How to Build MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS

Рет қаралды 495,645

Күн бұрын

If you've got $50 and a 3D printer, you can make one of the most satisfying and useful projects on Earth!
⌨ SiCK-68 by Fedor Sosnin - thangs.com/model/10461/?...
⌨ Redox Handwire by MattDB - thangs.com/model/10464/?...
⌨ Dactyl ManuForm by Tom Short - thangs.com/model/10466/?...
🗝 KeyV2 G20 Keycap scripted by Robert Sheldon - thangs.com/model/10467/?...
Thanks to Thangs for sponsoring this episode, and thanks to the model designers for allowing me to host their files on Thangs.
This is episode 1 in the How to Build Projects series! Each episode is a crash course on a different high-tech project, chock-full of information to get you started.
Got a project you want to build? Hit the comments or @ me on Discord. The next video in this series just might be for you.
Support future episodes on Patreon! / zackfreedman
Get project help from the Voidstar Discord: / discord
In this episode, you'll learn how to make a mechanical keyboard start to finish, and how to choose everything that goes into it. I explain which keyswitches to use, how to figure out which layout is right for you, and what software to prepare. I finish by building a 3D printed 60% mechanical keyboard start to finish, and things only get a little lewd.
My build is a SiCK-68 60% mechanical keyboard, with Kailh Box Jade keyswitches, Costar stabilizers, and questionable keycaps from Amazon. I didn't show the USB cable, but it's a pink paracord-wrapped mini USB dealio from 1UP.
#mechanicalkeyboards #keyboards #electronics
No one should buy the disgusting materials that went into this project, but if you insist:
- Happy animated women keycaps: amzn.to/3c6DuCa
- Stylish glowing AND glittery PETG: amzn.to/3sSytDc
- Neon Nickelodeon yellow neon yellow PETG: amzn.to/2YckM3W
Timetable!
00:00 - So you wanna build keebs
01:24 - What you need
03:17 - Keyswitches
09:25 - Keycaps
11:28 - 3D printing keycaps
12:39 - Keyboard layouts
16:40 - Electronics and Arduino
17:37 - Firmware, code, and QMK
18:42 - Building a keeb, start to end
21:27 - Who paid for this garbage?
RADICAL Cherry keyswitch animations are by Dacasman: / dacasman
Today's soundtrack is Creative Commons licensed and every song has a piano, because pianos have... KEYS!!!!!!
🎶 "Brush it Off" by Xeuphoria
🎶 "Moonhill" by Suhov
🎶 "Still Here" by Gramatik
🎶 "Happy Song" by Taz Lazuli
🎶 "Sunrise" by Taz Lazuli
🎶 "Different" by Suhov
🎶 "Come On Let's Go" by Le Gang

Пікірлер: 1 700

@lopypop 3 жыл бұрын

small note to Zack: nice touch adding the quick recap at the end of the key types explanation. The high level categories are what I'll remember, but the details beforehand are great for reference if I'm looking to build my own later 👍

@pallapper8863 3 жыл бұрын

@Brandon Beavis no

@2Worlds_and_InBetween 3 жыл бұрын

Lots of new switches... :-*

@yimango3002 3 жыл бұрын

“Arduino’s are almost impossible to brick.” You underestimate my stupidity

@thewhitefalcon8539 3 жыл бұрын

*throws a brick at the Arduino*

@warpspeedscp 3 жыл бұрын

I once sent 12v through my Arduino when I used the wrong leads on my multimeter while testing a connection As expected, I bricked it

@DavidMcCullough2 3 жыл бұрын

He said "almost"

@Jackgalaga 2 жыл бұрын

i'll connect + and - without a resistance if i want to

@markl4730 2 жыл бұрын

you're too powerful to be left alive

@brianfox340 3 жыл бұрын

Mad respect for the leg work to 1. post everything to someplace where we can all see the models 2. Getting permission from all the creators first This is a wonderful practice.

@justinbanks2380 Жыл бұрын

"this is just a tribute" 🤣 Your seamless integration of references that continue to be both unexpected and exactly in my wheel house astounds sir. And then there the actual information being shared!

@mariofeared Жыл бұрын

I literally read your comment as he said the line and it cracked me up. Good stuff.

@ashtonhoward5582 Жыл бұрын

It's such a good reference

@mecha1133 3 жыл бұрын

You look homeless and rich at the same time

@damianosplay9457 3 жыл бұрын

just like post malone

@eponinesg 3 жыл бұрын

Definitely closer to homeless. 😂

@jeffbrownstain 3 жыл бұрын

Squad goals

@Crafty420 3 жыл бұрын

Got some Chester J. Lampwick vibes did ya?

