Keyboard Nut Thread

[Cujo26]

Hah, I think I understand, but what's a set of holy pandas going for... R2000? Eeesh, wife would kill me.

Also part of the reason why I have decided to start making more money. I want to be able to afford expensive cool things. Like a house. And a nice keyboard with nice switches. Hah!

Now you know the true reason we get the smaller keyboards: to save money on switches

 

[jasonleewd]

Hi all. I missed out on the Gat black ink V2's sadly. What other switches are good for a nice thocky sound? Currently using gat yellows lubed with Keyboard Kulture's lube.

 

[Cujo26]

Hi all. I missed out on the Gat black ink V2's sadly. What other switches are good for a nice thocky sound? Currently using gat yellows lubed with Keyboard Kulture's lube.

Well the Yellow inks are the same materials and ctrlshiftesc still has extras of those.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Now you know the true reason we get the smaller keyboards: to save money on switches

Shhhhh! We like smol keebs cause petitite. Nothing to do with the price of some exotic switches. 👀

 

[PandaAttack1]

Hah, I think I understand, but what's a set of holy pandas going for... R2000? Eeesh, wife would kill me.

Also part of the reason why I have decided to start making more money. I want to be able to afford expensive cool things. Like a house. And a nice keyboard with nice switches. Hah!

Just shy of R3000 landed. I keep them on my desk in a glass jar... To remind of how stupid I am and my financial ineptitude.

 

[Cujo26]

Shhhhh! We like smol keebs cause petitite. Nothing to do with the price of some exotic switches. 👀

Oh yeah right sorry

 

[PandaAttack1]

Spoiler

by u/sanelib

 

[Andrew_Smith]

@dotnerd

Amazing builds! Do you offer custom builds yourself seeing as you have the experience and have an eye for detail?

 

[mervman]

Received my order of the ink blacks. Lubed with 205 and filmed and in a board. Amazing buttery feel and sound. Very happy with them!

 

[Off-The-Chart]

@dotnerd

Amazing builds! Do you offer custom builds yourself seeing as you have the experience and have an eye for detail?

shipping will probably kill you first

 

[Andrew_Smith]

shipping will probably kill you first

Stupid me, forgot he moved to the Netherlands.

That's a pity.

 

[Bearman]

@Andrew_Smith You could always ask @headtr1p for advice on some custom builds, or even @Keyboard Kulture ?

 

[PandaAttack1]

@Andrew_Smith You could always ask @headtr1p for advice on some custom builds, or even @Keyboard Kulture ?

And on the Discord. Quite a few custom builds there that was done in ZA.

But I think Andrew wants someone to build him a board, cause he is a lazy smith.

 

[Dire]

Hey all!

This is my first post on this glorious thread and my first custom board. Big shoutout to @ctrlshiftesc_za for making custom builds possible in ZA, I appreciate it so much. Thank you. <3

I cant wait to dive further into the hobby and get my hands on more things!

Case: KBDFans TOFU60 Aluminum 60% (Burgundy)
Switches: Gateron Blacks (Lubed and filmed)
PCB: DZ60RGB V2
Foam: DZ60RGB V2 Case Foam
Plate: Brass
Stabs: Durock V2 Stabs
Keycaps: KBDFans NP PBT keycap set

 

[Cujo26]

And on the Discord. Quite a few custom builds there that was done in ZA.

But I think Andrew wants someone to build him a board, cause he is a lazy smith.

@Andrew_Smith I'm always looking for things to build on stream, feel free to DM me if you want a build done

 

[PandaAttack1]

@Andrew_Smith I'm always looking for things to build on stream, feel free to DM me if you want a build done

Gief stream link

 

[Cujo26]

Gief stream link

twitch.tv/cujotwentysix

 

[Keyboard Kulture]

Hey guys, just a reminder if you need any building or customizing done, give me a shout. I just got new stock of Dynamic Audio sound mats and we are now able to do custom Silicone sound dampening inserts.

Keyboard Kulture

 

[Bearman]

@Keyboard Kulture Should us noobs go ahead and order things like Krytox? Or should we wait for your store?

 

[Cujo26]

@Keyboard Kulture Should us noobs go ahead and order things like Krytox? Or should we wait for your store?

I can spare a little sample tubby of Krytox for you to test out, if you'd like

 

[Keyboard Kulture]

@Keyboard Kulture Should us noobs go ahead and order things like Krytox? Or should we wait for your store?

Wait for the store, will hopefully go live this weekend (please let nothing more go wrong 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻)

I will have kits available and just the lube.
If the site does not go live this weekend, I'll post some pictures here and you guys can buy direct from me.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for being patient bud, really appreciate it.

 

[Cavie]

Hey guys, just a reminder if you need any building or customizing done, give me a shout. I just got new stock of Dynamic Audio sound mats and we are now able to do custom Silicone sound dampening inserts.

