Turn the clock back years ago, mechanical keyboards was a relatively niche hobby and not many companies were that interested in producing them. Now, the process of building a mechanical keyboard can be rather complex as there are many, many factors to consider.
However, to simplify the overall process, there are basically five different components that make up a mechanical keyboard.
Take note that for the most part, a lot of these PCBs are programmable which means that you can remap the keys according to your own personal preference and style. Keycaps : This is probably one of the most fun aspects of building your own mechanical keyboard as it is probably the most visually obvious part of it.
Stabilizers : These are used for longer keys like your Shift key, spacebar, Enter key, and so on. Plate optional : This is completely optional because you can build a keyboard without a plate. When it comes to custom mechanical keyboards, there are various form factors to choose from. In fact, many custom mechanical keyboards actually do not adopt the full-sized layout.
Full-Sized Keyboard � This is the standard keyboard that many of us think of and are familiar with. It comes with all the alphanumerical keys, navigation keys, function row keys, arrow keys, and also a number pad. TKL � The TKL form factor is a slightly more popular one in custom mechanical keyboards compared to a full-sized layout.
For the most part, it features all the keys of a full-sized keyboard save for a number pad. Most enthusiasts who need the number pad usually end up building a separate custom one as well.
It is considerably more compact than a TKL but still maintains its function row. It pretty much ditches all the keys except for the alphabets. A popular choice in this area is the Vortex Core. There are certain form factors that tend to be more popular than others.
In addition to the form factor, you will also need to consider the material that the case is made out of because this not only affects the weight, but the sound as well. Also, if you like RGB underglows, obviously picking a clear case will allow those lights to shine through. Aluminum tends to be the most common material of choice, but some higher-end keyboards might opt to use brass or stainless steel. Cut and stacked acrylic held together by stand-offs is also pretty popular these days due to the relative ease of manufacturing where you would essentially only need a laser cutter.
This also allows for a greater degree of customization and also turnover time. Take note that not all PCBs will fit your keyboard, so you will need to do some research to check for compatibility. This gives you the flexibility of changing to a different switch in the future without having to desolder and resolder the new switches.
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, these are usually split into three types � linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear � With linear switches, when you press the key, there is no tactile bump at the start of the key press. Instead, with linear switches, when you press on the key, it just goes down straight. Tactile � If you prefer more feedback when typing, tactile switches might be of interest to you.
Typically with tactile switches, when you press down on it, there will be a small bump before the switch is fully depressed. This usually results in slightly louder typing and might be better for those who are heavy handed. This is meant to help replicate the sound of typewriter keys. If you enjoy both the physical and auditory feedback when typing, then clicky switches might be for you.
The Cherry MX Blue is probably one of the most popular clicky switches in the market right now. The reason we mention Cherry is because they are brand you might be familiar with and are typically used in mainstream keyboards made by companies. In terms of picking the right switch for you, it really boils down to personal preference. There are also things like actuation force and spring weight to take into consideration.
Most aftermarket switches are rated by their bottom-out force, meaning how much force is required for users to press the switch till it hits the bottom. Some might prefer lighter switches to type faster or to game better, while others prefer heavier switches, which once again, is entirely up to you and which you prefer.
Some enthusiasts take it a step further by buying different weighted springs to mod a switch more towards their personal preference, while others will also lube the switches to make them operate smoother and also reduce the scratchiness that some switches might exhibit. Switches these days are also being made out of a variety of different plastics due to the belief that certain plastics feel smoother or sound better, but generally speaking, switches are something you need to try for yourself in order to get a better understanding.
One of the fun parts of building a custom mechanical keyboard is being able to pick your own keycaps. There are other profiles such as SA which are taller and resemble typewriter style keys, and there are also XDA profile keycaps which are flatter.
They also do not adopt a shine over time with use as is the case with ABS, but the downside is that the color options of PBT might be a bit more limited than ABS due to its manufacturing process.
Like we said, stabilizers are used to balance out longer keys. These are essential for keyboards and for the most part, all the stabilizers sold out there are good enough to get the job done.
Note that when picking a stabilizer, sometimes they are sold as either plate or PCB mounted stabilizers. Modding a stabilizer has also become a standard practice when building a mechanical keyboard. This usually involves lubing the housing and the wires of the stabilizers to prevent them from rattling. This creates a cleaner and more pleasant sound as you type.
You can hear an example of a lubed vs unlubed stabilizer in the video below. Note how the annoying rattling sound is gone after the stabilizers have been lubed. Like we said, plates can be viewed as optional. This is because for certain builds, soldering the switches directly to the PCB is good enough.
Some cases also come with an integrated plate meaning that you only need a PCB. Plates, like cases, are also offered in varying materials ranging from aluminum to brass to polycarbonate to carbon fiber. Makers of keyboards have also started to explore different mounting and isolation methods to help reduce the amount of vibrations that goes through a plate when typing, which once again will have an impact on the overall feel and sound of the keyboard.
The problem with custom mechanical keyboards is that it is a rather niche hobby. This means that for the most part, a lot of the more fancy boards you see on Reddit are typically run as group buys, which are a similar concept to crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or IndieGogo.
This means that the seller will take orders for a period of time usually a month before sending those orders to the manufacturer. That being said, there are still several vendors that do sell ready-stock parts, but your choices might be limited. You can also keep an eye out on upcoming projects on Geekhack. It might seem a bit overwhelming to try and build your first mechanical keyboard, so hopefully this guide will have provided you with enough information to get you started on your first custom!
Alternatively, you could always start simple by purchasing a pre-built mechanical keyboard and slowly swap out parts.
Starting with the keycaps is a great way to begin the customization process. Read more about Corsair , Keyboards , Logitech and Razer. Image credit � KBDFans. Cherry MX Brown switches.
Example of a smaller, non-traditional keyboard layout.
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