@execration_texts 3 жыл бұрын

Priorities

@KagatoIuchi 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, it's me again. I wanted to thank you for your entertaining presentation and how it feels like you're talking TO me and not AT me about stuff. I like how it feels like you're not being condescending to the viewer but still can make fun jokes with them.

@ZackFreedman 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Making stuff should be fun.

@2Worlds_and_InBetween 3 жыл бұрын

Cheer's it is

@GriffVicious 3 жыл бұрын

thank you for this comment, I was trying to put my finger on just what it was about this channel that really drew me in. And I think that's it. It feels like he's talking to me, it reminds me of how I get when I'm talking to someone about something I'm excited about making and how it will work and everything

@mcvirtual2574 2 жыл бұрын

@@ZackFreedman Bravo Zach, this was one heck of a key presentation, real masterclass in all keyboard issues. Love the care the humor and obsessive detail you went in this, 5 stars with a cherry on top. If you are taking requests, I'd love for a video just like this one on macro keyboards, maybe something very open source and all purpose that you can make bigger as needed from a basic unit all the way to industry machinery control boards. 2parter?? Also anything on virtual touchscreen keyboards and those dashboard types that simulators and CNC industrial controls use. Thats all its the little things, Cheers and thank you, truly learned stuff I have. :)

@sirtoasty9293 3 жыл бұрын

“Happy animated women” Weebs: *lets just call it that*

@thefirstsin 3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@jamdiversified9698 2 жыл бұрын

Because of this video (well mostly) I've gone from using standard qwerty horizontaly staggered boards to a diy 3d printed and hand-wired split vertical stagger 36 key setup and changed to the Colmak-DH layout. I must thank you for inspiring me to give this all a shot as its so much more comfortable to type now, I can touch type properly, and way less finger gymnastics are involved!

@ricroflxD 3 жыл бұрын

I laughed at the "This might guarantee my chastity, but it is comfy" comment, yet I feel like such comment should've really be saved for the Anime Grills keyboardcaps :P

@Kevin-jb2pv 3 жыл бұрын

I have a QWERTY layout, I know about DVORAK, I've even heard whispers of AZERTY, but this is the first time I've ever seen an AHEGAO layout.

@fruduboggins4295 Жыл бұрын

"This tenacious resin, no its not the toughest resin in the world, it is just a tribute" 🤣😂 got me rolling

@wirwollenhelfen 3 жыл бұрын

this Tenacious D reference, love it ! 11:47

@opalb9006 3 жыл бұрын

you are only cool if you got that

@oddpigeon4147 3 жыл бұрын

AWSOME😂

@thimayapanda8634 3 жыл бұрын

I died, is it also a reference to the Neon genesis mash-up?

@thoughtpocket5189 3 жыл бұрын

I was about to write this exact comment, glad I found yours first! I love how off the cuff his reference was, I almost missed it.

@What_Zen 3 жыл бұрын

@@thimayapanda8634 a person of True Culture... Nice.

@thetableofdoom6508 3 жыл бұрын

i personally would love to see you build an adjustable standing desk i feel like there is a lot of room for improvements over store bought ones also - gotta say I do love the videos! please keep making cool stuff

@dakotaross1912 3 жыл бұрын

Your writing for these videos is superb, massive youtube channels with teams of writers dont do it as good. Just watching your videos I can picture the painstaking hours going over these scripts trying to get it just that little bit more streamlined or funny etc. Bravo sir.

@baini92 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate you doing your nails so nicely just to show off a keyswitch Zack!

@e2rqey 3 жыл бұрын

19:46 Finally a keyboard to match my hoodie

@KagrithKriege 3 жыл бұрын

"this isn't the toughest resin, it's just a tribute" my fucking sides are in orbit.

@aidenpearce9745 3 жыл бұрын

What is this reference?

@KagrithKriege 3 жыл бұрын

@@aidenpearce9745 tenacious d and the pick of destiny

@aidenpearce9745 3 жыл бұрын

@@KagrithKriege thanks

@abstractapproach634 3 жыл бұрын

Actually it's from their self named album "Tenacious D" that I rocked in high school. But yes, it had a revival with the movie and soundtrack.

@abstractapproach634 3 жыл бұрын

@@KagrithKriege @Aiden Pearce see above

@Cassocian 3 жыл бұрын

"It's not the strongest resin in the world, it's a tribute." This line was Gold! Love the video as always.

2 жыл бұрын

I understood that reference!!

@MrFlyingSquirl 3 жыл бұрын

"look how happy all these anime ladies look!" mhmm. happy. sure

@tenchuu007 3 жыл бұрын

I mean, technically...

