I Tried Building a CUSTOM Mechanical Keyboard: Everything I Learned

Custom keyboards have been around for quite a while now and there are a ton of great Keyboard centric youtube creators out there that somehow make the topic of keyboards, fun, interesting, sound great and look so freakin’ cool. I’ve always struggled with finding the perfect keyboard. If you’ve been a long time follower of this channel, you know how many keyboards I’ve gone through through. The pursuit of the perfect keyboard has always been a constant struggle.

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0:00 Introduction
1:07 Why A Custom Keyboard
2:07 Keyboard Sizes and Bodies
4:09 Key Switches
7:43 Keycaps
9:58 Buying Components
12:01 Modding
13:15 Conclusion

So it seemed like the perfect solution was to build it myself, that way I get all the features I want, in the layout I want, with no compromises.

Keyboards come in a bunch of different sizes. The most common ones I’ve seen are 100% which are the 100%, 80%, 75% and 65% which removes the entire function row of keys. There are plenty of options for cases out there for keyboards, and there are many options for all form factors, it's kind of like selecting a pc case if you’re familiar with building a PC. While the exterior provides aesthetic value it also affects the angle of the keyboard, and depending on body material, can also affect the sound of the final product. Basically every choice determines how it looks, feels, and sounds.

Beyond that you also have to consider what type of key switches you want. Key Switches are one of the biggest factors on how a keyboard sounds and feels. Most custom keyboards use cherry mx keyswitches with clicky, linear, and tactile key switches.

Then there’s keycaps. They come in a bunch of different colors, shapes, fonts, materials and can even affect how your keyboard sounds. The quality, fit and finish of each keycap set will be completely different depending on the type of keycap you buy and the quality of the manufacturing. There are some keycaps in the keyboard community that are generally considered one the more premium options, and these are GMK keycaps. But they are super expensive, at least $100 or more for a set, which is the cost of a whole mechanical keyboard from well known brands. You don’t have to get GMK keycaps just because they’re the premium “Standard”, there are plenty of options out there that vary between prices. There are two types of plastic you’ll find on keyboards ABS and PBT.

Once you have all those sorted out, you have your parts listed out, it’s time to buy your parts right? Wait. What is this? Waitlists? GroupBuys? Interest Checks? The thing about custom keyboards, is that they are custom, and a hobby that has a bunch of growing pains. It’s not streamlined like the PC building community, a lot of the times, keyboard components that are unique or fit an aesthetic, you gotta be at the right place, at the right time, and also willing to wait to get them. This is the process for a lot of keyboards and keycaps. And it can be really discouraging for people who are just starting out. Because often times, the parts you want are not going to be in production for months and they’ll just slowly trickle into your mailbox with time. So if you’re looking for a real custom experience it takes a lot of time to gather all of the components you want to build that “perfect” keyboard.

Once the parts arrive, it’s easy to put the keyboard together, they usually come with manuals. The whole process only takes about 2 or so hours.

Now that we have a complete custom keyboard. What did I think of the whole experience? It was fun to learn something new and try to figure it out. This keyboard cost about 350 to make. Of course, that’s because I was willing to pay that much, you can easily put something together for less that still feels and sounds good. While $350 sounds pretty pricey for this keyboard, since all the components are modular, we could always reuse certain components, change out pieces that are getting old, falling apart, or get a new case altogether if we’re looking for a new experience, which you can’t normally do with a bog standard mechanical keyboard from a big brand. Also, building a custom keyboard doesn’t have to be expensive either, Amazon has a ton of hot-swappable keyboards available that you can just buy and start tinkering with. Overall, building a keyboard is a fun way to learn something new, and get the exact look, feel, sound, and functionality you want out of a keyboard. You really get to control every aspect of a device a lot of people use daily. I’m ready for the next one.

[Syncmarios]

Welcome to the cult!
At first, I didn't understand the obsession with building keyboards and especially spending so much money on it - Now, I'm looking for right group buy for my 5th custom keyboard.
It just so awesome to find such an interesting and diverse hobbie in something which is so simple as a keyboard.

