Helpful links for keyboard modding
General Modding & Tutorials
If you are just starting out, these sites offer the best step-by-step visual guides for standard mods like lubing, stabilizers, and foam.
- Kinetic Labs Guides: High-quality photography and deep dives into switch types and tuning.
- Alexotos: A community staple for build guides and current hobby trends.
- Keyboard University: The “101” course for understanding mounting styles and terminology.
- Switch and Click: Perfect for budget-friendly mods like the Tape Mod or PE Foam Mod.
Open Source Firmware
The “brain” of your keyboard. If it’s custom, it’s likely running one of these.
- QMK Firmware: The gold standard for wired keyboards. For a GUI-based start, use the QMK Configurator.
- ZMK Firmware: The go-to for wireless (Bluetooth) builds, optimized for battery life.
- VIAL: An open-source fork of VIA for real-time remapping and macro creation without reflashing.
Open Source Hardware & PCB Design
For the “DIY or Die” crowd. These repositories contain files you can send to a fab house to manufacture your own boards.
- Keyboard-PCBs Database: A massive index of open-source PCB designs.
- DesignedByDark GitHub: High-end enthusiast cases and plates released for free.
- Awesome Mechanical Keyboard List: A curated “master list” of tools and libraries.
Ergonomic & 3D Printed Keyboards
For when you want to move away from the “rectangular slab” design.
- Dactyl Generator: Generate 3D-printable files for contoured, split ergonomic boards.
- KeyV2 (Parametric Keycaps): An OpenSCAD library to generate almost any keycap profile.
- Splitkbcompare: Print out 1:1 paper templates to test split keyboard ergonomics before building.
Communities & Databases
- Geekhack: The “Old Guard” forum for high-end Group Buys.
- Deskthority: Focused on keyboard history and technical documentation.
- KeycapLendar: Track active Group Buys and boutique runs.
Personal links
- My switch collection: A curated list of keyboard switches.
- List of Keyboard related vendors across the world: Comprehensive vendor directory for mechanical keyboards.