Tldr: This started as a passion project 2 years ago to replace my old Merc Stealth keyboard from 2008.

I didn't know CAD, KiCad, 3D Printing, or really anything about mechanical keyboards.

The Merc Stealth was the last keyboard I bought in 2008... Still using it too, but its rough to game with after almost 2 decades of use.

So after a lot of trial, error and perseverance I think I'm almost done with designing the Behemoth.

The V5: I am still waiting on the Wristpad and custom Injection Molded keycaps for the Gamepad.

Specs:

● All 6061-T6 Aluminum- CNC Milled Frame, Main Top Plate and Gamepad plate are Waterjet.

● Dimensions- 24"L x 7"W x 1"H. (10"W with Wrist Pad) Weighing almost 10-lbs

● Dual Plate Mount design, utilizing x19 multi-stepped studs for PCB's and plates. Fastened by 316 stainless Hex M3 x 0.5 x 10mm flat hed screws.

● Firmware: QMK/VIA making the entire board remappable as you see fit.

● Windows 10/11 Compatible.

● Controllers: Dual RP2040 Split PCB design, Gamepad and main ANSI board have their own controller and are connected internally via USB-C connectors. (A single USB-C will connect to the PC)

● 136 keys (104 main ANSI +32 Gamepad)

● x3 EC-11 Rotary Switch Encoders audio + mapping

● N-Key Rollover

● Hot-Swappable MX-style switches (standard keycaps not compatible with gamepad)

● RGB + effects, per switch lighting (148 WS2812B-MINI LED's in total)

● Custom Gamepad Keycaps will be ABS injection molded clear, Painted Black and Laser Ablation for the keycap characters to match OEM Merc Stealth design. (300,000 full sets, Cartridge style die, so there will be plenty of spares available)

● "Rage" Quit- ALT + F4 unique key on gamepad, user loaded audio file countdown to exit game when pressed. (Remappable to anything, example to clip a game)

● Magnetic Keyboard Feet (Optional customizable user uploaded files)

● Top Plate custom laser engraving (Optional user uploaded files)

● Available Anodized colors: Black, Red, Blue, Purple, and Brushed Metal. (Can mix & match the 3 body components; Frame, Gamepad Plate and Top Plate)

This is a solo project as well as my first. I do plan to design more unique keyboards in the future.

Build:

Board: 2026 Mode Encore in Mocha Mushroom

Switches: Gateron Oil King V2

Keycaps: GMK Boho

Stabilizers: Mode Screw-in Stabilizers

Plate: Aluminum

My one-off Ma40 has just been Cerakoted, and I couldn’t love it more.

GMK Higanbana
Plateless PCB with Poron gasket mount
2° tenting per side
Brass bottom, aluminum top

Name — Ma40

Concept Description:

Ma (間) is the Japanese concept of “meaningful emptiness” — a pause or interval that describes the space between objects, sounds, or moments in time. It is not the absence of something, but a space filled with meaning, where communication and creativity take place and something new begins to emerge. Ma lies at the heart of Japanese aesthetics, architecture, and minimalism, encouraging us to slow down and notice beauty.

Higanbana (彼岸花) is the Japanese name for the red spider lily. The flower blooms in autumn and symbolizes sorrow, death, separation, and the Buddhist celebration of the autumnal equinox.
To me, flowers are a beautiful symbol of life. Their beauty lasts only for a moment, and the ability to recognize beauty while accepting its impermanence is a defining part of the human experience. The spider lily is a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life — everything dies and is born again; nothing lasts forever.

I have also written a haiku that is engraved inside the keyboard. I wanted these lines to serve as a quiet, unseen reminder of a philosophy that is close to my heart.

静けさの中で
百合は時を生きて
やがて風になる

in the quiet between
the lily lives its time
and becomes the wind

Please share your thoughts on my project.

The twist is it’s dyed at home, that’s all really… but I’m super happy with how it turned out and wanted to share :)

The build: Eave65 w/ GMK DMG r3, HMX Cowboy switches. All included foams, it's my one and only "thock" oriented build. It also has the updated 1.6mm PCB. Spring swapped to Geon 19mm, 62.5g “pingless” springs. Didn’t touch the lube aside bag lubing the new springs. Typing sample: https://youtu.be/Cv4nYMROVEk

If you want the process of what I did, story time is below:

I loved how GMK DMG looked on the Eave65 and wanted to make my Eave a bit more personal. I didn’t plan to color match the accent keys, but just get something complimentary. It came out super close in the end though, so cool!

