Okay, here’s my blog post about building the penguinz0 mechanical keyboard:
So, I’ve been seeing these custom mechanical keyboards all over the internet, and I finally decided to take the plunge. I went with the penguinz0, mostly because I loved the clean aesthetic and the layout looked perfect for my needs. This wasn’t a pre-built thing; oh no, this was a full-on DIY project. It arrived as a box of parts, making me question my life choices for a good five minutes.
Getting Started
First things first, I unboxed everything and laid it all out. The kit included the case, the PCB (the circuit board), stabilizers, and some other small bits and bobs. The case was this really nice, heavy aluminum, which immediately felt super premium. I got really excited for it.
The Build
I started with the stabilizers. These are the little things that go under the larger keys (like the spacebar and shift keys) to keep them from wobbling. I had to clip them and then screw them onto the PCB. It was a bit fiddly, to be honest, and I definitely dropped a few screws along the way.
Next up, I mounted the switches. This was probably the most satisfying part. I carefully positioned each switch over the corresponding holes on the PCB and pushed them in until they clicked. It took a while, but there’s something really zen about the process.
- Prepare stablizers
- Mount switches onto PCB
- Place PCB into the case
Once all the switches were in, I placed the PCB into the case. This was pretty straightforward; it just sort of nestled in there. Then, I screwed the case together, making sure everything was nice and snug.
The Keycaps
Finally, the moment of truth: putting on the keycaps! This part was easy, just push them down onto the switches, but it’s where the keyboard really comes to life. I went with a simple color. And yeah, it looked amazing.
Testing Everything
I plugged the keyboard into my computer, held my breath, and… it worked! All the keys registered, the backlighting lit up. I spent a good hour just typing random stuff, enjoying the feel and sound of the switches. Let me say, the work is definitely worth it.
Overall, building the penguinz0 mechanical keyboard was a super rewarding experience. It took some time and patience, but the result is a keyboard that’s uniquely mine, and that feels incredible to type on. It’s totally different from something I just grabbed off the shelf. If you’re thinking about building your own, I say go for it! Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve, and maybe watch a few videos beforehand. Don’t be like me and get too excited from unboxing.
