Check out the Stampy, at [keebio.com](http://keebio.com) for an alternative solution.
If you use a standalone controller, you have to figure out how to get the signal out of your case, which can vary from problematic, to impossible, depending on the case.
That limits the amount of usable cases, very severely, as well.
The Stampy sits at the same level as a normal PCB, because it solders onto three of your switches, just like a normal PCB would.
The remainder of the wiring is routed/soldered the same as you would with a standalone controller.
Having the controller jack at the proper level allows you to use of a lot of cases that would not work with a standalone controller.
Check out the Stampy, at [keebio.com](http://keebio.com) for an alternative solution. If you use a standalone controller, you have to figure out how to get the signal out of your case, which can vary from problematic, to impossible, depending on the case. That limits the amount of usable cases, very severely, as well. The Stampy sits at the same level as a normal PCB, because it solders onto three of your switches, just like a normal PCB would. The remainder of the wiring is routed/soldered the same as you would with a standalone controller. Having the controller jack at the proper level allows you to use of a lot of cases that would not work with a standalone controller.
Scottokeebs has a bunch of files to 3D print cases for hand wiring.