Well I fell down the custom keyboard world.

[davetherave2]

I think a lot of the cannoncaps and nicePBT caps support UK-ISO out of the box without additional kits and are fairly affordable alternatives to epbt and GMK.

I don't think you can go wrong with either WOB or BOW honestly. I am currently debating what caps I will be putting on boards that are due to arrive over the next month or so (should have zoom65 EE and CW88 by the end of August fingers crossed) and it looks like other boards are progressing well that I have seen. The only one I think which may be delayed a bit is Phoenix but I am sure that one will be worth the wait.

In the mean time I have a ton of switches that need lubing and/or filming and waiting for NRDesigns to do their next nest release (managed to finally get my hands on one and give some of my artisans a proper home)



But now is very much a waiting game for things to arrive.

 

[davetherave2]

So I finished my Zoom65 build. Overall I'm extremely pleased with it - it sounds fantastic and looks great & has given me a nice insight into the process. I have a few issues I need to address though. The number row has some uneven keys on it so I'll need to dig back in to try & fix this. Currently have all the foam & stand offs installed & suspect this isn't helping. I'm also struggling a bit with ANSI so have also started looking for ISO caps. You're all right about the rabbit hole though

.....

Nice build.

I see you probably had the same issue I had with the switches around the screw mounting points (which look raised) . I found to get those in properly, was to actually install the switches and you have just enough room to slide the screws into place (well using my ifixit toolset I did)

Also feel free to push down a little harder on those raised switches and they should just click into place. If not then it maybe the plate is a bit lower than it should be so maybe try pulling the PC plate up a little bit as you click the switch into place.

Yes ANSI is a struggle for me some days due to the muscle memory of where I think I should be pressing the Enter key.

I personally didn't install the bottom foam on my board and it sounds and feels nice without it.


Yes it can become a rabbit hole very quickly (especially when it comes to getting artisans lol)

 

[davetherave2]

Anyone like the Noctua OG colour scheme this much? https://drop.com/buy/drop-mito-mt3-noctua-keycap-set?defaultSelectionIds=964761

I think the colour scheme is great for fans but not sure I am a fan of having it on my keyboard. Plus I haven't used the MT3 profile so not sure how I would feel like going to that from a cherry profile.

Having just splurged for GMK Pink on Navy (base and spacebars) I am chilling on getting any more keycap sets until I have a couple of boards finally arrive.

 

[davetherave2]

For the last 2 years I'd given up on soldered boards and I've just been building hotswap keyboards - but I decided to pick up one of the always talked about Bakeneko60's and went with a soldered PCB so I could adjust the layout! It was easy enough then to include 7u space bar, stepped caps, split backspace and split right shift. I've got a few much more expensive boards but honestly this is my absolute favourite to use. The layout is great, the gummy o-ring gives a super nice bounce to the typing experience and the sound/feel is so enjoyable.

I'm terrible at taking pictures so excuse the not so great images.

Bakeneko 60 w/ 30A O-Ring gasket (replacing standard 50-A)
Soldered PCB
Keycaps are GMK Modo 2
Gateron black inks (lubed and filmed)
Cherry Clip-in Stabilizers (clipped, lubed etc.)

......

Really nice looking.

 

[davetherave2]

I managed to get myself one of the Crimson ones in the first drop last night (would have loved rose as well but that deep red was too enticing). I am super excited by the xxl version they have planned for release in the future but will probably try and pick up a lilac or pink version in the future if I can. Would love to get a Kaze as well as it is a beautiful looking board.

 

[davetherave2]

Yeah I saw the lilac version built by Alexotos a few weeks back and it is just such a pretty board. Shame it is only being sold via a US vendor but hoping if the funds are there I can purchase one.

I think the xxl version will be in smaller quantities than the normal nrd nest's but I think with the hype around them in the nrd discord they will be a staple in the nest family. I'm not sure how many artisans may people have int he hobby usually but I certainly have enough to fill one of those out.

 

[davetherave2]

I was going to start a thread but this thread seems the perfect place!

I have a Keychron K2 and I'd love to be able to get some good quality custom coloured keys for it. I'd only really want a few select ones and I've always thought I'd just be able to say, find a company which lets you specify a key and a colour, maybe there's a minimum order number, and just order it. But I've never been able to find one that offer this. The best I've found is wasdkeyboards custom keys but you have to buy the entire set!

