Building my first custom mechanical keyboard! (ASMR)

My first completely custom build mechanical keyboard! It was so fun to build! I'm so glad that I've done this, using this keyboard daily is such an enjoyment!
Parts I used:
DZ60RGB V2 Hot Swap PCB - kbdfans.com/collections/60/pr...
NovelKeys Cream Switches (Lubed with Krytox 205G0) - kbdfans.com/products/novelkey...
GMK Screw In Stabilizers - kbdfans.com/collections/keybo...
Maxkey Black Doubleshot ABS Keycaps (SA Profile) - kbdfans.com/products/maxkey-b...
Brass Plate - kbdfans.com/products/dz60-cnc...
PCB Foam - kbdfans.com/products/dz60-rgb...
Case Foam - kbdfans.com/products/dz60-cas...
Walnut Wood Case - kbdfans.com/products/60-keybo...
Video timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:18 Unboxing
01:55 Opening Switches
03:10 Lubing Switches
04:48 Switch Comparison (Lubed vs. Unlubed)
05:38 Clipping Stabilizers
05:58 Lubing Stabilizers
06:44 Stabilizers Comparison (Lubed vs. Unlubed)
07:22 Installing Stabilizers
08:25 Keycap Set Unboxing
09:24 Testing Stabilizers
10:05 Foam Unboxing
10:28 Brass Plate
10:37 Installing Switches
12:23 Testing the Keyboard (VIA Software)
14:20 Wood Case Unboxing
15:08 Installing foam and PCB into the case
16:14 RGB (Without Keycaps)
16:44 Installing Keycaps
18:16 Keyboard Final Details
18:50 Weighing the Keyboard
19:22 RGB (with Keycaps)
19:41 Sound Acoustics (With price list)
20:28 Typing Sound

[@lanternofthegreen]

The 'thonk' of an SA keycap might be the best thing ever...

[@howardishere]

Yes!!!!

[@geomon0815]

@@asafberger4108* ✨Thocc✨

[@ttuanmu]

I love your style of videos. No music and no talking. Most keyboard modding channels are too noisy and hyper. It’s so relaxing seeing you putting the keyboards together~~ 💚🩵💙💜

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@erichspringer6951]

Most underrated keyboard building video I have seen yet. Great work man 👌

[@howardishere]

Thank you!!

[@chrisbreaktherules]

Sounds so good. Nice job mate!

[@howardishere]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jerrickhernandez2107]

i love the sound of the keyboard :o i love the switches keys :) also new subscriber

[@howardishere]

Thank you for the love!

[@jerrickhernandez2107]

@@howardishere welcome ❤❤❤

[@matthiswilts9551]

Better Video quality than other big youtuber's, nice Video !

[@howardishere]

Thank you so much!!

[@MrPixelution]

the quick brown fox jump over the lazy dog

[@patriksvanags4872]

sounds amazing and i was thinking of making a wooden case keyboard myself, one thing it might be just me the board sounds a tiny bit hollow but just might be the keycaps

[@howardishere]

Yea probably from the SA caps. I just like how the SA caps look 😁

[@Hyrosu]

this was my favorite asmr video yet :D

[@howardishere]

Thank you so much!

[@bickyy]

im a big fan of the creams but most of the time i like it when there's more thocc like a deeper crispier sound to it but everyone is different with how they like their keyboards

[@howardishere]

Yea everyone likes different sounds, and this is my first ever custom building a keyboard so I actually don’t have a reference for what sound I like or aiming for 😅 I just picked out the parts and hoped for the best and I kinda like the final product 😁

[@CocaineCobain]

Nice way of saying these dont sound like creams haha i think its the wooden case tho. It sounds hollow, it's really interesting.