@ToxNano 3 жыл бұрын

That Spacebar is intense lol

@MrFlyingSquirl 3 жыл бұрын

@@tenchuu007 you_got_me_there.jpg

@mr2octavio 3 жыл бұрын

They look excited for sure

@OtherDalfite 3 жыл бұрын

Ahegao is a form of happy

@williamkavanagh9734 3 жыл бұрын

PERFECT. JUST ordered the 3d mouse last night and wanted to design a shortcuts keyboard to work with it.

@TheWrongButton 3 жыл бұрын

A coworker recently showed me his 3d mouse controlling Solidworks and I desperately want one now, but I don't use CAD nearly enough to justify it unfortunately.

@OrangeC7 3 жыл бұрын

Nobody: KZfaq Auto-Generated Captions™: Ah yes, Zack is speaking Vietnamese in this video. He's been really trying to expand his audience lately!

@FasutonemuMyoji 3 жыл бұрын

Even better, translate them from Vietnamese back to English for some mind bending captions that look like the youtube caption guy wired his keyboard wrong after watching this and then used the auto-spellcheck function in that program I just thought of that doesn't exist.

@potato686 3 жыл бұрын

i love the way he say "friend to contact service love together supported or west home is displayed if"

@Odwalla_YT 3 жыл бұрын

ZACH! I legit just built a Dactyl, really excited to see this pop up! I hope you're adapting to the funky layout better than I am! Keep the videos coming my dude, love it!

@b3owu1f Жыл бұрын

Year later..but.. like.. how do you like the Dactyl. As a coder/mech keyboard enthusiast.. I am tempted to build one.. but unsure of how it will work as a daily driver. Currently using IRIS keyboards which I love.. and recently bought the LULU lily58 keyboard.. going to give that a try. Dactyl looks a bit too big/bulky though to take with you in a laptop bag which is where my IRIS fits well.. small/flat to fit in bag.

@Odwalla_YT Жыл бұрын

@@b3owu1f I love it, I'm at the office typing on it right now! I'd totally recommend the build, but maybe location one of the slimmer variants. I've been looking at building a BastardKB Scylla which is a solid Dactyl variant that may be easier to take with me everyday unlike my Dactyl which is chunky and stuffed with tire weights 🤣

@b3owu1f Жыл бұрын

@@Odwalla_YT good to hear. Is there an rgb per key option? I don't know why but I love per key rgb.

@Odwalla_YT Жыл бұрын

@@b3owu1f Not in my personal build, but those nerds over on r/ergomechanicalkeyboards have added per key RGB to identical builds. They would be a great resource for planning a build with specifics like that.

@threepe0 2 жыл бұрын

so cool seeing you talk about this hobby! A small (sort of) correction that might help some people: Stagger, as it's done on mainstream keyboards, is a thing, and then there's stagger on an ortholinear keyboard. Meaning that they aren't mutually exclusive. There's the old-school typewriter inspired stagger that we're all familiar with and that should make everyone mad, and then there's ortholinear stagger, where the columns are all lined up top to bottom, but across the rows, the keys are staggered to line up with your fingers' natural position.

@roywilliams4688 3 жыл бұрын

This is one of the most well-structured and clear videos I've seen in a while! I subbed less than a minute in!

@shanel4348 2 жыл бұрын

I just recently got into the realm of 3d printing and recently discovered your channel; I just wanted to say I love your content man, you rock. Also the wordplay and puns in your videos are top notch.

@Jazz-nm1kf 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks for this video! After drowning myself in information before tackling a keyboard build, it was amazing to have such a clear and concise, no bull description! Found your channel a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying all the content so far! As for suggestions for what to do in the future, I'd love to see a home made synthesizer. Similar to the keyboards, theres so much info out there but not a lot that just cuts to the chase and gets you started. I know a popular project is the TSynth, built around the Teensy board that youve mentioned on this channel before, so that could be a good starting place, but theres plenty of ways to improve such a thing, like offloading the effects processing to more specialized chips (i was looking at one earlier, but dont remember its name. if youre interested, i could dig thru my history and find it). But thats my vote on some more getting started content! Anyways, keep up the great work!

@TSAlpha2933 3 жыл бұрын

"look how happy all these anime ladies look"

@commanderguy-rw7tj 3 жыл бұрын

It's so damn hard to find a good video that isn't like 5 hours long and introduces to everything important, but you did it really well

@gutobernardo7457 3 жыл бұрын

Great video as always! I'm not a maker but it's a pleasure to watch you explain how everything works. It makes us appreciate even more how technology is so intricate and detailed ❤️

@CharmPeddler 2 жыл бұрын

I've been a mechanical keyboard fan for a few years and had a rough idea on this stuff but boy, did you just give me an info dump! Thanks for setting the foundation of what is sure to be hours and hours of frustrated joy.

