BUILD a METAL Mechanical Keyboard!
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 4. 07. 2024
- This is a fun tutorial on how to build an ultimate clacky mechanical keyboard! Timestamps, explanations, everything in this one video! Enjoy!
Written tutorial on soldering if you like to read as well - jujucables.com/how-to-solder-...
đSUBSCRIBE - bit.ly/2Ooyuf1 đ
Time:
0:00 - Opening and Parts to Build Keyboard
2:33 - Tools Needed and Tips
3:48 - Testing the PCB
4:49 - (1) Making a Keyboard Stabilizer
6:23 - (2) Lubing a Keyboard Stabilizer (Optional but Recommended)
7:47 - (3) Installing a Keyboard Stabilizer
8:16 - (4) Testing the Stabilizers
8:48 - Understanding keyboard layouts to insert the switches in the right place.
10:10 - Installing Mechanical Switches into the Plate
10:36 - Aligning the switches for custom layouts
11:18 - How To Lube Mechanical Switches (Linear and Tactile)
14:57 - How to Solder A Mechanical Keyboard
18:55 - How to Unsolder / Desolder Mechanical Switches
20:13 - Testing the keyboard switches
20:43 - Putting the keyboard into the case
21:55 - How to find good keyboard keycaps
22:50 - Typing Test
Cost of build approximately/roughly due to many different choices available in the keyboard hobby:
Case/PCB/Plate - $200 USD
Switches - ~$105 USD
Lube - $20 USD (optional but amazing and unique typing experience)
Keycaps - $75 USD
Cable - ~$100 USD (optional but has many advantages from flexibility, personal customization, and aesthetics)
TOTAL = ~$500 (it really depends on your preference on keyboard size, switches, etc. You can easily make this a $300 build if you buy cheaper switches or a smaller case size for eg).
Links below to some parts.
Some links below may support the growth of my channel and JUJU! :) I am a BangGood and Amazon Affiliate because they are a quick and easy provider of tools and other items for your project - if not requested by my subscribers. I only recommend tools I use and have researched and reviewed personally.
Parts for a keyboard -
1. Keyboard Kit (Case, PCB, Plate) - bit.ly/30akFId
2. Stabilizers - bit.ly/2Ttzfpv
3. Switches - www.switchkeys.com.au/collect... or zealpc.net/ or / hong.hobbies for expert hand-lubed switches
4. Lube - bit.ly/2Ttzfpv
5. Custom Coiled Keyboard Cables - www.jujucables.com (properly reversed/snappy coiled cables)
6. Keycaps - jujucables.com/product-catego... OR bit.ly/30SegjZ (Taihao, GMK, MAXKey)
Tools Used (these are affiliate links which support the channels growth):
1. Soldering Iron and Tips - jujucables.com/product-catego...
2. Desoldering Pump and Wick - jujucables.com/product-catego...
3. 60/40 Leaded Solder Wire - jujucables.com/product-catego...
4. High Quality Screwdriver Sets - jujucables.com/product-catego...
5. Safety Equipment, Protection and Comfort - jujucables.com/product-catego...
Need More Tools? - jujucables.com/product-catego...
Kit Makers:
RAMA - rama.works/
Novel.Keys - novelkeys.xyz/
KBDFans - kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit
Are you a blogger or press? - Click here = jujucables.com/press-and-media/
Twitter: @jujucables - / jujucables
Facebook: @jujucables - / jujucables
Instagram: @jujucables - / jujucables
CZcams: / jujutech
Website: www.jujucables.com
Discord: / discord
- JUJU
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#mechanicalkeyboards #juju #DIY
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25 minutes of keyboard goodness. Thank you for being amazing because WE just hit 6k subs! I would be happy to stay with 6k of amazing people than 100k of people who don't care. Thank you for being a part of the 6k and if you would like to join them, feel free to :) I would love to see you comment and chat with you! I will see you more often now since I will be making more videos :D - More DIY kits coming soon!
đ
czcams.com/video/yTQDJwTKW18/video.html
This is my new anne pro 2 do you know whether the battery fits in the tofu 60 acrylic??
