Choose the Perfect Keyboard Case and Parts for Your Next Build
Building a custom mechanical keyboard starts with selecting the right case and components. This foundation determines not just how your keyboard looks, but how it feels, sounds, and performs. Whether you're planning your first build or your fifth, understanding keyboard case materials, plate options, and PCB compatibility will help you create a typing experience that perfectly matches your preferences.
Understanding Keyboard Cases
The case is the outer shell of your keyboard and arguably the most visible component of your build. When selecting a case, consider these key factors:
Materials Matter
Keyboard cases come in various materials, each offering different characteristics:
- Aluminum - Popular for its durability and premium feel. Aluminum cases provide a solid typing experience with minimal flex and good sound dampening. They tend to produce a deeper, more muted sound profile.
- Plastic - Usually ABS or PBT, plastic cases are lightweight and budget-friendly. They typically create a higher-pitched sound when typing and may have more flex than metal alternatives.
- Polycarbonate - Offers a unique middle ground with some flex and excellent sound characteristics. Polycarbonate cases often produce a poppy, resonant sound that many enthusiasts enjoy.
- Wood - For a natural aesthetic, wooden cases provide warm acoustics and a distinctive look. Each wooden case has unique grain patterns, making your keyboard truly one-of-a-kind.
- Brass/Steel - These premium options add significant weight and create a firm typing experience with minimal flex. They're often used as weight inserts rather than full cases.
Form Factors
Your case needs to match your preferred keyboard layout:
- Full-size (100%) - Includes all standard keys plus a number pad
- TKL (Tenkeyless) - Removes the number pad for a more compact design
- 75% - Similar to TKL but more compact, maintaining arrow keys and function row
- 65% - Includes arrow keys but removes the function row
- 60% - The most compact standard layout, removing arrow keys and function keys
- 40% - Ultra-compact with just alphanumerics and modifiers
- Split designs - Ergonomic options that separate the keyboard into two parts
For more information on ergonomic options, check out our article on ergonomic form factors in modern keyboard designs.
Mounting Styles
The mounting style affects how the plate and PCB connect to the case, significantly impacting typing feel and sound:
- Tray mount - The PCB/plate assembly is screwed directly to the bottom of the case. Common in budget keyboards, this creates a firmer typing experience.
- Top mount - The plate is secured to the top edge of the case. This provides a more even typing feel across the board.
- Gasket mount - The plate is suspended between gaskets, creating a softer, more isolated typing experience with less vibration transfer.
- O-ring mount - Similar to gasket mounting but using an O-ring to isolate the plate/PCB assembly.
- Sandwich mount - The plate is sandwiched between the top and bottom case parts.
Selecting the Right Plate
The plate sits between your switches and PCB, providing structural support and affecting typing feel and sound.
Plate Materials
- Aluminum - Offers a balance of rigidity and weight with a medium-pitched sound profile.
- Brass - Creates a firmer typing experience with a higher-pitched sound. Brass is heavier and more rigid than aluminum.
- Polycarbonate - Provides more flex and a deeper, more muted sound. Great for linear switches.
- FR4 - Made from the same material as PCBs, offers a middle ground between metal and polycarbonate plates.
- Carbon fiber - Premium option with a unique feel and sound, plus excellent rigidity without excessive weight.
Plate choice significantly impacts your typing experience. For a deeper understanding of how components affect typing feel, read our guide on how to build your own mechanical keyboard.
PCB Selection
The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is the electronic brain of your keyboard. Here's what to consider:
Hotswap vs. Soldered
- Hotswap PCBs allow you to change switches without soldering. Perfect for beginners or those who like to experiment with different switch types.
- Soldered PCBs require permanently attaching switches with solder but often support more layout options and can be more reliable long-term.
Features to Consider
- RGB lighting - Does the PCB support per-key RGB, underglow, or no lighting?
- QMK/VIA compatibility - These firmware options allow for extensive customization of your keyboard's functions.
- Split spacebar options - Some PCBs allow for splitting the spacebar into multiple keys.
- USB Type - USB-C is now standard, but some older PCBs might use micro-USB.
- Bluetooth capability - For wireless functionality.
Stabilizers
Often overlooked, stabilizers keep larger keys (like the spacebar, shift, and enter) from wobbling. Two main types exist:
- Plate-mount stabilizers - Clip directly into the plate, easier to install but generally less stable.
- Screw-in stabilizers - Attach to the PCB with screws, providing better stability and less rattle.
Always budget for quality stabilizers and plan to modify them with lube and other maintenance techniques to eliminate rattle.
Compatibility Considerations
Before finalizing your parts selection, verify compatibility:
- Case and PCB - Ensure the PCB mounting points align with your chosen case.
- Plate and PCB - Check that the plate supports your desired layout and switch mounting style.
- Switches and PCB - Confirm your PCB supports your chosen switch type (3-pin vs. 5-pin).
- Stabilizers and Plate - Verify your plate supports your stabilizer type.
Where to Buy Quality Parts
Finding quality keyboard parts is crucial for a successful build. Some reliable vendors include:
- KBDfans
- NovelKeys
- CannonKeys
- Mechboards (UK-based)
- KPrepublic
- Divinikey