@radomane 3 жыл бұрын

*Makes Mr. Robot look like Mr. Rogers* I'm writing that down

@winthardcastle 3 жыл бұрын

Building Keebs got me into making, and for that, I am eternally grateful!

@davidhochstetler7981 2 жыл бұрын

I saw this video about a month ago, got mildly addicted to the dactyl manuform, and then decided I would just build it this past weekend. I am loving it so far.

@daz633 Жыл бұрын

9.9/10 for this video. The only thing missing, which some keyboard enthusiasts would consider a sin, is the sound test for the build! Either way, an exceptional video!

@MultiPantero 3 жыл бұрын

*sees the tittle* "hmm I don't wanna build a keyboard" *sees the preview* "omg! a gigantic mech switch"

@ZackFreedman 3 жыл бұрын

It's the best $30 I've ever wasted

@drew899 3 жыл бұрын

Zack Freedman story time?! My best $30 wasted was a mettler hk160 I got at my schools surplus store. It’s a scale that can measure down to .0001 of a gram... when it wants to.

@Ra-Hul-K 3 жыл бұрын

I want a keyboard made of gigantic switches so I can punch type when I'm frustrated

@MAGAIVER 2 жыл бұрын

@@Ra-Hul-K it exists, switch and click did a video on a very oversized mechanical keyboard.

@adityaramesh1764 3 жыл бұрын

My favourite KZfaqr doing my favourite thing in the world! Building keebs! How could my day get any better

@Satori836 3 жыл бұрын

Best overall explanation I have seen on KZfaq. I like the fact that it doesn’t follow the generic, bland aesthetic as the numerous other keyboard videos.

@themichaelangelou9785 Жыл бұрын

ive been known to be a geardo but 2 is 1 & 1 is none... I'm so glad I found this channel already. Logical, curated, and fairly neutral in content delivery. Thank you.

@nathanharding7737 3 жыл бұрын

"Arduinos are pretty much impossible to brick" I guess I am very talented.

@YonatanAvhar 3 жыл бұрын

"Arduinos are pretty much impossible to brick" Challenge accepted

@itdepends604 3 жыл бұрын

the arduino ide has to upload a bootloader before your program or it is bricked. If you replace this bootloader with nothing/a borked bootloaderom, you can reincarnate it by using another arduino. Alternatively just smash it with a hammer

@nihalprakash8883 3 жыл бұрын

Extremely well researched video, without a doubt the most useful and hardcore condensation of custom keyboard knowledge I've ever come across on YT. Much, much better source of information for a newbie than the dozens of videos out there focused on talking up boutique switches and 800 dollar keyboards with an eye for A E S T H E T I C S (although I have to admit I'm a sucker for those). If you can allow me to be an r/mk snob for one minute, PBT is not always better than ABS. Thick, doubleshot ABS keycaps will always be superior in quality and feel to flimsy, 20 dollar pad printed PBT keycaps. ABS keycaps also generally hold bright colors better, though this depends on quality (GMK and ePBT, which, ironically also makes excellent ABS keycaps, are kings in the community). Some folks also prefer the smoother texture of ABS over the grainy, soft and somewhat mushy PBT. ABS is more prone to shine, true, but PBT isn't invulnerable - it just takes longer. Also, the sick 68-key purple board that you printed is actually a 65%, not 60%. 65% is becoming more and more popular over 60% due to its inclusion of arrow keys. OK I'm done being pedantic. As a filthy casual with 0 electrical engineering experience, I'm struggling to understand how you went from hand wiring the switches on the plate to a fully functioning keyboard. I understand that QMK is involved somehow, but I'm not quite sure what that process looks like. What tells the computer to register specific keys as such? How do you build that connection, physically? What code do you need to be familiar with? Are there some resources you could point me towards to help me better understand this side of things?

@MichaelScottPerkins 2 жыл бұрын

DUDE!!!! This is the coolest f****** video on KZfaq!!! I stumbled across it just in my KZfaq suggestions, and... it's like you were speaking to my soul brother!!!

@yamaan93 3 жыл бұрын

"PBT is always superior to abs" *GMK has entered the building*

@derkaiser9881 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah the talk about keycap materials should be a bit more detailed, but I think the audience Zack's targeting here means it doesn't really matter as much. And if they really persue this kinda stuff they'll figure it out. The video's definitely as informative as it really needs to be without going too far into the customs. The budget was $50-250 and like... yeah, that's not wrong, but it's also incredibly inexpensive compared to the kind of stuff out there, so I think it fits the audience.

@dallagen3423 3 жыл бұрын

Gmk is overpriced garbage

@jvniprbrry 3 жыл бұрын

@@dallagen3423 fax, glory to pbt

@awl649 3 жыл бұрын

Yea i mean GMK is nice, and I personally have 3 sets off them. But I'd say PBT is better. They don't yellow overtime when exposed to UV, and it takes longer for them to shine, giving you consistent feeling keycaps for years and years.

