Building my own keyboard - Do I have all the (correct) parts?

XCII · 27 Mar 2018, 17:49

Instead of buying a vintage keyboard, I have decided to try and build my own new keyboard. I like loud clicky switches, and have found the following parts on the KdbFans website:

GH60 aluminum case

Full assembly DZ60 PCB with box heavy blue switches ( I HAVE seen videos and reviews of these switches, which is the reason I chose them)

Nordic layout PBT keycaps

As far as I can tell, this is all I will need to build the keyboard - correct?

I have deliberately chosen the "full assembly" so I won't have to mess around with any soldering and potentially messing it up.

Do you have any thoughts on my "build"?

Findecanor · 27 Mar 2018, 19:10

Make sure that you order ISO layout ("ISO Enter" and "split left shift") to get one compatible with Nordic layout.

If your case does not come with screws, Poker-compatible 60% cases usually use M2.
You might need to do some minor mods to the USB port hole in the case if you had chosen USB Type C.

The DZ60 PCB should otherwise work right out of the box. Just plug it in and type.
And yeah, you would need a cable.

XCII · 29 Mar 2018, 10:18

I have come in contact with CandyKeys, located in germany.

They have given me an offer on a Vortex Race 3 keyboard with a switch swap. I have read some reviews of the Race 3, and for the price it seems to be great little keyboard. Some have issues with the non-standard layout, but that will not be a problem for me, and programming the board will not be relevant for me.

I really look forward to having a properly made keyboard with switches of my own choice!

__red__ · 29 Mar 2018, 18:24

XCII wrote: ↑I really look forward to having a properly made keyboard with switches of my own choice!

Part of my wants to /sadface this, but I have to remember that this is going to be your first mech-keyboard.

Next time there's a keyboard meetup local to you, go - then you can get a sense as to whether Fs are for you!

XCII · 29 Mar 2018, 18:59

Why the /sadface?

I think it's going to be awesome - I'm sure that I could source a more premium case, a more premium PCB with some even more premium keycaps - but I'm also quite sure that it'll be at a rather premium cost.

If I end up not liking my purchase, it'll be a lesson learned of some sort, but for now, I just really want to try it out and share my experience with all of you other users.

__red__ · 30 Mar 2018, 07:38

XCII wrote: ↑Why the /sadface?

I think it's going to be awesome - I'm sure that I could source a more premium case, a more premium PCB with some even more premium keycaps - but I'm also quite sure that it'll be at a rather premium cost.

If I end up not liking my purchase, it'll be a lesson learned of some sort, but for now, I just really want to try it out and share my experience with all of you other users.

The /sadface comes from the point of view of someone who holds the opinion that it's just not possible to build a keyboard with MX or ALPS keyswitches which matches the typing experience of the Buckling Spring. The sadface is because I want you to experience the absolute joy that I feel every time I sit in front of my 4704 or my F-122.

Keyfeel is only one aspect of the Joy of Keyboarding... there's also keycaps, alternate layouts, etc etc... and that is of course a respectable and fun aspect to the hobby too. I personally, am all about the keyfeel (and the sound)

I have no doubt whatsoever that you're going to have a good time because pretty much any mechanical keyboard you get will far surpass the rubber-dome experience you've been used to thus far. It's just kinda, well... buckling spring is special and I think when you eventually get to try it you'll kick yourself that you didn't do it sooner.

More important that any of this however is that you're here, you're engaged with this community and you're having fun.

Perfection can wait

XCII · 30 Mar 2018, 08:19

Just to clarify, i HAVE had other mechanical keyboards - more than a few, actually.

What I have NOT had, is a keyboard meant for people that are more enthusiastic about their keyboards than people who buy Blackwidows, K70's and HyperX Alloy's.

Okay, perhaps that was a bad way of putting it.

I think that what I mean to say is, that even though I consider my first "real" keyboard to be the the Race 3, and even though it may not (probably won't) be perfect, I think I'll love it anyways.

Getting in contact with people like the ones on this forum is part of the experience and learning for me.

Regarding the aforementioned CandyKeys: How many CEO's (It it the CEO of CandyKeys I have been in contact with) do you know of, who are up after 10 pm to answer emails to help customize a keyboard for a customer?

Not that it makes me seem important, or the product exclusive, but I think it really shows passion.

__red__ · 30 Mar 2018, 17:04

What I hear you saying is that you want something that's personal, and not one of a couple of hundred thousand that roll off an assembly line. Makes perfect sense to me...

Regarding the aforementioned CandyKeys: How many CEO's (It it the CEO of CandyKeys I have been in contact with) do you know of, who are up after 10 pm to answer emails to help customize a keyboard for a customer?

Unfortunately, the aforementioned CEO of IBM is dead so he's not available to provide the same level of customer service as the CEO of CandyKeys.

In all seriousness though, I love the passion of this community.

Since you're best-buds with the CEO - maybe you can ask him about doing some spherical caps for buckling spring keyboards

XCII · 30 Mar 2018, 17:09

I hope I did not come off sounding rude in any way - that was not my intent. I was not trying to portray myself as being important in any way neither - I was just so impressed that I had recieved a level of customer service that I rarely see these days

Sendt fra min VTR-L29 med Tapatalk

__red__ · 30 Mar 2018, 17:36

Nah, you didn't come off as rude at all. I'm truly excited that you're excited.

I just put you on my list for future conversion to the one true switch <3

XCII · 30 Mar 2018, 17:56

Great, then we're all exited, haha

Perhaps I'll eventually find my own way towards that switch - but for now, the box navy's will hopefully impress me

Blaise170 · 30 Mar 2018, 18:09

XCII wrote: ↑Great, then we're all exited, haha

Perhaps I'll eventually find my own way towards that switch - but for now, the box navy's will hopefully impress me

XCII · 30 Mar 2018, 18:11

Blaise170 is that your discrete way of telling me to not bet on the box navy's or am I totally missing the point?

__red__ · 30 Mar 2018, 18:14

XCII wrote: ↑Blaise170 is that your discrete way of telling me to not bet on the box navy's or am I totally missing the point?

You're totally missing the point

It's kinda like me describing membership to deskthority as being equivalent to a few bears

XCII · 30 Mar 2018, 18:18

Sorry for being dumb, but can we agree that the picture Blaise posted is an exit sign? I really don't get it

Blaise170 · 30 Mar 2018, 18:19

XCII wrote: ↑Sorry for being dumb, but can we agree that the picture Blaise posted is an exit sign? I really don't get it

You said you exited!

XCII · 30 Mar 2018, 18:20

Oh, I totally missed that spelling error