Mechanical Keyboards

A friend ofminee and me are building a keyboard. And I think it might be my end game. Keychron Q6, stabilizer tape and lubed. WS heavy tactile switches. This is amazing!

One more image from top down: https://files.catbox.moe/60mh0n.jpg

My ePBT Hangul BoW keycaps finally arrived, although I still have to wait for the corresponding deskmat.

I also took the opportunity to lube my stabilizers while cleaning my keyboard before putting on the new keycaps. They do sound much better now.

Many of you likely know me as “The Handwiring Guy” but this is my first PCB keyboard of my own design. The Scotto34 (PCB Edition) is a low-profile 34-key split monoblock ortholinear keyboard that uses 18x17mm spaced Choc switches, hotswap capabilities, and an exposed controller in the middle. I have a video coming out today at 12PM (EST) on my channel talking about the board and how to build it. It will have some really nice close-up macro shots that I can’t wait for people to see!

In addition, this board is my announcement that I’m working on a series of videos covering mechanical keyboard PCB design from start to finish. I’m estimating it will be 6 episodes in total and cover the entire process from the core concepts up to ordering the final PCBs. The plan is to release the entire series at once and each video will be 2-10 minutes long, depending on the topic.

Anyway, when I share my boards, I like to share a few things:

1. I make videos on these boards.
2. All the handwired boards I design are released completely for free. The PCB boards are available for sale on my website: scottokeebs.com.
3. You can keep up to date on the project or support me at scottokeebs.com.
4. I have a Discord server that is super helpful for all things related to keebs.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

My circle of friends that use mechanical keyboards isn't that large, though I don't seem to know anyone else with as many issues as I've had with standard style MX.

My introduction to mechanical was some razer board with blues I got from a returns store, don't remember how many times I opened faulty switches to remove one of my hairs from between the contacts.
My next board I kept for years and years was a converted wy50 with black switches, same deal. Partial to a 9.75u space bar I used the wy50 caps to handwire my own keyboard and decided to use some tecsee switches so if I mess them up I wouldn't feel like I wasted much and they were the worst yet for hoovering up hair.

No one else that I know seems to ever have had a problem with it and it only got worse after getting a cat.

Early 2022 I tried kailh box switches and haven't had an issue since.

Hello all,

I've loved and used the everloving life out of my old Das Pro (MX Browns, standard keycaps, no media controls) for well over a decade now, and since my work keyboard situation has become untenable I'm extremely tempted to move the old keyboard into the office and get a new shiny for home. I think I'll have to stick with Browns despite wanting something clicker (I live in an apartment and feel like my typing noises late at night are plenty loud enough with the Browns). I got the Das at the very beginning of the mechanical keyboard renaissance, so I have no idea where the market is these days-- I'm sure I'd be perfectly happy with a new Das, maybe without the labels, but I wanted to throw it to the community: is there anyone who's directly competitive with Das for a similar-format keyboard these days? Maybe tenkeyless?

I am still learning the hobby, but recently I found a keyboard I really like, however it has bluetooth (yikes). I'm not a fan of Bluetooth for keyboards that I will 100% use wired, and it doesn't seem there is a way to disable the Bluetooth via Firmware or Hardware switch.

The board is a Zoom TKL. Is it possible to swap the PCB with another PCB that does not have Bluetooth included? I'm guessing TKL is a pretty standard format? If so, would anyone mind pointing me in the right direction?

Hi all! I have an input club infinity 60% keyboard with matias quiet click switches which I really like. I like the really pronounced bump right at the top and the way the resistance drops. Are the any cherry mx compatible switches that have a similar profile?

I don't know if y'all need this, but I thought it might fit here. Might be helpful for playing with aesthetic details before your next project.

The way I see it, this is 1/3 to 1/10 the cost of a switch.

I have some stuff to sell.

Hello, I got a Corsair K60 RGB Pro for free from my friend. However, it's missing some of the keycaps. Can anyone suggest good replacements? Sorry, I'm kind of new to mechanical keyboards.

Have been debating a new keyboard for awhile and haven't been able to settle on anything. I used to have Razer everything but I finally got tired of my Mamba double clicking so I got a Corsair Harpoon to try something new.

I was debating getting the Corsair k60 to keep within the Corsair line but honestly i don't care at this point and just want a keyboard I'm going to be happy with for awhile. from everything I've seen I'm thinking of getting a Ducky One 2 RGB Pudding edition because I've always wanted pudding caps and just never actually got them.

I don't use my computer a whole lot and when I do it's mostly gaming. Truck driver by trade so I almost never "work" at my computer and I don't do a whole lot of typing but I have to admit I've always kind of hated and struggled to type on the black widow.

looking for a 100% keyboard with RGB no wrist rest needed and idk what my budget will be maybe the $100-$150 range? less is better though since I'm a cheap bastard and the blackwidow still works perfectly.

