This Much THOCK for $60?! - Gamakay LK67
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- #Keybored Head to squarespace.com/keybored to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code KEYBORED
Description
I know the word "Thock" gets thrown out a lot in this hobby, and no one really seems to know exactly what it really means. To me, it's a deep and prominent sound that has a good weight and heft to it. Literally... THOCK.
This thock can be achieved with many higher end boards, and some just come very "thocky" when the right switch is used. However, what if you want to achieve that same effect without spending too much money? That is where the LK67 from Gamakay comes into play... Yeah this thing goes by some other names too... the TM680 or the TOM680. But the LK67 is priced lower for the same board and really delivers that THOCK with the right mods. Check it out!
I also created a Discord Server so check it out!
/ discord
Chapters
Start - 0:00
Intro - 0:09
Gamakay LK67 - 0:27
Stock Typing Test - 1:15
Details - 1:55
Sponsor - 2:17
Back to Content / Tear-down- 2:59
Let the modding begin! - 4:17
RGB! - 5:40
Modded Typing Test - 6:13
Final Thoughts - 7:04
Links to Products Shown in this Video
KBDFANS - Various Keyboards and Keyboard Components
kbdfans.com/r?id=gj29u8
Silicone Resin Kit (Enough to do 5-6 Keyboards)
amzn.to/3Hg0b4c
Blue Masking Tape
amzn.to/3H6Wo98
Shot on Sony A7 III + Sony FE35mm F1.8 and Shure MV7 Dynamic Mic
Sony A7 III
amzn.to/3cGUjma
Sony FE35mm F1.8
amzn.to/3bPHpTu
Shure MV7
amzn.to/2TXIpOO
A Quick Disclaimer - Some links I have provided are affiliate links that generate a small commission to support this channel. It helps me buy more stuff to create content if you shop through those links at no cost to you! Thanks for the support! :) - Hry
Honestly, one of my favorite keyboard youtubers. Inspired me to get into this hobby and love seeing the mods Scott comes up with or uses to improve keyboards. Keep it up the great work and hope more people chose to subscribe for the amazing content :)
Thank you so much Sean! I really appreciate the comment, and I hope that these videos can help bring more people in, take away some of the learning curve and make things more fun!
Based on the experience of actually taking this apart, it's pretty hard to do it without damaging the top half of the keyboard if you don't have the right tools. It's a good board overall but I'd still recommend the GK series if you're new to the hobby and you want a friendlier board to start with for your first modding experience in my opinion. LK68 for a board you want to settle with as is, gk61/64 series if you want an easier board to mod and more variety when it comes to the plate and case.
Great point 3sty!
Agreed. GK61/64 is still the best kit to start with. They are easy to mod and the upgrade path is also quite vast since they have standard 60% (GH60) mounting holes.
ppl might also want to look into bm60, might take more assembly but can take screw in stabs and also other gh60. also its southfacing which can be a dealbreaker or a big plus
I've found with the GK series that the usbc port has a not great lead free factory solder job, which tends to lead to it falling off when plugging it in.
How did you open it without damaging?
Your videos are always great to watch, appreciate the variety of price points covered and the time invested in doing approachable mods, thanks for the content!
Thank you very much for watching and for your support! I appreciate it!
lovee your videos! always in depth, and to the point, with many helpful tips. Really helped me a lot when building my first custom! thanks!
:) Thank you! Glad to hear that it's helpful!
Awesome video! I have heard some people bring up PCB issues where it just dies straight up. That aside, an amazing value for sure 🤝
I hope this one lasts!
Your mods are genius, will definitely try them if I get my hands on another tm680/lk67.
Thank you Chris! I appreciate it!
I fell in the keeb hole a few months ago. I wanted an « exploded » 65% ISO layout with separated arrows and keys on the right side so this is basically the option available on the market.
I am considering doing the whole modding (thanks Keybored)! I’m wondering if silicone pour vs. eva foam gives much of a difference in term of performance.
