Hmmm;
Typically my current approach is having confidence in myself to execute modification efficiently and effectively using the knowledge I have on hand.
For example if I was trying a mod for the first time ever, my main goal first is to understand the background behind it as well as how it works and how to implement it so when I get around to trying it out, it hopefully won’t be my fault if it is good or bad, but more of if the idea works or not.
Of course I wasn’t always like this. I didn’t know how to solder at all before getting into keyboards and learned how to solder, desolder, jump pads, SMD solder, and more from working on keyboards and doing my own research on these subject matters.
I think it wasn’t until maybe my 4th or 5th keyboard I felt completely and fully comfortable with higher end customs and doing more intensive modification processes.
Something I wish I had done differently when developing building techniques and mastery?
Watch the first and sixth video of this playlist. It’s an oldie but a classic.
A lot of Pace’s older videos are actually a good watch if you are interested in tinkering about with small electronics, but not too many of them have skills directly helping with keyboard building and modding.
My advice is go slow and steady to build confidence first, and then just keep practicing. When I got into the hobby, I would purposely rebuild the same board 3-4 times to try out different switches, different switch modifations, etc. Sometimes you just have to experiment as well.
Huey Example 1:
The first keyboard I soldered on my own was a tray mount 60% with gateron blues (this was when gateron was brand new to the scene and the cherry mx patent had just expired). That board lasted 18 hours before I decided I wanted to desolder it and try out these fancy gold plated springs I purchased from a guy I could have swore was named Spirit (I was dumb and thought Sprit was Spirit ). From there I ended up burning one of the .pads since it was my first time desoldering and had to use that to teach myself how to bridge pads.
Huey Example 2:
My old MX mini that @Nebulant now owns. It has been soldered and desoldered over a dozen times (conservative estimate) for the sake of different switches, different lubes, different stems, and a whole plethora of things.
Just get out there with a smile on your face and practice. We’re always available to help you troubleshoot as well here on Keebtalk