[@purplelord8531]

this is a fascinating response this is how I would put together what you described. (hard plate like brass to reduce low resonance, but tall keycaps and creams for the depth) that ends up being what I hear in the board. i wonder - do you like an even deeper sound? even if you put a bunch of foam under a pc plate, I don't think it would be as crisp. also, most people in the hobby conflate a high pitched sound with crispness - cool to see that some people do not

[@domingoburrito]

Wow you built the exact keyboard I want to build!

[@howardishere]

It’s a very good keyboard I love it! You should build it too! 😁

[@Lele12329]

can we just appreciate that he lubed the switches?

[@howardishere]

😂thx!

[@hugotprod]

sounds amazing! I would just try to do the sound test in like 2 weeks after building so you can break them in! Buy overall great vid, and amazing sound test!

[@howardishere]

That’s a great idea! I can tell you though after a year of using the keyboard, the lube in the stabs are probably all worn out lol this lube is just not thick enough for the stabs

[@hugotprod]

@@howardishere yea... maybe super lube would be good!

[@wyatts.4513]

It sounds so deep and amazing! I just cant help wonder though what it would sound like with a POM plate?

[@howardishere]

This brass plate has a little bit of an echo sound I imagine the Pom plate would be sound even deeper :)

[@Simon-is2xd]

This sounds amazing!

[@howardishere]

Thank you! Although after a few months of using it the stabs are just not holding up well lol

[@Simon-is2xd]

@@howardishere yea, that's why you use them Durock V2s

[@BrewersFan04]

Very good keyboard 10/10 I wish I had a mechanical keyboard but I just have blues but 10/10!

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@charlottefinley9250]

I really like the bulkiness of this keyboard. It fits my style perfectly, and I love the colors that you chose :)

[@howardishere]

Thank you! Going for that old school typewriter look 😁

[@typingreallyfast]

ABS SA keycaps are insanely sexy. One of these days I should really get a set. Scared of the really tall profile though and how it might feel

[@howardishere]

You will get used to it it feels really nice!

[@bee1329]

Damn this is awesome

[@howardishere]

Thank you for the love!

[@dontlistentome7498]

this video is actually well made and creative with a lot of things. Good vid bro.

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@polar6806]

Does the usb type-c come on the PBC to put it on a wooden keyboard, and do you need to put the battery into the wooden case?

[@howardishere]

The type-c port comes with the pcb. My pcb doesn’t not support wireless so I did not need a battery.

[@polar6806]

@@howardishere what about wired? does wired need a battery? thanks for the information

[@sanapinon]

Very good build! I wish wood case is widely available here 😩

[@howardishere]

Thank you!!

[@green2grey444]

Hey do the switches come with the switch opener?

[@howardishere]

No it doesn’t. Need to purchase separately

[@trash-boiii]

I really loved the video, but I think I would have gone for PBT keycaps since they don't get shiny over time, but overall, nice build man

[@howardishere]

Thx! I kinda want the shine on this particular keycap set I think they match perfectly 😁

[@kit_catyt]

nice build!

[@howardishere]

thank you so much!!!!

[@chefkiss2067]

Really clear and easy to see! Amazing video mate! I noticed on the link you provided for the case foam and walnut case, the case foam info section said its not compatible with wood case? But it seems to fit fine for you?

[@howardishere]

Thank you! The case foam was a tight fit but I managed to squeeze into the case just fine.

[@chefkiss2067]

@@howardishere Thanks for clarifying that! Subbed! Keep at it with the clear videos :D

[@personguy2772]

Hey i’ve always had this question, how did you make the key tester, only that on screen? i’ve searched before how to cut videos or make them smaller but its always how go split the video file.

[@howardishere]

It’s a whole screen capture (I used streamlabs obs), then I cropped it in Adobe premier pro. 👌

[@personguy2772]

@@howardishere Thanks!

[@dupre7777]

do you think wood case are the best case for the sound + feeling? plus do you know if lubing box jade keycaps are good or it will lose to much tacticality ? thank you

[@howardishere]

Wood cases does have a deeper sound than metal cases. Lubing tactile switches might lose the bump feeling so either don’t lube them or use a very thin lube. The 205G0 is a medium-thick lube.

