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Building my first mechanical keyboard

not-matthias.github.io

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Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#101

Post by swah »

Matthias247 wrote: post #99
swah wrote: post #93

I keep going from mechanical keyboards to low-profile ones (K380, Mx Keys) and not sure which one I like better. For sure the low-profile ones are less painful to type. (And to be honest my usage is not for typing all the time - its also mousing and pressing a few shortcuts for an hour, and then an hour of mostly typing, etc)

You can try the mix: A low profile mechanical keyboard - e.g. with the Kailh Choc switches. They in all sorts of pricepoints - from expensive Logitech G815/G915 to cheaper ones like the Havit HV-KB390L or in europe the Sharkoon Purewriter. I have the latter, and prefer to all regular mechanical keyboards I bought (a Logitech G Pro and a Corsair one with Cherry switches). The low profile one feels far more ergonomic a…

I did try the G915 and the Havit at some point, but they didn't work for me. I think the short key travel doesn't give me that mechanical satisfaction, then I might as well use the membrane ones..

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#102

Post by addy13 »

ryanchoi wrote: post #84
creakingstairs wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a split keyboard last year and I honestly don’t think I could go back. My shoulder/chest pain went away. The layers let me almost never leave the home row and I miss it every time I use my laptop keyboard. > I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard. Yeah, mine has lots of wires and I miss the minimalistic aesthetic of wireless mini keyboards.

If one isn’t afraid to tinker a little more while building keyboards one could work in a nice!nano or similar replacement for pro micros/elite-Cs, I had a fine time building a kyria (a 40% split) with it too: https://nicekeyboards.com/nice-nano/ If you’re into low profile switches (that’s a big if!) there are projects the corneish zen https://lowprokb.ca/products/corne-ish-zen

Can you replace any existing usb c ports with this? I have a planck that I would really like to make wireless but a quick search around google doesn't show anyone building one with it.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#103

Post by jjmiv »

Symbiote wrote: post #22
0xCAP wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always been interested in buying one, but since I'm curre tly budgeting for other major investments I'm not willing to spend like 350€+ for an ergodox. Are there decent sub 100€ non diy (i have never soldered anything in my life) split keyboards around afayk?

I don't think you'll find anything non-DIY for under €350. The cheapest options are probably the Chinese/AliExpress ortholinear ones[1], but even those still cost more. [1] http://www.koolertron.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=keyboard

novelkeys has a LOT of great quality keyboards for under lower prices. I have the milkshake nk65 and it is awesome.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#104

Post by jjmiv »

this is a great post on putting together a mechanical keyboard. to note, to get involved in mechanical keyboards there are many ways to approach it:

1 - Buy a mechanical keyboard that's already put together - Razer, Logitech and Corsair and even makers such as Novelkeys have models that are ready out of the box!!

2 - Buy a kit - basically via group buy in most cases but you end up putting most or a few of the parts together yourself. Often these kits come with everything but sometimes you end up having to get the keycaps and/or switches yourself.

3 - Buy all the separate parts and choose your own adventure - this is another way!! Pick everything you want - case, pcb, switches, stabilizers, plates(or no plate if you want), switches and keycaps!

4 - Mod an existing keyboard - take a keyboard that you bought off the shelf and solder on your own switches or just change the keycaps. I have a great Cooler Master board that I moved the pcb into a custom housing. This option is not as common i feel but its out there!

While this can be a lucrative hobby do not feel like you cannot choose option 1 to get yourself involved. Its ok if you are not building everything from scratch or printing the the PCB yourself. Enjoy it, you are all allowed to be here!

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#105

Post by nextlevelwizard »

samatman wrote: post #39
nextlevelwizard wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>they are more concerned with aesthetics, Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Mechanical keyboard communities are 110% all about aesthetics. For most it is far more important how the keyboard looks than anything else, the comes how it feels and sounds and somewhere very far comes actual functionality and even further ergonomics. Obviously there is nothing wrong with this, but it makes sourcing split mechanical keyboa…

Here's my objection to putting it this way, especially the hyperbolic 110% thing. With one exception, every split key you can buy or make right now is a product of the mechanical keyboard community's enthusiasm. I'm referring to the Kinesis Advantage of course, which is a wonderful device but not my choice. So yeah, there's a whole subsection in the hobby which makes like 30 key hello-kitty-themed clickbait (look may…

>With one exception, every split key you can buy or make right now is a product of the mechanical keyboard community's enthusiasm.

