Custom keyboard is defined as non-massmarket keyboard. Those Cheat/Phantom/KMAC/GH/Duck and bla bla bla are custom made keyboard instead of available in the open market.

Next, we had semi-custom keyboard like modded poker2, where you literally swapped out every possible parts of it, from custom case, custom plate, custom keycaps, custom switch caps and leaving only the PCB stock.

Lastly, we had those individually crafted/DIY from scratch keyboard, that one bring custom keyboard to another level.
http://www.datamancer.net/

Seems like your idea of custom keyboard fall into the last group I mentioned just now. Yup, you can indeed made from scratch your very own keyboard, but do note that it can be extremely costly most of the time. Most of them will fall back into the 1st category and bulked to reduce price and generate some revenue in return.

Some china forumers had idea quite similar to that of yours. But instead of being modular to adjust layout (which I yet seen any so far, most ergonomic boards had fixed size and layout), they come out with a PCB that each switch is mounted onto the PCB instead of being soldered on. That allowing them to hot plug and swap each switches on the go without the need to desolder anything.
Hot swappable switches:
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/forum.php?mod=viewt...&extra=page%3D2

Hot swappable LED mod:
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/forum.php?mod=viewt...&extra=page%3D2

Regarding 3D printed keycaps, it also do exist, but the problem is that the quality and material (ABS) is subpar, not to mention dye sub can't be used onto abs. If you are extremely rich, you can custom order from manufacturer your very own keycaps and printings that non-others had, but again who know if they will replicate similar product in future or not. If you simply just want keycaps with different legends/fonts than others out there, imsto/taobao had solution to that, they can custom print (dye sub) each keys to your liking.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10....&id=14538254907

This post has been edited by Human10: Nov 17 2013, 02:39 PM

BTW, Krymian. Is your Keycool 87 II still at you? Cause suddenly, I recalled this picture.

The board is a keycool 87 II, and from the picture, the stem position for spacebar certainly look like that of my F-104, which is having a standard and compatible spacebar. If possible, try take a picture of the stem position of your keycool for comparison, thx.

This post has been edited by Human10: Nov 17 2013, 03:00 PM

MKC's new alu TKL, but again, I doubt anyone will pay about RM1k for a chinaboard.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10....id=22023143182&
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10....id=36084446058&

Made in taiwan, quite possible to be mechanical.

Official Poker alu case "jual mahal" yo, claimed the finish comparable to that of macbook.
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/thread-530903-1-1.html

Stated that need ask customer service for details.

Kalerful coiled mini usb for cheap.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1...&id=19142569111

This post has been edited by Human10: Nov 17 2013, 09:17 PM

Yup, I think they offer DIY (led mod) and bla bla other customise service.

I think they sell the mod instead of the case. Need to buy case separately.

iKBC/Vortex Double Shot PBT kan ada?

Dafuq packaging, reminds me on the fake yu-gi-oh card box years ago, LOL.

4mm thick metal back plate?
Wow, that is thick, I not too sure if the cherry switch itself can fit in and secure/lock itself well in it.
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/key/mx.htm

This post has been edited by Human10: Nov 18 2013, 04:54 PM

Poker 2 metal case officially priced at 499RMB... That cost another Poker2 worth of price, LOL...

Topless design again, macam add another bit and go for hammer still more worth it.
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/thread-531052-1-1.html

This post has been edited by Human10: Nov 18 2013, 05:06 PM

The problem now is the back-plate is to be designed to have a certain thickness so that the switch itself can lock in nicely.

But going for 4mm thick, I think the default lock in mechanism on the cherry mx switches will not be functional anymore, more of like lock in using the friction.

The use of acrylic as back plate (and top case), notbad.jpg
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/thread-530994-1-1.html

Nope, bottom of switch.

Spam refresh, true story.

BTW, I think the acrylic plate for poker I posted last time also made by him. Here's his taobao store.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10....id=35850292623&

Maybe we can bulk order specific acrylic backplate from him.

This post has been edited by Human10: Nov 18 2013, 05:29 PM

IINM, Keycool's international price memang haram jadah mia.

Even his LZ mini used acrylic case, which I think he made himself.
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/thread-529420-1-1.html

Just keep lah.

One fullsize, one TKL, one compact mini, kan bagus?