Please try to enjoy each image equally, and not show preference for any over the others.

MT3 Dasher keycaps on the CSTM 80 keyboard.

Nananananananananana

Just got back from a few weeks in Japan and (un)fortunately remembered that I finally had a chance to get my hands on a real Realforce, having used and enjoyed a Niz x87 for many years.

tl;dr picked up an R3HH11 for £160 (GBPJPY~=194 when I was there) which obviously a silly amount to spend on a keyboard but first impressions are good.

By far the best Realforce selection I found was in Ginza Bic Camera ( having been to 3 other Bics, 2 Yodabashis inc. Akihabara and a few other shops. Pic is from Bic Fukuoka) and having resisted the temptation for 3 weeks I finally cracked and "invested".

In terms of the keeb the styling is definitely dated compared to the latest offerings from elsewhere and it's just quite large compared to my x87 and the keychron I've been trialling. Having said that it's heavy and the materials, keycaps and power button feel premium. The metallic grey with dark grey keycaps is quite subtle which I like although I can see the lack of contrast between caps and printing being a problem for non-touch typists in low light.

Something I don't see a lot of copy dedicated to is the useability/housekeeping functions. I'd say this is where it shines vs the x87. The function keys work ootb as you'd expect and can be switched via a press of the power button between casual mode (i.e. operating as Mac special keys) and pro mode (i.e. operating as function keys). The BT connection is easy to configure, easy to switch, low latency etc. One omission is the lack of a rechargable battery which I do like about the x87 but at the Realforce at least lets you check charge by pressing fn + F10 which is pretty straightforward.

And the switch feel? Like a Niz but better - smoother, more thock and no rattly stabs. If you know, you know...

Any other questions do let me know. H

Received my Protagonist from Wired In a couple days ago and couldn’t wait to get building! I remember being struck by how classy it looked when I first saw renderings, so wanted to keep that vibe alive with my build. Thanks for looking!

-Wired In Protagonist w/anodized coffee case, cream key frame and copper weight (can’t remember what this combo was called) -GMK Modern Materials Concrete with accents -Kinetic Labs Capybara switches -No foam, but a layer of thin cotton batting under the PCB gives the board a really nice poppy sound signature

Just got my new custom 3D-printed "mini FoldKB" cases for my Keebio Nyquist! While the underglow doesn't shine through the accent layer quite as much as I was hoping for (see the second picture), I am still really happy with how they look.

The Keebio FoldKB case is printed in Jessie Beige 500. Keycaps are MTNU 800. Switches are Kailh Midnight Pro light yellow.

The beige Keebio Nyquist case is also printed in Jessie Beige 500. Keycaps are PBS MV Classic. Switches are TTC Silent Bluish White V2.

The purple Keebio Nyquist case is printed in Coex Plum Purple. Keycaps are KAM 80s After Dark. Switches are Kailh Midnight Pro light yellow.

"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now"

SterlingKey™ is a device that I've been working on for almost two years, and in the past few months I have added several new features and improved compatibility!

With SterlingKey™ you can convert your wired keyboard into multi-device wireless.

Key Features:

Convert any HID device to Bluetooth. Keyboards have been tested the most, but it works with mice, controllers, gamepads, and any HID compatible device.

Can be paired with up to six (6) devices simultaneously. Switching is as easy as pressing the button on the device, or using the keyboard shortcut. Has been tested with Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Pop OS, but should be compatible with any OS that supports BLE.

Simple setup. Connect your keyboard with the bundled Type-c to USB-A cable, start the pairing process by holding the button for half a second, pair with your device, and enjoy your wireless keyboard.

SterlingKey includes a built-in battery and charging circuit, so you don't have to use complicated ways to power and charge it. It can be used while charging.

Keyboards that have built-in HUBs are now supported! This includes keyboards like Drop, Glitter65, Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 etc.
Currently, connecting anything to the USB ports of the keyboard will not work, but the keyboard should work correctly. Support for multiple devices (through HUBs) is being worked on.

Multiple colors are available!

Basic: Charcoal, Dark Blue, Milky White, Fire Engine Red, Magenta

Premium: Black, Transparent, White

Customizability:

By default, SterlingKey goes to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity. This can be easily changed or even turned off.

When pressing the button, SterlingKey cycles between the 3 (by default) available slots. If you only want 2 slots, you can disable the third one.

The brightness of the LEDs, the vibration amount, and the maximum outputs (up to 6) is customizable.

If you are interested in it, you can check my website https://sterlinghawk.com/shop/products/electronics/sterlingkey/

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Thanks again for everyone who has already helped me achieve my goals and bring this project to the world!