Are you high? There are plenty of split keyboards that have nothing to do with mechanical keyboard community unless your think mechanical keyboard community has been active since the 1920s

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#106

Post by nextlevelwizard »

moondev wrote: post #58
nextlevelwizard wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>they are more concerned with aesthetics, Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Mechanical keyboard communities are 110% all about aesthetics. For most it is far more important how the keyboard looks than anything else, the comes how it feels and sounds and somewhere very far comes actual functionality and even further ergonomics. Obviously there is nothing wrong with this, but it makes sourcing split mechanical keyboa…

> Obviously there is nothing wrong with this, but it makes sourcing split mechanical keyboards hard and expensive. Wouldn't increased demand (regardless of purchase motive) increase supply and decrease the price?

Split keyboards have different cases and boards. Only switches and keycaps are shared.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#107

Post by creakingstairs »

ryanchoi wrote: post #84
creakingstairs wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a split keyboard last year and I honestly don’t think I could go back. My shoulder/chest pain went away. The layers let me almost never leave the home row and I miss it every time I use my laptop keyboard. > I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard. Yeah, mine has lots of wires and I miss the minimalistic aesthetic of wireless mini keyboards.

If one isn’t afraid to tinker a little more while building keyboards one could work in a nice!nano or similar replacement for pro micros/elite-Cs, I had a fine time building a kyria (a 40% split) with it too: https://nicekeyboards.com/nice-nano/ If you’re into low profile switches (that’s a big if!) there are projects the corneish zen https://lowprokb.ca/products/corne-ish-zen

Thanks for the links! I do wanna try out low profile switches. I wish there were something like corneish zen with a bit more keys :p

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#108

Post by CTDOCodebases »

0xCAP wrote: post #20
Symbiote wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm mostly-maintaining a mechanical split keyboard gallery [1] to help with this. There are a lot of options, from keyboards you can buy from a major retailer (or easily get your IT department to buy), to hand-soldered kits where you need to 3D print the case.- [1] https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/

I've always been interested in buying one, but since I'm curre tly budgeting for other major investments I'm not willing to spend like 350€+ for an ergodox. Are there decent sub 100€ non diy (i have never soldered anything in my life) split keyboards around afayk?

I recommend getting into keyboard groups on discord and facebook. In Australia I've seen people selling second hand assembled split boards for less than cost of the parts.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#109

Post by CTDOCodebases »

the_gipsy wrote: post #12
colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

Many definitely are obsessed only with aesthetics, and it's especially sickening when you look at the subgroup of rare-overpriced keyboards. But split is not the single most important ergonomics aspect IMO. A planck-like ortholinear keeb is more ergonomic than those "alice" splits that have staggered-row-layout, for me at least.

>But split is not the single most important ergonomics aspect IMO. A planck-like ortholinear keeb is more ergonomic than those "alice" splits that have staggered-row-layout, for me at least.

It think it all depends on your typing style and body.

The issue with standard boards and the planck is people typically type with their hands parallel or near parallel and their wrist are bent. This can cause wrist pain over time.

On "alice" type boards the wrists are straight so typing is quite comfortable.

Re: Building my first mechanical keyboard

#110

Post by CTDOCodebases »

michaelbrave wrote: post #71
colordrops wrote: post #8

Great intro. One thing I don't understand about the mechanical keyboard community is how the vast majority (like well over 95%) are not split keyboards. You'd think keyboard enthusiasts that sweat the details would also be obsessed with ergonomics. But no, I suspect that they are more concerned with aesthetics, which are arguably worse with a split keyboard.

I'm also curious why there arne't more expiramental key layouts, for example having programming related keys like "()~!" on the number keys is kind of annoying, would love a redesign where they are on the left instead of say caps lock or a longer shift key.

Using the open source firmware (QMK) that comes with most custom keyboard PCBs you can set keys to act as modifier keys when held or tapped. I set my capslock up like this so that when I hold it down h,j,k,l become my arrow keys and y and o become my home and end keys respectively.

Some PCBs support a split space bar too so if you tend to hit space with one hand the other can be used for a modifier and the home row can house all your commonly typed symbols which are normally out of reach.

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