this is a great post on putting together a mechanical keyboard. to note, to get involved in mechanical keyboards there are many ways to approach it:
1 - Buy a mechanical keyboard that's already put together - Razer, Logitech and Corsair and even makers such as Novelkeys have models that are ready out of the box!!
2 - Buy a kit - basically via group buy in most cases but you end up putting most or a few of the parts together yourself. Often these kits come with everything but sometimes you end up having to get the keycaps and/or switches yourself.
3 - Buy all the separate parts and choose your own adventure - this is another way!! Pick everything you want - case, pcb, switches, stabilizers, plates(or no plate if you want), switches and keycaps!
4 - Mod an existing keyboard - take a keyboard that you bought off the shelf and solder on your own switches or just change the keycaps. I have a great Cooler Master board that I moved the pcb into a custom housing. This option is not as common i feel but its out there!
While this can be a lucrative hobby do not feel like you cannot choose option 1 to get yourself involved. Its ok if you are not building everything from scratch or printing the the PCB yourself. Enjoy it, you are all allowed to be here!
1 - Buy a mechanical keyboard that's already put together - Razer, Logitech and Corsair and even makers such as Novelkeys have models that are ready out of the box!!
2 - Buy a kit - basically via group buy in most cases but you end up putting most or a few of the parts together yourself. Often these kits come with everything but sometimes you end up having to get the keycaps and/or switches yourself.
3 - Buy all the separate parts and choose your own adventure - this is another way!! Pick everything you want - case, pcb, switches, stabilizers, plates(or no plate if you want), switches and keycaps!
4 - Mod an existing keyboard - take a keyboard that you bought off the shelf and solder on your own switches or just change the keycaps. I have a great Cooler Master board that I moved the pcb into a custom housing. This option is not as common i feel but its out there!
While this can be a lucrative hobby do not feel like you cannot choose option 1 to get yourself involved. Its ok if you are not building everything from scratch or printing the the PCB yourself. Enjoy it, you are all allowed to be here!