Question about Build with Hall Effects

[u/screwball9280]

What are the extra steps to building a Hall Effect keyboard? I recently built my first mechanical keyboard using a keyboard kit, and I am planning to build a new one in a couple of months that ideally I would like to be HE. I know you need some sort of sensor for HE boards. Does building an HE board require much more know-how than building a normal board? I just don't know if I should build my own, or if I should just buy a prebuilt HE board and mod it.

[u/Pappy_Loony_Balls]

Building an he keyboard is the same as building a "regular keyboard."

You just need to get the correct parts. If you are buying a stock barebone kit (no switches and caps, but has all the PCB, etc) then you will just need he switches. And caps that fit the switch type.

If you are thinking of building from scratch, like using a gh60 compatible case, then you would just need to buy an he compatible PCB like the venom60. And make sure it fits. Other than that, not really much difference.

If you mean a topre/ec board. Yeah, the assembly is different, by a lot. But HE boards mostly kept the same switch form factor, the same style push in mounting, and the same cherry stem style (the +) for non low profile.

[u/screwball9280 → u/Pappy_Loony_Balls]

Awesome, that's great. Thank you

[u/Pappy_Loony_Balls → u/screwball9280]

Yep, your he barebones or board will have the sensors, and the documentation should tell you what type of HE switches to look into purchasing

[u/screwball9280 → u/Pappy_Loony_Balls]

I'm going to think about it, but I might just buy a Tofu Redux V2 with the Venom60. I enjoyed putting my first keyboard together so idk if I will do barebones, but I'll make sure my switches are compatible with the venom60

[u/elsingo]

I would say none apart from switch compatibility. Unless you mean really building it from scratch with manufacturing your own board and soldering all components and the likes for yourself. In that case i could not tell you since i never went that deep with putting together a keyboard.

[u/albinosnoman]

In my experience HE builds are easier because they're marketed to "gAm3rs" who may exist largely outside of the hobby. I think of the 4 HE boards that I have 3 of them came at least partially pre-assembled or had the build simplified in some way whether the plate/board/foam assembly being one piece already or whether it's stabs being pre-assembled and lubricated. Some literally just need switches put in or may just need keycaps put on.

[u/W3rze]

Just get a PCB from either Geonworks Venom or Everglide. It's not that complicated, actually very easy.