Mechanical Keyboard Club!

[Nowak]

10 hours ago, Dr0y said:

I haven't tried the speed bronze and the issue with the misalignment must be quite annoying.  The only speed I have are the speed copper and I enjoyed them a lot for the time they were in my keyboard.  I was tempted to get the speed bronze at some point but now you kinda convinced me to skip them for now.  

So far it's been mildly annoying. Certainly not as bad as Speed Silvers, which were awful.

 

I just wanted a clickbar switch that's not a Box to avoid risking damaging my GMK caps and my preferred switch is still sold out on NovelKeys.

[Ωmegα]

Is it possible to build a keyboard that has the following attributes?:

 

- under 150 €

 

- rgb

 

- sounds thuddy (that thick noise I mean)

 

- preferably TKL because it will be used for typing in a bash terminal

 

- is not out of stock and is not sold on drop

 

- PBT keycaps

 

optional:

 

- preferably hot swapable, but not important

 

- wifi

 

I can lube switches and stuff, I can put a pad between the pcb and case.

 

If for 150 € is not possible, what about 200 €? ABSOLUTE MAX 250 €.

[geo3]

16 minutes ago, Ωmegα said:

Is it possible to build a keyboard that has the following attributes?:

 

- under 150 €

 

- rgb

 

- sounds thuddy (that thick noise I mean)

 

- preferably TKL because it will be used for typing in a bash terminal

 

- is not out of stock and is not sold on drop

 

- PBT keycaps

 

optional:

 

- preferably hot swapable, but not important

 

- wifi

 

I can lube switches and stuff, I can put a pad between the pcb and case.

 

If for 150 € is not possible, what about 200 €? ABSOLUTE MAX 250 €.

You'll not find a TKL custom for even 250.   Either compromise on that, maybe consider a 75%, or get an off the shelf (Leopold or Filco) and mod it. 

 

  

16 minutes ago, Ωmegα said:

- sounds thuddy (that thick noise I mean)

For this I'd recommend milky Gateron switches, especially since you're on a budget. These https://kbdfans.com/collections/gateron-swithes/products/gbgateron-switch-milky-switch-housing-1pcs

[Ωmegα]

[Removed]

[Dr0y]

Well besides the wireless part, the gmmk I think would suit your needs.  

Besides the tkl part the keymove snowfox would suit your needs.

 

I'm not aware of one board that have all that. 

[DailyProcrastinator]

C³ Kiwi 67g - VS - Zealios V2 65g

Type Test

 

 

- Zealios V2: 

 

- C³ Kiwi:

 

* Amplified audio by 10db *
 

Test Material:

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

Zealios V2's on a Tofu96, PCB mount, soldered, and lubed with TriboSys 3204, also lubed the stabilizers with TriboSys 3204.

 

C³ Kiwi's on a KBD67v2 MKII, PCB mount, hot-swap, un-lubed, stabilizers lubed with TriboSys 3204.

 

Both cases are solid anodized aluminum with PCB mounting and both have foam placed between the PCB and case bottom to reduce any movement and vibrations.

 

 

This was my initial unboxing and thoughts with the C³ Kiwis:

Spoiler

On 9/26/2020 at 2:01 PM, DailyProcrastinator said:

A well waited for order arrived yesterday from The Key Dot Company! My C³ Kiwi switches (67g Tactile with a T1 stem), Tribosys 3204 lube, and MX Switch Opener.

 

Out with the Zealios V2's, I have decided that these are the weapon of choice that I will solder into my Tofu96. I can't image a better tactile switch (more on that later) so I ordered more of the 65g for that larger keyboard. I will be lubing them as well.

 

Switches out, check . PCB out, check .

 

Side by side.

 

Losing my lubing virginity, I feel like a teenager all over again!

 

I did not fully understand all the variations just within screw in stabs until doing this. While I did order cherry screw in stabs I now realized these are an older style, so I clipped them prior to lubing.

 

Bippity bobbity put the switch in the sockety.

 

The green housing dilutes the LED light, which ultimately, whatever, I don't really mind. For now I am still waiting on my GMK Red Sun caps but as I daily drove this keeb for the past 6 weeks+ I will now do so with these C³ Kiwi switches. 

 

I said earlier that I could not imagine a better switch than the Zealios V2 65g Tactile, well.... Stay tuned. These Kiwis are pretty damn nice, I am having a VERY hard time telling the difference. After a week or two I will swap half the board out for the Zealios switches, and give that a go. After some testing and real world use I will provide some sound comparisons as well as more insight on overall feel of both switches. 

 

 

 

For a much more in depth comparison check out my new post:

 

[Dr0y]

10 hours ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

C³ Kiwi 67g - VS - Zealios V2 65g

Type Test

 

 

- Zealios V2: 

 

 

- C³ Kiwi:

 

 

* Amplified audio by 10db *
 

Test Material:

  Hide contents

 

Spoiler

 

Zealios V2's on a Tofu96, PCB mount, soldered, and lubed with TriboSys 3204, also lubed the stabilizers with TriboSys 3204.

