I’ve been interested in trying a custom mechanical keyboard, but I already have a 60% (maybe 65%?) keyboard that I don’t have any issues with, so I thought making a numpad or macro pad would be a good (and maybe cheaper) alternative. I’ve been having a hard time finding any that don’t require a soldering iron and are less than $70ish.

Any good budget suggestions? I am up for assembling or disassembling things (or even programming), I just don’t have a soldering iron.

    • KiranWellsOP
      1•11 months ago

      Thanks for the offer, but if I have to solder, I would rather do it myself. Might be able to find someone at my college that I can borrow an iron from.

      • @iammayhem@programming.dev
        2•11 months ago

        Check your local libraries - several near me have makerspaces with 3d printers, laser cutters, soldering stations, etc. Everything is free with a card, you just may have to bring your own consumables (filament, solder, etc).

  • @nottheengineer@feddit.de
    2•11 months ago

    There are some smaller ones on aliexpress for reasonable prices, but still much more expensive per key than keyboards.

    you can also get a pinecil soldering iron and some beveled tips (important for SMD soldering), some solder wire and some flux for about 50$ combined.

  • Pepe Godzilla
    2•11 months ago

    I just started soldering. It’s not too difficult and super useful. Also adds a lot of options that are usually cheaper than hotswap.

    A pinecil is 25$. add another 25 for solder, flux, a pump and copper desoldering braid and you’re set up.

    I found hotswap is increasingly difficult to get once you’re looking for non-massmarket stuff outside of 60 or 65 keebs with ANSI Layout.

    It’s just faster to solder than to search for non-standard hotswap.

    And with millmax, you can make any solderboard hotswap if you fancy.