Author Topic: The TEK-80 (Read 21685 times)

Photekq · « **on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:01:31 »

Original thread here
All photos in full resolution here

It's been a long time since this project started. A very long time. Almost 11 months. It's finally finished though. I couldn't be happier with the result. It's not perfect, but for my first case design I think it's brilliant. I've learned a lot from doing this, and it's been a great experience. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me & gave feedback along the way, especially CPTBadAss who made me more confident about my design and gave me valuable feedback throughout. The biggest thank you goes to JBCNC who machined this case. It simply wouldn't have happened if it weren't for him!

I'm not a very good photographer but I tried my best. Sorry there's no buildlog, but by the time the parts came here I just wanted to get it done and couldn't be bothered photographing the process. Without further ado here are the photos!

Keycaps are from a Cherry 3000SAU. Windowed lock keys are from a G80-1191HPU. Brobot V2 in irradicated red.

More

hwood34 · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:04:15 »

She is a beauty

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:06:26 »

You dang done it now, son. Yup... going down as my favorite TKL board on GH.

riotonthebay · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:14:16 »

Incredible in every way. Very well done.

moogle · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:15:24 »

demik · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:17:01 »

You now have the best Phantom board on this site.

AGmurdercore · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:20:11 »

This is so beautiful ;(

Now give me that brobot

yicaoyimu · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:24:27 »

My favorite TKL board now! I've been watching your original thread closely and I hope there will be GB for this case in the future!

Photekq · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:27:12 »

Quote from: yicaoyimu on Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:24:27

I hope there will be GB for this case in the future!

I can say without a doubt there won't be a GB for this case run by me. The files are there, however, if someone else wants to run one.

I am working on a second TKL case. There is a large chance there will be a GB for this one at some point!

danielucf · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:33:49 »

It looks absolutely amazing. I'm curious what does the brass portion weigh, and what does the entire keyboard assembled weigh?

Photekq · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:34:23 »

Quote from: danielucf on Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:33:49

It looks absolutely amazing. I'm curious what does the brass portion weigh, and what does the entire keyboard assembled weigh?

3.4kg for the whole board. I think around 1.5-2kg for the brass alone.

Michael · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:34:33 »

Still waiting on my TEK-80....

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:36:10 »

Wow. This is just spectacular. I've been following this since you started and it's so great to see it finally done to completion. Nice work, man!

danielucf · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:36:54 »

Quote from: Photekq on Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:34:23

Quote from: danielucf on Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:33:49
It looks absolutely amazing. I'm curious what does the brass portion weigh, and what does the entire keyboard assembled weigh?
3.4kg for the whole board. I think around 1.5-2kg for the brass alone.

Nice, I'll have to weigh my LZ-FE to see how it compares. I'm waiting to assemble it because I think I'm going to get it anodized to gunmetal grey hard anodize and some weird color for the plate.

Dubsgalore · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 19:06:55 »

Congrats, you made it brah :')

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 19:39:58 »

****. YES. THE BEAST LIVES!

I'm really stoked it's finally done

. Congratulations making a great keyboard and I hope you enjoyed the design process. I think that's one of the most satisfying things about my job and this hobby. To take an idea and then see it completed. Maybe one day I'll get to type on it ^__^.

Glad I was able to help you out.

Photekq · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 19:50:11 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 06 February 2014, 19:39:58

I hope you enjoyed the design process. I think that's one of the most satisfying things about my job and this hobby.

You bet I did. It's been a valuable experience. More than anything I've really enjoyed learning the basics of design and the manufacturing process. Like you said, it's also really amazing to see an idea come to completion. Really happy that it's finally done.

Quote

To take an idea and then see it completed. Maybe one day I'll get to type on it ^__^.

Hehe. Maybe

Thanks again bro

Dreamre · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 21:44:48 »

Beautiful! I love the colour of the case too

.

Really wish you have a GB for this one day

.