Great video. I have yet to dampen the sound on the base of my LK67 with cherry profile keycaps. I get a clacky sound with tape and foam which is not too bad. Very budget friendly build.
I was literally planning on buying this when you posted this
omg
:) Hope the video helped to make your decision!
Speaking of starter boards. Would love to see you do a video on the MW65. Seems like a really good starter board too with an optional knob, gasket mount, south facing switches and even qmk and via support for 50USD. Just thought it would be interesting to see your input on it
:) Will look into it! I think Lewis won the challenge with that board!
Heyo Scott awesome vid man the thock on this keyboard is awesome!
Thank you!
Nothing quite like a good modding video from Keybored to start off my morning
Thank you Keagan! I appreciate it!
Im a big fan of chopping off stand offs for prebuilt boards! Another awesome video from one of the best content creators and modders in the game!
Thank you so much for the support! Yup, especially for a board like this, the center standoffs can be removed easily for great effect
Hi sorry I'm new to modding and i dont understand why scott cut off the center standoffs? What's a tatmount (?) And will there be a difference if i choose to keep them on while still doing the silicone mold?
Filling it with silicone and cutting off the center standoffs is a great idea to improve sound on the board
It definitely helped!
This was the first I heard about the Akko Cherry profile interference fix, as well as the switch one. That's really interesting.
Yup! The north facing LED issues are starting become less and less of a concern with new switches and new caps!
Doing a pretty similar mod myself for my first custom build. Added the pe foam mod as well as holee mod because why not go all out and just do everything 🤣
im making one a friend right now and for sure gonna follow this vids
I hope the video is helpful!
hey scott! love this build :). quick question- do u think silicone or poron is better for sound dampening a keeb like the LK67 or akko 3068b (which I also rlly like)? thanks!!
Awesome stuff! I've been working on one of the TM680's for the past month and was commisioned for the milky white one. Was wondering how the silicone sounded in the case and I'm definitely not disappointed!
The silicone really helps!
@@Keybored You were def right about the foam. It is a pain to cut and form.
Is the tm680 same as the gamakay lk67? Thanks
@@edmundsiadari6234 yeah except the branding and that lk67 has triple mode which tm680 doesnt i think
I think it would be useful to see a list of some or most of the switches that eliminate interference
I'll see if I can start adding that into switch reviews!
I actually got my TM680 for just $61 about a month ago off the same AliExpress store you showed in the video, granted it was the wired version. I believe the TM680 is simply the OEM version of this board and Gamakay was the first company to rebrand and sell it under a new name, because if you see the back of the TM680, there is an empty space for a manufacturer sticker, which in the LK67 is occupied by Gamakay's sticker. Oh, and I also built mine with some Gateron Pro Yellows and they sound absolutely incredible stock, plus the stock stabs that came with my TM680 have gotta be the best goddamn stock stabs I've ever seen in my life. They sounded amazing and actually had a tighter fit than aftermarket Everglide stabs that I ordered, the fit was so tight, in fact, that the stabs wouldn't even fit with bandaid on the plate slots!
That is an interesting observation! Yeah for sure the Gamakay version is an OEM, confirmed by the manufacturer when I asked lol
Hello, does your keyboard still work?
@@geliscupidez yup, it works flawlessly! In fact, it's gotten better over time (sound and feel) due to the switches now being properly broken in.
@@sainteagle4426 Wow, thanks! I have been meaning to buy a TM680. Since it is cheaper than most keyboards, I am worried about its longevity. I am now quite confident that it will last. Thank you!
@@geliscupidez just make sure to update the firmware right away. I think older firmwares had an issue where the board would die out of nowhere or would short out if a different USB cable was plugged in. I updated the firmware right after building and since then have used it with 4 different cables and put it through many situations, it hasn't failed me once. I absolutely love it.
I’ve been waiting for this for forever
Hope the video is helpful and it was worthwhile!