 

C³ Kiwi's on a KBD67v2 MKII, PCB mount, hot-swap, un-lubed, stabilizers lubed with TriboSys 3204.

 

Both cases are solid anodized aluminum with PCB mounting and both have foam placed between the PCB and case bottom to reduce any movement and vibrations.

 

 

This was my initial unboxing and thoughts with the C³ Kiwis:

  Hide contents

 

 

 

For a much more in depth comparison check out my new post:

 

What about the feeling of those two ?  I prefer the sound of the zealios v2, but they are lubed so it probably gives them a more quiet sound overall.  If you lube the kiwi could you do another sound test ?

[DailyProcrastinator]

4 hours ago, Dr0y said:

What about the feeling of those two ?  I prefer the sound of the zealios v2, but they are lubed so it probably gives them a more quiet sound overall.  If you lube the kiwi could you do another sound test ?

They both have a spot on tactile bump that feels really nice, both still feel smooth despite the tactility, but the Zealios is just a bit nicer feeling overall.

 

Check out my in depth comparison, more info on the feel and weight as well as individual switch sound tests, so likely to answer all your questions. Including Zealios V2 un-lubed vs C³ Kiwi un-lubed. Lubing did not make a huge difference with these, I would expect greater results with the Kiwi's. If I do so I will make a comparison sound test.  

Spoiler

 

 

[seon123]

Me assembling and a quick typing test of the CU65 (that finally ducking arrived, after so so so many delays). Stock Ghost switches, Mekanisk Ultramarine Stabilisers (Durock), cheap PBT DSA keycaps, Blue Snowball Ice for audio, badly synced with video from a Oneplus 8T. (Unlisted video, I'm not trying to promote my own YT channel, it's just convenient to do it through Youtube :3)

 

I like the sound from these a lot more than the Box Jades. They are pretty quiet, but not that quiet still. Lots of spring ping, as these are completely unlubed (unlubed from factory as well), and I noticed that some switches are a lot looser than the others. I have replaced those switches after doing the video. I am planning on changing out the switches for Keebwerk Tacit switches, after trying out these linears for a while.

Spoiler

 

 

[Belac F]

Hey guys, I know I just posted but I made a few changes to my keyboard build. Just wanted to double check compatibility. Also, which lubricant should I get, and where can I find it in Canada? Amazon does not have the best selection from first party sellers.

 

DIY kit: 

https://kbdfans.com/products/65-low-profile-soldered-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit?variant=34223387672715

Keycaps:

https://kbdfans.com/products/pg-pbt-flighter-keycaps-set?variant=34138697990283

Switches:

https://kbdfans.com/products/gateron-milk-black-switches?variant=29141242544176

Films:

https://kbdfans.com/products/deskeys-switch-films?variant=34058538451083

 

I am more so concerned about switch compatibility with the plate / PCB and where to find lubricant / which one to use.

 

This will be my first build, I plan to order the parts Thursday as that is when the KBD fans black Friday sale begins in my time zone.

 

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

9 minutes ago, Belac F said:

Hey guys, I know I just posted but I made a few changes to my keyboard build. Just wanted to double check compatibility. Also, which lubricant should I get, and where can I find it in Canada? Amazon does not have the best selection from first party sellers.

 

DIY kit: 

https://kbdfans.com/products/65-low-profile-soldered-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit?variant=34223387672715

Keycaps:

https://kbdfans.com/products/pg-pbt-flighter-keycaps-set?variant=34138697990283

Switches:

https://kbdfans.com/products/gateron-milk-black-switches?variant=29141242544176

Films:

https://kbdfans.com/products/deskeys-switch-films?variant=34058538451083

 

I am more so concerned about switch compatibility with the plate / PCB and where to find lubricant / which one to use.

 

This will be my first build, I plan to order the parts Thursday as that is when the KBD fans black Friday sale begins in my time zone.

 

 

Everything looks good here! 

 

I also was not able to find a vendor here in Canada that sold lubricant. I ended up just ordering form another vendor that I was ordering other parts from already (KeyDotCo). Maybe others know of some Canadian retailers. 

[geo3]

9 hours ago, Belac F said:

Hey guys, I know I just posted but I made a few changes to my keyboard build. Just wanted to double check compatibility. Also, which lubricant should I get, and where can I find it in Canada? Amazon does not have the best selection from first party sellers.

 

DIY kit: 

https://kbdfans.com/products/65-low-profile-soldered-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit?variant=34223387672715

Keycaps:

https://kbdfans.com/products/pg-pbt-flighter-keycaps-set?variant=34138697990283

Switches:

https://kbdfans.com/products/gateron-milk-black-switches?variant=29141242544176

Films:

https://kbdfans.com/products/deskeys-switch-films?variant=34058538451083

 

I am more so concerned about switch compatibility with the plate / PCB and where to find lubricant / which one to use.

 

This will be my first build, I plan to order the parts Thursday as that is when the KBD fans black Friday sale begins in my time zone.

