Know what you're building

The Guide

What a plate material actually changes. Why a tactile bump feels the way it does. Written for people buying their first board and people on their fifth.

Switches 101

Sound profiles and acoustic characteristics
Tactile vs linear switch mechanisms
Spring weights and actuation forces

Choosing the right switch shapes the feel and sound of your whole board. Here’s a quick overview of the four main types:

Linear – buttery smooth, fast, quiet.
Tactile – a clear bump without the click.
Clicky – bump and audible click; loud, retro.
Hall Effect (magnetic) – contactless precision, tunable actuation.

Quick picks: Pure speed & low noise → Linear Feedback without noise → Tactile Love audible clicks → Clicky Bleeding-edge control → Hall Effect

Key Specifications

Linear Switches

Feel: Smooth top-to-bottom (no bump)
Actuation: Light–medium (≈ 45–60g)
Sound: Quiet (mainly bottom-out)
Best for: Gamers/streamers, speed typing
Avoid if: You need tactile feedback

Tactile Switches

Feel: Noticeable mid-press bump (no click)
Actuation: Medium (≈ 50–65g)
Sound: Soft “thock,” not loud
Best for: Typists wanting feedback
Avoid if: You want near-silence or ultra-light presses

Clicky Switches

Feel: Tactile bump with audible click
Actuation: Medium–heavy (≈ 50–75g)
Sound: Loud, typewriter-like
Best for: Fans of audible feedback/retro vibe
Avoid if: You share quiet spaces

Hall Effect Switches

Feel: Smooth, contactless (often linear-like)
Actuation: Light–medium (≈ 30–60g), adjustable on many boards
Sound: Ultra-quiet (varies by design)
Best for: Pro gamers, analog control, tech tinkerers
Avoid if: Tight budget or non-compatible standard PCBs

Pros

Linear Fast, consistent travel; low noise; great for repeated keystrokes.
Tactile Clear feedback reduces errors; satisfying “thock” without being loud.
Clicky Strong auditory + tactile confirmation; very deliberate feel.
Hall Effect No electrical contacts (less wear); adjustable actuation; rapid repeat and advanced features.

Cons

Linear Easier to bottom-out; can feel “featureless” to some typists.
Tactile Bump can slow very rapid inputs; some variants still make noise.
Clicky Loud (office/room-share unfriendly); can be fatiguing over long sessions.
Hall Effect Higher cost; requires compatible PCB/firmware; not universal with standard hot-swap boards.

Common Mistakes

Picking clicky for a quiet office or shared space.

Choosing linear for typing when you actually want feedback.

Ignoring actuation force (too light/heavy → fatigue or errors).

Expecting Hall Effect to work on any standard PCB (check compatibility first).

Judging sound without keycaps/foam/case in mind— acoustics are a full-build result .

Key Takeaways

Your switch choice defines feel, feedback, and noise —match it to your environment and use case.

Linear = speed/quiet , Tactile = feedback , Clicky = loud/classic , Hall Effect = tunable/advanced .

Check actuation force and compatibility (especially for Hall Effect).

Test before you buy if possible, and remember: the perfect board is the one built your way .

Buy switches

Cases 101

Material choices and acoustic properties
Mounting styles and typing feel
Dampening techniques and modifications

Your keyboard case shapes the sound, feel, weight, durability, RGB look, and overall vibe of your build. Below is a quick, plain-English comparison of popular case materials and when to pick each.

Quick picks: Deep, muted sound → Acrylic or Wood Crisp, loud keystrokes → Aluminum or Brass Unique aesthetics → Wood , Acrylic , Carbon Fiber Budget-friendly → Plastic (ABS/PC/PBT) Maximum rigidity & durability → Stainless Steel or Carbon Fiber Best all-rounder → Aluminum

Key Specifications

Plastic (ABS / Polycarbonate / PBT)

Sound: Hollow/“plasticky”; PC leans softer “thock.”
Feel/Flex: More flex; comfy and forgiving.
Weight: Light. Cost: Low. RGB: Excellent diffusion (esp. PC).
Use: Beginner builds, RGB-heavy setups.

Aluminum

Sound: Crisp, bright “clack.”
Feel/Flex: Rigid, premium.
Weight: Medium–heavy. Cost: Mid–high. RGB: Subtle.
Use: Most common enthusiast choice; versatile.

Brass

Sound: Deep, resonant; very “solid.”
Feel/Flex: Ultra-rigid.
Weight: Heavy. Cost: High. RGB: Minimal diffusion.
Use: Luxury builds, weights/inlays.

Stainless Steel

Sound: Loud, bright; can be pingy without dampening.
Feel/Flex: Extremely stiff, durable.
Weight: Very heavy. Cost: High. RGB: Minimal.
Use: Niche, showcase durability/rigidity.

Acrylic

Sound: Soft, muted; pleasant thock.
Feel/Flex: Slight flex = gentle bounce.
Weight: Light–medium. Cost: Low–mid. RGB: Great diffusion.
Use: Layered cases, DIY kits, RGB shows.

