Well I fell down the custom keyboard world.

[scotty38]

Many thanks, appreciated. I wasn't planning on doing anything drastic, just that the thought came to me (mine is non swap) because I considered some different keycaps and wondered about the issue of caps covering multiple switches they weren't really designed to.

My next board will be hot swap regardless

 

[davetherave2]

Many thanks, appreciated. I wasn't planning on doing anything drastic, just that the thought came to me (mine is non swap) because I considered some different keycaps and wondered about the issue of caps covering multiple switches they weren't really designed to.

My next board will be hot swap regardless

Not a problem. Glad I could help.

 

[TangoEchoAlpha]

This thread combined with the fact that a friend has just bought a Keychron Q3 barebone kit, are going to prove detrimental to my wallet!

It just seems so difficult to find anything in stock, nearly everything seems to be groupbuys or out of stock. I don't mind adding switches and keycaps, but I think I would prefer the case/PCB/plates etc already put together for a first effort.

 

[Gimli]

Just finished lubing up some Gateron Milky Yellows... they come pre-lubed but this is my first venture in to the custom keyboard world so wanted to have a bash at hand lubing (and it seems some people don't think they're lubed enough). To be fair the felt pretty good stock, there's maybe a slight improvement now I've finished but nothing major, if I asked somebody else to compare they likely wouldn't feel the difference. I did over-lubed one of the first I did but that's a lesson for next time.

Also got some cheap(ish) keycaps as didn't want to splurge from the get go, they're doubleshot but don't state the material but I'm going to guess ABS. I have a Tester68 arriving tomorrow just to play around with while I decide on what I want to use on a daily basis. Ideally it'd be something that supported 2.4ghz wireless and bluetooth as I'm aiming to erradicate all peripheral cables from my desk; I'm using a USB Switch currently to switch between my work machine and personal machine but would like to move away from that. It does have it's downsides as it does reduce the amount of options massively and losing the switch means I'd need to use a different mic or a headset for the work machine (and potentially a camera down the line).

I don't plan on regularly purchasing new boards/keycaps/switches/etc. purely due to the cost, but I do hope to do so a few times a year

 

[davetherave2]

This thread combined with the fact that a friend has just bought a Keychron Q3 barebone kit, are going to prove detrimental to my wallet!

It just seems so difficult to find anything in stock, nearly everything seems to be groupbuys or out of stock. I don't mind adding switches and keycaps, but I think I would prefer the case/PCB/plates etc already put together for a first effort.

Yes it can get fairly pricey but there are so many boards in the custom space to suit any budget.

I guess the question is what size keyboard are you looking for and what is your total budget?

Although a lot of the custom keebs are done via a group buy model. The vendors have been working on having more things in stock and although it has taken a while they are starting to get to that point.

Group Buys will still be a thing for the more premium/limited items as there isn't the market to have 100's or 1000's of the units there.

Overclockers does have some options but there are other UK vendors out there, who are now receiving a lot of the Group Buys ran last year including the Zoom65, Matrix 8XV3.0, QK60, Crin, Kage and have more on the way in the next month. So in stock extras will be making their way in the coming days/weeks.

 

[davetherave2]

Just finished lubing up some Gateron Milky Yellows... they come pre-lubed but this is my first venture in to the custom keyboard world so wanted to have a bash at hand lubing (and it seems some people don't think they're lubed enough). To be fair the felt pretty good stock, there's maybe a slight improvement now I've finished but nothing major, if I asked somebody else to compare they likely wouldn't feel the difference. I did over-lubed one of the first I did but that's a lesson for next time.

Also got some cheap(ish) keycaps as didn't want to splurge from the get go, they're doubleshot but don't state the material but I'm going to guess ABS. I have a Tester68 arriving tomorrow just to play around with while I decide on what I want to use on a daily basis. Ideally it'd be something that supported 2.4ghz wireless and bluetooth as I'm aiming to erradicate all peripheral cables from my desk; I'm using a USB Switch currently to switch between my work machine and personal machine but would like to move away from that. It does have it's downsides as it does reduce the amount of options massively and losing the switch means I'd need to use a different mic or a headset for the work machine (and potentially a camera down the line).

I don't plan on regularly purchasing new boards/keycaps/switches/etc. purely due to the cost, but I do hope to do so a few times a year

Yeah lubing is an art form and takes time. I feel I am getting better every time. I think the true test is that I have just built a board for a friend and they are amazed at how well the switches i did form them (Korbs) turned out and feel. So hopefully means I am doing a good job.

If you are looking at more wireless then Keychron do a few models, but also look at the Zoom series from Meletrix as they support wireless over bluetooth. You could also look at keyboards by Nuphy as they support those requirements.

