this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2023
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Mechanical Keyboards

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Looking for a truly DIY keyboard kit (feddit.ch)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I would like to build my first keyboard, but I feel like the DIY-kits available don't let you get your hands on the keyboard enough. For instance, I looked into the M1W barebone as it checks all the criteria I have (I would prefer a 75% board, with a knob, and wireless option), except the only thing left to do is to plug-in the switches and put on the keycaps.

For example, the Zoom 75 is something I feel would suit me, but it's 200$, not counting the 60$ shipping, and it's "only" the board, so I need to buy the switches and the keycaps as well.

I saw the "Practice 75" board, which is nice, but for example there isn't the knob and I would need to solder the switches to the board.

Is there a board out there that would ticks all the boxes ?

Thank you in advance for your answers !

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?

There's a whole range of DIY, from just swapping out keycaps, to designing, manufacturing, and hand-wiring from the ground up.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I don't know very well, but I would like to get my hands on the PCB I feel like, to know how it is mounted, what difference it can make

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Thats more down to the case and plate than the PCB, you either need a case that supports multiple mounting types like carpool (https://github.com/dingusxmcgee/Carpool) or completely separate cases. For carpool you use the same PCB for all mount types and just change the plate.