How to Build Your FIRST Custom Keyboard... (in 2023)

[@HipyoTech]

Howdy Hey! This is a VERY different type of video but its well worth watching. LMK what you think! ⬇Affiliate links to help out the channel ⬇ Gamakay K61: amzn.to/3J0Ld3G Toby Keycaps: shrsl.com/3yr38 Zoom65: (Out of stock but check out the Zoom 75) meletrix.com/r?id=h1mbe3 Switches I used: shop.wuquestudio.com/r?id=r61d8h Deskmats: kineticlabs.com/desk-mats?ref=hipyo ✔ Get 5% off your keyboard modding supplies (like stabilizers and krytox) and support me by doing so! keebsforall.com/hipyo ✔

[@HipyoTech]

Please ignore the scuffed last 30 seconds I finished this at midnight the night before and it got de-synced.

[@LeoRehberg]

​@@HipyoTechWhere's the custom Wooting?

[@Cadzy]

Hipyo: What do we not want scoliosis Me : scoliosis isn't just from posture it's a condition some people are born or can form later on in life get disgonsed later I learnt that it's genetic too thats how mine formed I've had 1 scoliosis surgery and awaiting my 2nd as a chromosome is making the base of my neck curve and I only found out I had it 1 & ½ years ago and then in the same first year of finding out I'm lying in a hospital bed having my first surgery. This isn't a hate comment I just wanted to share my story after you brought up the condition I have been fighting the last 1 & ½. It's been tough to fight as I had to fight COVID in ICU at the same time I was diagnosed.

[@HipyoTech]

@@Cadzy I feel your pain, I also have scoliosis, wishing you a swift recovery.

[@Cadzy]

@@HipyoTech Thank you hope your scoliosis is Ok. Keep up the great content

[@smugod]

building custom keyboards seems uncomplicated and fun but the hard part is finding something in stock or finding something that will ship within the next 6 months

[@616sb4]

true

[@FrankBrancato]

Thats why I got a pre-modded hot swappable keyboard (of good quality) and just buy the switches along with it, waiting on my WS Morandi Luned Linear Switches to come so I can stick them in an KZZI K75 PRO

[@ez-0mega_]

I bet the budget is going to be out of my budget. Lol

[@AnarquiaCookbook]

Guaranteed

[@jdawggs2009]

It always is

[@kamithegod00]

get a job

[@ez-0mega_]

@@kamithegod00 I have one but I'm 15 in school and get minimum wage pay

[@max_ee]

Bro i have like a 40$ 😭💀

[@dummmonke4269]

for all the people who dont understand the end because the audio is messed up, the deeper sound is from Toby's keyboard, and the poppy sound comes from Josie's keyboard (just trying to help 👍)

[@Emleo.]

thanks for the info (just trying to be thankful 👍)

[@innovativeadvertising6463]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I totally agree with you on the audio issues. But hey, I wanted to chime in and share something useful. Have you heard about the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule? It's a fantastic tool for keeping your desk, living spaces, and even your car spotless. It offers both vacuuming and blowing capabilities, making it a versatile cleaning tool. And based on my experience, it's reasonably priced compared to other brands. Definitely worth checking out!

[@dummmonke4269]

@@innovativeadvertising6463 shush. just shush.

[@OniShoyo]

Josie is the reason I want to build a cute yellow keyboard :,,) It's never been my colour (like everything I own is pink) but she always looks so happy doing it what an inspiration

[@Kenzie1051]

pink and yellow is a really good colour combo, nice thinking.

[@cookingwith_nic]

i thought josie was a boy for a sec

[@Jason101---]

@@cookingwith_nic lol same

[@cookingwith_nic]

@@Jason101--- XD

[@Jason101---]

@@cookingwith_nic hehe

[@pltravs]

Toby being a sassmaster but also being totally down for the "You say stem I say housing" call and response shows the wholesomeness of the community

[@ixtacoyotlpena]

I think the audio at the end started glitching out but I love this video and thanks to you and glarses I ended up buying my first mechanical keyboard for my mac mini and going from a logitech K380 (works great as a keyboard... was about it, I needed a cheap keyboard) to a NJ-80 mechanical keyboard with mac layout, nite and day my dude! Thank you so much for your informative videos and just fun spirit!

