Build your own Mechanical Keyboard… the RIGHT Way

It’s been a few years and things have changed drastically in the mechanical keyboard space. Come follow along and find out if Linus will finally ditch Cherry Browns and prebuilt boards.

Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group.

Check out some keyboard testing sites

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MUSIC CREDIT
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Intro: Laszlo - Supernova

Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High

CHAPTERS
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0:00 Intro
3:05 Kit Contents
4:05 PCB
5:35 Stabilizers
10:55 Foam
12:15 Plate
13:00 Switches
16:38 Gasket Mount
18:00 Final Assembly
19:45 Keycaps
22:40 Typing Test
24:54 Outro

[saamirt]

I've been thinking of getting into custom mechanical keyboards and this video really helped me decide that I'm actually okay with prebuilt keyboards.

[Quizack]

Whoever did the lighting with the employees holding their keyboards absolutely nailed it. Each person has a different colour light that is relevant to them, and it makes the shot look amazing. Such a small thing, but a massive effect IMO. Great job Light Person!

[coriscotupi]

I built my own mechanical keyboard in 1982. Here's how this went: I had a Z80-based computer, similar to the Sinclair ZX-80, which of course had a terrible membrane keyboard. I figured I could attach a connector to the computer's case and hack the wiring from the simple row/column matrix in its board. So I decided to build my own keyboard, then got in touch with a keyboard modules manufacturer for industrial applications, and ordered 40 individual modules + keycaps for my project.

A representative from the manufacturer reached back and said they were intrigued about what I was trying to do, so I told him about the idea. His response was that he'd lend me manuals, datasheets, layout patterns, etc, for the modules. He told me to take the material home, study it and propose a formal design specification for my keyboard. If they thought I knew what I was doing they'd sell me the 40 modules. If not, they'd prevent me from wasting my money. Fair enough, I thought.

So I went home and designed the keyboard, along with the double-sided printed circuit board, the plastic enclosure, the whole lot. A week later I showed up at their office building, with all the drawings and the recently-etched actual, ready to use PCB. They were so impressed that not only they did sell me the key modules, but also engraved, for free, the myriad of keycap markings (up to 2 different commands per key, in addition to the particular key's character). Not only that, but also on the spot, they offered me a job. Which I politely declined, as I had just landed a job as an analyst/programmer for a large financial corporation.

The keyboard served me for a couple of years, until, like everybody else, I started using a PC.

[JohWong]

Holy shit, you not only covered the basics but also intermediate aspects. Tape mod, holee mod, switch films AND split keyboards?! Plouffle did an amazing job writing this episode.

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-pt]

When Linus says his team is world class, you really see it in videos like this. Dense coverage of a rabbit hole hobby that stays interesting and informative. Props to the team, they nailed this one

[Gapple_]

never thought I’d see the day Linus steps into the actual custom mechanical keyboard scene

[arctic_void]

Wow, huge props to the team. This was surprisingly an all-inclusive guide.

I think the script was very Plouffe and it was entertaining hearing Linus read it. With all the shots of the crew and their custom keyboards I thought there would be a portion where they each described what they use and why they picked it

[TheMarioOne]

This is actually insane! I always thought keyboard building was just about the aesthetic, I never expected this level of detail and customisation on the sound and feel of each individual switch and case. Incredible

[aurunemaru]

would be good to mention about double-shot keycaps:

instead of being painted, some yecaps are made in a two layer plastic injection process to make the lettering (the outer layer of plastic is hollow where the letters are, and the inner fills that space up), so it wont wear out since it's not painted on top

[heyspookyboogie]

The hardest thing for me has always been figuring out which switches to use. There’s SO many options and nuances that you can’t tell without trying them. And I’ve yet to see much in the way of large sets of different options to try

[TheBrokenEclipse]

Would be really awesome if the Lab got into the custom keyboard space by testing switches, foams, cases (and materials), key-caps types, etc. to put some numbers on all the discussions we have in the space.

[falter]

I love how the keyboard community is here just happily inputting additional mods to do on keyboards and just geeking on about them😄 y’all are awesome

[poggerdogger]

This is such a huge step up from the last keyboard build video, great video and super helpful!

[SquashyBoy]

Happy to see custom keyboards becoming mainstream enough to be a whole LTT video 🥲

[scottg]

15:12 Some switches like the Boba U4s require pressing the stem down while you reattach the top housing (I used a pencil and pressed with the eraser end). Otherwise, the leaf of the switch will break which is 100% noticeable and the switch ends up mushy feeling

[as_below_so_above]

Although I'm pretty deep into the hobby, and most of this video was information I already knew beforehand, I definitely appreciate the depth and quality of this video for beginners. I've tried helping some friends customize and select good keyboard options, and I think from this point on, I might direct them to this video. I've seen plenty of introductory keyboard videos, but none of them were as comprehensive and helpful as this one, in my opinion.

[lw]

This is pretty much exactly what I've been wanting from you guys. A well made, thorough guide on keyboard building.
Kudos.

[iRsadface]

Plouffe got me interested in the custom keyboard hobby on the ShortCircuit channel and I've been falling down the rabbit hole since. While I've only been in the hobby for a year now, I've already built multiple keyboards with different configurations, mounting styles, and modding. This video pretty accurately summarizes what I've learned from multiple YouTube videos and channels, and the hobby has really gotten more accessible now from even a year ago. Great job guys - you guys obviously put a lot of research and time into this topic and I think this is a great starting point to at least get people thinking about all the customization potential the hobby has. The intro shot with all the different keyboards for the various staff members was a great way to show that.

[FelixGigler]

It feels like Linus is being held hostage by the hardcore custom keyboard gang in LMG 😂