@DarkNightDreamer 2 жыл бұрын

Reject GMK, embrace SA.

@Dragonmastur24 3 жыл бұрын

Im surprised no singing was involved with a quickly made parody of "Do You Want To Build a Snowman?" from frozen....

@eponinesg 3 жыл бұрын

I'm totally going to make him write a song about keebs now. Thank you, internet stranger.

@Bluscream 3 жыл бұрын

@@eponinesg no problem c:

@Dragonmastur24 3 жыл бұрын

@@eponinesg YAS Brooke, You da bomb! If you need help with lyrics for him I'm in the discord !^.^!

@zackadams618 3 жыл бұрын

You've really inspired me to finally learn soldering and Arduino programming, thank you so much from a fellow Zack

@jonflannery8984 3 жыл бұрын

Nice build and approach to build what you want. Thanks for the content and already looking forward to the next one man. ☝️👍

@joshm264 3 жыл бұрын

I'm also a push-all-the-buttons ADHD dork, with a distinct lack of friends

@seadragonet1738 3 жыл бұрын

as another push-all-the-buttons ADHD dork, may i recommend a nice clicky old tv remote?

@abstractapproach634 3 жыл бұрын

But thanks to this video now I am a click loving ADHD manic person with no friends *who was just reminded of his favorite song in high school*

@ShandonCodes 3 жыл бұрын

Those keycaps will haunt my dreams. That being said thanks for the video! I'll make to design my own case and make a video about it!

@ZackFreedman 3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully in a good way

@frenzycustomdesign2455 3 жыл бұрын

Wow great video! You answered a lot of questions that I had. I would like to see the next iteration of this video covering more of the of the shelf PCBs and enclosures and maybe a build of macro pad (i know, I've seen the video with the giant wheel)

@GrandMario1 3 жыл бұрын

wow this is great, just received my soldering iron and supplies for the sick-68! I've just found this channel recently and its nice to see all the research ive done over the last few days matches with what was said in the video. Totally didn't almost buy a different teensy for that USB-C support... lol

@jayasrilingarkar1168 3 жыл бұрын

Ergo keyboards are so damn expensive, you literally saved my life!

@ZackFreedman 3 жыл бұрын

Oh, off-the-shelf ergonomic boards are ridiculous. I once refurbished a DataHand and sold it for over $2,000. I know Matias boards are bananas costly, too.

@3nertia 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately for me, 3D printers are even more expensive ...

@dryaldibread2327 3 жыл бұрын

@@3nertia 3d printer are far for expensive compared to ergo keyboards

@3nertia 3 жыл бұрын

@@dryaldibread2327 Lol? Isn't that what I just said?

@omenplayz6329 3 жыл бұрын

@@3nertia getting a solid 3D printer is a great investment. My dads runs probably runs anywhere from 20-50 hrs a week

@damianosplay9457 3 жыл бұрын

21:18 WHAT ARE THESE VOICES, dude it's like 1 am where I live, hella scary

@dryaldibread2327 3 жыл бұрын

You live in russia or something

@Roomsaver 3 жыл бұрын

Dry Aldi Bread India, maybe

@PROG-MAN 11 ай бұрын

Him cutting off his rant at 14:14 was hilarious. It's like he finished his scripted lines and just went off about extra keys lol

@parsival9603 3 жыл бұрын

As somebody who has just taken up the intrest in 3d printing and am trying to learn and do more research on everything before buying a setup. Your videos and channel are fantastic! Your content is very well done and you're funny as hell man. 🤣 Keep up the great content!

@aidaneloff5357 3 жыл бұрын

A loud keyboard is the most effective way to assert dominance in the office

@horacegentleman3296 3 жыл бұрын

My IBM Model F agrees.

@Manolete0Gaming 3 жыл бұрын

15:07 That was most definitely a ZeFrank reference, "that's how typewriters dooo"