[@HipyoTech]

Sorry about that :(

[@Maglcite]

@@HipyoTech?

[@GirlPlus]

​@Maglcite I think Hipyo means for getting them into the hobby... because it get real costly and real addictive REAL fast

[@Maglcite]

@@GirlPlus Now I think it's bc of the Audio glitching out part

[@GirlPlus]

@@Maglcite oh you are almost definately right and I'm an idiot! :^)

[@FlameSoulis]

Just built my first keyboard. I didn't have any proper lube, but I did use some silicone lube. Watching some of your earlier videos did help out, though I kept screwing up the stem direction regardless. No thick case, but I do plan to get my 3D printer warmed up again to fix that. I also had to submit a bug fix to QMK regarding rotary encoders for my keyboard, so it's been eventful.

[@TprogamerYOUTUBETerraria]

I also made my first keyboard a while ago and for the case I used pennies like flurples did in their RK61 mod and a lot of tape and it sounds great so maybe try that or search flurples rk61

[@WretchedIcon]

I'm literally shopping for my first custom keyboard and searched "how to build custom keyboard," then this popped up. Only posted an hour ago. How serendipitous.

[@lujanox5932]

As a fellow fan the Trashtaste merch immediately caught my eye, so happy to seeing it being worn! :D

[@RobSomeone]

I want to send this to my friends, but it's not short and sweet enough for them to pay attention to it. I think it would've been great if there was an edited down version that started with a clear and over emcompassing explanation.

[@LukeEvans55]

Not trying to troll but I really don't understand the custom keyboard space, and I'm a huge tech lover. It seems a bit like you think 'gaming' style keyboards all look the same and are silly but then most custom keyboards people make are just pastel colour keycaps on the same frame. Each to his own but the main thing for me is that you're missing out on features like media keys, low profile form factors, light up keycaps (so you can see the letters), high speed wireless, etc in a quest to find the ultimate sound of a keypress... and god help you if you like tactile or clicky switches and didn't lube them haha. I think I've just spent too long using laptop keyboards to truly value the typing experience.

[@boomboxkat]

Many customs feature knobs, which combine every media key into 1. Volume, pause/play, etc. You can find low profile keycaps and switches, you can get shine through keycaps, and many boards have good wireless.

[@thomasdebuck6065]

At the end of the days its al about prefference

[@xdoctorblindx]

You probably don't understand because custom keyboards are decidedly not a "tech" item. Building a custom keyboard compared to an off-the-shelf gaming keyboard is like a turntable and vinyl record collection compared to a Spotify subscription: the latter is decidedly more convenient and practical, but the former augments a mundane task with a satisfyingly tactile ritual. Custom keyboards are a luxury item within the tech realm, and like any luxury item, you need to want that luxury in order to appreciate it.

[@topofthemorning4959]

All the things you listed as missing out on are present in different boards

[@LukeEvans55]

@@xdoctorblindx Hmm I think you've got a point there. I'm a big classic car enthusiast and while decidedly less efficient/practical than modern cars they have character and personality in a way modern cars don't. The problem is convincing someone like me that's never tried one of these keyboards that it's really much better than a mass market one but you've got to buy it and feel it yourself :D

[@SadWitchBree]

This is one of my fave Hipyo videos of all time. I love the contrast between the two boards and experience levels. Also, because I got the Zoom and it was adorable to see Josie go through the build process again.

[@daffierdragon15]

And the audio unsyncing at the end

[@innovativeadvertising6463]

Hey there {{3}}! As a fellow tech enthusiast, I highly recommend checking out the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule. It's a fantastic tool for maintaining a spotless desktop and cleaning your car's interior with ease. The powerful vacuuming and blowing capabilities, along with its compact size and multiple accessories, make it a great addition to any tech setup. Plus, the reasonable price and quality make it stand out among other brands. Happy cleaning!

[@U_Geek]

That feeling when you want a good keyboard but don't want it to be more expensive than multiple main components in the pc it's gonna be used with...

[@xotai]

As a fellow short haired girl who’s favorite color is yellow and absolutely love’s josie’s earrings, I must say she did a great job!! And also yellow keyboard? Hell yes, a statement piece to any room!