Thanks the video im prob gonna be building an almost identicql keyboard with the same kit and keycaps, but im still deciding wether to go with gateron yellow pros or milky yellow pros. Im gonna start off without any mods and see how i like it and maybe mod it down the line
Hello! That's a great keyboard right there! I know I'm a little bit late, but does the software offers editing layers or something like a temporary layer? ( Like binding f1 to caps+1 etc.)
So you said there is so many switches that are compatible with north facing rgb and cherry profile keycaps. Is there a list of these that I can find? I mean not like it matters cos I just ordered a keyboard with south facing RGB, but I have 3 other keyboards that all have North facing RGB, so it would be really helpful. And great video btw. Thx!
hello, i covered my case with silicon but im unsure if my battery will catch fire once i am finished with this build so can somebode tell me if its a problem or not?
That sounds awesome.
Thank you Trevor! Especially for the price point, it's fantastic!
It's actually rebranded TM680... which is cheaper.
But wow, it sure sounds so much better, and Silent looked so good.
:) Thank you!
Wow sounds really good
Thank you NingoDingo! Appreciate seeing you here always!
You might have to change your recommendation for entry level custom keyboard again with the Tester68 (2 mode wireless, no wired hotswappable), it's $13, $25, $30 depending on where you get it.
It is 20 dollars here in the PH and just 10 or less dollars in China! Really tempted of getting but I just got the Akko 3068v2
That's so crazy cheap!
Awesome video! Did you have any concerns with concern to the Silicone Pour and the Battery in the middle of the case?
I actually poured it around the battery so the top of the battery still remains exposed :)
If you don't have access to silicone or don't want to deal with that stuff.. An option is plasticine clay for dampening. I use it frequently and it adds some nice weight too!
That's a great idea! I never used it in a Keyboard before, but will def have to experiment with it!
@@Keybored Thanks! I post about it on all the mainstream content creators videos. I'm shocked it hasn't become a popular option considering how easy it is to work with and how inexpensive plasticine clay is.
One thing I learned with it though is it dampens almost too well. Be sure to leave a little space between the clay and pcb or it will sound off.
Clay isn't clear though, so you wouldn't get the light effect in the bottom of the keyboard.
This sounds great
It really does! Has a very nice sound profile! I have been using this for a week and been very happy typing on a $62 keyboard lol
Oh wow I'm actually working on a video modding the same keyboard hehe. I just used a sheet of foam underneath the PCB. I noted that a silicone pour would be better but I wasn't sure how you could do that with a battery in there. Looks like you managed it with no problem. Did you just pour it straight in around the battery? No tape or paper anywhere on the battery to protect it?
i think he poured it then cut a hole for the battery
@@domtuco0711 Yeah that's how I thought it should be done but if you look at 4:34, it looks like there's some silicone over the battery's top right corner. Or maybe it's just the lighting combined with the fact that the case is also white so it's just hard to see lol
I just poured it around the battery and it worked out perfect!
i've been browsing online stores about DIY kits and the Gamakay LK67 keeps popping up. it would be my first ever mechanical so im still new to the scene.
My questions is that what switches are compatible with this board, (are cherry/Kailh/Gateron the same or different?) and what should i look out for when choosing keycaps. You mentioned something about "...compatible cherry profile...". does this involve switch interference where keycaps and switches dont work well together?
So, you can put any switches that has 3 or 5 pins in this case. I would recomend you Gateron yellows
Check out the switches with either the longer stems or use a switch that works ok with cherry profiles! The gateron box inks, the SMD gateron yellows/pros also work well with most cherry profile caps (excluding epbt doubleshot abs). Welcome to the hobby!
Very cool vid.
Thank you Cloudie!
Love your' videos dude, anyway I can get a link to purchase the switches you used here?
