Author Topic: [GB] ALPS Apple Extended Keyboard 60% Steel Plates - All orders shipped! (Read 14422 times)

Arhipio · « **on:** Fri, 31 March 2017, 16:23:25 »

ALL ORDERS HAVE BEEN SHIPPED OUT

Hey everyone I originally started this gb on mechmarket but maybe some people on geekhack would be keen to join as well.

What: A small groupbuy for a 60% ALPS Apple Extended Keyboard 2 Plate using Hasu's open source layout. Material is Stainless Steel T304, with a 1.2mm thickness and line grain finish.

Layout:

Example Finish (Plate for BananaSplit not AEK, just used to show the steel finish):

Cost: $30 for each plate (no limit to how many you can order).

Shipping Costs:

US: $3.50
Canada: $5

Other countries TBD

MOQ: The minimum is 20 with a 40 max. Currently we are at 35 plates ordered.

Status: All paypal invoices are out (for those who placed orders), once the gb closes on the 7th I will go ahead and place the order with the manafacturer.

Note: I'm still working on international shipping but it is available for this groupbuy. Also expect shipping costs to go up if you order more than one, but not by much. Shipping will be calculated on a per customer basis, to try and make it as affordable as possible.

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Arhipio · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 31 March 2017, 18:36:31 »

GB Thread approval!

Arhipio · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 01 April 2017, 11:50:31 »

14 plates currently ordered, let me know if anyone has questions.

Phenix · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 01 April 2017, 12:16:22 »

The bottom row looks a bit like split spacebars, is this true?

Arhipio · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 01 April 2017, 12:19:02 »

Quote from: Phenix on Sat, 01 April 2017, 12:16:22

The bottom row looks a bit like split spacebars, is this true?

Sorry for the confusion, using the same place that cut my bananasplit plates. Just using that photo to show the steel finish. Maybe I should clarify the actual layout and plate file is above that.

infodroid · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 01 April 2017, 17:25:48 »

Is there any possibility (or interest) in aluminum plates?

Arhipio · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 01 April 2017, 17:30:19 »

Quote from: infodroid on Sat, 01 April 2017, 17:25:48

Is there any possibility (or interest) in aluminum plates?

Just keeping it to stainless steel for this one.

Arhipio · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun, 02 April 2017, 13:38:31 »

Giveaway: Leave a comment below telling us what ALPS switches you'll pair your plate with. Pictures would be even cooler but not required. I'll then take everyone who commented on this post and randomly select a winner. The giveaway will happen once we reach MOQ.

Arhipio · « **Reply #8 on:** Sun, 02 April 2017, 18:33:28 »

Just reached 16 orders, 4 more to go! Keep em' coming.

merlin64 · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 11:41:33 »

I'll be putting Orange Alps on mine!

johnthedong · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 11:44:02 »

Heard blue alps are great!

smithyithy · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 12:56:04 »

Help a noob out. I'm interested, as I'd like to build another Alps boards and I think my Mac deserves it's own dedicated board.. Could I use this to effectively build a 'custom' 60% board using Alps / Matias switches? So the 'AEK' term simply refers to the layout / key sizes?

zacheadams · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 12:58:50 »

Quote from: smithyithy on Mon, 03 April 2017, 12:56:04

Could I use this to effectively build a 'custom' 60% board using Alps / Matias switches? So the 'AEK' term simply refers to the layout / key sizes?

Yes. You'd need a universal 60% case (preferably metal to avoid pinging) and a PCB (which can be bought from other users or Hasu in the ALPS64 thread), as well as donor switches and correctly sized/stemmed keycaps.

Arhipio · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:02:01 »

Quote from: smithyithy on Mon, 03 April 2017, 12:56:04

Help a noob out. I'm interested, as I'd like to build another Alps boards and I think my Mac deserves it's own dedicated board.. Could I use this to effectively build a 'custom' 60% board using Alps / Matias switches? So the 'AEK' term simply refers to the layout / key sizes?

