Every year we kind of have an overarching theme for holiday gifts. This year we thought it would be fun to build custom keyboards. We were only mostly right. It was fun and also frustrating. Anyway, I’ve tried to link to the things I used, but none of them are affiliate links. I was not compensated by anyone for anything I purchased or have linked to in this blog post.

New Builds

I have my trusty IQUNIX F96 (I don’t think they sell them anymore), and the backlighting helps me keep working even after it gets dark and the lights don’t come on automatically. I also have a few Ducky keyboards that I’ve gotten over the years, but I think I just wanted to try something different. Honestly until now, the most adventurous I have gotten with my keyboards is replacing the ESC key with a duck or an Ember “e” key (yes in orange) or something. You get the idea.

Genshin Impact Build

We play Genshin Impact and sometimes even as a family. My OG favorite character was Keqing, so last year my son bought me a Keqing-themed keycap set. This year I got around to building with it! It’s super cute. I might end up putting this up as decoration rather than use it. IDK.

  • Base: Phantom+ RBG full keyboard (second hand, and in good condition!)
  • Switches: Gateron Reds
  • Keycaps: Genshin Impact keycap set (Keqing themed)

Astrolokeys Build

I’ve had this keycap set for a while (receipts say 2020!!), although I was glad that the extras were still available on The Drop because I didn’t think about short shifts and other non-standard key sizes. I am kind of tempted to move to a larger base with this keycap set, but it has a lot of pink in it for my taste, so I might just move a few keys around. I absolutely love the textured finish of these keycaps more than any of the other keycap sets I’ve recently tried.

Mostly White Some Purple (MWSP)

  • Base: Keydous NJ80-AP Barebones Wireless RGB Keyboard w/silver knob
  • Switches: Cherry MX Tactile Brown RGB GEN 2 Key Switches
  • Keycaps: Crystal Crown clear caps. Since the set didn’t come with short shift or custom keys for a smaller keyboard, I used some of the ones I had leftover from my Genshin set. I think the purple accents look pretty good, but I’ll probably keep an eye out for a keycap set that is more intentional. I kind of just picked these up because I needed to order some cat food, too. I don’t know if I like them yet (the keycaps, not the cats, just in case I need to clarify…).

Full Metal Mecha

This keycap set was love at first sight. My hypothesis was that my son would steal the build. He didn’t…but my husband did! He uses Japanese at work so it actually came in useful for him.

Mecha Godzilla

What a freakin’ cool build! My son and I did this one together and I think it turned out great. He’s now using this as his primary keyboard.

Builds in Progress

As with all new hobbies, there’s a little tweaking needed to get things just right. So these builds are still in progress while I am waiting for parts.

Written In The Stars

I really loved this keycap set, but when it arrived, I realized that I didn’t have a board I liked for it. So I ended up doing a base but added a navy blue top frame and rotary knob. I spent a bit of time staring at the descriptions of each item so it should all come together.

TBQH IDK yet

I was a bit surprised that a barebones keyboard from The Drop did not include stabilizers. That’s been a while new thing to learn about, I guess. I have gotten some in but I still need to install them.

Your Mom Games

I was a gamer before I was a mom, and I’m still a gamer. TBQH sorta wanted to call it “Warrior of Darkness” (video for those not old enough to remember). Maybe I will if I find the right keycap set…

  • Base: Redragon Devarajas Barebones Edition (I picked this up at my local Micro Center, but I can’t find a link for it now)
  • Switches: Fox MX Ultralight
  • Keycaps: TBD

Parts not used yet

Of course, in learning all of this, there were extra parts. We are now in a delicious cycle. That’s probably a pretty good place to be. Maybe.

Until next time. -M