The World Behind Mechanical Keyboards

In everyday life, there is one key thing you rely on to input signals into your computer. You may be thinking of a mouse, but it’s alongside something else:; your keyboard. Since the creation of the computer, keyboards have been the primary item that is used on a computer to input letters, and different commands. 

My friend went on a rant a few months ago about his favorite keyboard brand's latest release, a new keycap set. At the time, I had no idea what the craze was about the mechanical keyboard hobby, or what anything was. A keycap? A switch? I had no idea what any of those things were. 

I had my first mechanical keyboard less than a month after that discussion. Of course, as a beginner, I'd purchased one that was within my budget, totaling P3,310 ($60). It was the RK68 by Royal Kludge. For some, that may be too much to spend on everyday products, let alone anything that sits on top of a personal desk or work area. 

A keyboard is a plate with different buttons that input something different with each key. To be able to have full control over a computer, the keyboard is the main mechanism that allows us to interact with our computers. 

A keyboard is the thing you spend your time typing on right? Yes, but the specific keyboard in question is a mechanical keyboard. The “mechanical” part of the keyboard refers to the spring of the switches that activates another flap which registers each key to input what’s being written on the keyboard. Switches are the main control of mechanical keyboards as they play the most important roles–sound, feels, and input. Without switches, a mechanical keyboard wouldn’t be able to work.

So for a first glance, how did Mechanical Keyboards surface? 

According to Mechtype.com, “The Model M was a buckling spring keyboard constructed so well that it gave unmatched accuracy and comfort to typists. The buckling spring mechanism gave users a distinct tactile and audible feedback unmatched by their competitors, but the price was prohibitive to budget computing.” (Mechtype.com)

This was one of the first computer spring-activated keyboards ever created. In the 90s, cheaper membrane keyboards were much more significant in popularity.

Nowadays, in the 21st century, mechanical keyboards are what we now know and love. The mechanical keyboard is something that got popularized by various sound tests and ASMR videos online. Even bait videos titled, “Does your keyboard sound THIS good?” were extremely popular. These videos uplifted the craze of mechanical keyboards we know today, and the production of more and more.

How can you make your own custom mechanical keyboard?

Anyone can make their own custom keyboard, you’ll just have to start from the bottom. The basic components of a keyboard are the case, pcb, plate, switches, and keycaps. 

Although there are numerous ways to customize a keyboard, do not be overwhelmed, the overall structure of a keyboard is not as complicated as it may seem.

Cases are usually sold in kits. Keyboard kits always include a matching PCB, and USB cable, kits can include extras like plates, stabilizers, and pe foam. The rest of the parts are not included as they’re meant to be purchased separately. This is how it's custom, it’s meant to be changed all around to suit personal preferences. 

PCB

A PCB is a panel or sheet that acts as the transmitter of the keyboard when you press a key. With the keyboard PCB, it determines which key you press on your computer. 

Plate

The plate is a separator between the pcb and everything above, this is used to add space from the pcb and switches, and keep the pcb secure. 

Switches

The switches are the main control of the mechanical keyboard, it determines what keys you’re pressing, and registers each button that is pressed. Switches come in many different forms, they can be categorized by their feel, and sound. 

Linear: A linear switch is a switch that has no curves when pushed down, when the key is pushed down on, the linear switch's resistance remains constant until it reaches the bottom. 

Tactile: A tactile switch is known to project a somewhat louder sound than linears, and have a bump at the top before the switch reaches the bottom. This labels the switch with the title of a tactile, as it reaches a bump.

Clicky: A clicky switch has a bump similar to the tactile switch and makes an incredibly audible click noise when pressed down on. 

In the interest of switches, most ‘enthusiasts’ judge them based on sound and feel. For those that prefer louder and audible keyboards, they’ll settle on tactile switches or clicky switches. For those with the preference of quieter, and softer feels, linears are the way to go.

Keycaps

Keycaps are the face of the keyboard as they have the most visibility in the keyboard. Keycaps are the keys placed on top of the switches indicating the numbers, letters, and symbols on the keyboard. 

Combine all these parts together, and a keyboard is made. 

A few more mods that can be done can be done as straightforward as putting foam into the bottom of a keyboard case. This mod adds foam onto the bottom of the case under the PCB as it will allow the sound to reflect over the keyboard instead of going past the PCB. The foam will act as a dampener for the keyboard. 

At first glance, modding a mechanical keyboard may seem scary, or unapproachable, but don’t worry, you should just do them how you like. 

Why mechanical keyboards?

But in the end, is it really worth it? Yes, you just need to find out how you can make it accommodate your personal taste. That’s generally the fun of keyboards, they can be whatever you want, and however you’d like.

'Enthusiasts' think it’s worth it because it’s something used in daily life, so why not make it the best possible? Relative to purchasing a new phone, if you’ll be using it everyday, you want it to be of best quality. 

A keyboard is what acts as the primary item used to control the computer, if you’re spending most of your time typing on one, what reason would there be for you not to invest in it? It’s a piece of tech for your computer; if you’re willing to spend hundreds for a single part, why not spend an extra few on a keyboard? 

Keyboards don’t have to be expensive either. There are some brands that have higher prices than others, but that’s because of quality and demand. Although keyboard parts can be expensive, they’re developing more and more everyday to improve, and produce better items for everyone. Not every keyboard has to be extremely expensive and premium either, they can be anything you want. From design, to sound, to feel, a custom keyboard is supposed to be personalized in a way that suits you. 

This hobby is more time consuming, but that’s the fun of it, you’ll go through the experience of something new, and the final product is rewarding–Being able to see something you made all by yourself right in front of you. 

Now in the present day, I’ve built my second keyboard, Epomakers Minicat64, acrylic cased keyboard. Of course, as it’s a custom build, I wanted it to fit my personal taste. In total, the keyboard cost PHP 7104.38 ($127.95) in total to build.

(price break down)

Minicat64 Mechanical Keyboard Kit = PHP 4,164.38 ($75)

Switches (Akko CS Sakura x2) = PHP 1142 ($23)

Keycaps = PHP 800 ($16)

Items used for modding = PHP 1000 ($20

Now, I can say it’s totally worth it.