Author Topic: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case  (Read 16333 times)

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Offline SmallFry

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #60 on: Wed, 28 November 2012, 22:30:52 »
You'll hopefully be getting one in a few days
I'm waiting to do your Poker for when Beast gets those plates to you as well... Do your homework Beast!

Offline Hyde

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #61 on: Wed, 28 November 2012, 22:47:20 »
lol MKC better release their aluminum keyboard soon otherwise this will steal all their customers  :P

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Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #62 on: Wed, 28 November 2012, 22:58:00 »
You didn't see feng's GB? MKC already released it, several people bought it for ~$350 shipped.

Online metalliqaz

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #63 on: Wed, 28 November 2012, 23:16:38 »
You didn't see feng's GB? MKC already released it, several people bought it for ~$350 shipped.

I'm pretty sure he was referring to MKC's upcoming complete keyboard offering, not the Alu Filco case.

Offline laffindude

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #64 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 00:03:05 »
Seems like there are some confused users elsewhere. This is a CNC machined case. Pretty apparent by the machine marks.

Offline fl0w3n

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #65 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 00:07:01 »
When you guys say the phantom plate won't fit in this, do you mean the one white fire dragon is making for the filco?

Also, does an aluminum case like this actually change the feel of the board typing wise?

Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #66 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 00:20:41 »
The plate's edge sits on a groove on the case, as it is so in the Filco/CM Storm case. It is just Filco and CM Storm have extra protruding screw thingers it also rests on. They primarily sit on the ledge on the edge. The height of the plate on the edge is same height as edge of the bottom aluminum case (see here). The the top case just screw down into it, sandwiching it all together.

Ok now I see what you mean from this pic below. Basically there is a very small edge that the plate rests on. Since Filco, CM quickfire, and Ducky has plates that have bent down edges at the front and the back, that means phantom plates will only be supported and held up by the two short sides since a phantom plate is completely flat with no bent top and bottom edges. This is very little support since the top and bottom are long and they're just suspended, and also the fact that there are no standoffs in the middle to hold anything up. I'm thinking phantom PCB/plate combo might bend slightly if you press down hard in the middle.


Offline laffindude

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #67 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 00:44:13 »
Unfortunately the case only have ledges that support the plate on the front and back. Not on the side. I am afraid that your plate won't fit.

How does your plate work in a regular Filco case? Doesn't that require the bent edges to sit on the bottom case too?

Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #68 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 01:00:20 »
For everyone else, here to a picture to better explain what I said. A filco plate has downward bends on the front and back of the plate, the phantom plate is flat throughout the whole plate. In the picture, bottom black plate is from a Filco, and top plate is from my custom TKL plate, which is similar to a phantom plate.





Unfortunately the case only have ledges that support the plate on the front and back. Not on the side. I am afraid that your plate won't fit.

This pretty much confirmed it: won't be compatible with phantom PCB/plate combo. jdcarpe, if you bought this for phantom only, then return it lol. My initial guess was that it might still work with phantom because the two shorter sides can hold it up, however just bends too easily. But laffindude said the case only holds up the plate by the front and back that requires the bend, which will make it flat out not work with phantom.

However, good news is that this aluminum case will work with all Filco TKL, CM quickfire, and ducky TKL since they all use the same plates with the bend. Dimensions are all the same.


How does your plate work in a regular Filco case? Doesn't that require the bent edges to sit on the bottom case too?

The custom plate is supported at the two short side edges and 4 standoffs, along with 1 large standoff near the top center for the PCB. Enough to be pretty sturdy, so it doesn't require the top and bottom bends.

Offline laffindude

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #69 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 01:14:36 »
Gotcha. That's what I kinda figured when I looked at the interior of a case. The plate is thick enough to be pretty sturdy without being supported all around (given that you don't use the board as a trampoline ;)).
Oni also fits, since that's the board I happen to have handy and stuffed in there for the picture.
On the subject of Oni, in addition to having a plate support on the front and back, there are also little ledges to support the PCB. Not sure how needed that is, but it is there.

Offline aggiejy

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #70 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 01:41:58 »
Oh, hell yeah.  Ordered.  Now, to find an anodizing place in Austin to pick my own color....

Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #71 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 03:16:12 »
I wasted an hour sitting here, contemplating whether to order or not. Price was too good so I ended up caving and ordered one. Going to home anodize it myself.