[@dupre7777]

@@howardishere ok thank you for the response

[@caitlinmcloughlin8330]

love the buil

[@howardishere]

Thx!

[@csells99]

Ok. Is nobody going to mention that cool wooden clock box thingy in the upper left? What the heck is it and where do I get one??

[@howardishere]

Thanks for noticing! It’s from ugears.

[@jeffreybao4173]

hey what pcb do you have with your keyboard?

[@howardishere]

It’s the DZ60RGB v2 from kbdfans

[@nanodesu9031]

I like the keyboard especially the sound. Damn the SA and wood combo is great. Hope i can build a similar keeb someday but my wallet always said NO.

[@howardishere]

Thank you! I say it’s totally worth it because it’s something that you use on a daily basis 😁

[@notanotherbrian]

Hey I've been wanting a new keyboard for my setup and you also have a 65 which I also want to do, the only reason I haven't bought it is, it doesn't have a question mark keycap so what happens if you need to use a question mark but you don't have the keycap for it? sorry if its a dumb question, I am new to keyboards

[@howardishere]

I had the exact same question when I bought it lol so how it works is on a normal keyboard there’s a key for question mark and slash. On this keyboard, if you press the right shift once it will be slash, and if you press left shift and then press right shift it will be question mark. Of course this keyboard is fully programmable so if that’s inconvenient you can map another key to do that but that’s the default :)

[@notanotherbrian]

@@howardishere oh thank you so much, in that case I’ll probably buy it

[@lucky-productions]

Doing a 'retro' typewriter style keyboard build at the moment myself. My worry now is how do I mod my mouse to pair well with it.. any suggestions?

[@howardishere]

I’m using a Logitech MX master to pair with it. Haven’t really gave it much thought about the mouse 😁

[@lucky-productions]

@@howardishere can't game with the Master though :D, thinking of maybe trying a bit of a leather look tape or something over the shell of my G603

[@JoaoPedroTV]

Hey! Can you send us links please? :) where did you buy the case and the other stuff? Thanks!

[@howardishere]

Hi! Sorry I thought I put them in the description now I did :) all links are there

[@luisfontinelles5834]

bro, has your plate darkened over time? I bought mine a few months ago and some dark spots are showing

[@howardishere]

Mine is alright. Could those dark spots be excess lube? I find there will be some excess lube on the stem of some of the keycaps may be those are the culprit

[@SilverSwagboss]

Where did you get the case from

[@howardishere]

Case is from: kbdfans.com/products/60-keyboard-wood-case

[@luisfontinelles5834]

eu amo o som que cases de madeira fazem

[@HudsonH]

The style of this Keyboard is Modern and Old at the same time, I like it!

[@howardishere]

Thank you!! I love this keyboard still using it today although the lube kinda wear out already

[@brocky]

@@howardishere stabilizer lube or switch lube?

[@baugh5249]

I loved the frame and the switches I just feel the keycaps aint match the keyboard but still looks amazing 1000000/10

[@howardishere]

I am aiming for like an old typewriter look 😅 but yes other keycap sets would look awesome on it!

[@baugh5249]

@@howardishere respect it hey a custom Typewriter looking keyboard ???

[@vanilla06]

What type of your plate? A or B?

[@howardishere]

It’s the one with the longer left shift

[@Exorth]

awesome!

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@Nobodyinthebigworld]

Sound is good, what is switch?

[@howardishere]

The switches are novelkeys kailh cream switches

[@luisfontinelles5834]

I'm in a dilemma, I bought a set just like yours, but I'm not sure which plate to get. Despite being quite different, I love the sound signature of the carbon fiber and brass plates.

