Plate materials. Plate manufacturers.
- snacksthecat
- ✶✶✶✶
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SSK
- Main mouse: BenQ ZOWIE EC1-A
- DT Pro Member: 0205
- Contact:
For custom keyboards, I've always used stainless steel plates. I've built about 10 keyboards like this. I never really gave it much thought, it just seemed like the go-to material for a keyboard.
But more and more now I'm seeing people using other materials. Different metals and plastics. I imagine this has an effect on the feel but I'm not sure to what degree.
Even one time I recently read a post on reddit talking about a thinner PCB that is supposed to "pair" well with a plastic plate to give the keyboard lots of flex.
I'm interested in learning more about this topic. I would like to discuss what materials work well for keyboard plates and maybe find some websites online that provide cutting services for these different materials.
- deacon
- Location: US-NC
- Main keyboard: Planck at home/Preonic at work
- Main mouse: Logitech M570, T650, G700
- Favorite switch: 55g MX jailhouse
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm not that discerning of a typist but I've liked what I've heard about the sound and feel carbon fiber.
I've liked the slight give of well supported glass fiber/FR-4/PCB material plates and the dampened sound of a wood case. It seems that carbon fiber might approximate both without the noise of FR-4 or the fragility of wood.
I've liked the slight give of well supported glass fiber/FR-4/PCB material plates and the dampened sound of a wood case. It seems that carbon fiber might approximate both without the noise of FR-4 or the fragility of wood.