The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Custom Mechanical Keyboards

Customized mechanical keyboards are a deep rabbit gap you’ll be able to simply get misplaced in, so we’re right here to information you thru the fundamentals. We aren’t simply going to clarify every half, however we wish to present you the place every half could lead on you to customise your individual keyboard. This is our final information to customized mechanical keyboards.

What Are Customized Mechanical Keyboards?

Nearly all mechanical keyboards could be custom-made, however we name fanatic keyboards customized keyboards, as they’re made to be custom-made.

You should purchase a customized keyboard pre-assembled, however the enjoyable half is constructing it the way you prefer it. Barebone kits are frequent in customized keyboards as they arrive with out switches and could be assembled in numerous configurations, permitting you to experiment and select what you need your keyboard to be like.

Supplies and Sound on a Customized Mechanical Keyboard

Earlier than we deconstruct a customized keyboard, we wish you to know the larger image—the entire of the keyboard.

Totally different supplies do not simply exist for present or novelty however serve a larger function; sound and really feel are probably the most sought-after qualities of a customized keyboard. You may change and modify the elements of a keyboard, however you will not know the way it feels or sounds till you set all of it collectively.

Keybored has a superb video (above) and diagram on how totally different supplies affect the sound of a keyboard, which is fascinating whether or not newcomer or veteran. Figuring out how sure supplies will affect the sound of your keyboard will make it easier to make extra knowledgeable shopping for selections.

You should not simply take the diagram as it’s, although, as different elements like modifications, foam, and development could make a keyboard sound very totally different regardless of having the identical supplies as one other.

Customized Mechanical Keyboards Necessities

There aren’t too many issues concerned in keyboards, however every element can department out into many alternative varieties, which is what can overwhelm newcomers. We’re right here to simplify issues by exhibiting you the most important elements and what they department out into.

Layouts

This is not actually a element, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an essential a part of constructing a customized keyboard. There are numerous kinds of layouts, however we advise selecting from the most well-liked ones, as these often match most individuals’s wants.

Going for tiny keyboards could be too troublesome, as you need to get used to utilizing layers for the Operate keys and the arrow keys. 70%, TKL, and 96% keyboards are the most well-liked, as they preserve the arrow keys however are extra compact than a full-sized keyboard.

If you wish to use smaller keyboards, try QMK and the way it’ll assist enhance your productiveness.

Suspension and Mounting Types

Rookies typically overlook suspension and mounting kinds, however they’re an essential a part of the expertise. Mounting kinds affect the sound of a keyboard, whereas the suspension could make lengthy typing classes comfy.

Thomas Baart has a superb graphic on the several types of mounts and their advantages. Nevertheless, it would not have the suspension kinds.

The highest three suspension kinds are gasket, flex cuts, and leaf spring. All of those goal to make the plate and PCB have a bit of bounce so it would not really feel such as you’re typing on a tough floor. Gaskets are essentially the most inexpensive, whereas flex cuts and leaf springs are costlier as a result of they’re extra sophisticated to engineer.

Switches

There are numerous kinds of switches, which is one other alternative that may overwhelm. Nevertheless, you solely have to concentrate to 3 important sorts: linear, tactile, and clicky.

Rookies will like clicky switches due to their loud nature, however they do not often present essentially the most luxurious sound. Linear and tactile switches are quieter and may present a cleaner sound.

Stabilizers

Stabilizers are probably the most essential elements of a keyboard’s sound. If you are going to modify your keyboard, this ought to be your first port of name. Stabilizers hardly ever sound good of their unmodified state, typically sounding low cost and rattly if not lubed and balanced.

Crucial factor to notice for stabilizers is that in case your equipment would not have them otherwise you wish to change them, be certain that to get the correct sort, whether or not screw-in or clipped.

Keycaps

Keycaps are pretty subjective, and it is best to choose what feels and appears good at the beginning. We have appeared on the many kinds of keycap profiles and supplies, an essential step in your customized keyboard construct.

Nevertheless, in case you’re in search of keycaps that improve the sound, search for ones with thicker materials, as they’re going to produce a fuller sound than skinny keycaps that sound low cost and hole.

There are additionally artisan keycaps. These are inventive equipment to your keyboard and will probably be an funding merchandise. The picture above is an instance of a uncommon artisan keycap I gained at a giveaway occasion in June 2023.

PCBs and Backplates

When shopping for a customized mechanical keyboard equipment, you might need the selection of the kinds of printed circuit boards (PBCs) and backplates you will get. Generally there are a number of backplates and PCBs made of various supplies or with flex cuts. The commonest backplates you will discover are aluminum or polycarbonate, so you’ll be able to select both finish of the sound spectrum.

So long as the mounting model doesn’t intervene, PCBs and backplates with flex cuts or product of softer plastics could be fairly versatile and supply a extra comfy typing expertise.

Foam and Dampening Materials

These days, many customized keyboard kits include foam or silicone dampeners. They are not seen as modifications anymore however as an important a part of constructing the sound of a keyboard. In case your equipment would not include foam, you’ll be able to simply make your individual or purchase it pre-cut.

Case foam can dampen the reverberations, making your keyboard sound much less hole, whereas PCB and plate foam could make your keyboard sound marbly and splendid. Silicone dampeners take the place of case foam in some plastic keyboards, like Keychron’s V-series keyboards.

One factor to be careful for, nonetheless, is that case foam can cut back the pliability you expertise in your keyboard as a result of it’s going to give your PCB much less room to maneuver.

Customized Mechanical Keyboard Modifications

Right here comes the enjoyable half, modifying your keyboard to remodel it into your individual. There are numerous kinds of modifications, however we wish to concentrate on those that make your keyboard sound superior.

Stabilizer Modifications

As we have talked about, stabilizers are often a rattly mess. Nevertheless, there are mods to repair this. Two of crucial ones are tuning and lubricating.

The steel wire of a stabilizer can typically not be utterly straight. You may repair this by bending it and laying it on one thing very flat, like a mirror or your telephone’s display, like on this video. Don’t fret; you most likely will not break your telephone just like the video says.

As soon as your stabilizer wire is balanced and lubricated, you often do not need to do the rest, not like the myriad of stabilizer modifications. Begin with these two staple items, and if it nonetheless would not work, you’ll be able to check out different mods just like the Holee mod.

Change Modifications

You can also make many modifications to your switches, however essentially the most primary is lubrication. This can enhance the sound and really feel by making it much less rattly and scratchy. You must solely lube linear switches and a few tactile ones, however nearly by no means clicky switches.

In case you hear about swap movies, you needn’t hassle generally. The tolerances in swap manufacturing have improved so considerably that they are hardly ever wanted.

Make certain solely to make use of correct lubricants like Krytox 205g0 and never petroleum jelly. Try our swap lubing information if you wish to know find out how to lube your switches.

Put together Your self for Your Customized Mechanical Keyboard Construct

Leaping headfirst right into a deep interest like fanatic mechanical keyboards could be daunting, particularly if you do not know the place you are headed or cannot outline what you need.

We hope this information has armed you with the information to determine what you need from a dream construct or make it easier to plan your first customized construct.