Offline ChaoticKinesis

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #72 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 03:34:32 »
Assuming I were to use this for a QFR, how would I go about obtaining an attachable cable like on a Filco?
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Online TheProfosist

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Re: Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #73 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 04:17:09 »
Assuming I were to use this for a QFR, how would I go about obtaining an attachable cable like on a Filco?
id say contact mimic

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #74 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 05:52:18 »
Assuming I were to use this for a QFR, how would I go about obtaining an attachable cable like on a Filco?

If you find out let me know...I ordered one of these alu cases for a QFR.  I don't want to have to do all the work of desoldering green switches and soldering them into a Filco.
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Offline jdcarpe

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #75 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 06:46:44 »
No, I didn't only order this for my Phantom. :) I still have 3 Filcos, even after I just sold another 3. :D

So for this to work with a Phantom PCB, you would have to use the plate from an actual Filco? I'm still hoping that bpiphany's replacement Filco controller wits nicely in the cutout in the top of this case.
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Offline pasph

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #76 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 07:47:41 »
Can someone anodize one for me?
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Offline reverkiller

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #77 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 08:19:16 »
...
However, good news is that this aluminum case will work with all Filco TKL, CM quickfire, and ducky TKL since they all use the same plates with the bend. Dimensions are all the same.
...

Because this is in the plate and not the PCB, back-lit Ducky TKL included too? I don't think there is a plate difference (and am not really sure why there would be), but one can never be too sure.
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Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #78 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 09:36:19 »
Assuming I were to use this for a QFR, how would I go about obtaining an attachable cable like on a Filco?
If you find out let me know...I ordered one of these alu cases for a QFR.  I don't want to have to do all the work of desoldering green switches and soldering them into a Filco.

I already have a few of the pins and connectors from mouser to make the custom USB cable. I'll make a couple when I make mine too  ;)



Can someone anodize one for me?

It's not as easy as you think. That's why companies that anodize will charge a lot unless it's mass anodizing all at once.
 
« Last Edit: Thu, 29 November 2012, 09:38:04 by WhiteFireDragon »

Online metalliqaz

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #79 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 10:27:13 »
You could also consider getting it powder coated.  You can find places do to it, and it is durable.

Offline phetto

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #80 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 10:29:41 »
I've heard that its only $180 =)

Offline pasph

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #81 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 10:46:42 »

Can someone anodize one for me?

It's not as easy as you think. That's why companies that anodize will charge a lot unless it's mass anodizing all at once.
 

Yes, In fact I wanted to ask if there is someone who can offer this kind of professional service, obviously at a reasonable price, for just 1 case
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Online damorgue

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #82 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 10:49:35 »
Since the surface is oxidized already, you would have to get someone to grind or sandblast the surface in order to anodize it again. Making a bath, preparing a color and all that will be expensive if only for one item. I suggest you ask them if there is a chance that there are any colors going to be made close to the one you want and go with it, perhaps they can throw it in with those and you will have less fixed costs.
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Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #83 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 10:50:16 »

Can someone anodize one for me?

It's not as easy as you think. That's why companies that anodize will charge a lot unless it's mass anodizing all at once.
 

Yes, In fact I wanted to ask if there is someone who can offer this kind of professional service, obviously at a reasonable price, for just 1 case

Yeah, HERE #6. I'm still getting everything set up though. Other than that, I haven't seen anyone on here offer it.

Offline fl0w3n

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #84 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 11:12:26 »
Regarding fitting the phantom plate, what if it was modified to have standoffs in the proper location's?

Offline hluo87

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #85 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 11:49:24 »
Does anyone know if QF's will fit?
do you mean CM Quickfire Rapid?
do you know will that fit?

Offline nebo

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #86 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 14:06:16 »
I'm tempted but I don't know how much I like the sandwich idea of putting the pcb in, seems like it could be flimsy in the middle (like stock pokers).
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Online metalliqaz

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #87 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 14:22:19 »
Pokers don't have a plate.

Offline nebo

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #88 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 14:38:41 »
Neither does the filco afaik, hence this GB:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36907.0
Filco TKL

Offline vun

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Re: Vortex Aluminum Filco Case
« Reply #89 on: Thu, 29 November 2012, 14:41:57 »
Neither does the filco afaik, hence this GB:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36907.0
Filcos and QFRs have plates, that plate just lets you open switches without desoldering.