I went from Reddit videos, to a Korean woman unboxing dolls. Same Korean woman also makes custom resin keycaps. Googled resin keycaps. Found out building mechanical keyboards was a hobby and had a subreddit (what doesn't). Was scrolling. Found the keyboard you made for your sister and the link to this video.
My point is, I started in CZcams and ended up back in CZcams. Now with a new hobby to try.
You are in the right hobby and the right place :)
@Katherine Nicolaou broke af
me: mom i need this materials for the school
Only watched 5 minutes of it but I'm sure it will be great because it's made by you! Grats on the huge commitment to the channel as well!
Thanks Diamond! Yes it's a super big step!
me stoo wayching in 33 sec waste of time HAHAH
I really like how straight forward this guy is
I do my best! Thanks for commenting :)
9:38 damn, that's a very long backspace.
Holy crap just noticed i said that đđđđ
LOOOOOL
@@JoeGaz are there any mechanical keyboards which I donât need to build and they come built
A great video Juju! I don't know if you remember but I answered in your community post about what videos we wanted to see, and I mentioned an all-inclusive guide explaining everything. This did such a great job! A few things I think could be specified for future videos for newbies:
- For keyboard layouts, explaining a few of the most popular ones could help newbies get an idea of what they want. While 60% is popular, many people want arrow keys, which most 60% layouts won't accommodate. So asking them what they would use them for and giving them a heads up on this would be great! You'll see a lot of 60% board posts in /mechmarket because of how many people create one and find out they need the arrow keys haha. (or function keys)
- Explaining what the pieces in a kit do. For example, when I first built my keyboard, I had no idea what the plate was supposed to do, and thought I needed to screw it in. It's little things like this that, when explained, help newbies understand how exactly the keyboard all comes together!
- Explaining what exactly we are soldering when we solder. Since I was new to soldering, the act of doing it wasn't too scary, but I didn't really understand the reasoning behind why I was doing it. Explaining what we are doing before hand would help ease the scariness of doing it.
- Giving viewers options for what foam to get (kbdfans has their own foam, mkultra, some reddit vendors, shelf liner, etc.
Those were just a few things I'd love to see in a future video. This guide you made is amazing!
Said exactly what I was going to say. Great video but a few things like how the plates go on top of the stabs, what types of foam you need, the option of hotswap PCBs so you can change your mind and buy other switches instead of committing to one (or desoldering the entire pcb).
But thanks, I enjoyed the video a lot :)
Andrew! Thanks so much! I did miss a few bits in order to keep it under 25 minutes, my goal.
I will cover in separate videos for sure!
Pleasure! Thanks for the feedback!
How are you sitting at only 17k followers. You deserve more my dude.
New to the hobby, but I recommend people getting a "Hot swapable" pcb if possible as a starter. There are no soldering required and in case you feel like you chose the wrong switch, you can easily replace them and swap them quickly.
The long awaited video, happy that is finally dropping! Thanks JuJu â€
Haha yes, late hours for this one... Thanks so much!
i hope this all works out for you man, all your videos are on par with some of the top kb youtubers and its great to seeâ€
Thanks Anthony
@@JoeGaz can I just buy a mechanical keyboard which is alerady is alerady fixed because I donât know if they sell those
Wow this channel might actually be a godsend. I recently started seriously researching getting into making keyboards and I was getting discouraged cuz thereâs so much information out there and I was feeling overwhelmed. This is probably the most perfect video for beginners, you answered all my questions and have other tutorials for more in depth explanations. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your amazing comment! Glad to have helped you :)
Best guide out there. Good luck with your channel Juju!
Thank you cyro!
Unreal video!!! As a total beginner who is falling down the rabbit hole in real time, you are so darn helpful! As far as future video ideas, Iâd love to hear you talk about PCB layouts and what makes a good PCB. Other than that, thank you for the amazing, genuine tutorials! Super helpful, informative and empathetic towards all of us newbies. I love watching and canât wait to see whatâs next! :)
Hey Charlie! Thanks so much and I am glad I helped out!
