Keyboard build - Part zero - Parts and tools list

Posted by Peter Ibbotson on December 02, 2020 · 2 mins read
Categories: Hardware , Keyboards
Tags: Ymdk , Keyboards , Keyboard-build

Keyboard build - Part zero - Parts and tools list

This post lists the parts and tools I used (including optional things) and the suppliers. The solder sucker and wick as they’re useful if you make a mistake (I ended up using them when fitting the LEDs). If you go for a hot swap board then you probably get away with just the screwdrivers and won’t need the soldering bits and pieces.

Websites and software

Parts used

From YMDK

  • Kit 1 - Aluminum CNC Top Acrylic CNC Bottom YMDK Melody 96 with classic PCB in cyan
  • YMDK PCB Mounted Screw-in Clear Gold Wire Satellite Axis 6.25u 2u (104 stab set)
  • 110 x 1.8mm Butterfly Led White
  • High Quality Type A to C Cable Lindy
  • Kailh Cream Speed Gold
  • 121 MA Dye Sub 9009 Retro PBT Full Key set For MX

From KBRepublic

  • 2 x cnc aluminum plate block, low profile block with nylon screw 14x14mm silver grey (didn’t use)
  • 2 x cnc aluminum plate block, high profile block with nylon screw 14x14mm silver grey

From my spares box

  • Solid wire
  • Solder (Lead free)
  • Solder wick (Unknown brand)
  • Solder paste and a toothpick if you need to resolder SMT parts (Although normal solder is fine)
  • Thin Plasticard sheet to act as a washer for the plate blocks

Suggested tools

All of these tools I already had.

  • Tweezers
  • Phillips #1 screwdriver (Clarke Pro 45 piece precision tool ratchet screwdriver set)
  • Phillips #0 screwdriver (Clarke Pro 45 piece precision tool ratchet screwdriver set)
  • 4.0mm Hex nut driver (Clarke Pro 45 piece precision tool ratchet screwdriver set)
  • Soldering Iron, Antex TC660 - temperature controlled iron with a 3mm bit, a smaller bit might be useful if you need to resolder SMT parts.
  • Solder sucker (Unknown brand)
  • Key puller from old keyboard
  • Wire cutter
  • Snipe nose pliers
  • Multi Meter (didn’t use, but it could be essential)