I'm attempting to build my own mechanical keyboard, but I'm trying to make it as inexpensive as possible. Here's my parts list so far:
100x semiconductors: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... -ND/458603 $4
Cherry mx blue switches: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind ... tail&p=652 $49
Tinsy: https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html $16
Key Caps: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind ... ail&p=1003 $39
Stabilizer Clips: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/ ... -2pcs.html $5 (W/S)
Steel+Aluminum Plates: ~$50 local steelshop
Acrlyic: $20 Ponoko
Wires: ~$5
Do I have everything included? Am I getting ripped off anywhere? Thanks!
How does my parts list look?
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- Main keyboard: Building my own right now
- Main mouse: Logitech MX
- Favorite switch: Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
- Stabilized
- Location: Edinburgh
- DT Pro Member: -
You will need wire for the stabilisers, and you might want to look at other keycaps that may be cheaper as those are designed to allow backlight through.
If you can wait, Massdrop do the vortex pbt doubleshots pretty cheap every so often; I think the lately went for $20 a set.
Edit: these ones:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/vortex-dou ... guest_open
Other then that, you look all set; let us know how you get on
If you can wait, Massdrop do the vortex pbt doubleshots pretty cheap every so often; I think the lately went for $20 a set.
Edit: these ones:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/vortex-dou ... guest_open
Other then that, you look all set; let us know how you get on

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- Main keyboard: Building my own right now
- Main mouse: Logitech MX
- Favorite switch: Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
Do you know whether the steel and aluminum plates are reasonably priced? I've tried getting a quote from a number of places, but none of them have emailed back yet. Thanks for the advice on the keycaps. Originally, I had some for $20, but then I found out there was $10 shipping, so I thought it better to purchase these.
- Stabilized
- Location: Edinburgh
- DT Pro Member: -
I am sorry, I don't really know about steel/aluminium plate prices; you may want to look around in the workshop subforum and ask around there.
I think they will also change depending on who makes it and what your design is like; speaking of which, do you have a plate design ready to go? This has been the area that has stumped me in the past, as I am terrible with CAD software.
I think they will also change depending on who makes it and what your design is like; speaking of which, do you have a plate design ready to go? This has been the area that has stumped me in the past, as I am terrible with CAD software.
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- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: KBC Poker MX Red
- Main mouse: Logitech MX Revolution
- Favorite switch: MX Red
- DT Pro Member: -
I usually buy old G80 or something, and take all the parts off. When you can find one whole board for like $30 or less and get switch, keycap, stabs, and possible other bits... it can really pay off to scavenge instead of buying things separately.
Depending on what layout you are going for, you could also possibly cut down/modify an existing plate to suit out of some broken board picked up for cheap.
Depending on what layout you are going for, you could also possibly cut down/modify an existing plate to suit out of some broken board picked up for cheap.
- scottc
- ☃
- Location: Remote locations in Europe
- Main keyboard: GH60-HASRO 62g Nixies, HHKB Pro1 HS, Novatouch
- Main mouse: Steelseries Rival 300
- Favorite switch: Nixdorf 'Soft Touch' MX Black
- DT Pro Member: -
This is a great idea. It's also how I got into MX blacks!IvanIvanovich wrote: I usually buy old G80 or something, and take all the parts off. When you can find one whole board for like $30 or less and get switch, keycap, stabs, and possible other bits... it can really pay off to scavenge instead of buying things separately.
Depending on what layout you are going for, you could also possibly cut down/modify an existing plate to suit out of some broken board picked up for cheap.