah, should work.