 

[TangoEchoAlpha]

I guess the question is what size keyboard are you looking for and what is your total budget?

Probably TKL or 75%. I currently have a Ducky Shine 5 that I've used for several years, it's full size and I would not miss the number pad. The Ducky has brown switches and I know I much prefer them over reds, so would look to stick with MX browns or similar, but realise you can get switch 'sample packs'. In terms of budget, I use my keyboard everyday for work as well as play, so happy to spend a bit. I'm thinking of ~£250 all in?

 

[scotty38]

I bought a Keychron K8 ISO UK for my work machine but I'm thinking of an ANSI Q3 for my personal one as it gives a bit more option for keycaps etc plus having a couple of keys different won't matter for non-work... Rabbit hole indeed....

 

[Gimli]

The finished product. Feels pretty nice to type on and the stabs aren't bad either although the layout is a little different to what I'm used to. Still able to use the function keys (and a few extras) by using 'Fn' which is a relief. Not sure I'll remember where the extras are though. Going to give it a test run the next few days and see how I get on without a dedicated num pad. Probably going to try the tape mod on it at some point and potentially stick some more foam under, still a bargain at about £20.

Yeah lubing is an art form and takes time. I feel I am getting better every time. I think the true test is that I have just built a board for a friend and they are amazed at how well the switches i did form them (Korbs) turned out and feel. So hopefully means I am doing a good job.

If you are looking at more wireless then Keychron do a few models, but also look at the Zoom series from Meletrix as they support wireless over bluetooth. You could also look at keyboards by Nuphy as they support those requirements.

I did look at Keychron but most of their wireless boards are plastic cases, while that's not necessarily a bad thing as some do prefer plastic to metal, i've never used a metal case so not sure what I prefer. Still not opposed to plastic. The Q5 took my fancy but doesn't support wireless, the Q1 on the other hand does but sacrifices the numpad. Epomaker also have some interesting boards but I think there's mixed feeling about them.

Everywhere I looked for the Zoom boards previously didn't have any in stock. Annoying the product titles were often (In Stock - Zoom etc.) but once on the product page actually weren't . Don't think I came across Nuphy before so will give them a look. I'm not completely against wired as it does have it's advantages (and opens more options) but wireless would be convenient! I do play games as well as do a lot of general typing. This Tester68 actually supports 2.4Ghz which I think is brilliant for £20, not sure any other hotswap mechanical board would/does at this price

 

[scotty38]

The finished product. Feels pretty nice to type on and the stabs aren't bad either although the layout is a little different to what I'm used to. Still able to use the function keys (and a few extras) by using 'Fn' which is a relief. Not sure I'll remember where the extras are though. Going to give it a test run the next few days and see how I get on without a dedicated num pad. Probably going to try the tape mod on it at some point and potentially stick some more foam under, still a bargain at about £20.



I did look at Keychron but most of their wireless boards are plastic cases, while that's not necessarily a bad thing as some do prefer plastic to metal, i've never used a metal case so not sure what I prefer. Still not opposed to plastic. The Q5 took my fancy but doesn't support wireless, the Q1 on the other hand does but sacrifices the numpad. Epomaker also have some interesting boards but I think there's mixed feeling about them.

Everywhere I looked for the Zoom boards previously didn't have any in stock. Annoying the product titles were often (In Stock - Zoom etc.) but once on the product page actually weren't . Don't think I came across Nuphy before so will give them a look. I'm not completely against wired as it does have it's advantages (and opens more options) but wireless would be convenient! I do play games as well as do a lot of general typing. This Tester68 actually supports 2.4Ghz which I think is brilliant for £20, not sure any other hotswap mechanical board would/does at this price

The Keychron K8 is a TKL and comes in plastic or Aluminium plus hot/swap or non hot swap. The Pro version adds QMK/VIA too. All are BT or wired.

 

[TangoEchoAlpha]

The finished product. Feels pretty nice to type on and the stabs aren't bad either although the layout is a little different to what I'm used to. Still able to use the function keys (and a few extras) by using 'Fn' which is a relief. Not sure I'll remember where the extras are though. Going to give it a test run the next few days and see how I get on without a dedicated num pad. Probably going to try the tape mod on it at some point and potentially stick some more foam under, still a bargain at about £20.

That looks good

Presumably if you ever need a proper Fx key (such as to get into a bios), you'll map Fn and a number to that instead?

 

[Gimli]

The Keychron K8 is a TKL and comes in plastic or Aluminium plus hot/swap or non hot swap. The Pro version adds QMK/VIA too. All are BT or wired.

Thanks Scott, hadn't realised that so I'll take a look

That looks good

Presumably if you ever need a proper Fx key (such as to get into a bios), you'll map Fn and a number to that instead?