[@mayac4147]

YESSS i love when we have a yellow moment

[@billythecat]

Title is very misleading.

[@marinezombie9271]

Not really

[@Pepmon]

It is misleading

[@extremex3792]

@@Pepmonhow?

[@Champro-ho4ur]

@@extremex3792It makes it seem like a tutorial. It’s more of a rushed competition.

[@jonathanwyble4227]

Josie's build is great just for its color scheme and boutique keycaps... but it also sounds good and has consistency between the keys with and without stabilizers. I put a "budget build" together w/o lubing the cheap stabilizers that came with the barebones board. The sound is very different between the keys with stabilizers and 1u keys. I'll be pulling and lubing those stabilizers.

[@sbbillusionist]

Love that Tobi is repping Trash Taste After Dark Merch

[@spriteandnicotine]

I just upgraded my keyboard from the Onn clicky gamer keyboard (absolute garbage) to the huntsman mini and there's been a huge improvement, but tbh Hipyo you inspired me to get into making my own and I will not stop my journey until I have one keyboard of every color and a few extra ones to get a variety of switches and keycaps in there

[@FernandoMartinez-om2nj]

What's like the ideal begginer budget for a custom keyboard? I type quite a lot for papers and I LOVE the sound of those creamy-sounding keyboards.

[@avocalord2846]

id say no more than 120$ range is ideal (assuming you have other equipments i.e screwdriver and lubes)

[@ievaday]

I've built my first mechanical keyboard during Christmas with RK71, Lavender Purple switches, with mods like Holee, tape and case foam (after a ton of research from your videos, Switch and Click and others). That cost me around 180eur (with shipping to eastern Europe, sadly). I want to both thank you and curse you (and all other kb channels) because I'm already looking to build a more premium build, and also have something for my bf done. While this hobby is fun, it's sooo f-ing expensive D:

[@jules4925]

A new video from Hipyo! I loved it and I love Josie with her shiny personality!

[@PhoenixKeebs]

Honestly wuque Studios Browns are probably my favourite switch. They sound so deep and thocky, unlike other brown switches.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Still at the beginning, but my heart has melted that the keyboard box was given to the kitty to play with 😊😊😊 I could tell the cat was hoping for a box to hop in, but I suppose a shallow one will have to do 😅

[@SaltyStarfruit]

the zoom65 v2 does actually NEED those 2 standoffs by the rotary knob to keep it steady and stable inside the case

[@HipyoTech]

ah interesting, I havent had any issues with mine but good to know!

[@SaltyStarfruit]

@@HipyoTech huh...I wonder why they recommend it so heavily then? maybe I'll have to build mine with and without and see if there's any noticable difference

[@bu2wizard]

Hey there, new subscriber here! I like your videos and gonna start building my first keyboard soon. Not gonna ask for advice here, got that from all the videos :) But I would like to suggest that you buy a gimbal if you are gonna do these hand-held type of videos. The camera was so shaky at moments that it made me a bit sick. Other that that keep up the good work and good luck reaching 1M subs!

[@SocksAndPuppets]

I'm always sad that these great keyboard options are ANSI only and not ISO. :(

[@ShelahirKrynn]

ISO gang rise up! We need more ISO keebs!

[@Shiga2714]

The Zoom65 actually supports both ASI and ISO, and can also support split spacebar, backspace, and left shift functionality.

[@noa4068]

The fact that you made a voice over for every part that you talked in is remarkable!

[@ReelPodcasts]

Putting this on your latest video. Been subbed for a bit and finally went and built my own board. Because I'm a numpad maniac went with a Keychron Q6 (also yeah pricy but it was fine). And while it's not thonky it does feel exactly like I want it to. Thank you for inspiring me to finally bite the bullet.

[@glenngratz4077]

I am a noob to Mechanical Keyboards, been watching your videos to try and catch up on it.. Personally, I am a gamer and I want the wireless functionality, extra knobs, dials, and OLED screens if I am going to get one.. I think I saw two possible for me: The ASUS Azoth or the Keydous NJ-68 Pro... These things are still expensive though!

[@MrSir2552]

I want to get into the custom keyboard space but it’s so hard finding a good 100% custom case or I’m not looking hard enough. And no, I won’t compromise, I need that numpad. And I use it way too often to have one of those separate ones that would just take up another usb slot.

