keyboard Making a custom keyboard

[Mqc]

I'm completely new to keyboards and have been running a G512 since I started. What do I need to get to make my own keyboard? Or is it better for a pre built one?

 

I'm looking for one with:

• Arrow keys + home/end keys etc (is this 100%)
• F keys
• UK layout, can be ansi (I've given up on iso)
• Numpad not necessary but a nice to have
• Backlight (can just be plain white full RGB not necessary)
• Uses USB-C
• Hot-swappable

I've found these switches https://keebsforall.com/products/cherry-mx2a-silent-red-linear-switches?_pos=1&_sid=d719449df&_ss=r but I'm confused if they sell the switches individually instead of in a set. Also watching a few videos, I remember I need some stabilisers and a lot of other stuff. There were lots of layers in the actual chassis of the keyboard itself which I was pretty confused by.

 

How would I know if the keycaps are compatible with cherry key switches? Looking for some "sakura" style keycaps or similar, do I look out for "cherry profile"?

 

Where can I look for good keyboard kits or boards? To my knowledge I need switches, keycaps, and a baseboard

 

Please can you share some websites or names of brands I can look for to help me make my keyboard.

 

I've attached some inspiration of the style I'm trying to go for.

 

Thanks!!

 

[Zenny232323]

46 minutes ago, Mqc said:

Arrow keys + home/end keys etc (is this 100%)

That would be the 80% layout, without a numpad.
 

 

46 minutes ago, Mqc said:

F keys

75% and 80% layouts have them, anything less and you lose them.

 

47 minutes ago, Mqc said:

UK layout, can be ansi (I've given up on iso)

That would depend on the keycaps, which you can buy in UK layout. Also mostly all keyboards nowdays are ANSI layout, so you should be fine.
 

 

48 minutes ago, Mqc said:

Numpad not necessary but a nice to have

Check out 90% layouts, they could have them while also saving some space.

 

49 minutes ago, Mqc said:

but I'm confused if they sell the switches individually instead of in a set.

Judging by the 50 cent price, yes, that's price per switch.
 

 

50 minutes ago, Mqc said:

Also watching a few videos, I remember I need some stabilisers and a lot of other stuff. There were lots of layers in the actual chassis of the keyboard itself which I was pretty confused by.

I'm no expert in building keyboards from the bottom up, but yes, it's pretty tedious, but people like that stuff.
 

 

51 minutes ago, Mqc said:

How would I know if the keycaps are compatible with cherry key switches? Looking for some "sakura" style keycaps or similar, do I look out for "cherry profile"?

Any custom keyboards accept all keycaps, unless they're from an OEM keyboard like a g915. Keycap profiles basically mean the shape and grooves on the keycap itself. Refer to this picture to figure out which profile you like more:

53 minutes ago, Mqc said:

Where can I look for good keyboard kits or boards? To my knowledge I need switches, keycaps, and a baseboard

Dunno about building one yourself, sorry, hope someone else can help you out.
 

 

54 minutes ago, Mqc said:

Please can you share some websites or names of brands I can look for to help me make my keyboard.

I can honestly think of 2 names:
Keychron and Epomaker.

[Mqc]

2 hours ago, Zenny232323 said:

Any custom keyboards accept all keycaps, unless they're from an OEM keyboard like a g915. Keycap profiles basically mean the shape and grooves on the keycap itself. Refer to this picture to figure out which profile you 

 

Thank you for that diagram that's actually pretty helpful, and thanks for correcting me, I was very confused about percentages lol

[saintlouisbagels]

25 minutes ago, Mqc said:

Thank you for that diagram that's actually pretty helpful, and thanks for correcting me, I was very confused about percentages lol

The easiest entry into the world of mechanical keyboards is buying a Keychron board that matches the size and style you want and then buying keycaps off of Amazon. It looks like you either want a TKL (80%) or a 75% for no NumPad, or 100% if you do want a NumPad. There is also 96% if you want the NumPad, but the Home/Delete cluster is placed somewhere else out of the way.

 

Keychron's keycaps are pretty mediocre unless you buy a MAX variant, but you already know you're buying keycaps anyways.

[Mqc]

I've found these boards. Not really heard of the names before but they're pretty good for what I'm looking for, are they any good/reliable?

 

First choice

 

Second choice

 

Third choice

 

Forth choice

 

Fifth choice

 

 

[saintlouisbagels]

I would go with the 5th choice- Akko makes good budget keyboards.

I would stay away from EPOMAKER because they've grown a pretty bad reputation in the keyboard community for failing PCBs and bad customer support.

 

Is there a reason why you specifically asked about the Cherry MX2A Silent Red Linear Switches in your original post? Are you trying to create a quiet keyboard? There are a lot of options to choose from. Here are 2 threads on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/10hzj13/quest_for_the_best_muted_silent_tactile_switch_i/

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/12rs938/silent_switches_comparisonreview/

 

If you're looking for general switch recommendations for most satisfaction, I loveee the Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro switches.

https://www.amazon.com/Akko-Keyboard-Dustproof-Mechanical-Switches/dp/B0C3H8NVJV?th=1

You would need to buy 2 packs since 75% keyboards are typically 81-84 keys.