 

 

ZealPC is in Canada and they have lubes. For gat blacks I would use Krytox 205G0, but 204 can also work as can Tribosys 3204  https://zealpc.net/products/lube?variant=14906580729919 

 

FYI for anyone having trouble finding 205g0 you can make the stuff yourself by mixing 205G2 and 105 oil in a 1:1 by weight, both of which can be bought in bulk from amazon for much cheaper then what keyboard shops typically sell lube for. 

 

Also milky Gaterons don't really need to be filmed at all. I wasn't able to tell the difference side by side.

[Letgomyleghoe.]

That moment when your keycaps that haven't been in stock for who knows how long are getting shipped but this happens.

[DailyProcrastinator]

30 minutes ago, Gundar said:

That moment when your keycaps that haven't been in stock for who knows how long are getting shipped but this happens.

 

Yeah KBDfans has high demand, especially picked up during covid. And the DZ65 is extremely popular. 

[Letgomyleghoe.]

2 hours ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

Yeah KBDfans has high demand, especially picked up during covid. And the DZ65 is extremely popular. 

Sad thing is that a few days ago it was in stock with no sign of shortages and now kbdfans has that paypal sale so I really hope I pick it up before the promotion is over.

[kelvinhall05]

13 hours ago, Gundar said:

That moment when your keycaps that haven't been in stock for who knows how long are getting shipped but this happens.

 

If you're ok with overpaying a bit, there are several DZ65s on mechmarket.

[DailyProcrastinator]

21 hours ago, Gundar said:

Sad thing is that a few days ago it was in stock with no sign of shortages and now kbdfans has that paypal sale so I really hope I pick it up before the promotion is over.

To bad, hopefully you can find something! 

[Belac F]

quick question, I am ordering my parts tonight but I still need lubricant. I was looking on home depots website and saw dielctric grease. 

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/gardner-bender-dielectric-grease/1001012223

It is a 3rd of the cost, and it is in the same parking lot I work in. I would not have to convince my parents it's worth it, its already hard but when its 30 bucks plus shipping and I'm spending a bunch of money on building a keyboard. (I'm 17, I don't have a credit card and my debit doesn't work online)

 

 

Will this work effectively?

[geo3]

18 minutes ago, Belac F said:

quick question, I am ordering my parts tonight but I still need lubricant. I was looking on home depots website and saw dielctric grease. 

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/gardner-bender-dielectric-grease/1001012223

It is a 3rd of the cost, and it is in the same parking lot I work in. I would not have to convince my parents it's worth it, its already hard but when its 30 bucks plus shipping and I'm spending a bunch of money on building a keyboard. (I'm 17, I don't have a credit card and my debit doesn't work online)

 

 

Will this work effectively?

No, don't use that.  Only use the tube kind of dielectric for stabilizers, and even then it's there are better options.  

[Dr0y]

I bought my krytox on ebay I think and with shipping it cost me 27,34$ usd shipping included for 5g so convert that in cad ... it was really not cheap and I still haven't used it, don't know which switches I have would benefit the most from lubing. 

[Belac F]

Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you, after 2 months of delay, I just ordered the parts for my first build! Thanks for all the advice!

 

Ill post some pics when it's done

[DailyProcrastinator]

3 hours ago, Belac F said:

Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you, after 2 months of delay, I just ordered the parts for my first build! Thanks for all the advice!

 

Ill post some pics when it's done

Congrats! KBDfans is pretty good about shipping so you should have it in 2-3weeks unless holiday shopping overwhelms the delivery system (it will).

 

Just so you are aware/prepared you will have to pay duties, and very likely fill out this form:

Spoiler

Example from an order I had a few months ago. You will need to print and sign the form as well. Recent customs officer would not accept the form without a hand draw signature. 

 

The customs officer will also ask for a copy of the order (KBDfans order screenshot), and the proof of payment screenshot (I use Paypal). Sometimes they can be extra picky so best to just fill out the form will full detail and send it anyway so everything is crystal clear.

 

I've attached the template for this form:

PROFORMA INVOICE - TEMPLATE.docx

 

[Letgomyleghoe.]

Hey so I have a quick question about extra gmk keycap sets. Do they ship before of after the group buy? Shipping the extras before the group buy doesn't make sense to me as production starts after the group buy is over but another set i've been eyeing the INFINIKEY HIVE  keycaps and on their webpage the extras were opened on october 14 while the group buy starts on January 24. If gmk keycaps ship before a group buy I don't have a chance of getting one so i'll wait for the hive keycaps.

[Letgomyleghoe.]

Hey look what I bought. I'll didn't know what switch to buy so I just I got a switch tester and then i'll buy the switch I liked the most and as for keycaps I decided to screw the gmk spirit and instead get the pbt infinikey hive keycaps.

Spoiler

 

[King Dranzer]

Is this Normal Key Wobble For Corsair K100

 

Backspace Wobble(This is Most Wobbly)

Shift Wobble

Space-bar Wobble

Enter Wobble