Searching for a Budget Numpad Kit
Searching for a Budget Numpad Kit
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 $70ish.
Any good budget suggestions? I am up for assembling or disassembling things (or even programming), I just don't have a soldering iron.
https://mechwild.com/product/murphpad/
Or
https://mechwild.com/product/bbpad/
Cover shipping and I will solder it for you.
8Thanks for the offer, but if I have to solder, I would rather do it myself. Might be able to find someone at my college that I can borrow an iron from.
1Check your local libraries - several near me have makerspaces with 3d printers, laser cutters, soldering stations, etc. Everything is free with a card, you just may have to bring your own consumables (filament, solder, etc).
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There are some smaller ones on aliexpress for reasonable prices, but still much more expensive per key than keyboards.
you can also get a pinecil soldering iron and some beveled tips (important for SMD soldering), some solder wire and some flux for about 50$ combined.
2I 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.
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