Amazing video and looking forward to check the one you build for yourself!

[virryth]

Built my first keyboard yesterday and I have to say even with the many months of me binge watching YouTube videos and learning the jargons, the actual assembling itself still took a lot of time.

[JordanDoesKeebs]

Great video! Getting into this community can be a real struggle because almost none of it is consumer friendly. Its getting better, but we've got a long way to go.

[ImJustStandingHere]

Compared to most, this is a really good dive down the rabbit hole, and has very few mistakes as far as information goes. You clearly did the proper research, and Switch and Click is an awesome resource for beginners (people always complain there's no beginner info, when that website is like a gold mine for beginners). Awesome job, this is a great intro for new people to the hobby from an outsiders perspective! Great job! Hope you had a fun time diving down the keyboard rabbit hole!

[p.e.r.c.y]

I went done this rabbithole about 2 years ago now. Built my first board and fell in love with the hobby. I now have 8 boards plus 3 others that I've sold already.

There is some tactiles that have the bump right at the top or the whole way down. Generally the sound is more due to material used in the switch from both the housing and the stem as well as the board material.

[TheMarslMcFly]

I haven't built a custom keyboard yet, but I recently also fell down the Rabbit hole, especially Hipyo Tech got me binging lol. Should I ever upgrade my old, beat up laptop to a proper PC, I'm definitely gonna get a nice custom keyboard with it :D

[hingsing]

Really great video, good logical flow, simple analogies, and very easy to follow for newcomers :-D. Btw the QK65 you built for your wife is really clean, the caps and color selection look great!

[DaveAlkema]

I've built several keyboards at this point. The most involved one was the QK75 that I'm typing on right now. Hardest part was definitely getting the stabs installed. It was my first time working with screw in stabs and having to hold the stab in place with one hand, while working with the tiny washers and screws with the other was a challenge for me. After getting that done the rest was a breeze. Still, I think I might go clip-in stabs in the future.

[JeskidoYT]

Custom keyboard building is like computers. Difference is availability and shipping time

[Valorhammer]

I am now in the - learning everything about soldering, buying soldering iron kit, and starting to experiment on soldering on older/cheaper keyboards - phase of the hobby.

[stripedsweater]

Max I've probably spent close to $900 max $1000. I recently ordered the Zoom 65 V2 this will be my last keyboard 😅

[francois.m]

Since joining the cult, I've learnt patience as well as how to solder.

Can't believe that I'm 2 years and 6 keyboards into the hobby but none of my GMK sets have shipped.

Despite that, I've learnt patience as well as soldering which will help with my other personal projects.

[TheShannonagains]

Just picked up a second hand Keychron V1, don't think I'm ready to fall into the rabbit hole of going full custom, but currently looking into picking up some tactile switches for it and a new set of keycaps

[hieu.mongous]

Dang it Jimmy, I just bought everything to build my custom keyboard yesterday and you decide to post this video today! I would've loved to watch this sooner!

[Luigi]

nice! i dropped 200 and made a cool custom one earlier this year too. It's so fun tinkering, but I also love having no keycaps with that nice sound

[melissacronecarvell]

I miss the Sun (UNIX layout) keyboards! Man those were the days.

[buddybleeyes]

I went from the rog falchion to the akko 3068B plus, swapped the switches for the akko wine reds (lubed) used the included white foam the keyboard came in, used the tape mod on the back of the pcb and band aid moded with medical tape. My god I love this keyboard... now I get the addiction...

[hansennoah]

Bought a keycbron k4 in jan 2022. Now sitting at 5 boards built and 2 group buys on the way

[Exolotyze]

"amost sounds like a cult"

you sir are correct

[stevep]

I startred down this rabbit hole by building and modding a custom numpad becuase it was a lot cheaper than a full board. Now I'm 4 boards and 2 numpads deep and I want more lmao