From top to bottom:

• Monsgeek M1 - Boba U4T switches with 67g springs - Gentleman XDA V2 Keycaps = This is the Daily
• TM680 - MMD Holy Panda switches - Pudding Keycaps = This is for work
• Tester68 - Gateron Milky Yellow Switches - Honey Milk keycaps = This is now my partners keyboard (Although its just been placed on her desk, we will have to see if its gets used)

All of these have been lubed, tape modded, the TM680 and Tester68 have wheel weights and case foam to make the keyboard heavier and feel less hollow.----

I'm partial to MX brown keys and would like to find a reasonably priced (<$130ish CDN) keyboard with a number pad

I prefer plug in since this will just sit on my desk and I'm happy to not have to worry about BT connection issues and battery levels

As a reference, I really like my Corsair K70 with brown switches

This will be attached to my work MacBook Pro - I'm a relative OSX newbie and sometimes have trouble translating the special keys from the Windows layout to Mac, so I figure having an actual Apple keyboard will make my life just a bit easier

I'm humming and hawing over which split 36-key or thereabouts keyboard to get, either pre-soldered or as a kit to do the soldering myself (which would be an adventure because it has been a minute).

I'm pretty sure I want five columns not six, because I don't see the point of giving my pinky extra work. I'm not sure about giving my thumb two or three keys for layers. Three keys would probably give me more options but I don't want to get all layered out, you know?

Any thoughts on that? I know there is huge potential for going down the rabbithole here but assuming I get one keyboard, would I be better getting more rather than less - six columns - to play with layouts and layers? Or just go with my gut and get 5x3+2 right at the start?

I saw the glorious gaming wooden wrist rest but not a fan of the logo. Is there something better in the price range?

I use a 65% keyboard so don't need a full length one.

So, I have a 100% Keychron Q6 that I've changed the switches and caps on, and it's been treating me very well!

I've had the urge to build another (TKL) board to take up less space, and maybe have some different switches that are less for productivity and more for gaming.

What do you guys build/ keep multiple boards for? Work/ Play/ etc?

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a mechanical keyboard (well duh...) and I have the following requirements:

• under 100€ (not a super hard requirement, but not like 300€)
• relatively silent (so no blue switches, i'd probably prefer red or brown)
• german keyboard layout
• bluetooth, to use with my iPad, but also USB (USB-C, if possible)
• as long a battery charge as possible, because I keep forgeting to plug things in
• battery indicator of some sort, to show me when to plug in; doesn't have to be anything special, a LED telling me to fucking-plug-it-in-already(TM) is alright
• Tenkeyless layout with separate F-Keys, arrows and home/end/up/down block
• exchangable switches would be nice

For now I don't have any aesthetic requirements. Can somebody help a fella, who doesn't know what's good and what's not, out?

i have a few apple extended keyboard ii that are in good working shape. i have considered purchasing an adapter to use them with usb, because i can remember absolutely loving to use these keyboards.

just happened upon the community, and figured i’d ask. is it more worth it to get something to adapt one of these keyboards?

for reference, at home i have more than enough space on my desk for a keyboard. at work, i wouldn’t mind finding a nice mechanical keyboard, as i type often and a bad keyboard infuriates me to no end, haha.

My current daily driver, replaced my Q2+Q0 combo, with Holy Panda X Clear switches – the punchy feedback just can't be beat!

Hello everyone, I want to ask about the RGB LED strength on different switches. I have keyboards with Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Silent, Outemu Red and now newly a hot swappable Kailh Red.

The light strength on the Outemu and Kailh is significantly weaker than on the Cherrys. I use keycaps with localized symbols, so ~half of the keys have 4 symbols in a 2x2 grid. The bottom row is not illuminated at all on the new Kailh keyboard. However, the ROG Strix Scope does a decent job at illuminating all symbols, and the Corsair Strafe with the MX Silents does the best job because it has a white "background" plate which helps to reflect more light from the switches.

My question is: Do you have any recommendations for some linear switches that would preferably be translucent with strong backlight? I heard good things about Gateron Red and Yellow, but couldn't find anything about this subject. Also, I enjoy the extra lightness of the Silents and I actually enjoy the typing experience, apart from mainly using the keyboards for gaming, where I also prefer the speed and ease of pressing.

Thank you so much!

Hello everyone,

I am currently setting a small office (6-8 people) and I'd like to get some nice keyboards. However having that many people typing on a nice clickly keyboard will be a bit loud. And, while tempting, I don't have the time to assemble 8 keyboards myself. So I am asking you good folks for a recommendation on where I can purchase some pre-assembled keyboard with some quiet switches like https://divinikey.com/products/haimu-x-geon-hg-red-silent-linear-switches. The store would need to be able to ship to Europe at a reasonable price.

Thank you