The popularity of keyboard modding and custom keyboard building has increased drastically in the last five years, but it's still fairly niche. While often liked by gamers, most of them will turn to well-reviewed Razer or HyperX keyboards for their PC setups, running them typically between $70 and $150, but can go for far more. And the typewriter style has been a fad throughout 2021 for aesthetic setups, especially thanks to the work-from-home grind. For about the same price, hobbyists can dip their toes into the world of keyboard building and modding, and the results are worth it.
Unfortunately, not many know the joy of building and modding their keyboard can be, customized and attuned to their tastes. This might be because the hobby can be pretty daunting. A lot of it boils doing to compatibility between its components, and the list is a bit long: keycaps, switches, stabilizers, the case, a possible plate, and the PCB. Also, that list doesn't include lubricant, film, foam, and other parts that would be used to modify the keyboard's sound and feel, as well as the tools needed to mod such as keycap and switch pullers. Still, there are easy ways to jump into the hobby without spending too much money at the start that will certainly improve the typing or gaming experience.
Modding A Pre-Built Keyboard is a Great Jumping Point
Rather than jumping head-first into keyboard building, folks might want to start with modding their current keyboard if possible or buying a pre-built one. In fact, most mechanical keyboards such as the Corsair K70 can be modded one way or another. Of course, folks are welcome to build a full keyboard from scratch, but doing so without making any mistakes, for example, ordering a Cherry MX-style switch when the PCB takes Gateron switches, an ANSI layout plate instead of an ISO, or getting snap-in stabilizers when the PCB requires screw-in stabs.
The easiest way to mod a pre-existing keyboard is by purchasing different keycaps. However, while this can give the device an entirely new look, it won't go very far in the way of feel and sound, though the various types of keycap profiles aside from the standard Cherry profile such as XDA or SA can feel completely different from most modern mechanical keyboards. Keycaps can be found in just any design imaginable, and users often choose to go for themed keycaps, such as the Nintendo 64 Pokemon keycaps. These alone can go a long way in enhancing the aesthetic of any desk setup.
But what most will want to do is mod or even fully replaces the switches in their keyboard. Modding switches primarily consists of coating the inside mechanisms with lubricant—the most popular choice by far being Krytox 205g0—which stops the plastic inside of the switch housing from scratching against itself as it's pressed down. It considerably dampens the noise of the keys in a pleasant way, which is why the custom mechanical keyboard community often regards it as the most important mod one could do. However, whether the switches can be removed from the PCB and therefore fully taken apart depends on if the PCB is hot-swappable or soldered.
For a long time, switches were soldered, or permanently attached to the PCB using a soldering iron, and many, like most Ducky-brand keyboards, still are. Of course, hobbyists can always take a go at desoldering by purchasing inexpensive soldering irons, and most experienced keyboard builders do, but it's not something a beginner would likely want to dabble in. If this is the case, spray-lubing is what most turn to, which sprays lubricant into the switch while it's still attached. Additionally, keeb modders will often add foam to the inside of the keyboard, which can sometimes be done with either hotswappable or soldered boards by sticking it underneath the PCB, to further depress the switch noise.
But style of the switch itself is probably the biggest area of interest for avid keyboard builders because it's what primarily makes or breaks the keyboard experience. Many gamers may have heard of various Cherry MX styles such as Reds, Browns, or Blues, each of which dictates the type of noise and feel that the user would receive with a click. Cherry MX Blues, for example, are notorious for being loud and clicky while Reds are smooth, linear, and much quieter. But switch styles are far, far more extensive than that, but it greatly affects the typing and gaming experience when playing any FPS like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
To provide a couple of the most popular switch types as an example, the Holy Pandas are known for their subtle bottoming-out sound while being on the heavier side for a tactile switch, and the Gateron Ink Blacks are soft-pressing linears that provide a satisfying, deep tapping noise. The key here is to do research through Reddit and other forums for reviews and YouTube for sound samples. But again, it's important to make sure the switch is compatible with the keyboard's other parts like the PCB and the keycaps before purchasing.
Building a Keyboard From Scratch is Difficult But Rewarding
On the other hand, building a keyboard completely from scratch, or being able to decide on every single piece that goes into the keyboard, can lead to satisfying results and the end result would theoretically be exactly what the user wants it to be. And after putting in so much effort, the final product will hopefully be rewarding. The biggest thing to keep in mind when building the "perfect custom keyboard," other than compatibility, is that everything will need to be purchased online as the components aren't regularly sold in any PC stores.
Additionally, many desired components may not be available right away. Switches may or may not be in stock depending on their popularity, and some may sell out in minutes. Popular keyboard cases, as in the bottom housing for the entire build, such as the Tofu60 may only go on sale once in a while, save for the aftermarket, which also applies to other important sides of the hobby. Keycaps can not only be quite pricey, but the unique ones are typically only sold through group buys, which is a similar concept to Kickstarter: if the product is fully-funded, the buyers will be charged and after a long waiting period, they'll be delivered the keycap set.
But after a long and expensive process of waiting, researching, and probably more waiting, consumers can build a fully customized piece of hardware they can enjoy anytime they chat with friends, work from home, or pick up some neat Steam indies. And if it's not everything they hoped and dreamed of, they can always make adjustments and tweaks to get closer to the satisfying sounds the keeb community raves about.