@Oxylad 3 жыл бұрын

Imagine seeing the exact same comment right over this comment by the same person

@leowolastname2250 3 жыл бұрын

@@Oxylad that would be crazy

@CulannHS Жыл бұрын

As I'm sure someone else has already pointed out...the Pause / Break is a holdover from DOS operating system. It was used to pause scrolling text, or if CTRL was held, Break would stop the scrolling text immediately. Highly useful when doing a /dir /s command in DOS. Moving on, The function keys are frequently used in MMOs. F1 is self, F2 next party member, F3 is next, and so on. Can't really give those up. As far as the 10 key keypad, it's still useful enough when you're doing spreadsheets full of numeric data, or various other activities. Print Screen and Home aren't quite archaic either. Print Screen copies whatever is currently on your screen (right now, you facing the camera) and lets you paste that into your paint program of choice. Incidentally this is useful if you're planning on zooming in to examine something in someone's background, like that clear container of white zip ties behind you with the green label. Home, if you are typing, will bring you back to the start of the current line you're on, which is useful if you intend to insert something, or if you want to start over, or etc. It's kind of like using CTRL plus the left and right arrow keys to jump forward and backward in a sentence, if you make a typo or want to insert or delete something. With all of this said, this is mostly very good info, and I thank you for that. I am extremely particular about my keyboard because I tend to use one a incredible amount. I finally settled on a Corsair K95 Platinum RGB, which is actually pretty good. That doesn't change the fact that I've always wanted to custom build a keyboard that is modified and adapted just the way -I- like. The information you've provided here gives me a good foundation to start looking at parts without being utterly lost at what I'm looking at.

@chease9132 2 жыл бұрын

I found this channel shortly after the release of the gridfinity video, and came across this video shortly after. As a result of this video, I am now typing this on my very own dactyl manuform that I just finished the other day. I am not quite used to it just yet, but I am getting there and I especially like the thumb clusters. I think this keeb has a lot of potential to improve my productivity once I settle on a layout that I like and get more familiar with how this darn thing works. Very cool video, turned me into a maker for a couple of weeks.

@nathanemke 3 жыл бұрын

Any chance on a how to build episode focused on adding and controlling RGB? I’ve been overcome with the desire to RGB ALL THE THINGS!

@EricMesa 3 жыл бұрын

For the call to action: I'd like to see you make a custom peripheral for an fps. Like, for example, using a 3dof microcontroller that allows you to use angle to control things.

@gino5220 2 жыл бұрын

"This is not the toughest resin in the world, this is just a tribute" I was DYING. Beautiful.

@NortelGeek 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the guide! I'm definitely going to make a board this year. I've done everything before except print my own board (I even make my own keycaps). I wish Alps and Alps-style switches weren't so obscure and underrepresented, though. Hope this finds you well!

@BigBodySmallBrain 3 жыл бұрын

Looks at dactyl manuform I started at the beginning of the pandemic. Maybe I'll finish it

@infiniteoffset 3 жыл бұрын

Finish it and give yourself time to learn to write on it. I promise you that the result will be rewarding.

@MatureFister 3 жыл бұрын

"arduinos are almost impossible to break" * *laughes in 5V to GND* *

@chiraggoyal7637 3 жыл бұрын

Brick*

@MatureFister 3 жыл бұрын

@@chiraggoyal7637 i know.. i also know the difference. But in my head it still sounded funny enough to post it

@mr2octavio 3 жыл бұрын

I laughed buddy

@MatureFister 3 жыл бұрын

@@mr2octavio glad to hear that, appreciate it =)

@SanderMakes Жыл бұрын

This video (and the big wheel one) gave me enough confidence to build a macropad. Thanks Zack!

@SanderMakes Жыл бұрын

F*ck you Zack, I just finished my 6th fucking keeb...

@ChristopherHindefjord 2 жыл бұрын

"Archaic crap like Print Screen and Home" I actually use the Print Screen key quite often (as recently as today): It activates Lightshot to take a screenshot, handy and fast. And the Home key is somewhat useful when modeling in Blender (as well as typing or programming), the numpad is as well (but now I have that functionality programmed on a macro pad, to use with my left hand). I've been thinking of making my own keyboard for a while, and this video made me wanting to do it even more. I'll probably make a "macro pad" first, and then try my hands on a bigger kb.

@antoniocialfi77 3 жыл бұрын

0:14 Was that a tf2 refrence? I am heavy keystroke guy, and this is my keyboard. She weighs 350g and lets me type at 10,000 words per minute. It cost me 400 shiny pennies because the 3d printer finished the job in 12 hrs.

@JacobD. 3 жыл бұрын

So you're telling me that you're keyboard costed $4 and lets you type 10,000 wpm? I need to get me one of these... haha

@zeekjones1 3 жыл бұрын

"You can't 3D print circuit boards" Hol' up... Just leave the traces as indents in the actual structure, metal leaf and sandpaper to fill, or squeegee fill them with something like a resin graphite.

@thumbwarriordx 3 жыл бұрын

If your 3D printer has a quickchange extruder you can really easily make one to extrude conductive paste or ink onto a board and then cure it in a toaster oven or something and tin it with solder. It would be tough to calibrate and get right, and for that reason I'm surprised I couldn't find plans or a conversion kit anywhere. You could also convert a sturdy printer into a light duty mill. Any way you slice it it's just a cartesian robot and you can bend it to your will.

