Reddit mentions of Ergodox Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard DIY PCB Boards (Set of 2)

Anyone can manufacture the PCBs and sell them on Amazon, and not all PCBs support LEDs. That said, this was the first item I found in the search.

I haven't done a board with LEDs so I can't say for sure, but the second set of "square and round" pads below the keyswitch look like they might be where an LED would go. One review mentions LEDs, so I would say signs point to yes. But you post the exact Amazon item you bought so folks can tell you. Ergodox is open source and many folks make the boards, so it's hard to know with the information you've given.

It'll probably be slightly different if you're in the US, as I've sourced the PCBs from a polish company (Falbatech). I got the resistors and small electronic components from a local hardware shop for 36p, but the US has a good source that I didn't want to use because of the export/postage to the UK for the little bits. It'll save you a lot of the little ebay purchases. But one of the main reasons I chose the ErgoDox was because you can actually get your hands on a PCB. In the US you can get them from amazon for cheaper than what I paid.

I got the list of things required from here, it also has a bunch of links to guides. I've watched a few youtube videos of builds too so I'm feeling pretty confident. Not actually started building yet, a bunch of stuff is still being posted from China.

Keeping track of costs and sources using a spreadsheet:

Component|price|pounds|source|

--|:--|:--|:--
PCB|€25.00|£21.77|https://falba.tech/product/ergodox-pcb-electrical-boards-set-of-2/
AU Switch Plate (optional)|€15.00|£13.06|https://falba.tech/product/cnc-switch-plate-for-76-key-ergodox-set-of-2/
Postage|€6.00|£5.22|
Gateron blue switches|$16.00|£15.34|https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/products/gateron-swtich-3pin-or-5pin?variant=35765200205
Keycaps||£13.36|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pbt-Keycaps-DSA-Blank-Keycaps-for-Ergodox-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-DSA-Profile/142657612181?hash=item21370e6995:m:mSd5PwNPG6mx3nS5rZFr1RQ
Teensy 2.0||£7.67|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Teensy-2-0-USB-Keyboards-Mouse-8-Bit-AVR-Board-Cable-Box-For-Arduino-Applied-Top/401500938672?hash=item5d7b5221b0:g:4dMAAOSwXxhZ-Bv5
MCP23018||£3.58|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MCP23018-E-SP-Supervisor-Integrated-Circuit-1-8-5-5VDC-DIP28/112613346113?hash=item1a38474b41:g:bEwAAOSwdnZZ7PLN
100 1N4148 diodes||£1.68|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-100-1000pcs-1N4148-Fast-Speed-Switching-Small-Signal-Diode/231876409019?hash=item35fce936bb:m:md8l0VsUpY287D1JFmsoPDA
TRRS ||£3.33|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-audio-socket-TRRS-x2/183009131674?hash=item2a9c31bc9a:g:4wMAAOSwMfhaVOaq
USB connector||£2.37|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-USB-5-Pin-Type-B-Female-Socket-PCB-Mount-DIP-Connector-Adapter-10-Pcs/132547574592?epid=1538345671&hash=item1edc737b40:g:eNkAAOSwwB1as1m~
Resistors & capacitor||£0.36|Local electrical store Maplin
Cable||£0.99|https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-1M-4-Pole-Jack-Male-To-Male-Earphone-Headphone-Audio-Extension-Cable-FG/273040624430?hash=item3f927d4b2e:g:64kAAOSwh1haIl6u
tinsy headers||£0.99|generic headers from ebay!
|||£89.72|

The case is definitely one of the most pricey parts of a build. I'm planning on making one from some scrap aluminium I've got, and maybe buying some copper or wood for the sides. I'll post when I get around to it.

Edit: Just spotted an error, the USB plug is only 2.37, so the price has gone down nearly a quid!

Alrighty guys, you have helped me in many forms so far and I am eternally grateful for the unending pool of knowledge. I have gotten a taste of the crack cocaine that is the mechanical keyboard life and I am ready to fully ascend and dive into the custom and ergo world all in one.

I have decided to build an ergodox board and have a few questions regarding exactly what I need to buy and also a good place to look for said items, I'm sure there are obvious go to websites to go to, this is just completely new to me so forgive my, probably cringy, noob questions.

first, this will be my first project needing to solder and I'm just a tad nervous about the soldering of diodes, resistors, and usb/3.5mm ports. Am I right for being nervous with these or are they similar to how easy I hear switches are to solder?

This is the pcb set I am looking at and if it isn't a big deal to solder those other bits than the switches then I can probably get by. I would obviously prefer a set with the diodes and all pre-soldered but cant find any that don't ship out of Europe, which makes me slightly uncomfortable doing so due to having no previous experience with the sites/being way out there. Example

In addition to that, if I were to go the route of soldering diodes and resistors and ports, where would I find the right ones?

lastly, and to be honest, I haven't looked into cases quite yet but I know what I'm looking for. I've seen these wood cases with palm rests built in and either built in cushioning or stuck on, I cant tell. If you have any idea about a case like this a link would be a godsend.

You guys have never let me down with knowledge and I'm hoping this is the same way, I really need it and trust me, ill pass on the knowledge.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

That's what I'm saying. I already have mechanical switches, keycaps and a 3D printer to print cases, I just need PCB's like these but cheaper (if anyone knows of cheaper ones):
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cYzU6gpE
https://www.amazon.com/ErgoDox-Ergonomic-Mechanical-Keyboard-Boards/dp/B01CJ4LJ68/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=ergodox+pcb&qid=1558088877&s=gateway&sr=8-3

So I found some Ergodox PCBs on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CJ4LJ68/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_R09ZAbV6PXTK2) and I'm curious if a) they'll work with Matias switches and b) can I make it hot swappable with holtites or something similar? I've not found definitive answers online yet. Thanks in advance :)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CJ4LJ68

Though, if you want a beast, check out the Dactyl Manuform. Some like the thumb cluster, some hate it.

FYI, you can get the classic Ergodox board on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CJ4LJ68). Pretty much all the parts are easy to source (most everything is on Amazon & WASD sells switches pretty cheap if you buy a lot of them) except for keycaps. PMK has the G20 set with Ergodox base + modifiers for ~$60USD, but you're kinda screwed if you want anything with legends (esp. anything custom). Maybe custom printed base from WASD + blank modifiers would work, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