Sai · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 21:49:38 »

you know, photekq. i am waiting for this. I am always wondering when you're going to make a thread.
i was even going to pm you about this. Congrats on finally getting this done and eagerly waiting for your next project.

gameaholic · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 23:14:33 »

Wow. That's pretty much my end game keyboard right down to the keycaps. I'd go with Titanium Color, gold 62g ergo clears, and red leds. Well done.

tbc · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 23:15:12 »

dat [ BR ]ASS!

:O

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 06 February 2014, 23:59:10 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 06 February 2014, 19:39:58

Maybe one day I'll get to type on it ^__^.

I'm tellin' ya, I'm taking a trip to Wales just to see this keyboard.

n0rvig · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 00:21:37 »

Them styles! Wow. Such beauty.

jil_jil32 · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:26:15 »

So the bot makes it complete? yay!

atlas3686 · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:39:42 »

So nice seriously Photekq wow! Excuse my ignorance here but what does one of these go for? I would probably be on the hunt already but I need my meta keys unfortunately. Also that irradiated red on there damn, it looks amazing! Is the chassis metal?

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:48:19 »

Quote from: atlas3686 on Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:39:42

So nice seriously Photekq wow! Excuse my ignorance here but what does one of these go for? I would probably be on the hunt already but I need my meta keys unfortunately. Also that irradiated red on there damn, it looks amazing! Is the chassis metal?

I'm not Photekq, but I can answer these questions.

1) It's not available for sale, this is a one-off custom unit, so there is no price attached to it. I believe it cost him on the order of £500 though, to give you a ballpark idea of what one would cost.
2) Yes, it looks amazing (that's not a question, but whatever).
3) The chassis is milled aluminum, with the brass insert for badassery and added weight.

atlas3686 · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 02:00:21 »

Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:48:19

Quote from: atlas3686 on Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:39:42
So nice seriously Photekq wow! Excuse my ignorance here but what does one of these go for? I would probably be on the hunt already but I need my meta keys unfortunately. Also that irradiated red on there damn, it looks amazing! Is the chassis metal?

I'm not Photekq, but I can answer these questions.

1) It's not available for sale, this is a one-off custom unit, so there is no price attached to it. I believe it cost him on the order of £500 though, to give you a ballpark idea of what one would cost.
2) Yes, it looks amazing (that's not a question, but whatever).
3) The chassis is milled aluminum, with the brass insert for badassery and added weight.

Thanks man, I had guessed that was the case (1) and was certain of number 2

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #27 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 05:53:58 »

It's definitely metal. You can see the keyboard's birth/machining porn/a video of the machining process, thanks to JBCNC, here. I love machining porn and I was so excited that there was a video

.

Photekq · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 09:21:56 »

Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:48:19

I'm not Photekq, but I can answer these questions.

1) It's not available for sale, this is a one-off custom unit, so there is no price attached to it. I believe it cost him on the order of £500 though, to give you a ballpark idea of what one would cost.
2) Yes, it looks amazing (that's not a question, but whatever).
3) The chassis is milled aluminum, with the brass insert for badassery and added weight.

All correct!

Thanks everyone for the comments

Dreamre · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 07 February 2014, 17:34:04 »

Quote from: Photekq on Fri, 07 February 2014, 09:21:56

Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 February 2014, 01:48:19
I'm not Photekq, but I can answer these questions.

1) It's not available for sale, this is a one-off custom unit, so there is no price attached to it. I believe it cost him on the order of £500 though, to give you a ballpark idea of what one would cost.
2) Yes, it looks amazing (that's not a question, but whatever).
3) The chassis is milled aluminum, with the brass insert for badassery and added weight.
All correct!

