How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard: Complete Guide

By MechKeyReview Team •

Custom mechanical keyboard build in progress showing PCB, switches, and keycaps laid out on a desk

Building a custom mechanical keyboard isn't as complicated as it sounds. The community has developed a fairly standardized process over the years, and entry-level custom builds now start at $80–120 and can be assembled in 2–4 hours without soldering. The result: a keyboard tuned exactly to your preferences that no pre-built can replicate.

The main benefit over buying a pre-built keyboard isn't the cost savings (custom builds usually cost more for the same spec level). It's control: control over sound profile, switch feel, layout, and every other variable in the typing experience. You understand every choice because you made it.

This guide walks through the complete process: the parts you need, how to choose them, stabilizer and switch preparation, and the assembly order. We'll cover hot-swap builds (no soldering required) for beginners.

Complete Parts List

A custom keyboard requires these eight components. You need all of them — there are no shortcuts:

Part What it does Typical cost Key notes
Case The outer shell. Defines layout, sound profile, and aesthetics. €20–300+ Plastic = lighter, quieter. Aluminum = heavier, more resonant. Affects sound significantly.
PCB The circuit board switches mount to. Registers keypresses. €25–80 Choose hot-swap PCB for beginners. Must match case layout and size.
Plate Sits between PCB and switches. Holds switches in place, affects flex. €10–40 Material: PC = flexible/quiet; aluminum = stiff/clacky; FR4 = medium. Some builds are plateless.
Stabilizers Support large keys (spacebar, Enter, Shift, Backspace) to prevent wobble. €10–35 Screw-in stabs are preferred over clip-in. Prep before installing. Critical for sound quality.
Foam/dampening Optional layers inside the case to reduce hollow sound. €5–20 Case foam, PCB foam, and switch foam all reduce echo and rattle. Optional but recommended.
Switches The mechanical mechanism under each key. Defines typing feel. €20–80 Linear, tactile, or clicky. Lube before installing for best results.
Keycaps The plastic covers that sit on top of switches. What you touch. €15–200+ Must match your keyboard's layout. PBT > ABS for durability and texture.
USB cable Connects keyboard to PC. €5–40 Basic works fine. Coiled cables are the community aesthetic preference.

Step 1: Plan Before You Buy

The most common beginner mistake is buying parts impulsively and then discovering incompatibility issues. Take 30 minutes to answer these questions before spending anything:

What size keyboard?TKL, 75%, 65%, or 60%? This choice determines case, PCB, and keycap compatibility. Read our keyboard sizes guide if unsure.
What switch type?Linear, tactile, or clicky? What actuation force? See our switch guide to decide.
What sound profile?Quiet and thocky, clacky and crisp, or in between? Case material, plate material, and foam choices all contribute.
Total budget?Entry-level custom builds: €80–120. Mid-range: €150–300. No upper limit in this hobby. Set a ceiling and stick to it.

Step 2: Prepare Stabilizers (Don't Skip This)

Stabilizer preparation is the most impactful step most beginners skip — and the reason so many entry-level keyboards sound rattly on spacebar, Shift, and Enter. The factory lubricant on most stabs is insufficient. You need to clean and relube them before installing.

The standard prep process: (1) Disassemble stabs completely. (2) Clean with isopropyl alcohol. (3) Apply dielectric grease (Krytox 205g0 or Permatex) to wire ends and housing contact points. (4) Optionally band-aid mod the PCB mounting points. Well-prepped stabs transform large key sound from "rattle" to "thock." Our full guide covers this in detail.

Step 3: Prepare Switches (Optional but Recommended)

Factory switches ship with minimal lubrication. Applying lubricant (Krytox 205g0 for linears, 105 oil for springs, lighter coat for tactiles) dramatically improves smoothness and sound. A full switch lube job takes 2–4 hours for a full-size keyboard but makes the most noticeable improvement to typing feel.

For your first build, it's acceptable to install switches dry and lube later if you're impatient to complete the build. Hot-swap PCBs allow you to pull switches for lubing after the fact.

Close-up of switches being installed into a hot-swap PCB during a keyboard build

Installing switches into a hot-swap PCB — no soldering required. Make sure pins are straight before pressing switches in.

Step 4: Assembly Order

Assembly order matters. Following this sequence prevents rework:

1. PCB prep
Flash firmware if needed. Add PCB foam. Run keyboard tester (online tool) to verify all switches register before installing anything else.
2. Install stabilizers
Mount prepped stabs onto PCB (screw-in type: screw from the bottom). Test each large key before proceeding — easier to adjust now than after switch install.
3. Install switches
For hot-swap: seat plate on PCB, then press switches through plate into PCB sockets. Check pin alignment before pressing — bent pins are a common issue. For soldered: solder one pin per switch first to check alignment, then solder the second pin.
4. Case assembly & keycaps
Add case foam if using. Screw PCB-plate assembly into case. Add any dampening material. Install keycaps — press firmly until seated. Connect cable and test everything.

Budget Tiers for a Custom Build

Here's what you get at each price range:

€80–120 (Entry)Keychron V series or Akko as base. Good plastic case, decent PCB, affordable switches (Gateron). Genuine custom feel without high cost.
€150–300 (Mid)Aluminum or polycarbonate case. Premium switches (Boba U4, Gateron Oil King). Nicer keycap set. This is where the build starts to feel significantly premium.
€300–600 (High)Dedicated custom case (KBDfans, TOFU68, etc.). Holy Pandas or Topre switches. Premium keycap set (group buy). Gasket mounting for better feel.
€600+ (Endgame)Group buy cases with premium materials. Exotic switches. Full custom firmware. The "endgame" is a myth in this hobby — there's always a next build.

Not sure which switches to use? Our complete keyboard switches guide covers every option. Before building, read our guide on how to lube switches for that step. And if you'd prefer a pre-built, see our guide on how to choose a mechanical keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — not for a hot-swap build. Hot-swap PCBs accept switches that push in and out of sockets without soldering. Most beginner custom builds use hot-swap. Soldering is only required for PCBs without hot-swap sockets, and even then it's a learnable skill (switch soldering is a great beginner project).

Plan for a full day or weekend: 2–4 hours just to lube stabs and switches properly, plus 1–2 hours for assembly. Skip the lube steps and you can do it in under an hour, but the result won't sound as good.

Usually not at the same spec level. An entry-level custom build (€80–120) is roughly comparable to a good pre-built. The value is in customization and quality, not cost. Budget custom builds beat budget pre-built keyboards in quality; premium custom builds are in a different category entirely.

Stabilizers and switches have the highest impact on typing feel. A budget case with well-prepped stabs and good switches sounds better than a premium case with rattle-y stabs. Don't skimp on stabilizer prep even if it means a cheaper case.

Not any keycap with any keyboard. Keycaps must match the layout (ANSI vs ISO) and row count. Standard MX-compatible keycap sets work with Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, and most other switches. Topre keyboards require Topre-specific keycaps. Always verify compatibility before buying.

Gasket mounting means the PCB-plate assembly is suspended by rubber gaskets rather than screwed directly to the case. This creates flex and a softer, more cushioned typing feel. It's a premium feature found on mid-to-high-end cases. For a first build, tray mount or top mount is perfectly fine.

Prefer to buy pre-built first?

A pre-built keyboard is a great way to experience the typing feel before committing to a full custom build. Browse our top picks.

See our top pre-built keyboard picks