Great video!! But i got one question: would it be able to program the keyboard? i'm very new to this stuff, but i'd like to build a keyboard, where i could switch between russian and english letters. So i think i'd have to program a button that lets me switch, right? Is that possible with this keyboard? :)
Hey Scott love your content. Will you be reviewing the Akko Mod 007? Interested to see what upgrades they've made compared to their Mod 003
Thank you Joel! If there is enough interest in the akko 005 and the 007 I can review those as well!
@@Keybored INTERESTED!
The Sakura Powder colour on the Mod 007 and 005 are so pretty...it's so rare to see pink alu keyboard on the market these days. Glad I was able to order one during the 11.11 sales. 👍
@@Keybored I'm very interested in this one too! I think akko really deserve your look at their new keyboard! Those guys care about customers and community. This is the only company with such a good products for affordable price and worldwide delivery. Just want to mention, i can't order keychron q1 to my country. Gmmk pro shipping is about 50 dollars(this is like 1/6 of average salary here) compare to akko 15$. This company just gives me an opportunity to get into good keyboards for reasonable price.
Omg it sounds so good
It sounds sooo good! This over Gk61 everyday!
I just finished modding my TM680 with kilmat! Cutting it to fit the case was a little tedious but not too bad. I was wondering if you came across the optional PC plate when shopping for the board (I got it and found it a bit difficult to work with) and if we might see it in a future video.
Didn't realize that there was one! Will have to see!
Hey, thanks for the teardown, I noticed the PCB itself has sockets for ISO layout, but the plate does not. Is there a way to get a replacement plate for ISO or am I stuck using ANSI? The board certainly looks like the perfect layout for me, would just love the extra flexibility of having ISO.
Hmm... I know that there is a PC plate option for this board out there, perhaps there is a ISO compatible PC plate?
You should try out the bm65, it is plastic and comes with a steal plate, and is 65usd, and it sounds really good from that I have heard. And it also supports pcb mount stabs
:) Will do!
is the silicone perfectly safe to use with the battery? the wire? any precautions i should take while modding this part?
Congrats on the sponsor dude
Thank you Bolbi!
AWESOME VIDEO
Thank you!
Just got mine and i love it , can you link me that wrist rest that fits it so well, would look amazing with my setup. Thx for the vid
Hi Sebastian! I am using it with the wrist rest from Keychron and it works great!
I am going to build a custom keyboard with this kit and gat yellow lubed with 205g0 and bag lubed springs and some keycaps :D
Will sound great!
@@Keybored and i will film them. didnt expect you to respond :D good videos from
- slimei
So I have this board. I’m debating making it top mount like you did. Would you recommend it?
my first and only custom keyboard that im writing with this rn is a barebones lk67 with lubed yellows
my new dream custom keyboard
Got this keyboard this week and it’s only been headaches, the drivers don’t work, and while trying to figure that out, I found out the 4 button doesn’t work cus one of the pin holes doesn’t have a metal connector.
This was my first custom! I did the same mods, except I used Cap gold v2 switches. This thing THOCKS
did you have any problems with the battery or the heat going from the battery bc its completly pourd into silicon?
@@SchwitzendeTaube nope works perfectly. The batter doesn't even get warm
@@alfredellis8549 not even while loading?
@@SchwitzendeTaube I've been using it for 3 months with no issues.
@Björn Buschatz if you're going to do this mod make sure you take it apart correctly, or you will break it! There are tutorials online.
Do you use this keyboard with MacOS by any chance? I am trying to find out how to swap the Windows and Alt keys so I can use it for MacOS
i really love how this board looks and sounds (theyre great even without the mods) but wowie its components are so fragile T_T
Is silicone any better than foam? or is it just an easier method when dealing with ribs?
May i know if the rgb light effect is strong bcs the lastest keyboard of mine which is reddragon k552 had strong rgb effect
Just received this keyboard last week. Can confirm.
Thoocck!
I might do this w my black switches
So I got this keyboard as well and I love it, but are there any alternatives to the Silicon pour (not available where I live) to stop the hollow pingy sound?
I used rubber, suppose you could use a bike innertube split open but havent tested it yet.
