Skyloong Keyboard DIY Guide

by Kelvin on May 02, 2022

 

Keyboard Cases Material Details

Skyloong provides various materials of keyboard cases to choose. I will display more detail about the feature of keyboard cases below.

ABS Plastic

 ABS is a conventional plastic material, which is used in most products, such as keycaps, mice, computer cases, etc. ABS material has lower hardness, softer and gentler texture than PBT material. Due to its mature production process, it can have rich colors and low prices, but its material is easy to be polished, smooth and shiny after a long time of use.

 

Skyloong ABS Black Keyboard Case

ABS Black EdgeABS Blanck

Skyloong ABS White Keyboard Case

ABS White BackABS White

Skyloong ABS Transparency Keyboard Case

ABS Transparency EdgeABS Transparency

Skyloong Rosewood Keyboard Case

Skyloong wooden keyboard case is made of rosewood. It has the characteristics of anti-corrosion, friction resistance, firm overall structure, smooth and delicate hand feeling. Compared with other keyboard materials, the wooden case has its own unique fragrance of rosewood. If your office decoration or desktop is more natural style, then the wooden texture keyboard can match your style very well.

Rosewood Case EdgeRosewood Case Detail

While the solid wood keyboard is popular among users, it also needs to pay attention to some problems unique to solid wood.

Note:
1. Solid wood should not be immersed in water, otherwise, it will cause deformation and cracking;
2. Solid wood should avoid direct sunlight or exposure;
3. When solid wood products are not in use, they can be placed in a cool and ventilated place to keep dry;

DRUM60 Alumimun Keyboard Case

 Aluminum DRUM60 case is made of aluminum die-casting process, which releases high pressure on the molten metal material through the inner wall of the abrasive tool to make it shape. the processing cost is lower, compared with CNC machining methods. In terms of weight, compared to plastic and wooden, the keyboard made of Aluminum will be heavier than the other two, and it will last longer, be more durable, and be less prone to corrosion.

Skyloong DRUM60 Aluminum Black Keyboard Case

DRUM60 Aluminum Black DetaiDRUM60 Aluminum Black Edge

Skyloong DRUM60 Aluminum Black Keyboard Case

DRUM60 Aluminum White Case EdgeDRUM60 Aluminum White Case Shape

CNC Aluminum Keyboard Case

Compared with the Aluminum DRUM60, the Aluminum CNC keyboard case uses a solid aluminum alloy shell made by CNC machine tools, so in terms of weight, the Aluminum CNC case is heavier than the Aluminum DRUM60, and the percussion sound is crisp. When aluminum is anodized, it reacts with gas to form a rust-proof layer. 

Skyloong CNC Aluminum Grey Keyboard Case

CNC Aluminum Grey EdgeCNC Aluminum Grey Shape

Skyloong CNC Aluminum Purple Keyboard Case

CNC Aluminum Purple EdgeCNC Aluminum Purple Shape

Skyloong PC Transparent Keyboard Case

 The reason why the PC transparent case is expensive is that its low yield increases the cost of raw materials. PC case is light in weight and has good light transmittance. Due to its transparent characteristics, it cooperates with RGB lighting effects to make your desktop cooler, which is also the reason why many customers choose it. There are also customers who worry about the sound of the hard contact between the plate and the case, but this sound disappears under the cushioning of the skyloong lite gasket.

PC Transparent Keyboard Case

Keycap Features

Keycaps Materials

Skyloong provides three different keycap materials for customer in customized keyboard page.

ABS 

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Stryrene

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Stryrene

The most common keycap material, because of its soft and gentle characteristics, is most suitable for long-term typing work needs, so for those who pay more attention to hand-feeling, ABS is the best material for them. Also because of the material, ABS is easier to be polished than PBT.