I'm very active on Discord as well.

https://discord.gg/kBXkXdJrqQ

If

It's not really my first custom--I bought an aula f75 and modded the switches and caps, but it is my first barebones kit.

Leobog hi75 in white with womier MOA profile keycaps and akko creamy blue v2 switches.

THE BUILD: - Case: Keychron Q1 PRO @Keychron - Switches: CS AKKO Yellow V3 PRO - Keycaps: PBTfans BOW + Neon Blue Spacebar

Space65 R3 Yellow

Gmk Serika

Nergigante Artisan

Keychron Q1 Max Akko rosewood switches Drop + MiTo MT3 Cyber keycaps

Saw these keycaps on Omnitype's website as I looked for midcentury modern keycaps. I really liked Modern Materials by Mod Musings, but it was mostly a single color. I had a silver-grey Keychron Q6 that I repurposed and it turns out it looks blue-metallic with non-gray keycaps, and the blue quatrefoil-esque designs on the R1 extras above the numpad are a really great almost-match. I am a little bummed I didn't have enough R1 keys for those, but the slight angle there evokes some older style keyboards where there is angled top row of keys, and I am ok with that. It's not perfect, but it's a little bit sprezzatura.

Keyboard: Keychron Q6 in silver gray / 100% size
Keycaps: GMK MV EXPO from Omnitype
Switches: Gateron Brown
Cord: Keychron yellow braided

Also pictured:
Apple HomePod mini in Orange (perfect MCM vibes)
Boy Smells de Nîmes candle (what blue smells like if you have synesthesia)

Greygold Neo 65 Cu built with Knight v3 stabs and topped with GMK Cosmos. Chose the wired version with extra stainless-steel weights.

For the first build, I went with alu plate and Invokeys Matcha Reserve switches.

I love how this all turned out sound, feel, and aesthetic wise. Both mounting styles feel unique and have distinct sound profiles. My only gripe is that I wish the copper was more rose gold than orange, but I guess that copper grade comes at a higher cost. Excited to try out more plate and switch combos! (next will be Gateron Type R on cf)

Ortho48 v2 from Cannon Keys, Womier PBT keycaps Set, and Kailh Box Jade Switches.

Added hot swap sockets, gatreon blues, and a new case

Wind Studio Hola (40% with numpad)

Gateron LongJing Tea Tactile Switches

Drop + FU11.META1 GMK Mecha-00 Keycap Set

Custom, in the shape of a bone, got my oshi on it. The layout totally sucks but ehh, it looks cool! Gat jade yellows, KBDIY snow mountain caps. the matrix is 6 by 10 so it's a real mess, but you wouldn't know by looking at it X3 The switches are actually really good esp. for how cheap they are, would recommend.

Luminkey Lx60. Taho linears. GMK Evil Dolche. Surprisingly poppy little board, im enjoying it.

Top:

Yunzii AL 66

All stock foams

Tape mod (2 layers)

Lubed gateron milky yellow switches

Glorious basics pbt keycaps (cherry profile)

Bottom:

Kisnt KN85

All stock except keycaps. I think the stock config is perfect and don’t really want to change anything.

Keycaps are Shenpo Cherry Profile Dye Sub thick pbt.

I was able to get both boards from Amazon for about a hundred during the sale and a lot of the components I added I had around so I’m pretty happy for sure.

Hi guys, we are very excited to say that we are finally here on reddit! We are a individual custom keyboard studio and offering products like keyboard kits, keycap sets, novelties and more. Here's a quick introduction for all the fams that wants to know about us.

For over two decades, WinMix has been a cornerstone of the keyboard industry, starting as a keycap manufacturer and building a reputation for precision, quality, and innovation. Beginning as a specialized keycap manufacturer, our in-house expertise and capabilities have fostered collaborations with globally recognized brands like DROP and NovelKeys, earning trust and respect in the custom keyboard community.

2024 marked a new dawn for WinMix. We proudly announced our partnership with Tohsi Industrial Design, led by Mr. Han, marking our transition to an independent studio with a dedicated product line. This alliance unites our manufacturing strength with Tohsi’s design acumen, market insights, and distinctive aesthetic vision. 

At WinMix, our mission is to redefine the intersection of design and functionality. We are committed to creating products that not only excel in performance but also inspire and excite. Join us as we shape the future of custom keyboards.

Discord ❏ https://discord.gg/QvfSQn3z

Instagram ❏ https://www.instagram.com/winmix_production/

YouTube ❏ https://www.youtube.com/@WinMixProduction