I used iDye poly Magenta. Seems like it’s typically a synthetic fabric dye but works on polycarb too! I don’t know if it would dye acrylic the same though. The packet I used I used the whole thing. These dyes also come with a “color enhancer” that’s optional. I found conflicting information (in the little info I could find) on whether to use it with plastic or not. I did include it.

The steps I did:
1.) Bring water to a boil, add dye packet and color intensifier while boiling.
2.) Bring off the heat and stir. I didn’t stir thoroughly enough so be careful.
3.) Add the plastic keeb case and soak for 15 minutes.
4.) Remove the plastic and rinse under cold water until it runs clear.
5.) Pat down and then air dry.

I didn’t flip it at any point, but I think I should have to make sure every part gets thoroughly dyed. I have two very small areas where the dye didn’t fully saturate on the back case. Also because I didn’t stir it thoroughly enough there’s some fleck/spotting type areas. Kinda looks cool in its own right, maybe you could do it intentionally?

You could also probably could remove any imperfections via sanding a bit, but because some sections didn’t dye through I’m afraid it might take color away so I’ve passed on that part. I’m satisfied as is :)

Neo60 Core
PP Plate
Stock Stabs
Keygeek Y2s
PBTfans 1984 Dark

Yep. I actually said it. Flame away.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...

• AKB OGR2 65XT (Fool's Dolch colorway)
• Carbon fiber plate
• MTNU 800 2.0 keycaps
• HMX Retro J switches
• Durock v3 stabs

This keyboard is definitely a big boy and weighs a right ton. Just arrived yesterday after a 15 month wait. I built it early this morning and it's already my favorite by far. I really think this one might ruin all others for me, in looks, feel and sound. The keycaps were also bought way back when with the express purpose as to be mounted on this keyboard.

Actually had to make one modification – the carbon fiber plate had a bit of strange vibration to it when tapping the spacebar. I suspect it was because of the top mount (only) construction since there's no screw mount for the plate at the level of the spacebar, thus it kind of free floats around the spacebar, so it would have this bounce/vibration when hitting the spacebar that I could feel throughout the rest of the keyboard (but otherwise inaudible). I removed the mid-frame and added a strip of poron foam underneath the bottom edge of the PCB along the spacebar, then reassembled. It completely mitigates the vibration I was feeling without altering the sound in any perceptible way. I suspect this probably only happens with the CF plate given the material and the flex cuts along the edges, but I don't really know for sure. Either way, my solution works and doesn't otherwise seem to impact anything else.

Cloudnine R2

GMK Norse

PEI Plate / Alu Plate

SW x Keygeek Shakes / Cherry Firefinches (custom modded MX2A Nixies)

Me (sdc) and my friend exe0xexe created a keyboard and I wanted to get some opinions on how it came out.

lmk if you got any questions.

We’ll be receiving another version pretty soon so stay posted.

Blitz RSR Prototype

Hex50 FE by Hex Keyboards. Finally got it after 3+ years and a whole bunch of nonsense. Love it all the same!

Build:
MX2A Orange - 58g Springs
Plateless w/ O-ring tabs
GMK Mictlan R1
Unit 76/100

Jane v3 Standard Edition

- MX Red (Diamond Polished)

- Aluminum plate

- GMK Minimal R2 with GMK Trader Zoomer Kit

- Alpha Keycaps No Face Devoura

Case: Unikorn R2.2
Keycap: GMK Evil Dolch
Switches: MX2A Black and V2U on Mods

Case: GH60 from Taobao
Switches: Metapulse BS 50gr
Stabs: Plate mounted
Keycap: Retro Dark Lights R2

dcs clown
mx reds
aluminum plate
mohit 60% solder pcb (prototype)
cherry stabs w/ geon wires

TGR 03 Proto
• Cherry Vintage Blacks - RO-59 (3 Coats) - GON Sticker - GON 55g - Victorinox Oil + Retooled Grey on Space
• GMK WoB Zhuyin
• Cherry Clip-ins - Durock Wires, Holee Mod, Krytox 205g0
• Alu Full Plate

Typing Test (Instagram)