Keyboard Kulture

Something I've been looking for is a custom plate for one of my keebs, is that something you do? Not sure on material yet, current one is acrylic and it's bomb but slightly too thick for my liking.

Currently looks like this:

 

[Ruandl]

Hey guys,

Hope you all doing lekker.

I am hoping someone can help me out either by advising me on what to buy or to help build the keyboard.

I need a quiet mechanical keyboard, not too bothered about the switch colour but I do prefer blue and that is what I am currently using but the keyboard makes too much noise for meetings and with working from permanently with my now wife who has moved in recently things aren't working out as is haha

I don't know too much about this stuff, so I am open to suggestions from all.

Thanks

 

[PandaAttack1]

Hey guys,

Hope you all doing lekker.

I am hoping someone can help me out either by advising me on what to buy or to help build the keyboard.

I need a quiet mechanical keyboard, not too bothered about the switch colour but I do prefer blue and that is what I am currently using but the keyboard makes too much noise for meetings and with working from permanently with my now wife who has moved in recently things aren't working out as is haha

I don't know too much about this stuff, so I am open to suggestions from all.

Thanks

Howsit bud!

Let's start off with some basics. In the common range of switches, 'colours' are used to identify the type of switch. Blue is a tactile, clicky switch. Brown is a tactile non-clicky switch and then Red is a linear switch.

Majority of people that want a quieter experience than their existing Blue switches, will usually be happy with a brown. Some manufacturers make better Brown switches than others, with more or less feedback etc. I think you will be perfectly happy with any Brown board.

Silent switches also exist. The noise from most switches are generated from the stem bottoming out and hitting the underside of the switch housing, or the keycap that is physically hitting the top plate. Silent switches have actual rubber dampener pads inside the switches, so that there are no plastic on plastic contact when bottoming out. You get a softer 'thump' sound.

Silent switches are usually a bit more expensive, but are rare in cheaper boards.

This game is all about budget. What are you looking to spend? That will give everyone a better idea for specific recommendations.

 

[Imi]

Hey all!

This is my first post on this glorious thread and my first custom board. Big shoutout to @ctrlshiftesc_za for making custom builds possible in ZA, I appreciate it so much. Thank you.
I cant wait to dive further into the hobby and get my hands on more things!

Case: KBDFans TOFU60 Aluminum 60% (Burgundy)
Switches: Gateron Blacks (Lubed and filmed)
PCB: DZ60RGB V2
Foam: DZ60RGB V2 Case Foam
Plate: Brass
Stabs: Durock V2 Stabs
Keycaps: KBDFans NP PBT keycap set

View attachment 60485View attachment 60486View attachment 60488View attachment 60487

Looking so good for a first build! I love those KBD Fans NP PBT keycaps

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[Cujo26]

Hey guys,

Hope you all doing lekker.

I am hoping someone can help me out either by advising me on what to buy or to help build the keyboard.

I need a quiet mechanical keyboard, not too bothered about the switch colour but I do prefer blue and that is what I am currently using but the keyboard makes too much noise for meetings and with working from permanently with my now wife who has moved in recently things aren't working out as is haha

I don't know too much about this stuff, so I am open to suggestions from all.

Thanks

Howsit bud!

Let's start off with some basics. In the common range of switches, 'colours' are used to identify the type of switch. Blue is a tactile, clicky switch. Brown is a tactile non-clicky switch and then Red is a linear switch.

Majority of people that want a quieter experience than their existing Blue switches, will usually be happy with a brown. Some manufacturers make better Brown switches than others, with more or less feedback etc. I think you will be perfectly happy with any Brown board.

Silent switches also exist. The noise from most switches are generated from the stem bottoming out and hitting the underside of the switch housing, or the keycap that is physically hitting the top plate. Silent switches have actual rubber dampener pads inside the switches, so that there are no plastic on plastic contact when bottoming out. You get a softer 'thump' sound.

Silent switches are usually a bit more expensive, but are rare in cheaper boards.

This game is all about budget. What are you looking to spend? That will give everyone a better idea for specific recommendations.

Panda is a knowledgable guy. There are a number of ways to silence a keyboard on top of the switches, such as removing stabiliser rattle and so on - it's really going to depend on what type of board you go with.

It'll also help to know what you like about the blue switches, which will narrow down the decisionmaking process quite drastically.

When we know roughly what you like and your budget we can come up with some great recommendations for you.

 

[Keyboard Kulture]

Hey guys,

Hope you all doing lekker.

I am hoping someone can help me out either by advising me on what to buy or to help build the keyboard.

