Building a quiet mechanical keyboard is a popular pursuit for many tech enthusiasts, gamers, typists, and professionals who rely on this device for their daily tasks. It is not just about the silence it offers but also the customized feel of the keys, the satisfaction of each keystroke, and the sleek aesthetics that make this an appealing project to undertake independently. This guide will provide a step-by-step process to build a quiet, efficient, and customized mechanical keyboard.
Start With Choosing The Right Parts
You first need to pre-plan and purchase the necessary parts. Key components for building a quiet mechanical keyboard include a keyboard casing (aluminum or plastic), PCB (Printed Circuit Board), plate (steel, aluminum, brass, or carbon fiber), stabilizers, switches, O-rings, sound dampening material, and keycaps.
When choosing a casing, consider its noise-dampening factor. Aluminum casings tend to offer better sound insulation than plastic ones. The PCB is the electronic board that facilitates the interaction between your keystrokes and the computer. Here you have a choice between a PCB kit with pre-soldered parts, recommended for beginners, or soldering one yourself.
The plate stabilizes the switches and reduces excess noise. Steel, brass, and aluminum plates offer different levels of noise reduction. Stabilizers keep the longer keys from wobbling during use. Most quiet mechanical keyboards typically use Cherry MX stabilizers.
Selecting the right switches is crucial for a quiet keyboard. Opt for linear switches such as Cherry MX Red Silent, Gateron Silent Blacks, or Zelio Silent for minimalistic and low-noise typing. O-rings further decrease sound by softening the clacking noise of the keys hitting the board.
Lastly, choose keycaps according to preference. Options could range from ABS plastic, PBT plastic, wood, metal, or silicone keycaps. Remember that denser materials, such as PBT plastic and metal, tend to dampen sound.
Assemble Your Keyboard
Start the assembly process by affixing the stabilizers to your PCB. Mount them under the board for best performance. Confirm their secure placement by pressing them several times. Adding dielectric grease will reduce rattling sound.
Install the switches into the PCB and plate, ensuring they’re firmly held in place. The switch pins should go through the plate and into the PCB. Once everything is in place, you can start soldering the switches to the PCB if your kit requires it.
Next, install your dampening material into the casing. This can be foam or any sound insulating material of choice that fits neatly under the PCB. It’s key to trim any excess to avoid affecting typing responsiveness.
Then, attach the assembled PCB and plate into the keyboard case carefully. Make sure it aligns correctly with screw holes and isn’t applying pressure on any parts. Secure it using provided screws but avoid overtightening.
Time to install the O-rings. Place them on the stem of the keycaps; this could be tedious but rewarding. They will soften the landing of the keys on the switch, reducing noise significantly.
Pop the keycaps onto your switches. Ensure they are secure but refrain from applying too much force that could damage the switches.
Configure Your Keyboard
Looking to fully customize your keyboard experience? Employ a keymapping software. Keymap your keyboard to your desired layout. Software like QMK (Quantum Mechanical Keyboard) or Easy AVR lets you program and customize each key individually.
Tune Your Stabilizers
Tuning the stabilizers can help reduce noise and give a better feel to longer keys (like space and shift). Remove the stabilizer and apply dielectric grease to where the stabilizer wire enters the plastic housing. This additional step might be time-consuming but the reduction in rattling noises is a worthy payoff.
Finally, Test Your Keyboard
Plug your keyboard into your PC and ensure all keys function as programmed. Use software like Switch Hitter to identify any key chatter (unintended multiple actuation of a switch) or non-responsiveness.
Remember, building a quiet mechanical keyboard is a matter of personal preference and level of comfort with DIY tech projects. While it might take some time and patience, the satisfaction of having a keyboard tailored to your liking is worth every invested minute. This step-by-step guide should be a valuable resource for your quiet keyboard-building journey.