Thanks everyone for the comments

Your keyboard =

gameaholic · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 12 February 2014, 10:05:09 »

Okay what steps would I have to take to recreate something like this? I know I'd have to get a phantom pcb. Can you post a side profile pic of it? I was thinking I could save some cost by not having the brass insert. I've never had a keyboard with a brass insert. Why does it matter? I know it makes it heavier but I feel like an aluminum case is already heavy enough. As far as anodizing, how would I get the same titanium color as my kmac?

Photekq · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 13 February 2014, 10:28:03 »

Quote from: gameaholic on Wed, 12 February 2014, 10:05:09

Okay what steps would I have to take to recreate something like this? I know I'd have to get a phantom pcb. Can you post a side profile pic of it? I was thinking I could save some cost by not having the brass insert. I've never had a keyboard with a brass insert. Why does it matter? I know it makes it heavier but I feel like an aluminum case is already heavy enough. As far as anodizing, how would I get the same titanium color as my kmac?

Only side pics I have :

The brass insert is really just for show + weight. I vaguely remember someone saying it reduces resonance too.

Anodising is tricky. Usually the three parts (top, bottom, plate) will turn out slightly different shades.. you can see this in the photo above ^
Since the piece are different shapes/sizes it's very hard for the anodiser to make the colours match perfectly, so if you get a case reanodised expect the different pieces to be slightly different shades.
To get the colours to match well it'd be best to take your KMAC to a local shop and see what they say about the colours.

If you're serious about making a custom aluminium case please get in touch with me through pm.

BunnyLake · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 13 February 2014, 10:37:48 »

stop making me jealous, i cant handle it

Melvang · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 13 February 2014, 11:07:08 »

Very very nice Photekq. It is nice to see someones ideas actually come to fruition. Especially when they come out as nice as yours.

JBCNC · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 14 February 2014, 05:59:02 »

Great to see this finished at last.

Regarding the cost to machine this, don't be concerned by the brass piece. The material cost of the brass was £22+VAT, so a lot more than aluminium. However, brass is probably the easiest metal there is to machine and the brass part is a simple '2.5D' part, with nice vertical sides so it doesn't cost much overall. If Photekq wanted another brass piece machining it would only cost about £40-£50 including material. Still got to add on polishing, but that shouldn't be too much...

The main difficulty with machining this case is the angled surfaces, since it either requires a 4 axis machine, or carefully aligning and clamping the part an additional time. I then put the top plate and base together to machine the angle on the front edge of the top plate, so it matches the base perfectly. I do have a 4th axis for my machine, just not used it much. It's tempting to have a go...when I have time.

If the design was changed to just have normal perpendicular sides, that would knock a huge amount off the cost to machine it, but I guess it would adversely affect its aesthetic qualities.

gameaholic · « **Reply #35 on:** Fri, 14 February 2014, 11:15:38 »

Quote from: JBCNC on Fri, 14 February 2014, 05:59:02

Great to see this finished at last.

Regarding the cost to machine this, don't be concerned by the brass piece. The material cost of the brass was £22+VAT, so a lot more than aluminium. However, brass is probably the easiest metal there is to machine and the brass part is a simple '2.5D' part, with nice vertical sides so it doesn't cost much overall. If Photekq wanted another brass piece machining it would only cost about £40-£50 including material. Still got to add on polishing, but that shouldn't be too much...

The main difficulty with machining this case is the angled surfaces, since it either requires a 4 axis machine, or carefully aligning and clamping the part an additional time. I then put the top plate and base together to machine the angle on the front edge of the top plate, so it matches the base perfectly. I do have a 4th axis for my machine, just not used it much. It's tempting to have a go...when I have time.

If the design was changed to just have normal perpendicular sides, that would knock a huge amount off the cost to machine it, but I guess it would adversely affect its aesthetic qualities.

I actually would prefer normal perpendicular sides like the ones on my KMAC. I like the low profile since I never put the legs up on any of my keyboards. Photekq - I'll definitely send you a pm once I am ready to start the project. I will be selling some stuff soon but my new graphics card takes priority.

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Author Topic: The TEK-80 (Read 21685 times)