I am thinking to make a short video on it soon :) Stay tuned!
Just been binge watching your content recently and am considering on building my first 60% mech keyboard (tofu 60 hot swap) all of your videos have been helping me out!!! Awesome content and keep up the great work!!!!
Hey EV4D3R! Thank so much for being so interested in my videos! I appreciate it :)
Absolutely great informational work my dude!!! you can reach wonders if you keep on going :) the mechanical keyboard community is such an enigma to common people and you giving them an easier access to the hobby benefits everyone! I hope the path you're taking takes you somewhere great.
Aldrin, Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind thoughts!
thats one of the best sounding keyboards ive come across so far, youre pretty talented :D
Thanks so much!
This was so comprehensive and helpful thank you so much!!
Hey! All good can't wait to see your keeb on my discord
Thank you JUJU, great helpful video
very good and helpful video. I`m recomending this film
love the vlogish style in the beginning. very well done overall
You deserve more subs than u have your videos helped me create my first keyboard keep up the great work man have a lovely day
My pleasure and i am so happy to help!
Fairly basic stuff, but love the energy and how you put the information across! Subbed and keen to see where you go with this channel mate :)
Thank you! Some people don't find it as basic as we do haha. Sometimes good to see it visually! :) thanks for getting connected!
@@JoeGaz don't get me wrong mate, I'm just starting out. I meant it was surprisingly basic when I thought it was going to be complex. Now to empty my wallet...lol
Thanks Juju! I just finished making my mechanical keyboard and this really helped!
Glad I could help!
Such a good video, this Chanel will be big soon very can't wait to see the growth, you got my sub hopefully I'll be able to build my keyboard đ
Just finished building my first Custom Mechanical Keyboard, sooooo happy with the results. Thanks so much for the video, it helped me a tremendous amount, and was extremely easy to follow; made me realise it's a lot simpler than I thought.
Hey! That is so awesome to hear! Congratz on your first keyboard :) Come show me on my discord!
2:26
Juju: 60% is great to get started if youâre a beginner.
Taeha: a $3,500 keyboard-
How is it that you only have 6k subs? How?
Love your videos, I've learnt so much from them!
Thank you! Its better to have 6k of subscribers who watch and live what you do, than 100k who won't at all. This is why I appreciate people like you!
easy like....thank you JUJU
My pleasure friend!
it sounds SOOO good
very good video!
Thank you brother!
Super great guide sir :) Thanks!
My pleasure! :)
Hey! Your video popped in my recommendation I think you deserves a sub for such a good tutorial! Keep it up!!!
Thanks! Hope it helped to build your keyboard :)
@@JoeGaz Yep, this helped me out
Cool video man! I've built about 5 custom mechanical keyboard already, I found new useful tips from your video!
I've been having problem lining the board into the case correctly, the keys at the side of the case are scratching the case sometime...... I never once thought of putting the corner keys in before screwing the keyboard onto the case...... Now I know!
Thanks so much! Happy it helped! Sub for more!
Great video - just make sure if you're going to lube your switches you do it before you install them!
That's right!
You're so enthusiastic! I have to sub lol
Great video ^.^
Thanks Raptor! Come join me next stream :)
@@JoeGaz You stream? Where and when??
great work JUJU!!
Thanks Ramy!
@@JoeGaz know your TA and you'll grow exponentially akhi, we can chat personally đ
Great tutorial! Great overview.
One thing I might have missed is you didn't use the solder wick! I would have loved to see how you use the wick to desolder vs the pump.
I know, I didn't due to time! I had a goal not to go over 25 mins. I have many tutorials on that already though! Go check them out if needed!
Already know how but still watch cuz I like ur content
Cause you are amazing and i appreciate you very much
Damn, that keycaps set choice is so sick! Thanks for all the tips in the video. đ
My pleasure! You making a new keyboard?
@@JoeGaz It's a long time coming. Not too sure about the switches, but most likely linear.
Hey JuJu, I'm loving your vids so much! Thanks for teaching, but I wish to ask you whether do you recommend 205g2 or 205g0 as a lube for your switches? Since you used 205g0 in your video.