Fn + the corresponding numbers are the F keys by default, i.e Fn + 1 = F1, 0 is 10, - and = being F11 and F12 so very useful! Some other random keys are mapped to things like volume up/down but I don't see myself remembering those

 

[davetherave2]

Probably TKL or 75%. I currently have a Ducky Shine 5 that I've used for several years, it's full size and I would not miss the number pad. The Ducky has brown switches and I know I much prefer them over reds, so would look to stick with MX browns or similar, but realise you can get switch 'sample packs'. In terms of budget, I use my keyboard everyday for work as well as play, so happy to spend a bit. I'm thinking of ~£250 all in?

I mean there are a number of options available for you. If you aren't too fussed about ANSI vs ISO layout then the Monokei Standard is a great entry level TKL at £150 for everything I think it is an absolute steal if you are looking to get into the hobby. Obviously this isn't to discount the likes of what Keychron or even GMMK bring to the table in terms of their offerings either.

If you are looking at something more in the alu frame market then again you could look at the likes of the Zoom TKL Essential Edition, Freebird TKL/75, QK80, Jris75 are just a few that srping to mind (many of these are either in, just out of or about to start their group buy phases right now - so depends on how urgently the itch to upgrade is)

I am sure there is even more options out there on the market as the "budget premium" market has seemingly exploded over the past 6-12 months with a view to maybe having some units as a more "in stock" option rather than using Group Buys.

With the price of these approaching the high end gaming keyboard market or even below can we potentially see the likes of the bigger "gamer" brands starting to offer more customization. I mean Razer has done it with accessories but it is just one step away really from offer full hot swap.

Hope this helps or at least gives some inspiration to what is out there. I always find it useful to look at the various group buy reviews that are done by either BlackSimon (Twitch) or MechMerlin (Twitch/YouTube) as it gives you some insight into what they think of the products and give you pros and cons.

on another note I'll try and update with a few recent deliveries I have had and another couple of boards that I have built.

 

[scotty38]

Epomaker TH80 is cheap in the grand scheme of things and can be had ANSI or ISO and with clicky or linear switches. Plastic and not aluminium but pretty beefy and seems well made. RGB, wireless/BT/wired and programmable too if it matters.

 

[TangoEchoAlpha]

How much of a problem are hotswap PCBs which don't support screw in stabilisers? Looking at the Bakeneko 65 as a possible starter custom keyboard, but some of the keys only support clip in stabilisers. Some of the reviews I have looked at suggest it's a pain and that the keys will feel looser than screw in stabilisers?

 

[scotty38]

How much of a problem are hotswap PCBs which don't support screw in stabilisers? Looking at the Bakeneko 65 as a possible starter custom keyboard, but some of the keys only support clip in stabilisers. Some of the reviews I have looked at suggest it's a pain and that the keys will feel looser than screw in stabilisers?

Can't answer your question, sorry but where are you getting the KB from? I am actually assuming you're importing as I didn't find them in the UK but maybe I just don't know where to look.... Find them on sale that is rather than out of stock....

 

[davetherave2]

How much of a problem are hotswap PCBs which don't support screw in stabilisers? Looking at the Bakeneko 65 as a possible starter custom keyboard, but some of the keys only support clip in stabilisers. Some of the reviews I have looked at suggest it's a pain and that the keys will feel looser than screw in stabilisers?

Its not that the stabs will interfere with the switches but more the o-ring.

So I would suggest using TX Stabs (the newest version) - based on my understanding. Maybe worth hitting up MKUK Discord for more info on it.

There is a UK keeb store that now has a partnership with CannonKeys to provide them in the UK. (they did a pre-order/GB sale towards the end of last year) so should be having them as an in-stock option soon.

 

[Jay85]

There are some TX stabs available now and i know 1 vendor who stock it now and another who has ordered some. They are called TX AP stabilisers with even tighter tolerances.

Might not work with some boards though, some just don't like tight tolerances at all.

 

[TangoEchoAlpha]

@Jay85 @davetherave2

What have I done? I fear this is the start of a very slippery slope, as I have just ordered these:

In all honesty, I was sold when I saw a keycap labelled "Any Key"

 

[Jay85]

@Jay85 @davetherave2

What have I done? I fear this is the start of a very slippery slope, as I have just ordered these:

In all honesty, I was sold when I saw a keycap labelled "Any Key"

Pretty much a slippery slope when you start looking at stuff like this lol! That colour combo is nice though, works with any black, blue or white board.

I went from 1 keyboard to 6 in the span of 8 months and not to mention all the keycaps, gmk sets, switches i invested in too! I quickly realised what i had done and sold off a bunch of boards so now i only have 3 but considering another more unique board that i will actually use.