Plates for custom keyboards

A switch plate is a panel with one square cut-out per key. The switches clip into it with their side latches and are thereby held independently of the circuit board — which makes the keystroke firmer and the typing feel more even.

The standard dimension for the cut-out is 14 × 14 mm. That is not an arbitrary figure but the size at which the latches of an MX-compatible switch engage. Precisely for that reason the kerf is not a detail here but the decisive factor.

Thickness determines the typing feel

For the latches of an MX switch to grip above and below, the plate has to be around 1.5 mm thick. Any thicker and the latches no longer engage properly; any thinner and the switch sits loose and can pull out with the keycap.

If you deliberately want more flex, work with thinner material or with additional cut-outs between the rows rather than a closed surface. Acrylic is more brittle than metal — generously cut flex patterns can break under heavy typing.

Layout files

You do not have to design the positions of the cut-outs yourself. It is common practice in the scene to compose the layout in one of the widespread editors and have a generator produce a plate drawing as a vector file from it.

What these generators do not do for you: they do not know our kerf. Some offer a correction value — then enter it. If they do not, correct the cut-outs afterwards in your drawing program before uploading the file.

Case panels

Besides the switch plate, the case parts are often cut at the same time — base, frame layers and top as stacked panels joined by through-bolts. This sandwich construction is ideal for sheet material because it manages without finger joints and can be adjusted freely in height.

For the looks it pays to think about the visible edges: with transparent acrylic you see every layer from the side. If you use that, combine colours deliberately; if you do not want it, use opaque material for the intermediate layers.