I need a quiet mechanical keyboard, not too bothered about the switch colour but I do prefer blue and that is what I am currently using but the keyboard makes too much noise for meetings and with working from permanently with my now wife who has moved in recently things aren't working out as is haha

I don't know too much about this stuff, so I am open to suggestions from all.

Thanks

Morning bud,

Sorry I only saw this now, otherwise I would have added my 2 cents as well

One of the things people overlook here in SA, and it's purely due to the lack of any ever really being available, is Topre Boards.
If you are looking for a board designed wholly around the typing experience, you cannot overlook these awesome devices.
HHKB make amazing boards, in almost every design, shape and colour.
They are quite readily available internationally as well. The typing experience is fantastic, and this is purely down to the specific type of switches.
Do yourself a favour, jump into a few videos about Topre, you might find yourself down a path that very few take, but the ones that do, will never turn back from.

Also do yourself a favour by looking into Ortholinear Keyboards, I have recently changed over to them and my wrist pains are out the window, and I was suffering badly from Trigger Finger on my left hand middle finger, and that is the best it's been in years.
I've also found that the customization options for Ortholinear are fantastic too. Way more than I thought there would be.
If you are looking for a true typing experience from a keyboard, and not too interested in the gamer features, although these boards are very capable gaming keyboards as well, you will be doing yourself an injustice if you don't at least take a look at these two different options.

Here are some links to check out:

What are Topre Switches? Ultimate Guide - February 25, 2024 Keyboard Kings

Topre switches are the best thing you've never heard of. They are so rare to see in the workplace, or the gaming community, that many of you have likely never

keyboardkings.com

The Ortholinear Experience: The Atomic

What is an ortholinear keyboard? A review and totalling of the Ortholinear keyboard ethos. Part one is mainly focusing on the Atomic and introduction to the ...

blog.roastpotatoes.co

The Planck Intro Guide I Needed | Drop

Definition: An fully customizable keyboard with unique abilities for layering key-functionality, switchable appearance, an ortho-linear layout, and...

drop.com

Enjoy

 

[PandaAttack1]

/snip

Also do yourself a favour by looking into Ortholinear Keyboards,

/snip

As someone who types a shit ton a day, I cannot second this more! Best career and health choice I've made. (Along with my Herman Miller) I type about 120 wpm on a staggered, but can only do so for a few minutes at a time. On my ergodox, I can type the entire day at a solid 80-90 with no pain or strain in my shoulders, arms or wrists. It's also a great conversation starter.

Also, QMK is AMAZING for productivity and you get so much more out of a board if you are willing to start messing around with software. I mention it here, because programming functions seem to be a much more common thing on ortho/split boards.

I still use my trusty Ducky at home, because I don't want to unlearn staggered. Also years of comp gaming has WASD etc ingrained in my brain, and I'm to lazy to relearn all that jazz on a ortho.

The other boards get their turn on my home setup. But at work, my ergodox is my bread winner.

 

[Keyboard Kulture]

As someone who types a shit ton a day, I cannot second this more! Best career and health choice I've made. (Along with my Herman Miller) I type about 120 wpm on a staggered, but can only do so for a few minutes at a time. On my ergodox, I can type the entire day at a solid 80-90 with no pain or strain in my shoulders, arms or wrists. It's also a great conversation starter.

Also, QMK is AMAZING for productivity and you get so much more out of a board if you are willing to start messing around with software. I mention it here, because programming functions seem to be a much more common thing on ortho/split boards.

I still use my trusty Ducky at home, because I don't want to unlearn staggered. Also years of comp gaming has WASD etc ingrained in my brain, and I'm to lazy to relearn all that jazz on a ortho.

The other boards get their turn on my home setup. But at work, my ergodox is my bread winner.

And I back this statement massively as well.
QMK is mind blowing, and in my opinion adds $100 of value to a board in my mind when buying a keyboard.
When you learn how to use it, it will be very hard to buy a keyboard without QMK support in the future.

Nice points there @PandaAttack1

 

[dotnerd]

@dotnerd

Amazing builds! Do you offer custom builds yourself seeing as you have the experience and have an eye for detail?

Hey man,

Quite honestly I am generally too busy with work to even consider this. There is also the fact that I just do not like people

The items I have built have been a real pain to get it all together and have almost always never gone to plan as some items just take forever to get to either ZA or NL. This is also one of the reaosn I have so many boards, you tend to just buy nice items and once enough stuff arrives to make one board I puzzle it together When I order from say Kinetic Labs in the US, it gets to me in The Netherlands in 2-3 days, and I always pay the 21% duties in the invoice and then the average of $20 shipping too. So unless this is a hobby no one in their right mind would be spending like this haha

Ill post per items prices on the next one I put up

@ctrlshiftesc_za could potentially be a great point to start if you are looking for a service like this. I think that Warren is hiding some niche parts from us ;-)