Polished ABS Blacke Keyboard

TO GET MORE DETAIL :ABS Double Shot Keycap

PBT

Polybutylene terephthalate

Polybutylene terephthalate

PBT material is harder than ABS, less prone to deformation, and more wear-resistant. However, it is also difficult to process because of the hard texture, which increases the cost in disguised form. The PBT keycaps are tough to the touch, and the surface of the keycaps has a delicate matte feeling. In addition, the keycap of this material has a large molecular gap and high-temperature resistance. High-end DIY players will buy some white PBT keycaps and use industrial dyes to dye the keycaps to make their own unique colored keycaps. However, this kind of operation is more complicated. It is recommended that you practice with a few keycaps first, and then dye the whole set of keycaps after the operation is proficient.

Different Degree Dyed Keycaps

TO GET MORE DETAIL : PBT Dye-Sub Keycap, PBT Double Shot Keycap

 Silicone

It is worth mentioning that GK2 silicone keycap patent is owned by skyloong. 

Since the silicone keycap was published, in the keycap market dominated by PBT and ABS, silicone keycaps have attracted the attention of some keyboard players. 

The silicone keycap adopts a stepped layout, and the height difference between the key positions is relatively clear. It will be slightly uncomfortable to use for the first time, but after getting used to it, you can clearly experience the feel completely different from the keycaps made of PBT and ABS materials. Silicone keycaps The touch is soft and delicate, It can effectively improve our finger fatigue caused by typing for a long time.

Silicone Keyboard

The keycap adopts a split coupling bracket, which is not only convenient to disassemble, but also maintains the uniform force on the keys.

split silicone keycaps

silicone keycaps back

silicone keycaps internal

TO GET MORE DETAIL : GK2 Silicone Keycap

Keycaps Profile

The keycaps profile is another detail of the entire keyboard. Different keycap profiles will bring different feel during use.

Keycap profiles

Skyloong provides three keyboard profiles, such as OEM, GSA, GK2.

OEM: 

Solar System OEM Profile

OEM profile keyboards: Solar System, Coral Sea

GSA:

GSA Keyboard Profile

GSA Profile Keyboards: Macaron, DOLCH

 

GK2:

gk2 silicone keycap

Keyboard Switches

Mechanical key switches are mainly divided into red switches, silver switches, blue switches, and brown switches. The respective key travel distance and operating force are different, and they are also divided into Tactile Switches and linear Switches . The hand-feeling feedback of the four switches are different. The following basic introduction to the four axes takes the Chocolate mechanical switches as a example:

Type End Force Total Travel Pre Travle Suitable for

Red Switches

Linear 45gf+/-5gf 4.0+/-0.4mm 2.0+/-0.6mm Typist/Office

Silver Switches

Linear 45gf+/-5gf 4.0+/-0.4mm 1.2+/-0.4mm Gaming

Blue Switches

Tactile 55gf+/-5gf 4.0+/-0.4mm 2.0+/-0.6mm Typist/Office

Brown Switches

Tactile 55gf+/-5gf 4.0+/-0.4mm 2.0+/-0.6mm Gaming/Office

 

 Keyboard Switches

 

Keyboard Plate

Keyboard plate increases the stability of the switch, and the stability of the metal plate is the best. Different materials can affect the sound of typing.

The Brass plate is the hardest and has the clearest sound.
PC is the softest material in the keyboard plate.

Let's have a glance on the texture of different plate in picture below:

PC

PC Plate

Fiberglass

Fiberglass Plate

Steel

Steel Plate

Brass

Brass Plate

SKYLOONG Keyboard  Driver

Skyloong keyboard driver gives the keyboard more interesting functions, such as RGB customization, macro recording, and key replacement.

RGB Customization

In addition to keyboard DIY, customizing your keyboard's RGB light is also a great way to show off your personality.

The color of the RGB light can be adjusted according to your mood and preferences. You can also use it as a tool for communication and make it more personalized by adding a custom logo or name on the backlit keycaps.

A lot of people are turning to keyboards with customizable RGB lights because they offer an endless amount of possibilities for customization, which makes them perfect for gamers and enthusiasts who want their gaming setup to be unique.

Customization means how many possibilities you can create.

