i think you might overestimate the building part.

If you get a barebones board with a hotwap PCB you have to screw in stabilizers for all keys larger than 2u (=2 keys) - Shift, Enter, Backspace and Space. Since you can’t be arsed, screw lubing them. Just screw them in, takes 3 minutes.

Then, place all the switches on Plate and PCB and since they’re hotswap you just press them in.

Then place like 8 gaskets or screws, drop on your PCB-Plate-Switch-Sandwitch, screw together top and bottom with 4 more screws.

When you’re done, mount the caps, also just pop them in place.

That’s it. I reckon it’s about as much work as a 10$ Lego set.

But going prebuilt is far easier of course: Unpack, plug in, done. If you get a hotswap you can change switches later on if you fancy.

Tbh, if not in IC projective GB or GB, waiting and browsing around is the best option. If you don’t look for something really specific there will be interesting projects popping up and the wait should increase budget.

https://discord.gg/tgr

good luck!

geekhack.org IC or GB subforums or the designers discord channel if they have one. Some also post to /r/mechmarket

tbh, i think we reached a point where there are so many switches available, that cherrys are almost the worst price/performance product imho.

I’m pretty sure geon will have the better quality product. At a higher price though.

Zooms are nice, i like my 65 a lot, but I’d only pick a zoom over a geon if i’d really want a special colour.

Depends on what you’re looking for. Zooms are great if you like foam. Building without, go for geon.

kbd.news has a handy vendour list:

https://kbd.news/vendors

And good content.

i gotta say: Puddings are somewhat nice, but always too gamer.

I reckon, “Pudding refined” with milky white bottom and Cherry style legends would look nice on most keebs.

PBT will also shine at some point. Whether it’s sooner or later depends on how you type and how greasy or sweaty your fingers are. PBT can’t do magic, it’s just a, usually softer, plastic.

If you’re looking for cheap caps, try aliexpress or taobao.

Afaik Drop sets are exclusives. You may have a good chance finding those 2nd hand on mechmarket though. Maybe even for less than 100$.

It’s german qwertz.

I built it in the german layout i’m used to because i went all in on Art Nouveau (hope i spelled that right). Including the novelty, this is base- and 4 childkits 🫥

See other comments.

I’d like to add that 3U spacebars are available with 2U and 3U stabilizers. Make sure you have the correct wire size.