Introduction: How to Build a Mechanical Hot Swap Keyboard

When it comes to custom keyboards, the market is expansive, and also expensive. Often times people new to the idea or community spend hours trying to figure out all the parts they need, that end up being really expensive and take months to arrive, only to realize they don't have everything they need or they don't know how to put it together in the first place, even after watching someone put it together they miss the little things they need to know to get to look and sound the way that they do in the fancy youtube videos. Hopefully, this tutorial makes building your first keyboard a little easier.

Supplies

Keyboard Kit

Keyboard Switches (You don't have to use the ones I chose)

Keycaps (You don't have to use the ones I chose)

Screwdriver & Bowl (optional)

Lube(If you choose a non-clicky switch)

Switch Opener (If you chose a non-clicky switch)

Patience

Step 1: Organizing Your Parts and Building Area

When you order all your parts, it's good to open and place out all the tools you're going to need in a neat way so that you don't have to go looking for things later and will help keep you from losing them (especially when they are something small like screws or switches).

When you open the kit box you should find the following items:

  • The case and PCB and Stabilizers already put together.
  • A USB-C cable
  • Extra Spacebar Configuration
  • Key Switch Puller
  • Instruction Manual on the programming of the PCB

You will find the extra pieces besides the case itself under the outline of the box.

Along with what comes with the box place all of your parts and tools in an empty and clean workspace.

Step 2: Checking the PCB

Before you go putting together the switches and the keycaps and all of that stuff. You need to check the PCB and make sure it's working.

  • First, pull up a keyboard tester like the one above.
  • Plugin the keyboard case to your computer using the USB-C cable.
  • Take your tweezers and use the metal tips to connect to the two contacts on the PCB. (The keyboard tester should register that as an input). If it doesn't you can always take one of your switches and put it in, then press it and see if it registers that way, then remove it).
  • Do that over and over until all the contacts on the PCB are lit up.

Step 3: Changing the Space Bar Layout

This is an optional step. The keyboard as mentioned earlier comes with an additional spacebar configuration that you can swap out if you choose. It splits the space bar in half if that's something that you enjoy.

  • All you have to do is remove the screws that are holding the keyboard plate and stabilizers in place. (I recommend putting the screw on a plate or bowl so you don't lose such small objects).
  • Take the spare configuration and put the screws back in place and fix it back tight enough to not have it come loose.

Step 4: Optional Step: Lubing Your Switches

Depending on what switches you plan on using (any switches that aren't clicky switches), you'll need to lubricate them if you want them to feel and sound smooth and not loud and scratchy. The switches used in this build are clicky, but there are very informative articles and youtube videos on lubing. The main thing to remember is that lubing takes time and patience. Try not to over lube your switches else they will feel mushy and will defeat the purpose of lubing them in the first place.

Step 5: Putting in Your Switches

With your switches properly lubed and ready to go, it's time to add them to the case. It's important to remember when putting these in to be very careful and place them as parallel to the PCB as you can to avoid the pins of the switch bending (as shown in the last picture). It's good to always buy at least one extra bag of switches so if you do end up bending a few switches you can replace them easily.

Putting them in is simple:

  • Take the switch and make sure the pins line up with contacts on the PCB
  • Place them in gently
  • Apply pressure to it from a straight angle down until you feel it snap into place with the back plating.

When you are finished putting in all of your switches, make sure to test the keyboard again and make sure the switches are sending the right signals to your computer. If any of them aren't pull them back out with the switch puller and check to see if you bent one of the pins putting them in. If so, replace them and try again. ( I had to do that a few times).

Step 6: Adding Your Keycaps

Now is the fun part! One of the coolest things about keyboard custom or otherwise is that you can customize your keycaps to be basically anything you want! You don't have to use the keycaps used in this tutorial, but you do have to make sure that your keycaps match the stems of your switches. Most switches and keycaps have Cherry stems (they look like little crosses), so finding a keycap set that is both compatible and aesthetically pleasing to you isn't hard. take your time putting them in one by one. Make sure you put on keycaps that match the unit size of the spacing on the case. (Especially if you are using the split spacebar configuration).

Step 7: Done!

And just like that, you're done! You built your first keyboard! You can test out the keyboard on the keyboard tester one more time to make sure that everything works and then it's good to go! The manual that comes with the case shows all of the functions of the case when it comes to function keys and media keys, etc. For such a small configuration, it doesn't compromise on functionality, so there's no need to worry there. It also has multiple LED animations to play with. Hopefully, this tutorial helped you out and made the idea of building keyboards like this less confusing!