Keyboard Builders' Digest / Inspiration
KBDcraft's Adam
Another "LEGO" keyboard kit: Adam by KBDcraft. Use the KBDNEWS coupon code for a 5% discount.
Published November 25, 2022
Another LEGO-compatible keyboard: Adam by KBDcraft – available as full kit (not assembled though which would spoil the game), as barebone kit without switches and keycaps, or you can even purchase the internals only, just like any part of this keyboard.
It seems it's official now: after years of DIY LEGO abominations, LEGO prebuilts and kits became a trend.
First the Melgeek Pixel, and now the Adam kit by KBDcraft.
Thanks to mmqn for bringing this keyboard to my attention.
And the best news? It's very affordable: Full kit with switches and caps for $100, barebone kit for $60. (And don't forget to use the KBDNEWS coupon code for the 5% discount.)
Why LEGO and why 'Adam'?
BoyU from the KBDcraft team got back to me with his motivation to design a LEGO-compatible keyboard with huge bang for your buck:
We're lego lovers who can't afford lego… – BoyU.
The naming system and design inspiration come from Neon Genesis Evangelion:
Adam (アダム[) (Hebrew: בראשית ,אדם i: xxvi) is the designation of the 1st Angel, the first of Earth's two Seeds of Life. It was created by the First Ancestral Race billions of years ago and sent to Earth within the "White Moon" to fill the Earth with its progeny, the Angels (source).
Adam first impressions
And now let's pass the mic to mmqn who posted a build on r/mk:
$100 kit comes with everything needed to build this keyboard (except a brush for lubing the stabilizers; the switches however are pre-lubed). Technically, you can buy each component individually on their website, opting for alternatives wherever you'd like. But everything they provide by default is pretty great, especially the switch + keycap combo making a satisfying sound similar to the building sound effect in the LEGO video games – mmqn.
According to mmqn, the generic knock-off bricks used by KBDcraft for the case are definitely not as precise and high-quality as actual LEGO bricks. It definitely gets the job done and is very reasonable for the price, however he will probably replace them with LEGO bricks at some point.
Resources
- Adam product page
- Adam Instructions
- Check out the r/mk post for a detailed parts list.
Published on Fri 25th Nov 2022. Featured in KBD #104 (source).