[msch0ft]

Hello, I've been wanting to build my own keyboard. I have all the tools needed (Soldering station, solder, flux, solder paste, soldering mat, etc.) to build one, using a kit. I bought some little PCBs to practice through-hole soldering, and SMD soldering, but I want to learn about the inner workings of these circuits.
I don't have any experience with these.
Does anyone know of any resources that could help me start understanding how this works? All I was able to find online were half-made tutorials, or more advaced ones that assume I know some basic electronics, which I don't (to give you an idea, I can solder some stuff to a PCB, but have no idea what the components do, and even how to power the PCB on). Any recommendations are appreciated.

[droid151]

If you don't know the basics of electronics I highly suggest that you put off the solder for a while and experiment on a breadboards to not waste materials until you have tested it and you are sure it's working.
Also you've said that you bought a DIY keyboard kit, what did you got in it? Maybe we can help you if we know what are we working with.

EDIT: if I misunderstood you and you don't have DIY keyboard kit, but want to build one from scratch I could write you a tutorial for it
EDIT2: actually I have found out that @phyrrus9 has already done a great tutorials on electronics (among other things) you can check them here https://sl.ipseitysoftware.com/

[phyrrus9]

If you don't know the basics of electronics I highly suggest that you put off the solder for a while and experiment on a breadboards to not waste materials until you have tested it and you are sure it's working.
Also you've said that you bought a DIY keyboard kit, what did you got in it? Maybe we can help you if we know what are we working with.

EDIT: if I misunderstood you and you don't have DIY keyboard kit, but want to build one from scratch I could write you a tutorial for it
EDIT2: actually I have found out that @phyrrus9 has already done a great tutorials on electronics (among other things) you can check them here https://sl.ipseitysoftware.com/

First off, thank you for promoting my tutorials. Secondly, SMD soldering isn't hard, just requires some technique and confidence. Here's what I do:

1. use the proper amount of flux (drench it)
2. put the chip where you want it, and solder all of the pins together
3. use some copper braid across the pins and apply heat until you see flux smoke
4. if required, add more flux and solder

[Skullmeat]

Practice. Practice soldering, get your technique down. Have a good soldering iron. Use leaded solder (contrary to popular belief, its safe, so long as you use proper vebtillation and dont eat the stuff) Its melting temp is lower and therefore less chance of cold solder joints. Also less heat so less chance you damage a component soldering it. And as @phyrrus9 said, lots of flux.

[droid151]

@phyrrus9 @Skullmeat also I believe that @msch0ft has trouble with the electronics part and wants to understand how it works (keyboard) but lacks the foundations to follow tutorials online. Do you have any advice for that?
I could try and write a guide but I think that either of you have better grasp on it then I.

[Skullmeat]

Surprised nobody's mentioned KissAnime.

I stopped using them for some time. They're riddled in ads now.

Spoiler:

I feel like I've contracted a disease just looking at their site.

Shout out to uBlock/Adblocker.

@phyrrus9 @Skullmeat also I believe that @msch0ft has trouble with the electronics part and wants to understand how it works but lacks the foundations to follow tutorials online. Do you have any advice for that?
I could try and write a guide but I think that either of you have better grasp on it then I.

Not exactly. I can read a schematic, but designing a project isn't something I can do... yet. What I have learned Ive learned from watching this guy: https://youtube.com/c/Bigclive

[droid151]

I stopped using them for some time. They're riddled in ads now.

Spoiler:

I feel like I've contracted a disease just looking at their site.

Shout out to uBlock/Adblocker.

@phyrrus9  @Skullmeat  also I believe that @msch0ft  has trouble with the electronics part and wants to understand how it works but lacks the foundations to follow tutorials online. Do you have any advice for that?
I could try and write a guide but I think that either of you have better grasp on it then I.

Not exactly. I can read a schematic, but designing a project isn't something I can do... yet. What I have learned Ive learned from watching this guy: https://youtube.com/c/Bigclive

I have checked him. Dude is awesome, like his style.

[d4ggm4sk]

I think you should give it a try building computers is just like starting with linux or anything really. it may seem impossible. but if you put your time into it, and you really want to work on it, given the senseless amount of freetime we have today that normal people spend watching TV or netflix all day, like, if you put even a fraction of that time, every day, into building your own keyboard, almost like the joker, you can if you dare to rise up to the challenge.

[msch0ft]

Thanks everyone for the responses.

First of all, I want to apologize for taking my sweet time not replying. During that time, I made my decision.

I realized I knew nothing about electronics, but then found out about the book "The art of electronics" and found it was perfect for me, since I wanted to understand what is going on from scratch, but not get into too much detail. When I began reading, I noticed I needed to brush up on my Physics and Math, so I plan on getting rid of those holes first.

As for the keyboard, I got some soldering equipment and cheap PCBs for SMD practice. I eventually found a tuturorial on how to solder the Keyboard, so I might not have too much trouble with it once I practice working with SMDs.

So thanks @droid151 for taking the time to reply. I have tooked at @phyrrus9's tutorials, and they look legit, I might take a look at them after I finish the book.

Practice. Practice soldering, get your technique down. Have a good soldering iron. Use leaded solder (contrary to popular belief, its safe, so long as you use proper vebtillation and dont eat the stuff) Its melting temp is lower and therefore less chance of cold solder joints.  Also less heat so less chance you damage a component soldering it. And as @phyrrus9 said, lots of flux.

I did get myself leaded solder, I just make sure I have some good ventilation and keep the fumes out of my face when working, washing my hands after. I also learned the value of flux, after trying to desolder some trhough hole components using a copper thread with no flux on it (it was painful).

I think you should give it a try building computers is just like starting with linux or anything really. it may seem impossible. but if you put your time into it, and you really want to work on it, given the senseless amount of freetime we have today that normal people spend watching TV or netflix all day, like, if you put even a fraction of that time, every day, into building your own keyboard, almost like the joker, you can if you dare to rise up to the challenge.

Time is indeed valuable and plentiful. I learned that it is easier to spend it on something productive if you like what you are doing, so I usually don't have trouble with this, but when I do, I just remind myself that not everything is supposed to be fun, just meaningful.

Once I finish the split keyboard, I plan on tweaking the design and making my own single piece keyboard tailored to my needs. I might post it here if enough people are interested, but it's gonna be a long time until then.