205g0 all the way. It's suited for keyboards and switches.
Here from Kristoferyeeâs beginner guide video. Great content friend, Iâm looking to get into the hobby this was helpful
Thanks for watching! đ welcome and sub for more cause i got so much mods coming!
JUJU I am subbed bud, Iâll be using your links when I make my purchases
Maaan this is such a good video. I ended up here after my Corsair K70 unexpectedly died today (seems like a PCB or cable problem - thing is, I didn't have a clue on how to solder before this). I might open it back up and check if it's not a soldering issue on the cable connector. If the PCB is indeed dead, I think i just might salvage the keycaps, switches and stabilizers and make my own mechanical keyboard (hope shipping to Mexico is a thing for these companies...).
Thanks for sharing this and great work on the editing. This is the guide I needed to stop being afraid of a soldering iron XD
I can't wait till you make your own! It will be awesome :)
deserves more likes
This tutorial is great, extremely well put. Good job man. Keep it up. I have a question, my national keyboard format is rare so itâs hard to find printed keycaps. Any ideas on how can I tackle this? Thanks in advance.
Thanks so much! You would have to show me on Discord! Come join!
OMG THIS IS FILMED ON MY BDAY!!
I'm feeling inspired to build something!
Yes! Why not! Even if it is a small macropad!
welcome to the long rabbit hole of mechanical keyboard kits.
love this tutorial, very new to the mech keyboard scene but now i really want to build one. just a question, i noticed you have the number pad but not arrow keys so what would that fall under? my other question is region specific but do keycap companies provide alternate keys too? I'm in the UK and we have " on 2 rather than @ and I'd rather that.
this is good
I'm a keeb and it's really hard to keep up with your hobby especially when you don't make enough money to build your own mech, or at least mod your current one. But hopefully in the future, I'll be able to try this out and be able to fulfill my passion for building keyboards and just partake in such a beautiful process.
Sorry to hear! Keep saving you will get there! You don't need a new kit even! You could repurpose an old keyboard too!
This is the best tutorial out there, not surprised though Juju is the best. I rushed to KBDFans to buy a kit to build my own. My wallet is crying, Juju why you do this to me!!
Haha sorry! It's worth though! Buy ONCE!
Juju thank you
Will the gk64 fit in a gh60 shell
And can I get a older cherry mx style keyboard from 80-early 2000s
And use the switches I like.
It depends! I would not know sorry :) 64 is assumedly a little longer than 60%
Yep you can!
i need those keycaps đ
Taihao Sakura Michi ;) Say I sent you!
Finally building my first keyboard. Im confused about the 5 pin 3 pin keys. I currently hv 5 pin keys and wikl be mounting on a plate. When i install it should the bottom of the keys sit flush against the pcb? Should snip the extra pins off before mounting?
hey juju im currently trying to decide if i should get a custom keyboard or a prebuilt
the custom kit i would get is the gk61 with gateron yellows and the pcb is hotswap so no need for soldering which for me is good
or
get the anne pro 2 with gateron reds and maybe try to lube them without opening them since theres a video with someone lubing their switches without desoldering them from the pcb
ps i havent had any experiences with mech boards so im not sure if its a good idea to get a custom without any mech board experience
Hotswap is amazing! It's a great option. I would go with the first to avoid the headache of the second. First is better so you can lube the gat yellows!
@@JoeGaz tsym for replying juju
im gonna save up the extra buck for the custom now rather than the anne pro and get the custom
thanks for the advice i really appreciate it!
Iâve always wanted one
This was awesome! I'm getting started soon and your videos make it look super easy =]
Currently looking to buy a ts80 or ts100 iron.
What kind of PSU do you use?
And what cable? It looks very flexible so I'd love to know where you got it
It comes with it! Check out links in video :) ts80p is great!
Glad you loved it!
i went to the link in your discription and when i got there it said 5ml and you used 2ml does it matter witch one i use? i think it means that the lube is thicker but i dont know.