[@rebekaah]

there's just not enough stuff out there for anything that's 96% or more.

[@SparrowHawk183]

Love the content! BUT you NEED a steady-cam or some kind of stabilizer. 😵‍💫 That shaky camera is killing me.

[@FunkeytownYT]

Regarding the cheap keyboard, for the same money you could get a Feker IK75. Not sure if you've done a video on it or not but, the first time I built one I was very very impressed

[@johnhanek167]

I bought a "GMMK Switch Sample Pack" for a few bucks. You get 2 each of each of 18 different switch types. The Glorious "Lynx" switch comes in 2 versions, lubed and un-lubed. They are linear and completely silent. Super smooth action. Downside is they cost $35 for 36, so I'll need 3 paks ($105) for my 108 key board. Lubing 108 switches by hand on a Full-Size board isn't my idea of a good time. Still, thumb up cuz I'm learning so much on this channel. Last night I put new Gateron Brown switches in my oldest GMMK Full Size board. Only ruined one switch! Now I need to cough up the cash for new caps. The old ones are around 10 years old and shiny. Uggh!

[@casyo]

Awesome and funny vid, the shakey camera literally gave me a headache though :/

[@Ahmed-ln8be]

Love how you kept talking with the audience the whole video

[@chloe-sunshine7]

I literally just looked this up yesterday, and all your old videos came up

[@nexus02496]

It wouldve been easier to just take the stabs off again and put the foam on rather than cutting the foam.

[@wolfsid00196]

I literally just got into modding keyboards. This is pretty cool to watch!

[@thebrosoflaughter]

I just built my first keyboard today and it was such a fun and fulfilling feeling

[@yippy8888]

Hi there. Been watching so many of your videos and love them. Did my first mechanical keyboard recently, got the tester68 kit and did tape mod on the board and added extra foam to the base and tape modded the space bar. Got some akko v3 cream yellows and already really happy with it. Loving this new hobby. Still need to find time to lube everything switches and stabs. Any suggestions on another budget 75% keyboard? Thinking of the silent gamakay Pegasus switches this time.

[@innovativeadvertising6463]

Hey there! If you're looking to maintain a spotless desktop and keep your workspace clean, have you considered the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule? It's a compact yet powerful tool that offers both vacuuming and blowing capabilities. With features like high suction power and fast wind speed, it's perfect for keyboard cleaning and other tasks. Plus, it's portable and versatile, allowing for use in various scenarios. Check it out and let me know what you think!

[@Jrizy.]

Josie's Keyboard sounds AHWHWWMAZINGGG! Love the color too.

[@goblinkrunch]

KFA and Cannon Keys still have a few zoom65 v2 available for their gb if anyone wants to get in on those.

[@Ham.V0]

i recently got an rk68 pro for $50; foam, better switches, and keycaps are next on my bucket list for my first mech keyboard.

[@EnterpriseKnight]

Tips from a random guy who just received his Keychron K8 Pro If the leds are south facing and you want see-through keycaps, don't. Most keycaps manufacturers are not making keycaps for south facing leds

[@blackwhiteday]

키보드 너무 귀엽네요ㅜㅜ 소리도 조용조용한거같아요 지르고 싶은..

[@brattingprincess]

방금 키크론 v1 샀는데 난 이걸 왜 보고 있는지 ㅋㅋㅋ

[@blackwhiteday]

@@brattingprincess 키보드의 세계가 끝이없는 만큼ㅋㅋ 지름신도 끝없이 강림하는듯요ㅋㅋ

[@OutlawNix]

I recently bought a 60% hot swappable keyboard with pbt pudding keycaps and red outemu switches for a whole $12.59 dollars. All I did to the keyboard was lube the switches with some 205g0 and mod the stabilizer. After the fact I was shocked how good the keyboard now sounds while typing on it. Never did a sound dampening mod to the keyboard cause I like how the keyboard sounds. I do have a mouse pad that cover the entire desk perhaps thats acting as a sound dampening not sure.

[@rebekaah]

Where????? Can you send a link?

[@LBKayyyy]

Just a question.. What do you do with all the keybords you build? do you sell them or scavenge them for other builds?

[@AsphyxiatingAsparagus]

HOW DID JOSIE GET EVEN COOLER?!?!

