The practice of creating a mechanical keyboard is spreading like wildfire around the world. Community-run initiatives, modest e-commerce sites, and discussion forums are challenging the days when four major brands controlled the mechanical keyboard market. These initiatives aim to alter how we see keyboards. Because there is such a large mechanical keyboard community, it is nearly hard to get all the knowledge you need to create a keyboard without spending hours on forums.
This instruction will walk you through each step of creating your homemade mechanical keyboard. components, assembly, and other information By the end, maybe you’ll see that making your own is not as challenging as it appears!
There are a few things to think about before making a keyboard, so let’s talk about those before moving on to the instruction.
- Community-run initiatives are group purchases. run by a supplier, a designer, or perhaps simply a bunch of fans. The typical process for projects is to go through the Interest Checks steps, set minimum order quantities to make the project feasible, and then wait till the product shows up at the door. This procedure might take a while.
- Parts that are stocked allow customers to purchase items without the stress and wait associated with a group buy. These components frequently go out of stock as well. This is typically the fastest and least expensive choice, although it might not be as creative as Group Buy initiatives.
Establish Your Keyboard Preferences
most challenging part of making a keyboard, perhaps! Determine the layout you like and the size of the keyboard you require. Which standard is better, ISO or ANSI? Make note of the language on your keyboard. The keycap and keycap size of your keyboard will be determined by this. Would you like a specific case study? To achieve the greatest RGB display, should I use wood, bamboo, aluminum, or even acrylic? A fantastic benefit of the hobby is that you can now create a keyboard that is ideal for your preferences and requirements. You may go as distinctive as you want, practically without end. Consider the characteristics you would like to possess.
- Lighting in RGB: According to Key RGB, RGB side illumination underneath the glow. Keycaps with a pudding-like transparency, shown in acrylic casings, are the underflow.
- USB Connector: Although USB C is present on the majority of current boards, other USB types are available.
- VIA or QMK: These software programs are used to program keyboards. Some can work with QMK or both.
Setting Up Your Keyboard
Starting with the PCB is what we advise. Check each switch input first by connecting the PCB to the computer through a USB connection. Make use of antistatic tweezers, such as the ones in this kit, and place both ends of the tweezers on the PCB’s two copper holes. As soon as this is finished, the PCB will cause the key to be activated. To observe this in action, we advise downloading a QMK or VIA program. After confirming that all inputs are functional. The moment has come to begin to build.
Put The Stabilizers In Place
Those larger keyboard keys are “stabilized” by stabilizers. anything larger than a 2U keycap. To prepare the stabilizers for installation on the PCB, we must first assemble the stabilizers.
The bigger housing component must first include the stem (the cross-shaped portion). Pick up the steel wire and insert it into the stem’s bottom chamber as soon as you are finished. The wire will clip into the stab after you accomplish this if you apply pressure. Your 2U stabilizers will appear as follows if you repeat the process.
We have to place the stabs into the PCB once you’ve built them. The stabs are easily screwed in if your stabilizers of choice are screw ins, or clipped into the PCB holes.
Placing The Switches And plate
Making a sandwich out of your PCB and placing switches in various PCB corners will allow you to install plates. The plate is pinned to the PCB via switches, which are designed to clip in and be largely stable. The plate will straighten out as more switches are added, so don’t worry if it begins to flex.
The Switches Being Soldered
Many people find soldering to be daunting. Newcomers can bypass this entire process with Hotswap PCB. Naturally, you will probably need to solder your switches in if you have a certain configuration in mind.
The actual procedure is relatively straightforward and more dependent on muscle memory than on explanation, although it involves heating the solder tip to melt the solder and create a volcano-shaped figure.
We strongly advise practicing your soldering or viewing instructional videos. Please be sure to watch a soldering instruction and follow the appropriate safety precautions because there are risks involved with this procedure, such as inhaling poisonous smoke or burning yourself.
Put The PCB And PLATE Together In The Case
Depending on the mounting method, this can be different (such as tray mounts, case mounts, etc). Since all that is necessary to complete this operation is to screw the PCB through into casing or another sort of mounting mechanism, it is typically rather straightforward.
Putting In Keycaps
This is the final stage in making a mechanical Keyboard and what connects the board together. However, there are a few recommendations that we will expand on in a comprehensive keycap guide.
To sum up, there are many different alternatives, styles, materials, and production processes for keycaps. As a result, there may be compatibility problems. It’s possible that the set doesn’t have the keycap sizes that your board requires. Before buying, ensure certain you are aware of the keycap sizes that are included in the set.
Conclusion
This finishes our introduction to the topic. We hope that you feel more confident about beginning your experience at this point. Keep in mind that you just constructed your personal mechanical keyboard! What you hold in your hands most likely sounds, feels, and looks superior than almost anything you can buy off the shelf. Enjoy your new keyboard, but be careful not to delve too far.