Custom mechanical keyboards have plenty of advantages. Some individuals prefer how long they last, while others prefer how they feel, and many claim that choosing their own keys and keycaps makes them work faster and efficiently.
Customizability, on the other hand, is a major attraction for a lot of individuals who owns a custom keyboard. To have a keyboard that’s personalized to your preferences, you can perhaps buy various keycaps, modify their mechanical switches, and in some cases, even swap out their USB cables to match your entire setup.
These are the major components of a custom keyboard, we will go through why each of them are important during customization:
- Keycap: a plastic, metal, or other material shell that is placed over the switches.
- Switch: the processes that operate each key. They detect whether or not a keystroke is performed.
- Case/Housing: the base of the keyboard which holds everything together.
Importance of Keycaps
The way your keyboard feels and sounds relies on the keycaps you use. When compared to PBT keycaps, ABS keycaps are reported to boost noise. If you want your keyboard to be quieter, PBT keycaps are a good choice. Additionally, the rough surface of your keycaps minimizes finger slippage.
Importance of Switches
When you type, you press down on a keycap, which activates a spring-loaded switch under it. When you push the key, you’ll feel it and hear a “clicking” sound to signify that you’ve hit it strongly enough to register. It is important to choose wisely as switches will affect your gameplay or productivity.
Read more about popular switches for custom keyboards: Switches: Linear VS Tactile
Importance of CASES
It’s necessary that the case you choose correlates to the size of your printed circuit board. The size of your case will be determined by the layout of your keyboard. There are a wide variety of keyboard sizes to choose from!
The keyboard will not fit together properly if these component sizes do not match. It’s normally better to find a kit that includes the PCB, case, and plate all in one package, so you don’t have to worry about the parts not fitting together properly.
Keyboard cases can be manufactured from a variety of different materials. Aluminum and plastic are the most common type.
While plastic is the most common material for keyboard cases, it is not necessarily the best. Another popular option is aluminum cases, which are heavier and more durable.
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