[@aweome121]

the switch on the zoom65 is sideways because the pcb also supports ISO layout and switches would be put it in differently if you did want an ISO layout

[@MarcoPanayotti]

Lets get Hipyo To One Million subs! His content is on point! Keep it up!!!

[@ArpanGG]

Need a quick suggestion! I'm planning to get the Keychron Q3 with Gateron G Pro switches. I'm currently using Cherry Blue, I really like the sound and feel of it except the bump. I have used cherry brown, but it felt bland. So, I was wondering which switch I should go for? I can also upgrade it later as the board has a hot swappable option. Thanks a lot😊

[@markphillips1439]

This really didnt teach me anything. I just watched you flirt with the girl that likes yellow for 23 minutes 😭

[@Jambeanoh]

I love Josie!!! Such a ray of sunshine

[@UrbanPlanner-t6k]

Please upload a video for fluxkeyboard. If u haven't heard about it yet it has a screen beneath the keys which makes it fully customizable in terms of keys,colors, .... but i want to know about the quality of the mechanical keys

[@soaringje9]

this was fun. Great to see Josie again!

[@wotzaname]

Good to see Josie back, she is adorable!

[@dnegrete3736]

Josie: What the heck is this thing? Hipyo: *maniacal laughter*

[@Angel.0nline]

love seeing Josie back again! also Toby's voice is oddly soothing 😆 great vid hipyo

[@peterbrown-oi8cu]

This keyboard is my new favorite toy! Its Kaihl BOX Red switches respond sharply to my every press, and I can control my computer with ease. The Dream machines DreamKey TKL Red is just space!

[@howdee_]

The trash taste shirt is drippy af

[@shiva_ramakrishnan]

Josie gives off a strong vibe that she is the manifestation of all things good in this universe

[@Ghost_of_icarus]

Hey Hipyo have you by any chance tried out the Dustsilver keyboards? I’m a noob to the keyboard community and have seen Dustsilver floating around but there aren’t many reviews on it, price wise they aren’t bad for budget ballers but not sure about their quality

[@nix6242]

Looking forward to it, might help me with my goal to build a keeb for my hubby.

[@RLLLx]

I am building a custom keyboard for a friend's birthday. But I have never made one and want to create something special too. Can I draw on keycaps? Spray the case? She wanted something blue and purple(more blue, I guess). I need advice on where to get those things and make them look cute or something.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Oh snaps, I juat realized your friend is wearing a Trash Taste shirt! I always forget how big "the bois" and their audience has gotten. They're the only podcast I care to watch, though, so that says a lot about their quality 😂

[@iistw22788]

I think the only problem with this video is lack of three-axis stabilizer. But everything is great!

[@djtickets1631]

I’m trying to make my own keyboard and when I was building it 2 rows of keys shorted out and I have no clue why. Good vid by the way.

[@lance4454]

The zoom 65 looks exactly like my gmk67 except 4x the price

[@BoogerBoy365]

okay great video and all but what is that plant next to Toby? it's so happy and cute.

[@vocuefx]

man I wish I could experience having a custom keyboard or even something better than the 20 dollar one I have lol but sadly I only have 2 more years to live because of my decompensated liver cirrhosis so I hope more people get to enjoy their dreams in my stead 😁

[@sanaltdelete]

Oh my gosh. That's awful. Oh my gosh...

[@OreosAreGood2]

I wasn’t gonna sub but then when he brought up the point that this video was gonna help me I was really damned so he earned my sub.

[@MicansCreations]

Those ws browns are the most inconsistent switches i have ever had the displeasure of using. About half of them had crunch and ping. Thank God for Amazon returns

[@youtubeusingatisdumb]

Forgot to comment but I built my GK64x watching this. First custom. Thanks for the new hobby. :]

[@xxcridonxx7614]

👍 May I ask the specs/mods?