After using low profile, I couldn't stop using low profile keyboard like g913tkl. I want to make LP custom keyboard with Kailh LP switches but I couldn't find PCB supporting LP switch. Is there any advice?
I just finished building my own keyboard today!!! Thanks to ur video for it gave me courage to solder it myself for the first time and i have no problem doing it
It is my pleasure! Come show me on my discord ;)
Letâs go juju
Finn! :D
Hey bro grey video just a quick question, can you solder switches into a hot swappable board if not could u recommend any good pcb boards with leds
Do not solder into hot swap. Many pcbs with rgb preinstalled. Dz60 rgb is a great one from kbdfans
JUJU my parents do not trust any other sites other than eBay banggod and Amazon any suggestions there?
WHAT IT WORKED!!!
subbed!
Hmm im just curious, can u make this hot swappable with millmax sockets?
"a normal ANSI keyboard"... *screeching in ISO*
i trid shorting a certain key, but it doesnt work. what hould i do to repair it? (im repairing an old mechanical keyboard pcb)
Hi I have a question. How do I install the plate on the pcb? Thx
Great video! Thanks for making it easy for a noob like me. But what Iâm missing here is how you fix the plate with the PCB and the switches. I got all parts with me, but my plate always falls down to the PCB. How do you manage that it keeps the right space?
Keep in locked together by installing some switches to hold it in place.
Julian Chan I would like to see this in a Video. I have not seen any Tutorials on this. All the CZcamsrs skip this part.
Hey Aida! Definitely. Essentially you put the plate on top and then press 4 switches on each corner. It's easier with 5 pin switches because the plastic holds the switches in. You want to ensure the plate is snapped to the switch housings by pulling up on the plate to the switches.
JUJU Thanks Juju! Maybe one day you will find the time to make a video about it. Btw, I have a brass plate.
Also if anyone is really afraid to buy 199$ kits for their first assembly and they know how to buy in China, there are some decent and cheap kits on Taobao that cost around 15-25$ (full base of the keyboard without switches and keycaps). Search for JKLP87, FK89. Quality of those is decent (plastic case, alluminium plates) and "JKLP87 kit" as basically an unassembled Doomhammer Choc 87 keyboard base. Great for training and testing switches before you finally put them in expensive kit. KPrepublic Store used to sell them on Ali under the name DM87 for 25$.
I agree! I bought my first keeb like this too!
Don't forget to find your Fn key and find a way to test that too (usually Fn + something will change your LED). It would suck if that happens to be the key that's bad.
This is very true! Nice mention!
what switches are those on your numpad?
Hi I just came across your channel and I need some advice. I am looking to buy a new keyboard and mouse combo with sturdy construction and a strong battery life. I am a creative professional mainly focus with photo (Photoshop) & video editing (Aftereffects). I would like something with a smaller footprint like a 65% keyboard (arrow keys are essential). Both need to have wireless capability while also having the option to connect using an usb receiver when necessary with backlight keys. Any advice or recommendation would be greatly appreciated. My budget is no more than $160 for the combo.
Thank you.
K320 Durgod is a great choice for you but not wireless. It's TKL so it has the arrow keys! Smaller than that and possibly asking for trouble. The Magicforce Smart 2 is wireless and has dedicated arrow key cluster. I reviewed that as well. There is also the Keychron keyboard that I have not reviewed but is here and has been reviewed many times. Backlight and wireless - amzn.to/3mdxkTv
Mouse, you can choose what ever you like to be honest. If you are just a professional stick to a simple wireless one like this - amzn.to/2RjPEfp
Hope it helps :)
@@JoeGaz thank you have a great weekend!
The spacebar makes me want to fly to heaven
What kind of bit holder is that with the plus sign on top?
Comes in this kit :) jujucables.com/product/wowstick-1f-more-powerful-high-torque-mini-powered-screwdriver/
What is the interior song i love it plz tell it
Hey juju, I was wondering if u could make a budget 60% keyboard?
Let's do it!
