Forem: Miriam Acuña

How I built my first mechanical keyboard [Tutorial] [Part 2]

Miriam Acuña — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:43:38 +0000

Hi there and welcome back 👋 to my series on building a mechanical keyboard! In the first part, we covered the core concepts of mechanical keyboards and explored the different layers and components you can find inside a mechanical keyboard. If you haven't had the chance to read it yet, please check it out here. It’s not strictly necessary to read it before going through this article, but it'll be helpful since you may come across some concepts.

Now, for this second part, I’ll show you how I built my custom mechanical keyboard, from choosing the right model to the assembling process. Are you ready to join me in this adventure and learn how you could build your own? Let's go! 😊

The chosen model ✨

Surprisingly, the hardest part of this whole process was not buying the pieces, let alone the assembling process. It was choosing the right model for me! Ergonomics are important to me (and if you are reading this article, I’m sure they are for you too), so I was determined to find a keyboard that allowed me to have my hands in a comfortable resting position. After days of searching all over the internet for different models, I finally found ✨ the one ✨: the Keebio Iris Rev.6. This model is a split, hot-swappable, backlit, ergonomic keyboard. Take a look at the next image to see what we’ll be building together 📷

Materials

For this specific keyboard model, you’ll need the following materials 👇

2 Keebio Iris Rev.6 Keyboard Hotswap Backlit PCBs (Left and Right half)
2 Keebio Iris White Acrylic Top Plates (Left and Right half)
2 Keebio Iris White Acrylic Bottom Plates (Left and Right half)
2 Keebio Iris Frosted Acrylic Middle Layers (Left and Right half) (optional)
2 pair of USB-C to USB-C cables
10 Silicone Rubber Keyboard Feet (optional)
12 PCB Silicone Bumpers
56 Cherry MX Brown Switches
56 ISA Keycaps
40 M2 6mm screws
20 M2 12mm standoffs
Screwdriver

Assembling the PCB and plates ⚒️

After gathering all materials, the first thing we want to do is to take the PCB and identify the upperside and bottomside. Here’s a hint: the bottomside is where we find the switch sockets 😉.

(Upperside)

(Bottomside)

Once we have identified the bottomside, the next thing we want to do is to place silicone bumpers there to prevent damage from switches being pressed down. Place at least 6 bumpers on each hotswap PCB to provide support.

(Silicone Bumpers)

While entirely optional, it is highly recommended to add silicone rubber feet to the underside of the bottom plate to keep the keyboard stable and prevent it from sliding.

(Silicone Rubber Feet)

After securing the silicone bumpers (and the silicone rubber feet if you had them), turn both PCBs over and add the keyboard plates. Make sure to align them properly: top plate, PCB, bottom plate as shown in the following picture 👇

If available, install the middle layer around the PCB, placing it between the bottom plate and the top plate, like this:

We then secure it all using standoffs and screws, tightening them with a screwdriver. To do this, take a standoff and place it between the plates, aligning it with a hole in the plates. If you installed the middle layer, pass it into its pre-drilled hole. Then, insert a screw through each hole in the top and bottom plates and tighten them. And keep going like this until all the holes are done.

Look at that, we already have the core part of the keyboard! 🥳
Only a few more things before we are done 😊

Placing keyboard switches

Take a look at the hole positions for switches on the PCB before installing them, make sure the switch pins are aligned properly . Then, gently push each switch into place until they're at the level of the top plate.

Note: Since this model is hot-swappable, soldering is not required.

Placing keycaps

Now, for the final step (and perhaps the most exciting 🤗), place carefully the keycaps onto the switches, ensuring each keycap symbol aligns with its corresponding switch. Gently press down on the keycap until you hear a distinct click, this means that the switch and the keycap have locked into place.

Connecting the Keyboard

Since we are building a split keyboard, not only do we need to link the keyboard to our PC but also we need to link each side of the keyboard.

Since our PCB features USB-C ports, let's connect the two sides of the split keyboard using a USB-C to USB-C cable. Then, connect the keyboard to your PC using a USB-C cable.

Note: You may need a USB-C to USB-A cable to connect the keyboard with your PC depending on the type of ports it has.

And we made it! Our your custom keyboard is now fully assembled and ready to use.

Here’s how it looks!! 😮

Congratulations, you've learned how to assemble a mechanical keyboard from scratch! 🥳⚒️

Thank you so much for reaching the end! If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section down below, I'll be happy to help. Until next time 👋

How I built my first mechanical keyboard [Tutorial] [Part 1]

Miriam Acuña — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 02:28:31 +0000

In the world of mechanical keyboards, there is a wide range of switches, keys, and customization options that can be overwhelming, but don't worry, in this series I'll explain the core concepts of mechanical keyboards and then we'll build split ergonomic mechanical keyboard together!

In this first article, I'll begin by defining the core concepts:

PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
Keyboard plates
Middle Layer
Switches
Keycaps

What's a keyboard PCB?

PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board and it is the keyboard's brain. It sends signals to the computer everytime we press a key. This is what they typically look like:

PCBs for mechanical keyboards come in various sizes and layouts, and it also determines compatibility with switches and keycaps. Here is what you need to know:

Size

Have you ever wondered what those percentages next to the name of the keyboards mean? 🤔 It's common to find keyboards called 75%, 80% Mechanical Keyboard, and so on. These percentages mean how much of a 100% 104-key Keyboard (AKA Full Sized Keyboard) the PCB represents. You can look at an example of this in the image below 👇

The larger the keyboard, the more keys you can access without needing to customize or press special keys.

Layout

A keyboard layout is the arrangement of keys on a keyboard. There are lots of options. Here are some of them 👀

Happy Hacking Keyboard
TMO Keyboard
Ergodox
Keebio Iris

When searching the ideal layout for you, you may come across the following terms and concepts:

Staggered vs Ortholinear

Staggered keyboards: These are the most common keyboards, like the ones we find on most laptops and desktop computers. In these keyboards, keys are arranged in a zigzag pattern, which comes from old typewriter designs! 😵‍💫.

Ortholinear keyboards: These have keys arranged in straight columns and rows, forming a grid. Ortholinear keyboards are often associated with a better typing experience because they reduce finger movement and can be more comfortable over long periods.

Standard vs Split keyboard

Standard keyboards: The keyboard we are most familiar with, in which all the keys are in one block.
Split keyboards: These keyboards are divided into two separate sections.This division helps reducing strain on your wrists and shoulders by letting you place your hands in a more natural position 🙌.

Hot-swappable vs Soldered

Hot-swappable PCB: It means that we can swap out switches easily whenever we want by simply putting a switch into a socket.

Soldered PCB : A soldered PCB, in contrast, requires technical expertise to solder switches with the PCB using soldering iron 💪.

💭 Hot-swappable PCB models are an excellent choice for those who want to try out different types of switches since It's a fast and uncomplicated process.

Backlit PCB

The term backlit means that the PCB includes built-in lighting (usually LEDs) 🌟.

What are Keyboard Plates?

The PCB can't provide switch stability or keycaps support by itself, so that's when plates step in. Keyboard plates are flat, rigid layers that serve as the base for the switches and keycaps.

This is what they typically look like 👇

There are two keyboard plates necessary to support the PCB, one at the top and one at the bottom.

Sometimes, the bottom one can be replaced by a case, as shown in this picture.

They come in different materials and models such as brass, aluminium, steel, carbon fiber, polycarbonate, etc.

📌 The keyboard plate must match the PCB model.

What's a Middle layer?

A middle layer is a layer that goes between the keyboard plates and protects the PCB from dust and damage by covering it up. Adding a middle layer to a keyboard is entirely optional. They are often used to adjust the inclination angle of split mechanical keyboards.

There are two types of middle layers 👇

Normal Middle Layer: These are the middle layers that do not have any feet to adjust the inclination angle. Therefore they are perfectly horizontal.

Tented Middle Layer: These ones involve angling or sloping the middle layer using feet as support to create a tent-like shape, which can be adjusted. This type of layer is most commonly found in split keyboards.

Switches

Switches dictate the feedback your hands will receive when typing.

We classify switches by:

Operating mechanism
Stem style

Types of switches by operating mechanism
There are 3 basic types of switches:

Linear Switches: There is no tactile feedback when pressing the key down.
Example: 🔴Red Switches
Tactile Switches: When you press the key down, you will notice a small bump, so that you know you press a key successfully.
Example: 🟤Brown Switches
Clicky Switches: When you press the key down, there is a noticable sound as feedback. It's the loudest one out of the three types.
Example: 🔵Blue Switches

These are the most representative types of switches. However, there are several other varieties, each offering unique differences in feedback, the force required to press a key (AKA actuation force), and sound, as shown in this video.

Types of switches by stem style
In the first row, we have MX switches, which are the most popular switch stems available on the market. These switches are widely used and easily accessible.
At the bottom, we have Choc and Alph switches respectively. These are vintage switches.

💭 When choosing keycaps, it is essential to know the stem style of your switches. This knowledge ensures compatibility for your keyboard.

Keycaps

Keycaps are small covers placed over keyboard switches, providing the surface your fingers touch when typing. They come in different profiles, each designed to enhance the typing experience.

Keycaps can be classified by its height and curvature, as seen in the next picture. Note how it changes depending on the row 👀

In addition when the term ✨ shine through ✨ is added to keycaps it means that those keycaps allow light from the keyboard’s PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to go to the surface if the PCB is backlit.

Now that you know the basics you can start looking for better mechanical keyboards alternatives that adapt to your preferences and needs but, most importantly, that contributes to your good health and posture. 😊

Buying a new keyboard that works out of the box is always an option but if you are interested in building one yourself stay tuned for part two of this tutorial where we will build a split mechanical keyboard from scratch! ⚒️

Thank you so much for reaching the end! If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section down below, I'll be happy to help. Until next time 👋