[@howardishere]

I am not sure as I haven’t tried a carbon fibre plate but I would imagine it being not as high pitched as the brass plate. I could be wrong. I love my brass plate 😁

[@luisfontinelles5834]

@@howardishere after seeing 893838 comparisons and constructions with both pieces i chose a brass plate. A little too expensive lmao, but it will be perfect 🥺

[@howardishere]

Great choice!

[@Dodalado]

Great video 🌝

[@howardishere]

thank you!

[@arandomgodbridger3169]

This keyboard is good I think u should pe foam+tape mod it and do holee mod

[@howardishere]

Good idea I will probably do a one year update on the keyboard soon

[@arandomgodbridger3169]

K thanks

[@forest3847]

How much did this cost?

[@howardishere]

Total around $330 USD on parts plus shipping

[@tehn5678]

dope build, around how much did it cost?

[@howardishere]

For parts it’s around $325 usd plus shipping (price list in video:))

[@Jelvin]

@@howardishere was supposed to ask that as well cuz the price was unreadable on the video. Thanks for the info and super clean build, btw

[@andrzejpopowski7745]

Where is the question mark and slash key ?

[@howardishere]

Both are hot keys into the Right shift key. Tap once will be slash, left shift + right shift will be question mark, and hold will be regular shift.

[@cooperdellorfano2713]

bro im so suprized there was that much thocc. with the creams and the brass plate it was interesting. also the spacebar was a bit rattelly but over all nice biuld!

[@howardishere]

I definitely love the sound of this keyboard! the SA caps and brass plate and the creams goes so well together :) I agree on the spacebar it actually rattles more now with more use.

[@cooperdellorfano2713]

@@howardishere I mean u wouldn’t think the clackyness of the creams and the high pitched sound that the brass plate makes it would sound like that. Although the wood case can give a thockyer sound and so can the sa caps. Interesting.

[@TQuadded]

@@cooperdellorfano2713 would it maybe have something to do with having both case foams and PCB foams installed?

[@user-mr1ph2ie3e]

@@TQuadded brass plate and sa keycaps in general leave a really thocky sound signature

[@daily_setup_gaming5050]

What are those switches called

[@howardishere]

These are novelkeys / kailh cream switches

[@daily_setup_gaming5050]

@@howardishere thanks

[@alexmortensen2211]

What typing website did you use? Great build btw 👍!!

[@abmeight08]

monkeytype

[@howardishere]

Thank you!! And yes I use monkeytype.com

[@alexmortensen2211]

@@howardishere Thanks! I'm thinking about building one almost identical to yours.

[@howardishere]

Yes! Try to buy all the stuff in one go to save shipping cost😁

[@clutcheddog8278]

Pretty good just uh I’m more of a fan of pbt keycaps and not abs but that is all preference. All in all good video and build!

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@chitentoppachitentoppa4680]

amazing job. i am not a fan of nk creams but awesome!

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@thijke]

I want to do this too is this really hard?

[@howardishere]

It’s not hard at all! Try it out :) it’s just time consuming but it’s a very good hand craft and the end product is something you will use for a long time daily 😁

[@thijke]

@@howardishere wow, thank you I made an wish list from what I wanna make :) tysm!

[@justanotherpxrson]

wood + SA = nice

[@howardishere]

👍

[@Juicip]

nice thocky board, i wanted true sa but i got hit with gsa, i guess you cant buy sa caps for 15 dollars

[@howardishere]

Yea SA caps are pretty pricey

[@hier0glyph544]

What was the size of left shift for the brass plate?, I really like this build🔥

[@howardishere]

Thank you! The left shift is a 2.25U

[@geomon0815]

Woah. Nice build for your first one. The stabs are suuuper close to perfect. One question, why did you go with ABS instead of PBT? Not to mention!! I still like the way NoveltyKey Creams sound on ABS with SA profile. But nice build tho! Its a wormhole you never get out of again😅. So last but not least. You did a GREAT job lubing the switches. Does not sound overlubed, also not underlubed. Congrats!