JUJU thanks so much, I was looking over custom keyboards but they r all so expensive, I was going to buy the nk65 with novel key cream switches, but the nk65 was sold out. I would love to see what u would do
To be honest, I already remember all of the steps from the first until the last step. Seriously, I really want to buy KBDFans, Gateron INK Black Lubed Krytox205g0, and GMK Keycaps for my endgame keyboard. Now, I just enjoy with my Leopold FC660M hahahaha.
All in time! :)
Is it overkill to lube switches?
Juju : solder outside or with a high setting blowing fan
Corona masks : am i a joke to you
Good video and pretty informational but I have a couple criticisms, at parts like 9:00 and when you're walking around and talking to the camera sometimes you get really close to the camera and put your face where there isn't any more room and your face is clipping in and out of the shot. This just makes the video a little intimidating to watch as I feel like you just need to be more in frame. Secondly, I feel like you could have done a better job explaining the stabilizer part at 8:00. This was fine for an advanced keyboard user like myself but I remember when I first tried to lube my stabs I needed someone to tell me what the person I was watching was talking about. Something like a 20-second segment of listing the 3 parts of a stab would have been nice because I feel like you just kind of rushed through it, you could say go watch another CZcamsr to look at that but then the engagement on your video would be lower and you don't want people clicking off your video. Just my 2 cents but I'd take into consideration what I listed above. P.S. Make sure to tell your viewers that the 500$ is in auzzie bucks not USD as a lot of people watching are probably from the US. Also you still said more smoother ;)
Thank you so much for your awesome feedback! Very detailed which means you care and I appreciate that!
Niceeeee
Whats the background music in the beginning?
Do you have to solder
I prefer 65% or TKL. Some shit just requries the arrow keys so I whould spend a few extra bux so I can get the full potential out of my keyboard.
this guy just inspired the shit out of me. I'm happy with my keyboard but I feel like now I HAVE to for no reason lmao.
hahah no no I am just saying to be proud of what you built! Don't fake it :) Smile at it!
what switch did u use?
Zealios and Gateron Laser Switch
Anyone know what that song is 0:01 ?
can you show how to reverse coil?
I will soon :)
anyone know what the switch with the purple housing and red stem is called.
Gateron gmk lazer switch
Yeah I will probably also use glasses when soldering because later it is full of solder fumes jelly. Really recommend glasses like these
Sorry but that solder cone looks really stange 17:54
Haha it does a bit, let's be honest. It was a quick sketch!
Funny that you say that you see AINSI on every keyboard. As a european, I'm much more use to the ISO enter key.
i like the first one that he click it almost close to my keyboard sound
Omg that keyboard sounded so sweeet.
Feels amazing too!
anyone know what he was typing at the end?
*Noice*
Missing some information such as how you should start by plasing the switches in each corner of the plate and how to work with plates of varying flexibility such as pom.
Ahh yes. That would be helpful! Consider it for next video đ
So I just got my pcb and soldered everything but the âMO 1â key isnât green lighting on switch hitter... did I get a messed up pcb đ
The Mo(1) key is the function modifier key that selects another layer. This key sends a scancode directly to the microcontroller, which isn't relayed back to the PC. That is why it never registers a positive input on any switch testing software.
You can verify that it works by pressing it in conjunction with, say, the 1 key that's usually bound to F1 in the second layer. That will show up as F1 on the switch tester.
@@nachiketmhatre7411 thank you for your much more knowledgeable reply than mine :)
@@JoeGaz I'm glad to help. Last month I had a bad switch on the same function key. Troubleshooting that wasn't fun at all.
Nachiket Mhatre I literally have had my pcb for almost a week trying to figure it out and already have my tangerines lubed/modded so this made me anxious thinking I might have had to order another and wait 3 weeks due to COVID... thanks so much definitely a money saver đ€đœ
JUJU and thank YOU juju for teaching me the ins and outs of everything keeb related! đ€
you do not need a soldering iron as if you want to upgrade your switches in the future then soldering your switches in place can be hard to get out,anyways you do not need a soldering iron for beginners, it is optional
My y, u, i, o and p dont work :/ any tips?