Does anyone know if a company exists that offers a cheaper route into custom keys? Surely it can't be hard to say have stock of loads of red A keys, Green A keys etc and just let people choose what they want?

The company you mentioned does offer mod kits. Alternatively you may be worth checking up on etsy or similar more "hobby craft" type areas if you are looking for this level of customization. (also they do offer a print your own theme option but again I think that is a full set.)

Given that most of the big manufacturers have delays of up to 2 years in just producing full key cap sets it really is down to the more niche producers that focus on either clones or one of novelty keys that will be your best bet.

Any affordable kits ?

I mean it depends on what you deem as affordable? OcUK offers a lot of good budget kits but there are loads of vendors out there that offer alternative budget friendly kits. For me if you want a decent "affordable" set then the NicePBT and cannoncap sets are really good value for money but that depends on if you consider their price range (£75 - £80) affordable. Otherwise if you are looking at the more £20 - £50 price range then Akko offer some decent sets (just be careful to check it has ISO support if you are an ISO user)

 

[davetherave2]

Ideally I'd just want a selector system, choose switches, key caps, keyboard gaskets etc, that'll include everything and I can put it together.
I would want the switches to be lubed though I wouldn't have the patience to open up 105 switches, I'd probably just dunk them in a cereal bowl of oil haha

Ah so you are looking for a full kit, my apologies I thought you meant just keycaps.

If you are looking for a no hassle kit then the MONOKEI Standard Keyboard for £140 - it is ANSI only but for a full TKL set is an absolute bargain in this day and age for a decent entry into the more custom world.

Alternatively if you can get hold of the zoom65 Olivia Dark/Light versions they come with everything you need for a 65% keyboard. (alternatively the Zoom65 Essential Edition is coming but that is just case, pcb, plate - so you would need to get switches and keycaps)

The big mainstream gaming manufacturers are offering more customization but there is just so much choice (and I am sure I have only scratched the surface in my 12 months in the hobby) Plus it would be a giant risk unless said company could manufacturer everything to keep control of costs and ensure supply.

Actually I find lubing switches a great stress relieving task. I just throw on some music or a film to play in the background and just relax into it.


Obviously OcUK does over the GMMK kits but you have to pick the parts yourself.

​

 

[davetherave2]

Did another buy, picking up Friday.

Guess what it is

Bubble 75?

 

[davetherave2]

Bingo!

Another TKL that i can use for work!

Nice what colour did you go for in the end (also you know it's a 75% board not a TKL) but from the images I have seen in the PT discord it is a lovely looking board.

I finally had a few artisan's arrive today my GB from CYSM (keybees) and finally get my first key cap GB arriving tomorrow ePBT Acid House & Sweet Girl. Now the wait for Zoom65 EE, CW 88 and Vertex Angle over the next month.

 

[davetherave2]

Anyone here manage to snag a Shelby80 last night?

I was tempted by it as it does look really nice but it just didn't quite have everything I was looking for and plus I have over spent way too much as it is this year on boards. So have skipped it for now.

 

[davetherave2]

It's a good job you didn't tbh, it sold out in 15 seconds lol.

Yeah I had a feeling it would be gone in a matter of seconds. Just like cloudline around this time last year (I think Jae @ PT said that sold out in 12 seconds)

Honestly I am just waiting for my next boards to arrive and now that the zoom65's are just waiting to be QC'd, sorted and packed that will be the next board for me to build.

If you want the best then GMK is the only real way to go i think. Prepare to pay big money though and GB waiting times are going into 1 year+

I mean there are more GMK sets being released by the month now and they are starting to work through their backlog. I mean it is still over 12 months for most sets still but they have shipped a lot of sets in the last quarter and now they have the second plant up and running it should help a lot.

I guess it just depends on what colour schemes you are looking for @Raymond Lin when it comes to the keycaps you want.

I have a mixture of keysets now and honestly I think the quality on all of them have been outstanding. I think my GMK set feels the nicest to the touch but the ePBT and nicePBT sets equally feel good a different sound profile and not as much warping as I have seen with other dye-sub based sets. I think the only issue I have had is with the first round of nicePBT Noel and the pink spacebar looking a bit more peach in places due to the fade of the dye. So I do hope in the future that it is run again as a GMK set.

 

[davetherave2]

Reminds me of Delight, nonsense lol.

The keycap set is IFK Delight. One of my favourite sets and the novelties for it are just a joy to look at.

