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Guide to build a 68% Keyboard

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Over the last weeks I built a 68% Mechanical Keyboard, based on the layout of the Magicforce68 and Varmilo VA68M. I documented all steps and wrapped everything in a tutorial website available at https://68keys.io. With the SA Grade keycaps it has a nice industrial look and feel, what do you think?
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With the content on 68Keys.io, you can build your own custom 68% Keyboard! Sounds great, right? You will find all information about the needed Circuit Board, Aluminium Case, and modified TMK firmware on the site. With the detailed shopping list, you can start ordering parts and dive into building your mechanical keyboard right away.
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As you can see on the images, I use a simple Sandwich Case right know, do you know of any companies that offer custom Aluminium cases? I know this will be expensive compared to the current case, but it's the last missing piece in the puzzle ;)
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Mkur
7
Jun 6, 2021
Everything nice except for the browns :))))
Snow-mo_B
9
Apr 5, 2018
Hey sbstjn, I have been looking at your site and instructions and thereis one thing I have been wanting to ask about. Is it normal for keyboards to have their pcbs attached only with the solder to the switches? That just sees weird to me to have the board supported in that way, or I could just be completely wrong.
Snow-mo_B
9
Apr 5, 2018
Also thank you for the reply. And thank you for explaining that design choice.
Teaspoon
0
Aug 29, 2021
Snow-mo_BThat’s how sandwich mounts work. See Baart’s “cheat sheet” for illustration of the various mounting styles: https://thomasbaart.nl/2019/04/07/cheat-sheet-custom-keyboard-mounting-styles/
ca178858
64
Apr 1, 2018
Just came across this, and that looks amazing!
I know that everything in your guide is open and available- which is great- but though I would mention that I make pre-made PCBs that would work with your build guide:
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/lfk78-pcb-68key.html
and a hotswap variant
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/catalog/product/view/id/51/s/lfk78-pcb-hotswap-68key-new/
SelfXplanatoryy
0
Sep 7, 2018
ca178858Hey can you please contact me i would like to purchase a pcb from you asap!
punksinatra
149
Oct 6, 2020
ca178858hey are you still selling the hotswap 68key?
Raithmir
663
Feb 2, 2018
Building my own custom board is something I've wanted to do for a while, and I especially like sandwich cases. Just finished reading your guide, excellent work! I'll have a go at creating my own layout later as I'd want ISO layout (unless someone has already created one?).
sbstjn
48
Feb 7, 2018
RaithmirThanks!
You should have no problems with ordering the case components using a different keyboard layout, but you will need to find a PCB matching your layout or create one from scratch. Maybe I can cover building a PCB from scratch in a future guide.
leoplusma
10
Feb 2, 2018
Well done, not only for the construction and looks (awesome!) but also for the guide at https://68keys.io/ thanx a lot !
@Winkeyless
265
Jan 30, 2018
Excellent DIY guide! Love the way you spread out all the components on a table.
sbstjn
48
Feb 7, 2018
@WinkeylessThanks! 😍
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