TheKey.Company TKC1800 Mechanical Keyboard Kit Discussions | Drop

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TheKey.Company TKC1800 Mechanical Keyboard Kit

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TheKey.Company TKC1800 Mechanical Keyboard Kit

Luscombe

Jan 22, 2019

Ok, getting excited now. I joined the drop based mostly on the reviews and comments here. I work in construction contractor office environment and must have a num-key pad on the keyboard, like the layout of this board. Since I am all-in now, I'm going to need some help. I am new to Mechanical Keyboards, except for the one on my PS2 and a couple subsequent computers. Not really a fan of the membrane boards. So here is my ask. I have never built a keyboard. I really do not know what additional parts I will need ( caps and switches?) or where to purchase them . I do want to use the Cherry MX blue switches. The rest I have no clue. Have never programmed QMK and not really sure where to start. Reasonably intelligent, except for the part where I order a kit that I have no idea how to build; looking forward to the this adventure. Any guidance would be appreciated. Current computer is a Surface Pro with a dock, 27" monitor and BT keyboard at work. Love the surface pro, light weight, fast and functional. Thanks in advance,

Supermitsuba

Jan 22, 2019

LuscombeI can list all the things you will need.

Switches (obviously)
stablizers https://novelkeys.xyz/collections/miscellaneous/products/cherry-stabilizers
keycaps https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gmk-white-on-black-custom-keycap-set
USB mini b cable

Things not discussed is building the kit. you will need:

a soldering iron
solder
desoldering pump
soldering stand
sponge

Try to practice before hand. this keyboard is big and you dont want to mess up on something that requires 100 switches to be soldered in. of course, you might be able to find a service that will cost about the same as buying all of this. Next, qmk is easy these days. go here and build your layout https://config.qmk.fm/#/tkc1800/LAYOUT After that download the hex file and save it. Download toolbox https://github.com/qmk/qmk_toolbox/releases, and drivers https://github.com/qmk/qmk_driver_installer/releases . Press the reset button , install the drivers. once the computer has detected the keyboard, use qmk toolkit to flash, here is docs on all this. https://docs.qmk.fm/#/ Ask any questions, i have v1 of this keyboard.

anonymouss

Jan 22, 2019

LuscombeI would recommend GMK screw in stabilizers and lubing the bars with dielectric grease and the sliders with teflon grease. It makes a big difference.

thatlooksneat

Jan 22, 2019

LuscombeJust to tack on to the already good advice you've received, I found watching a youtube video of someone building a keyboard helped fill the gaps of things I wasn't clear on. Here's a build video featuring the TKC1800. It's long, but you can watch in 2x speed or skip over the redundant parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueq43MR4ds

Luscombe

Jan 22, 2019

thatlooksneatThank you everyone for the advice. I will be checking out you tube for sure. Once I figure out the pieces parts I will post here for comments. Thanks again guys, this is awesome.

Luscombe

Jan 23, 2019

SupermitsubaI saw the drop for the GMK keycaps. I like them and they are good quality but I would like to add some color caps. Am I better off to purchase this set then pick up some other individual color caps or do I buy a kit with colored caps? Where are the preferred locations to purchase key caps and switches? I would prefer to purchase from those who support this community. This is a pretty steep learning curve for me, I enjoy the challenge.

Luscombe

Jan 23, 2019

thatlooksneatStarted to watch it and yeah some parts are like watching paint dry but very informative.

Supermitsuba

Jan 23, 2019

LuscombeHere is another group that may help: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/index Keycaps like GMK: https://www.originativeco.com/collections/keysets Other keys: https://pimpmykeyboard.com/
https://kbdfans.cn/collections/keycaps
https://kprepublic.com/collections/keycaps

Luscombe

Jan 23, 2019

SupermitsubaThank you, Those resources are perfect.

Luscombe

Jan 23, 2019

Luscombehttps://www.massdrop.com/buy/danger-zone-sa-keycap-set#overview The above is another MASSDROP i found with a set of keys I really like, Naval aviation theme. To outfit this TKC1800 keyboard, I think I would need the: Alpha, Numpad and Specialties keys. Would someone confirm that for me? This gets rather pricey but is way cool. I want to make sure I am on the right path here. Thanks,

Tom_Jr

127

Keyboard Club Member

Jan 23, 2019

LuscombeYou'll need to purchase the Alpha, Numpad, Specialties (for 1u mods), and the Modifiers set to cover the TKC 1800.

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