[@howardishere]

Thank you! I purely went for the look of the keyboard and I liked how SA keycaps look so I went for it lol. The stabs did not hold up at all it rattles a lot now lmao

[@krenesis_tae]

If you know, how is it so thoccy?

[@howardishere]

It should be the combination of the SA keycap plus brass plate and two foams, and the wood case seem to affect it too

[@krenesis_tae]

@@howardishere Thanks! I'm going to get a brass plate and the foams because I can't afford the keycaps 😅

[@JericoTheHobo]

thocky, but I feel like some of your stabilizers are a bit unevenly lubed, but other than that good build for you're first time.☺

[@howardishere]

Yea the stabs were not enough lube and after a few months of usage the stabs didn’t hold at all ☹️

[@callaham4118]

Will you do any future builds and if so , will this channel solely be centered around DIY mechanical keyboard builds?

[@howardishere]

Yes! My next project is a mini itx water cooled pc 😁 just waiting for parts for that one, it might take a while though. I think as far as mechanical keyboards I am done with it for now. Will definitely do a 6 months / one year update for my current keyboard though 👌

[@callaham4118]

@@howardishere ok then

[@vergodagoat]

16:25 are those keys at the top left supposed to be upside down 😭😭

[@howardishere]

Ya the board is designed this way. The switches only goes in one way

[@vergodagoat]

@@howardishere ahh yeah I just received the board and I see what you mean. My other one wasn’t like that so I was confused lol.

[@dreamdogsupplies7936]

Where did you buy the case from and what is it called?

[@howardishere]

The case is from here: kbdfans.com/products/60-keyboard-wood-case?variant=40492083981

[@dreamdogsupplies7936]

@@howardishere Thankyou, where is the PCB from?

[@_jimmm_]

the keycaps dont go well with the case but over all its amazing

[@howardishere]

Thx!

[@vincentnocera4585]

a good Keyboard

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@vok3nzx]

OMG SO THOCKY :D

[@howardishere]

Yes!!

[@SebIsWild]

Nice build but the stabs need a tune

[@howardishere]

It does need a tune and after a couple months of usage the stabs got worse

[@1mRAAAH]

esc and 1 are up side down...

[@howardishere]

The pcb is designed that way…

[@absbi0000]

DEEP THOCC

[@howardishere]

😁

[@Gravoli]

you didnt lube the stem : |

[@howardishere]

The switches still sound okay now it’s just the stabs are not good now 😅

[@MrSchmemo]

damn bro this is nice

[@howardishere]

Thank you!

[@jaspymc7246]

dangggg 9:25

[@howardishere]

The stabs are not holding up though after a few months of usage 😅

[@Leon-kb7dy]

It's pretty good for your first Keyboard, but not for the money. I make budget builds even one for 30€ and they look and sound really good too, so you don't need the most expensive parts. But other than that, well done.

[@howardishere]

Agreed. This keyboard is not the cheapest build 😁

[@drudan8957]

Idk how much krytox was in that container, but i think you used too much

[@howardishere]

This keyboard it’s okay. The previous one I did there I used too much

[@nathanlamaire]

That 'WIN' button is not meant to be pressed for 'win', but rather a disappointment and frustration.

[@howardishere]

Lol I agree 😂

[@jesse890]

Wpm 69. Nice

[@howardishere]

😂

[@zigeprivate7468]

I wanted to see you soldering, but nothing...

[@howardishere]

I used a hotswap pcb so no soldering sry!

[@riduls9137]

Nk creams 😬

[@howardishere]

😍

[@bbenitua6348]

wawawawawawawawawawawawawawaw

[@howardishere]

😁😂

[@chill_gaymer137]

that is soooooo thocky

[@howardishere]

I like the typing sound a lot 😁

[@ste11ar]

HAMAJIPOG

[@howardishere]

HAMAJIPOG!!!

[@matbeedotcom]

eugh you can see the cnc lines- why not sand it?!

[@howardishere]

Changed to an aluminum case ;)