I don't like how you can see the bottom piece on litster's one, though it does make it much easier to attach. There are a few other ways that I wanted to try, such as making a little alcove with an inner ledge in the top piece that a lower piece could recede into and sit on, but the machinery I'll have access to can't really do all the small bends in the metal I would need (it's meant for larger scale things). I'm also not too eager to replace the bottom piece because it has ribs on the inside to incline the keyboard which, if I recall, litster had talked about being a problem as well since it removed the incline of the PCB and subsequently the keys you type on.
It won't be anodized. Maybe someone could try to find a place that can do that afterwards though.
My friend said we might be able to give this a first shot this Saturday (assuming I get the AutoCAD file done in time!). His dad who owns the factory had a heart attack recently and his doctor ordered him away from work but his older brother is handling the factory in the meantime so we should still be able to do this. I've also got lots of homework but I think I can delay it a bit. I never get that much done on Saturday anyways, last minute Sunday homework is always the best!
What kind of thickness does everyone want? The cost of the metal is by the pound so it will be directly proportional to the thickness. Most of the cost come from the labor though so the thickness is more about the look. I was thinking about 3/16" stainless steel, after that it looks too thick I think. 1/16" aluminum might be nice for people who like the minimalist apple look.