Learn how to change and customize RGB lighting in the video below:

 

Keys Replacement

This is another amazing feature, let's take the SPACE key as an example, even though I have detailed this powerful and convenient feature below each product page.
The biggest difference between the PCB board of the SKYLOONG keyboard and the keyboards of other brands is that there are two extra key holes. What are these two keys used for?

I don't know if you have the same experience as me, that is, whenever I want to press the BACKSPACE key after typing a typo, I always touch the INSERT key next to the BACKSPACE key by mistake. This kind of thing happens a lot, and it's the main reason that affects my typing efficiency. Not only does it interrupt my typing rhythm, it even affects my mood whole day because of a keyboard.

Guess what? When we split the redundant part of SPACE into three keys, ENTER, SPACE, BACKSPACE key on the left, middle and right, I can write my article coherently without even raising my hand. This is undoubtedly a huge improvement in our work efficiency.

Learn how to replace key functions with the video below:

 

Why Choose Us?

We created a separate workshop specifically for this store, dedicated to our custom products, in order to satisfy a segment of customers who are looking for personalization. You can compose your own mechanical keyboard by selecting different components on our custom page, so how many different options can you combine from the current components? Every custom keyboard is assembled from this workshop, quality inspected and packaged for shipment. Keyboard customization will also become our main promotion direction in the future, and we will continue to improve the way of customization in the future, as well as add more different themed keycap designs for customers to choose from, and even customers can provide their own designs.

 

Why you need a Customized Keyboard?

Custom keyboards are specialized keyboards that allow you to decide which parts fit your needs and preferred typing feel. These usually have more premium components such as an aluminum chassis, different switches, custom keycaps and a variety of theme series.

We actually work at the desk for about 8 hours every day. A good keyboard will please you in sound and feel. What's more, you can customize a custom keyboard that sounds and feels your own. I will never allow a single key in a defective keyboard to keep failing and affect my mood and work efficiency throughout the day, which is very important to me.

 

2 comments
by Felipe on August 09, 2023

I need to know how to unlock my Skyloong Sk61, the keys do not respond to me, maybe there is some command.

by Seaghan Hancocks on May 19, 2022

Now retired, I started my life as a typographer, just as the hot metal process was replaced by the computer and photo-typesetting. My first job, since many manuscripts and court transcripts were written on manual typewriters or stenographers, was data entry (OCR had not even been conceived at that time).
Therefore, I spent many hours just typing on a mechanical keyboard and now a writer myself, enjoy the process, however the keyboard is typically the most overlooked element of a computer. You are quite correct in saying “the keyboard will set your mood for the entire day.”
I came upon you quite by accident and have purchased the GK61 keyboard, however I find the manual lacking quite a bit of information and feel that I’m missing out on much that the keyboard can offer.
For example, it looks as if there are three “layers” of customizability to it, but I have no idea how to access it? Also, I don’t seem able to use the standard “Cntl+Home” combination to return to the start of a Word document. It seems as if I need to hit “FN+Cntl(L)Shft(L)K” all at the same time. Hitting and holding in sequence doesn’t work.
Also, many of the “special” characters I used in writing, (I write both French and English), require Alt+(Numeric keypad) numbers to insert a character. Alt+0233 for é, for example. How is this accomplished on your keyboard, or do you have a better way than completely switching Windows Keyboard Layouts (which is time consuming and frustrating).
Finally, I’d like to order another keyboard. Can different switches be used on the same keyboard. For example, I’m tough on the spacebar, and from your description above, probably opt for a blue switch with a PBT Cap, if I interpret your information correctly. But then, what is the difference between a brown and blue switch? The specifications in your table are identical. Typo?
Incidentally, I believe you have a typo in your name, in the title “Skyloong Keybaord Case Materials” should be “Skyloong Keyboard Case Materials” and “Skylonng Rosewood Keyboard Case” should be “Skyloong Rosewood Keyboard Case.” (Typesetter, remember ;-)
You have a GREAT product and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Seaghan (sean)

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