How to build a CUSTOM keyboard. (BEGINNER FRIENDLY)

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0:00 Intro
1:12 Getting Started
1:25 Removing Keycaps
2:09 Removing Switches
3:18 Opening up the Halo Trues
3:57 Bag Lubing Springs
4:56 Modding the Switches
6:35 Modding Stabilizers
7:52 Testing Stabilizers
8:50 Bandaid Mod
9:57 Putting Switches in
10:13 GMK Samurai Overview
11:06 Finished Board
11:30 Thoughts on Drop Alt
11:44 Sound of 3 boards
12:10 Interference Issues with GMK
12:27 Final Thoughts
13:08 PLEASE WATCH FULL SOUND TEST
#MechanicalKeyboard #DropAlt #GmkSamurai #Gmk #Drop #Howtomodaboard #RazerKeyboard #Tofu #Portico #CheapestMechanicalKeyboard #BudgetKeyboard #3ildcat #Bestkeyboardforchristmas #keyboardasmr #typingasmr #cooltech #techreview #techasmr #keycaps #novelkeys #taehatypes

[_E_]

As a person normally deeply critical of the Drop in-house keyboard lineup, this video was incredibly insightful and helped me understand how my own personal preferences developed.

Before this video, I believed the Drop in-house lineup of boards were all deeply flawed due to their north facing LED switch orientation and 3-pin design. Currently, if a new board features either one of these, I personally consider it an instant dealbreaker.

However, the main perceived faults of this board lie within serval basic assumptions that some enthusiasts make about the expression of the keyboard hobby. Let’s walk through this scenario, starting with the Drop Alt with stock Halo switches.
The board may be problematic:
-If you plan on regularly upgrading switches to 5-pin and own (or plan on owning) another board that requires the stability of the extra 2 pins.
-If you purchase GMK or other similar Cherry profile keycaps–AND if you are irritated by the sound/feel of interference.

Another consideration is the existence of switches that don’t seem to suffer from interference issues with Cherry profile regardless of LED orientation, such as the Holy Pandas, which can be considered a direct upgrade from the Halo Trues. Furthermore, as seen in the video, this board does not inhibit other enthusiast modifications such as lubing switches and tuning stabilizers.

My personal experience may not represent everyone else’s, but incremental modding and upgrades were the KEY, to me appreciating this hobby. I started with small things like adding grease to stabilizers, to case foam, to lubing switches on hotswappable boards, to entire customs. My current favorite board is a custom I built from various parts. However, an argument can be made that my board was also built upon the past keyboards I owned, all of which most definitely would not pass the scrutiny tests of this community. My tastes, preferences, and appreciation for quality are a result of experiencing imperfection.

I am increasingly unsettled by the community’s gatekeeping behavior surrounding the Drop keyboards, which are often gateway keyboards for thousands of people into this hobby.

Returning to video, I think this remains a beautiful keyboard that is completely understandable once context is provided. It’s unilaterally an upgrade from that g*mer keyboard Josh was using before. I hope he enjoys his upgrade.

[steins]

when your voice is smoother than the switches

[koolaiddude]

The GMK samurai set is imo the best looking japanese hirigana keycap set out there right now. I love that we finally have some more colors than black and white

[DashPum]

Hipyo: "Do a soundtest of your own in the comments"
me: ok
keyboard: click clack click clack click clack click clack

[thisjustanother]

this video is simply amazing. the entire video going indepth of each process, the items, the time, was executed perfectly. keep up the great work

[ethanoux]

That board will not have cherry profile interference. Halo stems have long center poles and thus bottom out higher. That's probably why you weren't bothered by it.

[kira_exee]

Very good build ! Love the colors of the key caps, and it's overall sound is amazing :)

[cromsy]

hippyo: we're gonna have some fun along the way
also hippyo: we're gonna be *lubing some switches*

[leowolastname]

"replacing the stabilizers"
*removes the hovering mouse from the dislike button*

[Keenemon]

watching this video made me feel like i had a friend teach me about lubing and all that stuff. good job!!

[tskeyboard]

This makes me more excited for when my keyboard and supplies come in. Can't wait to go through the same build experience, great video

[xerex]

Hi Josh!

Am a fan of the build, wouldn't buy the drop alt personally though.
Great video as always, really like the look of those new "information cards"!

[NyaMoon_]

I was like "Oh nice, a budget video" then I heard 300 bucks and was "oh well" xD but atm I´m happy with my G815 I got for 120€ :D

[chrisdotdash]

I am more of a gamer than anything else, and decided that I wanted to do some mods to my Drop ALT low profile. I lubed and filmed my Kailh Silver, added a KBD fans foam module and some EVA foam, lubed, clipped, and band-aid modded the PCB. I love this board now. I know that a lot of keyboard enthusiasts hate it for not being 5 pin, the expensive price, and integrated plate, but I love it (and I am not the type of guy that spends $600 on a keyboard).

[lucus]

I became friends with the wrong people lmao. No but this is great that you did this for your friend!

[broodjekaas]

Underrated channel.
Absolute god tier commentary and filming skills.

[turboChet]

I've always wanted know how the gmk samurai looked on the drop alt because I have it, and finally I've seen it in this video, thank you! btw great vid

[policeboyweewoo]

Wow your friend is lucky to have you as a friend

[ecp]

What a nice video! I learned a lot. Definitely I'll buy from yours links. Thanks for this video man!

[machinist_]

Hi Josh. Thanks for going into such detail.