Oh I see you have been hit by the minimal bug as well, super surprised how fast that has sold out even after another restock. I probably should get myself a WOB or BOW set at some point but I just have so many sets on order I am trying to wait until I really need a set like that because all the other sets I have won't fit a themed board.

But good news hopefully if PT can get the zoom65 EE's out this week and then I will be rebuilding/building both of mine (my existing Olivia Light edition & Blurple EE) time to get lubing up some switches now.

 

[davetherave2]

Isn't Delight a collab with Hipyo Tech? Or am i thinking of another colourway.

Yeah i mean its literally just BoW with a colour accent but its one you would probably inevitably needs to use and just works with everything. Hopefully getting mine within this week at some point.

The only board im looking forward to now is the XOX70, there's nothing else thats really interesting me right now.. well unless they release the Werk-One but i got a feeling that will be a unicorn like the Keycult. Super expensive but super premium meaning super hard to get.


....

Yes. HipyoTech designed the key cap set I think it was his first set he did (since then he has done his own polycap Hippo set with Kinetic Labs). The desk mat for it was really nice as well, super fun and fit the theme really well.

I have one board on my horizon if it ever gets from proto but also waiting on the 1800 format J-Series board.

Also love the GMK Maestro desk mat some of my favourite mats (I had to get all three in the end as they were just so nice)

 

[davetherave2]

Key caps arrived! I love the accent colour, should go well with the navy blue on the Q1.

.....

Oh they do look really nice.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[davetherave2]

Well I did build my Zoom65 EE briefly on Friday and had a play with it over the weekend. Still getting used to the smaller size and figuring out what keys map to what but has been a super nice experience to start off with. Not sure it would be my daily driver but certainly a nice travel board with the addition of bluetooth.

Currently have it in pieces waiting for an additional plate going to try out FR4/Brass plate to figure out which one I like best and also fix the horrific noise my space bar stabs are making (I really need to figure out what I am doing wrong with them as I get all the other ones sound nice but the space bar just is horrific)





But for a dip into the smaller keyboard layout I have been super impressed by them so far. I still think TKL is my preferred size but these are great just to grab and go.

 

[davetherave2]

For a travel board do you still prefer a heavy board? Like with the weights at the base?

re space bar, is the wire dead straight?

Yes the wire is straight and flat. This was a rushed build so expected to fix the stab and going to probably change them for the owlab stabs as I prefer those. But I am waiting for my plates to arrive so it will be a complete tear down and also lube my switches even though they sound good stock.

For the travel board I am more looking for lightweight boards so I didn't get the brass internal weight upgrades for either zoom. Currently I am using my purple Cypher FRL1800 board as a travel board but havign these as an option is even better.

 

[davetherave2]

What are people's methods to make the space bar sound less hollow?

I tried filling it with cotton wool and then sealing it with masking tape, but that really muffle it to the point the space bar is basically silent and sounsd dead. Which would be fine if the rest of the keyboard is silent but mine has a nice thock. Except the space bar which i think sounds a bit hollow.

I ended up taping 3 layers of masking tape on the underside, which seems to help a lot but i think it could be better? What other mods are out there?

Might also be worth just trying the force break mod (just put a tiny piece of tape between the two pieces of the casing on the front) on the Q1 if you can - assuming you haven't tried that already, may help to give the spacebar a bit more room to breath and remove some of that hollowness.

But there is only so much you can do to try and fix the sound profile based on the case design.

 

[davetherave2]

Just received keyboard with outemu brown switches, which of the Akko jelly switches are similar?

Just looking at the pure numbers I would probably say the purple Akko switches would be your closest match. The actuation force is a little bit lighter but is the best option based on a "like to like" comparison.

I don't have any experience with either so maybe worth dropping into one of the more mech keyboard community centric discord servers for a better informed opinion.

 

[davetherave2]

Question - Is there a keyboard that fits all these criteria

1 - Metal casing, like the GMMK Pro or Tofu65 or Keychron Q series
2 - Gasket PCB
3 - With a knob
4 - 65 or 75%
5 - Mac or Windows compatibility
6 - Wireless
7 - Screw in Stabs
8 - Hotswap PCB

Bonus point

9 - South facing LED
10 - GMK or VIA compatible

Essentially a Wireless Keychron Q series board.

Does this exist?

I am assuming you are looking for a pre-built rather than custom?

I mean other than the RGB the Zoom65 EE seems to tick pretty much all of those boxes.