[@youtubeusingatisdumb]

@@xxcridonxx7614 Sure. It's the Epomaker GK64X, The standard ABS case, I double side taped $0.01 coins to the bottom for mass/weight, went to the craft store and got a 1/8in(3.2mm) and a 1/4in(6.3mm) foam sheet and cut pieces for the bottom, tape mod x3.5(tape was just a little wide), 1/8in PCB foam that I cut with a hobby knife, Holee mod with medical tape and silicone grease, burger mounted all the screws with extra ear piercing silicone o-rings(14g piercing; dunno the dimensions), AKKO CS Ocean Blue switches that I lubed with Krytox and the Epomaker Rome; Cherry Profile; DS ABS keycaps. Also I haven't seen it done but my Enter and Space sounded too clacky for me so I put some poster tac in some of the open space to round out my sounds. It sounds poppy and a little snapy. Like the chewing gum sound in your head. Sorry if that was TMI but if you wanna know more just ask. :}

[@xxcridonxx7614]

@@youtubeusingatisdumb is this ur endgame or nah?

[@youtubeusingatisdumb]

@@xxcridonxx7614 Nah. I think I am going wooden for endgame. This is kind of a first try and see what I really want keyboard.

[@jen7662]

I randomly had a keyboard vid come into my feed and I had no idea this community exists. I’m still learning the lingo and do have sticker shock a bit. Still interesting though…

[@tinybuildhomedesigns]

Great work sir.. it really wanna make want to upgrade my Keychron Q1v2. .Thumbs Up

[@readyplayerJesse]

@Hipyo Tech I love you videos and you got me into customer keyboards like a month ago but please buy a gimbal or something when you do these videos. Much love

[@suizided]

People will subscribe automatically when you give good content, don't ask for them.

[@OleanderRainbow]

Super unrelated to the entire subject but I LOVE Josie's sunflower earrings.

[@wynoldoni]

10:20 "when you go to put lube... you need a really sick amount to go inside its really hard to achieve"

[@KeomiiVT]

There’s something uncanny valley about hipyo’s voice over for conversation

[@Bl2nky]

Thank you I just bought my first maker keyboard kits/I just bought 60% keyboards with Pre-lubed 60gf Key Switches for MX Mechanical Keyboard(35PCS I just copy and key caps putting

[@obeliskt1024]

yo what happened to the audio starting at 22:38 it's out of sync

[@tonysiu8562]

Just a stupid question: Why most video about customizing keyboard are not for 104 key keyboard?

[@50shadesofbeige88]

I built mu first custom board by buying a hot-swappable Red Dragon board for $30, disassembling it, insulating it and replacing the key caps with $14.99 Hyper-X yellow puddings. It can be done.

[@SleepySnorlax305]

THANK YOU I NEEDED THIS

[@libelous6417]

This is pretty big clickbait. It’s supposed to be a tutorial, not a challenge video.

[@GaryCandyPrince]

Can you make a video opening the blind bags?

[@bestherbiesbestherbies496]

Love your Videos and Nola ❤❤

[@FlameForgedSoul]

So are We alone in our love for the Brutalist Lo-fi cyberpunk vibe of the "budget" keycaps?

[@yakitatefreak]

Hipyo - Makes a new video with fun content Me, within the first 20 seconds - *Trash Taste strike at it again.* Bonus points for the merch.

[@MrTesterr]

80 bucks a small budget try 60 with a nordic layout💀

[@nEgoMa03]

Hipyo, thank you! Thanks to you, I got into this world of custom keyboards, and made myself a white kbd67 lite on Glorious pandas with white and green SA keycaps from maxkey, and it just amazing!

[@XibaXela]

The more I learn about custom mechanics keyboards the more needlessly complicated it seems. It's like incredibly low stakes complicated though. Nothing will go hugely wrong but also the reward for doing everything right is mostly satisfaction of a job well done. I definitely cba with this, will buy something prebuilt (which is cheaper for some reason?!) and maybe replace a few caps and program some macros in.

[@MrTesterr]

Why does josie look like pointcrows sister that i have never seen

[@kingcrackedhen3572]

Blue hair would look good but you have to colour match to the blue switches;)

[@BluePhoenix_201]

Can you review the keychron k10 pro and mod it with the akko v3 cream yellow?

[@veremlim]

Dude, the video is great, but I am getting dizzy because of the camera moving so much around. Damn you cameraman!

[@adelinerivero]

Very glad to see Josie :)

[@makmakg242]

Gamakay K61? I thought you're showcasing the Garuda Gear GG68B. The latter can give you full-hotswap compatibility on a budget.