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March 24, 2023, 09:06:15 pm - @879.34
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Author Topic: mechanical keyboards as a hobby?  (Read 194 times)
xandra
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« on: February 07, 2023, 11:35:09 pm »

i've gotten into keyboards as a hobby since december and i was hoping to see some builds by other folks if anyone else is into this!

if you're not aware, you can customize keyboards by buying hot-swappable keyboard cases (or the individual pcb and a separate case), key switches, and keycaps to make the best-sounding and best-feeling keyboard for the user. right now, i'm really into thocky keyboards, but creamy keyboards tend to be the ones i build. lately, it seems like deeper-sounding keyboards are trendier, pushing back on the typical clacky mech keyboards that have dominated the space for the last decade (or more).

here are mine:

1. whiteout [photo]
case/board: akko pro 75%
switches: gateron milky yellows (lubed & filmed with krytox 205g0, krytox 105, durock switch films)
keycaps: POM jelly sugarcubes
mods: tape mod, cotton throughout case

2. softie [photo]
case/board: rk white 90%
switches: akko cream yellows (stock)
keycaps: hyekit marshmallows
mods: tape mod, cotton throughout case

3. pretty in pink [photo]
case/board: gmmk 2 96%
switches: glorious lynx (factory lubed)
keycaps: POM jelly lavenders
mods: none

4. ocean blues [photo]
case/board: dareu a98 96%
switches: novelkeys creams (lubed with krytox 205g0, krytox 105, 70g durock springs, & 520k polish)
keycaps: glorious pbt ocean gradients
mods: tape mod

post your keebs!
« Last Edit: February 07, 2023, 11:37:10 pm by xandra » Logged
Melooon
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« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2023, 02:38:11 am »

Oh this is a beautiful collection :ozwomp:

Iv been away from the keyboard scene for a while; Iv never even heard thonks before!! Creamy's sound like tap dancing :grin:

I don't take keyboarding nearly as seriously as you; but I do totally appreciate a nice keyboard and I think particularly for us people who work with computers so much its important to have a tactile experience you really love.

I guess Iv had a few mechanical keyboards over the years .. I had a bunch of Razor ones but I gave most of them away to friends for various reasons (I never liked them very much)

These days I have:
My Main Keyboard is a Vortex Race 3 with its stock keycaps and it has Cherry Clear switches - those were an ordeal to get - I had to sneak it in from the US because they don't sell them in Europe. I really like this layout, it reminds me of 90s mac laptops - and I love the feel of the keys and the cleanness of having no bezel - its just a silver shelf and then blackness and then the keys just float above it! Oh I do like this keyboard!



I also sometimes use my 1988 IBM Model-M - but its very big and clunky, you can see it here (apparently cherry clear switches were also invented in 1988.. I guess thats my year!). I also have an old Macintosh keyboard that uses alpis switches; its ok but nothing to write home about. I guess you could also count the Atari 800, but its keyboard is not usable on modern systems.. its.. very 70s and mechanical! ... not in a good way, but interesting to experience!


And Finally I have a separate Razer Huntsman Mini with its Red (optical linear) switches - I use that for gaming because Cherry Clears are way too clunky for even casual games.

I find clicky keys sound great on their own, but when I actually need to use a keyboard seriously I perfer something quieter. A heavy key switch with a bump suits me because I tend to whack keys! Annnnddd I like the vintage rounded keycap style too that you seem th have on yours; although I definitely want keys that have letters printed on them :tongue:

2. softie is totaly my favourite of yours! It reminds me of some sort of vintage toy that I cant quite name.. but it has things that get pushed.. hmmm
« Last Edit: February 08, 2023, 02:44:44 am by Melooon » Logged


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xandra
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« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2023, 11:08:37 pm »

i love your keyboard, melon! it looks like a whimsical toy. the colors are great :smile:

jealous that you have a model m! amazing keyboards, but very loud! xD but it has a very unique feel and sound that's incredibly nostalgic.
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« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2023, 04:05:33 am »

You guys have such cool keyboards! I always loved the idea of getting into mechanical keyboards, trying different switches, mix and matching custom made keycaps, picking out cables.. they look so nice. But I tried a mechanical keyboard once, and the volume of my keypresses gave me anxiety! I don't think I could use any mechanical keyboard just because of the volume! Sadge


Edit: I have spent the past few hours looking at silent switches and keyboard dampening. I have discovered hope.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2023, 07:01:17 am by Onio » Logged

xandra
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« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2023, 08:41:25 pm »

But I tried a mechanical keyboard once, and the volume of my keypresses gave me anxiety! I don't think I could use any mechanical keyboard just because of the volume! Sadge


Edit: I have spent the past few hours looking at silent switches and keyboard dampening. I have discovered hope.

i'm so glad you came back and looked at silent switches! that was exactly what i was going to suggest. there's a whole subset of mech keyboards that are quiet, including dampened keyboards. that's a sound that a lot of people are going for. we're taking back the hobby for quiet folks too! xD
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« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2023, 09:45:27 pm »

I've yet to fully build a keyboard myself since I'm not in a place financially that I can actively pursue doing so, but it's on my never ending list of things I want to try out someday.

I bought my keyboard from Leopold with Cherry Browns and switched out the default caps for some Evangelion based caps I found on Etsy :4u:


* keyboard-min.jpg (496.28 kB, 4080x3072 - viewed 13 times.)
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xandra
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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2023, 10:25:31 pm »

I've yet to fully build a keyboard myself since I'm not in a place financially that I can actively pursue doing so, but it's on my never ending list of things I want to try out someday.

I bought my keyboard from Leopold with Cherry Browns and switched out the default caps for some Evangelion based caps I found on Etsy :4u:

your keycaps are so cool! :cheesy: FWIW, budget keyboards are a huge part of the hobby if that's helpful at all! <3
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« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2023, 02:17:26 am »

i'm so glad you came back and looked at silent switches! that was exactly what i was going to suggest. there's a whole subset of mech keyboards that are quiet, including dampened keyboards. that's a sound that a lot of people are going for. we're taking back the hobby for quiet folks too! xD


If I could afford it, I would like a walnut wood case, insulate the bottom, Gamakay Phoenix switches, o rings and insulation in the larger keys, and some cute custom key caps here and there (like those koi in resin keys.) I might look for a used copy of a keyboard with key caps I like, save the plate, pcb, and keycaps, and save the money for those aforementioned details.

I also learned about the amazingness of the ceramic key cap sound!

Speaking of custom key caps, half of the key caps I saw on Etsy were just purchased in bulk on Alibaba :omg:k: Good old Etsy.








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xandra
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« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2023, 07:25:44 pm »

i LOVE wooden cases! i've only ever seen them in pre-order/group buy status, but i'd love for someone to start keeping an inventory of them so it can just be bought. they're also pretty pricey as you mentioned. :notgood:

also, speaking of custom keys, i got this lil' guy for my escape key:


* IMG_7387.jpeg (478.27 kB, 1536x2048 - viewed 15 times.)
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