Hey, genuine question, what would be the result if you removed all the standoffs and only hold the plate and pcb in place using the top half clipping onto the bottom half? Would that cause the keyboard to wobble around?
It'll turn it into a true top mount, but you'll start seeing gaps between the upper and lower unfortunately!
Awesome vid! Where did you get your wrist rest?
It's the keychron one!
isn't this a TM680 ? yeah it sound really good.
Edit: literally the next second I saw the gamakay you said it reee :(
Yup! It's essentially one OEM making this for a lot of different "brands" but it's a good keyboard nonetheless!
Not sure if you still read comments or reply, but had a question about how you got the screw threads on the bottom case to be plugged when you poured the resin in? Are you able let me know which threads they take so I can find the correct standoffs? Thank you! I'll be building this for my friend's first "custom" mechanical keyboard on a budget!
No need to plug the screw holes. The silicone shouldn't come above the hole. It may actually leak a bit from the sides and back where the lighting is, but it was easy to pick it off after it hardened
@@Keybored Such a fast reply! I appreciate you sir!
Looks 👍
Thanks Danny!
I haven't modded the keyboard yet only the spacebar lubed and holee modded but they sound clacky, am I missing some mods
Keybored is the best!
Thank you!
Looks nice! You should try the rebel60 or mw65.
I heard some good things about the MW65!
Hi Scott. Do you happen to have a list of some sort of the switches that don't have interference with Cherry profile keycaps? It would be a huge help to beginners like me. Thanks.
That's an interesting thought! So far, the new gateron pro switches work with cherry, as does the box inks, most long pole stem switches, akko switches. Hope that helps at least a little!
Most holy panda like switches (e.g. boba u4's, drop pandas etc...) are all interference free
Wait isn't the board clipped together instead of screwed together or are you talking about the plate to base (great review btw keep up the good work :)
The board is actually fully screwed together :) There were no clips to deal with at all which was great!
@@Keybored huh interesting cuz i knew abt this board before and i've always heard horror stories of breaking the bluetooth switch. Guess they altered the old design :)
Do you know if Gateron Milky Yellows will have north facing interference?
man i wish they had a version with a big enter key.. they should release a few more version... a split one like alice would be a dream..
I would like to see more Alice layouts as well!
Can you review the ajazz ac064? Looks a good entry board!
Will have to look into it! I will be doing the ACR75 soon!
Nice video
Thank you!
hey, last time i thought about building a keyboard was ages ago and one thing im not sure of is if lilac linears or cherry profile keycaps will interfere with north facing switches, can anyone help
Lilac linears with north facing cherry profile will interfere unfortunately :(
@@Keybored dang :( do you know if any Jwk switches will work or even tecsee switches
i wonder if you will every try the AJAZZ ac064, its got the cursed 60% layout with a 2u shift but for the price i beleive its a very good entry point for modifiable that also has a CNC body + tri mode connections (i had it at 132 canadian for the kit without keycaps/switches) its more expensive than the GK series but once you add a metal case to the gk series, the gk is a good 30-75 more depending if you get switches and keycaps when you order the ajazz
Will take a look!
@@Keybored i look forward to it!
Hi, I saw in the comments and in reviews that opening this keyboard damaged it. How did you manage to open it without damaging it? Thank you
I angled the front up and I lifted up and forward!
Is it possible for you to review the NCR80? its a retro WKL keyboard kit but there is only 1 review so far
Will have to search what that board is all about!
@@Keybored thank you! It’d be awesome to watch you do a review and mod it
I’m pretty curious about the mod you did to dampen the sound, I didn’t understand what you used and I want to know!
I used silicone mix to create a silicone fill into the case! I have a short on the channel that shows how to do it!
How did you manage to get rid of the metallic ping in the spacebar? Were your stabs stock?
I believe the silicone pour and the modding really helped to control some unwanted noise of this board! Now it thocks so hard! From what I recall, I put a sliver of masking tape on the stabilizer cutouts to make it tighter!