Wood

Sound: Warm, rounded.
Feel/Flex: Firm but not harsh.
Weight: Medium. Cost: Varies by craft/wood. RGB: Depends on design.
Use: Unique/artisanal builds.

Carbon Fiber

Sound: Bright, snappy.
Feel/Flex: Zero flex; performance-oriented.
Weight: Very light. Cost: High. RGB: Limited diffusion.
Use: Travel boards, high-performance rigs.

Pros

Plastic Affordable, forgiving, great RGB.
Aluminum Balanced, premium feel, widely available.
Brass Lux look/weight; deep, resonant acoustics.
Stainless Maximum stiffness and durability.
Acrylic Muted acoustics, RGB-friendly, approachable price.
Wood Unique aesthetics, warm tone, one-of-a-kind grain.
Carbon Fiber Ultra-light, rigid, “fast” feel.

Cons

Plastic Can sound hollow without foam/dampening.
Aluminum Can be sharp/bright if undampened.
Brass Expensive, very heavy; fatiguing to move.
Stainless Loud/bright; needs careful dampening; heavy.
Acrylic Scratches easier; less impact-resistant than metals.
Wood Quality varies by craft; sensitive to humidity.
Carbon Fiber Costly; brighter sound; limited RGB diffusion.

Common Mistakes

Choosing stainless/brass for portability—weight adds up fast.
Expecting acrylic to be as durable as metal; it isn’t.
Picking plastic and skipping foam/dampening, then blaming the case for hollowness.
Assuming wood needs no care—humidity and finish matter.
Ignoring that case material isn’t the only acoustic factor (plate, mount, foam, keycaps all matter).
Buying for RGB diffusion but selecting metal cases that won’t showcase it.

Key Takeaways

Case material sets your build’s acoustic character, rigidity, weight, and look .

Aluminum is the safest all-round pick; acrylic/wood for warm/muted & RGB; brass/stainless for ultra-rigid statement builds; carbon fiber for light, snappy performance; plastic for budget/RGB and flexibility.

Plan dampening (foam, gaskets, tape mods) to fine-tune any material.

Match material to your priorities sound goal, portability, RGB, budget , and maintenance .

Choose a case in The Forge

Plates 101

Flex vs stiffness characteristics
Material trade-offs and benefits
Fit and compatibility considerations

Your keyboard plate sits between switches and the PCB. It changes feel (flex/stiffness) , sound (clack vs thock) , weight , and price . Pick a material that matches your sound goal, typing comfort, and budget.

Quick picks: Muted, thocky → Polycarbonate (PC) or POM Rich resonance → Brass Balanced all-rounder → Aluminum or FR4 Featherweight & stiff → Carbon Fiber

Key Specifications

Aluminum

Feel: Medium stiffness (balanced)
Sound: Bright, resonant “clack”
Weight: Moderate
Price: ~ €15–€40

Brass

Feel: Very stiff
Sound: Deep, rich, resonant
Weight: Heavy
Price: ~ €30–€60+

Polycarbonate (PC)

Feel: Very soft, bouncy
Sound: Muted, “thocky”
Weight: Light
Price: ~ €10–€25

FR4 (fiberglass/PCB material)

Feel: Moderate flex
Sound: Balanced, controlled
Weight: Light
Price: ~ €10–€20

Carbon Fiber

Feel: Very stiff
Sound: Bright, airy (often needs dampening)
Weight: Ultra-light
Price: ~ €25–€50+

POM

Feel: Slight flex, very smooth presses
Sound: Deep but cleaner than PC
Weight: Light–moderate
Price: ~ €15–€30

Pros

Aluminum Well-rounded; easy recommendation; consistent feel.
Brass Lux look/weight; big, rich acoustic presence.
PC Comfortable bounce; quiet/muted character; budget-friendly.
FR4 Durable, heat-resistant; neutral tuning that works everywhere.
Carbon Fiber Extremely light yet rigid; crisp response.
POM Smooth key feel; deep tone without getting dull.

Cons

Aluminum Can be sharp/bright if the rest of the build is also stiff.
Brass Expensive and heavy; can overpower softer builds.
PC May feel too soft/spongy for fast gaming; scratches easier.
FR4 Less “character” than metals; can sound plain without tuning.
Carbon Fiber Premium pricing; brightness may need extra dampening.
POM Availability/compatibility can be spotty; slightly pricier than PC.

Common Mistakes

Picking brass when you want a light travel board.
Choosing carbon fiber expecting a muted sound (it’s bright/stiff).
Assuming plate alone sets sound— mount style, case, foam, keycaps also matter.
Ignoring layout compatibility (ANSI/ISO, stepped caps, split backspace) with your PCB.
Forgetting switch type affects feel (tactile bumps feel stronger on softer plates).
Not budgeting for dampening (foam/poron/tape) if you choose brighter materials.

Key Takeaways

Plate material is a major lever for feel + acoustics ; match it to your goals.

Always confirm layout & thickness compatibility with your PCB/case, and plan minimal dampening to fine-tune the final sound.

Muted/thocky PC or POM — Balanced: Aluminum or FR4 — Rich/resonant: Brass — Light & stiff: Carbon Fiber.

Choose a plate in The Forge