Mechanical keyboard building
Assembling custom computer keyboards from a case, circuit board, switches and keycaps.
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Startup cost
$100–$300
Difficulty
Some practice needed
Typical session
~120 min
Activity
Sitting / gentle
Space
A table or desk
Equipment
A basic kit
What do you actually do?
- Choose a layout, switches and keycaps
- Assemble a hot-swap kit or solder switches to a PCB
- Tune the sound and feel (lubing switches, adding foam)
- Program custom key layouts
Why people enjoy it
- You use the result every day
- Lots of tinkering and fine-tuning
- Large, friendly online community
What you'll need
- Hot-swap keyboard kit (no soldering needed)
- Switches
- Keycaps
- Keycap and switch pullers
Startup cost: $100–$300 — a rough beginner estimate in US dollars (2026). Borrowing, secondhand and library kits can bring it down.
Time & difficulty
A typical session is about 120 minutes. Some practice needed: first tries are wobbly, but a few sessions make a real difference.
Getting started
- Start with a hot-swap kit so you don't need to solder
- Buy a small switch tester to find what you like
- Assemble and test every key
- Try remapping keys with open firmware like QMK or VIA if your board supports it
Common beginner mistakes
- Buying expensive parts before trying switch types
- Bending switch pins when inserting
- Mixing incompatible keycap profiles or layouts
Accessibility
Seated, fine-motor; hot-swap boards avoid soldering heat and fumes.
Courses & resources
We haven't verified specific courses yet, so we're not listing any rather than guessing. Libraries, community centers and the official sites of tools you use are good first stops.