What is barebone kit???
Barebone kit is a keyboard without switches and keycaps. Barebone kit is designed to let keyboard customizers to build their own keyboard. We can choose switches and keycaps we want. Normally, we will choose hot-swappable PCB so that we do not need to consider about soldering issues.
Basically, barebone kit always comes with 4 components:
- Plate
- Casing
- PCB
- Stabilizer
Plate
Plate is designed to keep switches aligned and provide a consistent and firm typing feeling depending on which type of plate you use. Plate also protects the internal components from dust and liquids. There are a lot of types of metal and non-metal plates. For example, PC (Polycarbonate) plate, FR4 plate, Brass plate, POM plate and so on. Some plates have flex cut design to provide softer typing feeling.
Casing / Frame
Casing or frame can be known as the body that houses all the keyboard's components and defines its dimensions. There are many casing materials in the market. For example, ABS plastic, aluminium, acrylic and so on.
PCB
PCB is the heart of a keyboard. It is a printed circuit board where switches and other components fit. There are 2 types of PCB which are hot-swappable PCB and soldering PCB. Hot-swappable PCB has special sockets to let the users to pull out or install switches without soldering. However, soldering PCB requires soldering techniques to complete soldering process. Soldering process requires a lot of materials such as soldering gun, soldering iron, desoldering pump and so on. Some PCBs also have flex cut design to provide softer typing feeling.
Stabilizer
Stabilizer is a component placed under the larger keys such as spacebar, backspace and shift. It helps to avoid the keys from shaking, rattling and tilting while typing. The two most common stabilizer mounting styles are screw-in and plate mounted. Plate mounted stabilizers clip themselves into the plate while screw-in stabilizers are screwed on the PCB.