@S_Roach 3 жыл бұрын

@@thumbwarriordx Heck. How about "3D" printing a mask onto bare copper clad board, then etching it off? One should be able to find something that sticks to copper, is HCl resistant, and can be removed by some other chemical after. I will be trying that. Masking with magic marker didn't work for me. But I have a LOVELY bottle of highly poisonous brightly colored acid that I can't pour down the drain. (Need to use it to copper plate something some day.) Just as soon as I get a 3D printer, and have run a few other projects through it. Looks like PVC might do it. Or maybe vinyl.

@treek506 3 жыл бұрын

Just got done building a SICK-68. Thanks for the inspiration!

@primarkbargainbin9847 3 жыл бұрын

Wow complete and consice explanation! I will reference this every time someone question my keyboard addiction.

@Heidegaff 3 жыл бұрын

Dude, I'm italian and let me tell you: you gesticulate *a lot.*

@robschn 3 жыл бұрын

"Andrinos are pretty much impossible to brick?" Is that a challenge?

@SianaGearz 3 жыл бұрын

It depends, those are actually hard to brick. The Arduino Mega 2560 bootloader is the only one i know of with a spectacular brick bug, you only need to mess up the watchdog registers hard enough, and then it will reset every time during the bootloader run, making for a boot loop that you cannot naively recover from! Because reset doesn't reset the watchdog fully. Except take an external programmer and install Optiboot. It's better anyway. Well you can recover even without. You basically unpower the board and let it completely drain for a bit. Then you hold down reset, power it up, still hold down reset, start the flashing process, and the moment it's about to start flashing, you take it out of reset.

@kerlybrackets 3 жыл бұрын

Achievement get :(

@MatureFister 3 жыл бұрын

@@SianaGearz cool, thats some neat knowledge, thanks internet stranger

@praints 3 жыл бұрын

just short it with your finger 12v to ground and reverse it baam ez bricked

@servernomad8111 3 жыл бұрын

i enjoy how you explain the key type its very informative. much appreicated

@patternsmashing 3 жыл бұрын

Dude! This video rocked. Immediate subscribe. Looking forward to digging through the rest of your content. All the info needed without the seemingly intentional hyperbole to drag duration to the KZfaq magic numbers, and BONUS entertaining without screaming (why do they scream?). Great stuff, keep it coming.

@NanescuRadu1 3 жыл бұрын

A slight correction ... there are 3 types of keycaps: double-shot, die-sub ( on pbt keycaps these are pretty tough and will hold you a long time ) and laser etched ( these are typically what you find on retail keyboards, they are abs and can be backlit compatible, but suffer the shiny degradation, hehe, the cool fact is: they can have really thin fonts )

@piirakkas Жыл бұрын

Also, there are 3 keycap materials. Abs and pbt as he said, but also pom keycaps. I'm using pom keycaps right now. They're really hard to find nowadays. Also, there are some keycaps made of metal(s), but they're really expensive..

@NanescuRadu1 Жыл бұрын

@@piirakkas yep forgot about those because they are rare or expensive there’s also ceramic keycaps out there

@sirareus 3 жыл бұрын

I did all of this last year, Was sad to see that the mechanical keyboard community hates extra keys. I made a handmade monster with 148 keys. You covered everything I had to learn on my own very well in this video. QMK is amazing.

@richwojehowski1123 3 жыл бұрын

Love the material Zack, keep it up. Also, that giant switch and keycap model!

@GreyDeathVaccine 3 жыл бұрын

I have had all the parts I need for 2 months now. Apart from case. I am going to print it (Redox) on a printer I bought after watching many of your and GreatScott videos. I will start construction next weekend. P.S Great video. I knew everything that was in the film, but I watched it with pleasure.

@jeffbrownstain 3 жыл бұрын

Great, now you're on the wagon.. All the deckers have been talking about how amazing their customs keebs are. Getting progressively jealous-enough to make my own soon.

@morganbarnham5427 3 жыл бұрын

Deckers, huh, omae? That real life slang I'm not aware of, or you a Shadowrun fan like me?

@jeffbrownstain 3 жыл бұрын

@@morganbarnham5427 discord.gg/AVUMzg7BsP It can't be both?

@morganbarnham5427 3 жыл бұрын

@@jeffbrownstain A very good point, true. Also, this is one of the best things I have seen. Thank you!

@janfinkel4771 3 жыл бұрын

I'd like you to build a Midi Controller.. I'm trying to build on for a year now..

@TimSheehan 3 жыл бұрын

Depends what you want from a MIDI controller, if you just want digital buttons and knobs you basically just build a keyboard with a number of rotary encoders instead of keys - the QMK firmware used for all these custom keebs supports MIDI! Not sure how you'd do sliders though.

