Interesting. I'd like to build my own keyboard, but my crafting skills are not good enough for it. It's a pity how few tenkeyless mechanical keyboards with a ctrlcapslock dip switch there are, and most of them don't allow you to install matching custom key caps. I'm currently using a Pok3r, which is okay, but I really wish there were more custom keyboard options on the market.
If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
41–50 of 373 posts
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#42I've been fascinated with mechanical keyboards for a while. Have been thinking of setting up a Slack channel to build a little community of enthusiast to share their builds / questions / stuff that's for sale etc. Anyone interested in joining such channel? Would love to set it up and connect with MK builders. Send me an email if interested.
There is also Geekhack (geekhack.org) and Keebtalk (www.keebtalk.com).
I have built a number of keyboards, and have found all the information I have needed on Geekhack.
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#43Check out the "Dactyl-ManuForm": https://github.com/tshort/dactyl-keyboard > a parameterized, split-hand, concave, columnar, ergonomic keyboard.
How about a 3D-printed DataHand clone...
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#44Meh, the Phantom has been doing this since 1925. And try getting custom keys delivered to an opera house on a Saturday before a big open.
Can you elaborate? This album is about a person who built their own keyboard, but it sounds like you're describing a company. Are you saying that company designs custom keyboards?
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#45Yeah you lost me at "Plate CNC cut from 1.5mm aluminum".
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#46Is this like the audiophile movement?
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#47Am I the only one who doesn't quite fancy mechanical keys? For me, Mechanical keyboards cause fatigue as the key travel, regardless of which flavor of the key type, is too much. I prefer using Apple's new magic keyboar with numpad. It has a 1mm or so travel and feels fantastic.
it's all preference in the end. I enjoy my mechs but I'm partial to shallow keys too. actually low-profile switches are becoming more of a thing - see the kailh chocs. still very niche though.
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#48He built his own keyboard and still included a huge CapsLock key in the place where god intended Ctrl to go?
I know it's regarded as blasphemy but I sometimes use Caps Lock.
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#49Around 2 years ago now, I took the plunge and bought myself an Ergodox EZ split island keyboard. Quite franky, it is the biggest quantum leap in the ergonomic experience of interacting with a computer I have seen since learning Vim. It is comfortable, effortless and fast. If you spend any significant time interacting with computers it is a complete no brainer to invest in optimising the IO channel between your brain and the machine.
Here is a link to my keyboard layout which you can freely use. It is optimised for Vim and Ubuntu use.
Re: If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead
#50Am I the only one who doesn't quite fancy mechanical keys? For me, Mechanical keyboards cause fatigue as the key travel, regardless of which flavor of the key type, is too much. I prefer using Apple's new magic keyboar with numpad. It has a 1mm or so travel and feels fantastic.
I think some of it is gaming and NKRO (n-key rollover) as well as aesthetics and acoustics.