Custom Keyboard Build

Hand-lubing and assembling a custom mechanical keyboard from scratch

2025

CasePCBSwitchesKeycapsStabilizers

About the Build

I've always typed on off-the-shelf keyboards, but after going down the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole I decided to do a full custom build — hand-lubing every switch, clipping and lubing the stabilizers, and putting it all together myself.

The goal was a smooth, thocky linear keyboard with a solid sound profile. This page documents the full process chronologically, from unboxing parts to the finished board.

Replace this text with your own description of why you built this keyboard, what layout/size you went with, and what sound/feel you were going for.

Build Log

Month DD, YYYY

Parts Arrival & Unboxing

All components finally arrived. Here's everything laid out before assembly begins — case, PCB, switches, stabs, and keycaps.

All parts laid out

Switches up close

Keycaps and case

Month DD, YYYY

Prepping the Stabilizers

Clipped and lubed the stabilizers with dielectric grease on the wire and Krytox 205g0 on the housing. Also applied some foam to reduce the rattle.

Stabilizers disassembled for lubing

Applying Krytox 205g0 to the housing

Month DD, YYYY

Lubing the Switches

The most meditative part of the build — lubing each switch individually with Krytox 205g0 on the housing and stem. Left the legs unlubed to keep tactility.

Switch opener and lube station setup

Brushing lube onto switch stem

Progress — switches waiting to be reassembled

All switches lubed and ready

Month DD, YYYY

PCB & Plate Assembly

Soldering the switches onto the PCB. Hot-swappable socket version so no soldering required — just press-fit each switch through the plate into the PCB.