@TheGottaLoveBacon 3 жыл бұрын

love all the information, and love the fact that you can also fit in so much comedy!

@captainbean3114 3 жыл бұрын

Im so happy I found this channel, you're stuff is amazing

@Lrrrable 3 жыл бұрын

"...this is just a tribute." LOL I understood that reference.jpg

@thealpatxino 3 жыл бұрын

I've bought some mechanical keys a micro and some wiring, but had little to no idea what to do with them. You may be my starter to invest some time into it. THX man. I owe you a subscribe, you earn it!!

@lw8882 2 жыл бұрын

The single best bit of information you gave about switches was that they are all good for whatever you want to use them for. It's ALL preference. Yes that also means you CAN buy a $2000 keyboard and put cherry blues in it if that's what you LIKE.

@e2rqey 3 жыл бұрын

Omg a whole keyboard video without anyone saying "Lubed Holy Pandas" or "NovelKeys Cream switches".

@ZackFreedman 3 жыл бұрын

Fun fact, I did have a bit about lubing switches, but the first cut was 55 minutes long, so I left it out. I wanted to stay away from super-nichey enthusiast parts because they're often out of stock. ...and honestly, I prefer Tealios anyways ;)

@andrewmalaty8 3 жыл бұрын

Zack: Arduinos are pretty much impossible to brick! me: bricked 2 Arduinos...

@walk8771 3 жыл бұрын

These videos are sooo informal and I love it. Please keep them coming. Maybe a video about intro to Electronics and stuff. I’m sure I’ll like what ever u make tho

@spencermoody791 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this. This video is perfect for what I was looking at

@MakenModify 3 жыл бұрын

Great overview, and great video in general as always :D Shameless plug: I made a 3 Part series on designing and hand wiring a keyboard if some need more details ;) Thanks for being so damn entertaining :)

@ChickenManiac 3 жыл бұрын

My youtube notifications are reading my mind again

@backinyourcommentsectionag3191 3 жыл бұрын

I know the feeling...

@wieb83zd 3 жыл бұрын

Here it feels as if Zach is reeding my search history 🤓

@blahybris608 3 жыл бұрын

Literally a week ago i told my brother that i wanted to make my on ergonomic keyboard... I feel like i'm being watched

@gamercollective7088 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for a great video, you look like you truly enjoy what you do, and that makes the videos even better to watch :)

@MylonasFilms 3 жыл бұрын

great idea. Love that you are doing this

@theofficialczex1708 3 жыл бұрын

Those ahegao keycaps've got me feelin' somethin' special...

@techniack 3 жыл бұрын

Notification gang wya?

@backinyourcommentsectionag3191 3 жыл бұрын

Currently at a wendy's, you?

@techniack 3 жыл бұрын

@@backinyourcommentsectionag3191 school :(

@backinyourcommentsectionag3191 3 жыл бұрын

@@techniack I know the feels my mans

@mortbringsli 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, this video could not have come at a better time. The arduino micro I'm planning to use for my keyboard project arrived just a few hours ago.

@cjknero 3 жыл бұрын

very good explaining on the profiles!

@malcolmgruber8165 3 жыл бұрын

"If you wanted to forget which key has the & on it." - Look, I only forgot which one had the % key on it. Also, I use Ins/Del/Home/End keys pretty frequently. I just like quick shortcuts.

@HollowRoll 3 жыл бұрын

Home and End are the most underrated keys on a keyboard. I am always wanting to go to the start/end of a line, and using the arrow keys is too slow.

@seba.4926 3 жыл бұрын

how to build mechanical keyboards: you don’t. it’s out of stock.

@sensimillia_420 3 жыл бұрын

i'm impressed, you are the man! Your videos inspire me a lot. keep it up! Thank you

@ChessKombat 3 жыл бұрын

Well done video. Thank you for putting it all together for someone like me who is newer to the whole game

@jaspervandenameele4834 3 жыл бұрын

I would like to know a good and most of all cheap way to use motors with encoders... The brushless motors with odrive are awesome but waaaay to expensive still. You can buy DC motors with a encoder from banggood but they are all geared down a lot etc... So to be more specific: a cheap (diy) way to encode a dc motor.

@ahmidiyasser376 3 жыл бұрын

actually odrive is opensource u can make it yourself or atleast understand it and change it to an unexpensive alternative that works for u

@PhilRennie 3 жыл бұрын

This. Motor encoders and/or using bldc for making things like camera stabilisers would be awesome.

@jaspervandenameele4834 3 жыл бұрын

@@ahmidiyasser376 yeah but the people working on odrive are waaaaay smarter and more experienced than I am... And developing such a thing would not be cheap unless I make huge amounts.