DIY mechanical keyboard kits

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Alt_3

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Hey everyone.

I'm interested in importing mechanical keyboard components for 60% boards and packaging them as customisable kits. I have a few questions to guage market interest if anyone is keen on helping out :)

1. How much would you be willing to pay for a DIY kit?
2. What switches would you prefer? Cherry, Gateron or Khail ?
3. What are your thoughts on wood cases?
4. Would you want RGB or LED lighting?
5. How much would you pay for a braided cable?
6. Do you find the aspect of soldering the switches in and putting it all together fun and enticing or scary and daunting?
7. Any other additional comments or ideas are welcome!
 
1. As little as possible while getting quality. The price for this is quite varied.
2. Cherry
3. Depends on the weight, I like a heavy metal base as it stops the keyboard from shifting. (EDIT: Sorry, misread as base. Wood case might be interesting, would depend on quality, it would have to fit snugly for the keyboard to help against bumps.)
4. Yes, one of the few/only components I want RGB lighting (via LED...).
5. As little as possible. Not really into braided as I have never had a problem with keyboard cables. Again, depends on price, higher end/premium I would care. Should definitely be done with wood.
6. I would like to do as little work as possible. Also, where am I supposed to get soldering equipment from?
7. Are you sure you really have a large enough target market in South Africa for this? The mech keyboard market is already quite small.
 
Last edited:
Johnatan56 said:
1. As little as possible while getting quality. The price for this is quite varied.
2. Cherry
3. Depends on the weight, I like a heavy metal base as it stops the keyboard from shifting.
4. Yes, one of the few/only components I want RGB lighting (via LED...).
5. As little as possible. Not really into braided as I have never had a problem with keyboard cables. Again, depends on price, higher end/premium I would care. Should definitely be done with wood.
6. I would like to do as little work as possible. Also, where am I supposed to get soldering equipment from?
7. Are you sure you really have a large enough target market in South Africa for this? The mech keyboard market is already quite small.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the response, appreciate the feedback! The price point I've been aiming for is 1500 or under, but it's so tight trying to get all the components in under that. I'm pretty unsure about the market for it in SA. I think it's there, but definitely feel it's all about how much the kit costs in the end.
 
RedViking said:
Why DIY if you can buy a finished product? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Hoping to appeal to the custom market. Get to pick your own case, key caps, switches etc. Then the whole feeling of putting it together yourself, booting up some strange software and programming in the key layers. Do you think it would be best to market it as an assembled unit rather than a DIY vibe? Is it just me that gets a kick from soldering **** together?
 
Alt_3 said:
Hoping to appeal to the custom market. Get to pick your own case, key caps, switches etc. Then the whole feeling of putting it together yourself, booting up some strange software and programming in the key layers. Do you think it would be best to market it as an assembled unit rather than a DIY vibe? Is it just me that gets a kick from soldering **** together?
Click to expand...
I would enjoy doing it, but would need someone to help guide me the first time. Also, most who buy it buy it so they can use it, not to spend time putting it together. A keyboard is a work item, I bought mine to reduce finger fatigue as I spend a lot of time typing.

Are you sure you can get good mechanical keyboards at under R1500? Just considering the current pricing and with the rand/dollar constantly messing up, I really don't see any e.g. Cherry brown at that price unless they're stock from back R12/dollar.
 
Alt_3 said:
Hoping to appeal to the custom market. Get to pick your own case, key caps, switches etc. Then the whole feeling of putting it together yourself, booting up some strange software and programming in the key layers. Do you think it would be best to market it as an assembled unit rather than a DIY vibe? Is it just me that gets a kick from soldering **** together?
Click to expand...
Interesting. I didn't realise there is a hobby like this. Lol. Maybe just sell the finished keyboard and you can add your own key caps...
 
Johnatan56 said:
I would enjoy doing it, but would need someone to help guide me the first time. Also, most who buy it buy it so they can use it, not to spend time putting it together. A keyboard is a work item, I bought mine to reduce finger fatigue as I spend a lot of time typing.
Click to expand...

You guys make an excellent point! Pretty certain I could make a comprehensive video and step by step instructions sheet. What would your thoughts be on having it as a DIY number to begin with and for an extra 50 bucks I'll solder it all together and send it as a built unit?
 
Alt_3 said:
You guys make an excellent point! Pretty certain I could make a comprehensive video and step by step instructions sheet. What would your thoughts be on having it as a DIY number to begin with and for an extra 50 bucks I'll solder it all together and send it as a built unit?
Click to expand...
Again, depends on final price and quality.
 
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