Scribblings of a Seeker 
First custom keyboard build
All right, now that I have my own chunky mechanical keyboard, I have gathered enough knowledge to start work on building my custom keyboard.
Let’s start,
Keyboard Size: 65% and lower. I want this to be a compact layout. Key caps: Well, I guess, this is the interesting part, I have to custom-design and manufacture these creating-custom-keycaps.
Switches: I love the tactile feel of switches. For this keyboard, I want to do some research on switches and find some very traditional ones. I like the clicky tactile switches I can find. KBDFans
Color: Anodized red with copper or gold accents.
The decision-making process is not very efficient. I know what I want to build. I have some great options when it comes to 60% keyboards https://kbdfans.com/collections/60 The Agar and GT 60 are both very attractive.
| Item | reference | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | Agar | 125€ |
| switches | red tactical | 60€ |
| keycaps base version | pbtfans overtime | 71€ |
| Total` | 240€ |
what my kart looks like at the moment. https://kbdfans.com/cart holding myself back as I have spent too much money last month. I have to control my spending for a while.
had a quick look at my bank account I need to make more money. stop spending money to buy happiness.
Update from 30.05.2025 18:32
I ordered the keyboard last night. And I spent a lot of money on this now. Here is what my invoice looks like at the moment
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Agar keyboard kit | 125€ |
| Switches | 48€ |
| Deskmat | 5€ |
| cleaning brush | 3€ |
| KBDfans discount | -6€ |
| KBDfans shipping | 28€ |
| count dracula keycaps | 121,79€ |
| stabalizers | 27,39€ |
| Extra keycaps | 25€ |
| Customs | 48,95€ |
| Total | 426,13€ |
Well this is becoming a luxury build as far as I am concerned.
I have almost everything required for the build, except lube. hope my keyboard buddy Ken has some of.
05.06.2025
I finally got the keyboard today, had to add another 48,95 for the customs. which brings the total to a whopping 426,13 € . I am not going to be building a keyboard for a long time. I have a good collection going now.
- Low profile lightweight Nuphy Air75 for the office and travel.
- Lemokey P1 pro for the desktop and gaming setup.
- The agar: My first custom build. will be used for all my programming and writing needs. And we will stop here for some time. use these keyboards to their fullest. before I even think about a another build. All though I am curious about a 40% keyboard. maybe a macro board… HEHE.. maybe next year. but 2025 I am not spending anymore money on my keyboards.
07-06-2025 15:04 Just received the Keycaps I ordered from Aliexpress for the board. they look amazing. I can’t wait to start building the keyboard. I wish I had ordered everything from the same place.
Let me explain. since this is the first time building a custom keyboard and it was more of a impulse buy. I did not plan out the orders properly. not that something I do. I ordered the keyboard build kit along with the switches. but I did not order the keycaps, stabilizers, lube and event the precision screw driver kit. so Now they all are arriving one at a time. I will receive most likely receive the stabilisers and lube by next Friday. and we build our first keyboard on Friday or Saturday next week.
13-06-2025 21:32
Its finally ready. after all the delays and waiting… the weird dreams I had about the HHKB layout and How I am going to get used to the layout. all those questions are answered.
I want to describe the entire build process with all the stylish photos I took of the build and the final Keyboard itself. but Its late and I am tierd right now. I am going right all about it tomorrow.
but here’s sneak peak.
after soome time19-06-2025 19:56
I finished the build with some cheap stabs from a local store, even though I ordere really good stabs from KBDfans. I was just impatient for the stabs to arrive. The cheap stabs were so bad, I had to rebuild the keyboard all over again after the real stabs arrived.
photography/firstkeyboardbuild
Finally managed to swap the stabs. the keebs sounds so buttery now. I might have to fine tune the stabs below space bar but other wise. my first build was a success.
did I tell you that I love my new keyboard.