Newbie on a mission :)

[SectorOMEGA]

Hello everyone. First post here, so excuse for the stupid ones Very keen on starting a custom build 87 key with illumination. Have read a lot and my head is going to explode. Totally new to keyboard DIY. So to be short. Want to build 87 key, QWERTY, with ISO style(I think, the big enter and backspace). After short digging found the top plate I need. So far so good. Ordered the resistors I need, I have a teensy from other project. I work in advertising agency so the cutouts for the casing will be easy. The only thing is the switches and some advises on the build. Can Somebody tell me from where to buy them Read there are lots of fakes out there. Thank you in advance for your time and advises.

[Orpheo]

You will read and hear the contrary but I advise on using Cherry switches instead of Gateron, that's my experience but I only use vintage or new old stock ones.

[ohaimark]

You will read and hear the contrary right here: unless you can source vintage Cherry switches, Gaterons are superior in terms of smoothness. They have a different tactile feel, a different sound, and the occasional quality control issue.

Their lower price and smoothness offset any downsides, in my opinion.

[fohat]

I would recommend patience. Most people around here have owned multiple keyboards, often including multiple variants within in each of multiple manufacturers.

Before investing the time, effort, and money in an ambitious project like this, you should experiment enough to be sure that you really know what you prefer.

[codemonkeymike]

I agree with ohaimark at about $0.35 USD (In some places) you cant beat Gateron, I enjoy their Brown switches over Cherry's any day.

[Phenix]

I agree with ohaimark at about $0.35 USD (In some places) you cant beat Gateron, I enjoy their Brown switches over Cherry's any day.

new cherry browns or even vintage browns?

@OP
Like others said: better try out some switches before going build the custom one.

Get (if possible) an old cherry board (blues, blacks, clears..) maybe consider a TopreRealforce or RGB

[Phenix]

switches are available quite cheap at switchtop.com (gaterons at 0.28)

Regarding an kit: nearly every TKL_Custom-kit will shupport your wanted layout.
eg Gon (korean) has tkls, but not cheap. alternative: winkeyless

Or some kit off aliexpress /Taobao, those should be cheaper

[SectorOMEGA]

Currently I'm using Steelseries mx500 with Cherry blue switches and I'm quite satisfied. The purpose for the build( At least my first one )will be for office use. So I'm thinking about cherry browns. Is worth it to buy Gateron brown for the try out?
The top plate that I found is lacking two buttons ( both slashes around the enter) so on the mission for another one Will keep this one as progress threat. I'm located in Bulgaria so things are reaching me quite slow

[SectorOMEGA]

So I got the KMAC design dwg. Will only go for the half the parts. Will do the plate and the bottoms. Will 1.5mm Alu plate be enough for it? Also thinking of 2x3mm plexy for the rest