$62 Thock. U sold them!
Thank you
bruh, how about di toggle switch mode??
i broke it up when i was mod my gamakay lk67 :(
it should be 3-mode (wired, BT, and wireless), but since the toggle is broke, i considered it is wired only :(
:( Sorry to hear that! Others have mentioned it as well! I had to angle mine in and out to avoid that
I see you have gat pro yellows as i do, willthey have any interference with cherry keycaps? I have the same board btw
Not with these keycaps actually! They work perfectly!
Since you cut off the middle standoffs, did you also o ring mod this like you did the TOFU65?
I thought about o-ring modding it, but since this is a upper and lower case thing, I couldn't because the seam will get too large :(
I saw that the battery is submerged in the silicone resin pour. Is that safe for the battery? Thinking to do this silicone mod as well but not sure what to do about the battery compartment
I actually poured around the silicone :)
@@Keybored Not sure what you mean poured around the silicone. Isn't the silicone poured around the battery? Battery looks almost fully submerged in the silicone pour at 4:33
@@Keybored Sorry for pressing you on it, could you clarify?
on the stock sound test i thought nit was just a really rattly stab then I realized it was a clicky switch xD
:) I rarely use clickies, but sometimes, it's fun
can you compare the gateron ink blacks and the TTC gold pinks? i have heard that the TTC gold pinks are really smooth
Yup! They are very smooth stock, and also very deep. Between the box ink blacks and the TTCs, I feel the Box Inks feel a bit more refined
@@Keybored thanks!
Hi i was wondering if you know anything about how to fix the individual LED ? One of my LEDs isnt working and its rly ruining the vibe of the keyboard :(
if i push and put pressure on the light it works, but once pressure is removed its back to no light at all :c
Hmm... I might be a contact issue then. Might want to see how the solder point looks and maybe desolder and resolder that one to see if it helps!
Is the silicone mod used in the video liquid silicone used for molds?
Yup! The mixing type
i have the same keyboard but with gaetron brown, and it sounds much thocker and milky then yours. wonder why? also mine came fully lubed and stabilizers are amazing unlike yours in the video? i bought from tiktok for £47.99 which is $59.66. where did you buy your lk67 from>
This was probably an old batch, new ones come with dampening foam, and better-lubed stabilizers and you can tear it apart easily.
this is blessed i can say since my keyboard is an abominatiion and imma be getting an mk61
:) Thank you!
@Keybored How much of each silicone mold bottle did you use for this? by weight
I didn't weigh it unfortunately. However, I used those small plastic dixie cups and filled them to about half... 3 oz or so each
@@Keybored thank you! That was the exact right amount. I have the same board :) I broke the selector switch taking it apart though :(
Mind telling us which switches don't have the interference issue with cherry keycaps when north facing? It's a major copout if you don't.
The gateron yellow smd, the gateron pro yellow, akko switches, various long pole switches (too many to name)
@@Keybored Thanks.
north facing LED .. i'm tuning out..
Now many switches work in north facing with Cherry keycaps, so starting to get less worried about that now :)
I want to make this keyboard but I found lk67 and tm680, is it the same? or different company?
Same keyboard, same OEM, different branding :)
Yo I'm thinking of buying this keyboard where do I get the silicone porting you were talking about? 😅
I bought it on Amazon! Check out my short on the silicone pouring method and the link should be in the comment below!
@@Keybored oh ok thanks for the info
Akko recently came out with the acr series of kits and I ordered one for myself. Its the acr 67 which is an acrylic gasket mounted for just 86 dollars.. few downsides are the north facing leds and the plate mounted stabs
Wow, that is a good price! Will have to look into that!
Is there any noticeable interference with the keycaps due to it having north facing LEDs?
With these caps, nope!
I thought tape mods were dangerous for batteries in the case. Is it okay to do?
hoooo weeee that is thocky
Definitely is!