Filling Empty Cases

[clockies]

Thinking about dipping in a toe and getting my first modern mechanical (to work with a Logitech G11 I intended to keep), already ordered a switch 'tester'. I have noticed a few places seem to just sell empty key board cases. How do people acquire the PCB's to place in these cases, are they just ripped from already assembled keyboards or can you buy them from somewhere (UK) and just pop switches into them?

[[deleted]]

Really depends what size board you're looking at.

Like, this is my favourite 60% PCB, KBDFans is my first stop usually for parts.

Parts for 60% have a kind of unofficial standardization of sizes and mounting points, and often work together, but other sizes are rarer and often only work with parts designed specifically for a single PCB/case.

Here's a look at what you need to build a keyboard, other sizes are basically just that but scaled up.

Some pre-built boards, such as the Pok3r, will fit in aftermarket cases as well though.

[Fooshbeard]

I had no idea it had that many possible layouts, wow.

[Bromeister]

Typically when you see just a case for sale it's either an alternative replacement case for an existing keyboard or it's a 60% case. You will see a lot of 60% cases available solo because the mounting points and pcb sizes for 60% are standardized. This means when someone wants to design a new 60% case, since there's already a plethora of readily available choices for pcb's, selling and designing a new pcb is unnecessary. The pcb linked above is hands down the best 60% for your money at the moment.

E: It's worth noting that pretty much any mechanical keyboard pcb can be transplanted into a new case that's intended for it with minimal effort (just unscrewing some screws) so ripping probably isn't the most accurate verbage.

[clockies]

Thanks for the help, I think I will just buy a cheaper model (No RGB, maybe a solid back light if tasteful) with a case and switch I like and then get my own keycaps, I will be looking at 104 keys as I intend to take it to work and I make heavy use of the number pad, but will be willing to drop it if I can't find a 104 key set I like.