Yeah the AEK refers to the layout, it'll use the standard Apple Extended Keyboard layout. So you can reuse the switches and keycaps from a donor board.

smithyithy · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:02:38 »

Ah okay.. Case I can sort out, switches and caps shouldn't be an issue, it was the PCB compatibility that I was worried about.. I'll check that thread out and see what I can put together

Arhipio · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:22:04 »

Quote from: smithyithy on Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:02:38

Ah okay.. Case I can sort out, switches and caps shouldn't be an issue, it was the PCB compatibility that I was worried about.. I'll check that thread out and see what I can put together

The pcb everyone is using is Hasu's ALPS64 he still has extras that he can ship to you for around $55 I believe (with shipping included). Read this post to find out how to contact him.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69740.0

Edit: I'm an idiot, mer6 already stated everything you need to know. Thank you

Arhipio · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:44:04 »

17 plates ordered only 3 more till we reach moq

.

zacheadams · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:56:20 »

Quote from: Arhipio on Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:22:04

Quote from: smithyithy on Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:02:38
Ah okay.. Case I can sort out, switches and caps shouldn't be an issue, it was the PCB compatibility that I was worried about.. I'll check that thread out and see what I can put together

The pcb everyone is using is Hasu's ALPS64 he still has extras that he can ship to you for around $55 I believe (with shipping included). Read this post to find out how to contact him.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69740.0

Edit: I'm an idiot, mer6 already stated everything you need to know. Thank you

We posted so close together. I'm zacheadams on Reddit btw. I'd have ordered your plate if I didn't already have a plate coming. At least LightningXI can get one of yours. We're building boards from the same donor boards.

smithyithy · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 14:02:16 »

Thankyou both, I'm enquiring re. the PCB now

Arhipio · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 14:04:02 »

Quote from: mer6 on Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:56:20

Quote from: Arhipio on Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:22:04
Quote from: smithyithy on Mon, 03 April 2017, 13:02:38
Ah okay.. Case I can sort out, switches and caps shouldn't be an issue, it was the PCB compatibility that I was worried about.. I'll check that thread out and see what I can put together

The pcb everyone is using is Hasu's ALPS64 he still has extras that he can ship to you for around $55 I believe (with shipping included). Read this post to find out how to contact him.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69740.0

Edit: I'm an idiot, mer6 already stated everything you need to know. Thank you

We posted so close together. I'm zacheadams on Reddit btw. I'd have ordered your plate if I didn't already have a plate coming. At least LightningXI can get one of yours. We're building boards from the same donor boards.

Ah very cool, no worries!

Arhipio · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 20:49:37 »

Just hit 18 plates, 2 more to go!

Arhipio · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 21:57:34 »

We reached MOQ, well done guys

. GB is a go and so is the giveaway

Arhipio · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 21:59:47 »

Gonna post the giveaway winner on mechmarket and geekhack tomorrow. I'll leave the giveaway open until I roll the winner.

Arhipio · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 04 April 2017, 10:21:29 »

I just rolled for the giveaway winner and it was a Redditor by the name of PlayerIvory I will announce this on mechmarket later today. Link to the reddit post below

.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/631b7k/gb_60_alps_aek_2_steel_plates_updates_and_giveaway/

neon_tom · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 04 April 2017, 10:24:02 »

Quote from: Arhipio on Mon, 03 April 2017, 21:57:34

We reached MOQ, well done guys . GB is a go and so is the giveaway

Yay!

merlin64 · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 04 April 2017, 11:23:40 »

Sweet, how long is it going to take to manufacture and then ship to us eager folk.

Arhipio · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 04 April 2017, 11:44:06 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Tue, 04 April 2017, 11:23:40

Sweet, how long is it going to take to manufacture and then ship to us eager folk.

I believe their lead time is 2-3 weeks, and then I'll start packaging them the day I receive them. Going to send them the order on the 8th

Arhipio · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 04 April 2017, 12:11:49 »

I take that back, lead time will be a week.

Arhipio · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 05 April 2017, 19:47:03 »

Just sent out a wave of invoices we are at 26 plates good stuff guys

.

Arhipio · « **Reply #29 on:** Thu, 06 April 2017, 10:48:45 »

Another wave of invoices just send out we're currently sitting at 27 orders

Arhipio · « **Reply #30 on:** Thu, 06 April 2017, 21:18:36 »

You guys are awesome we just broke 30

. Did not expect this gb to do so well. Thanks everyone.

merlin64 · « **Reply #31 on:** Fri, 07 April 2017, 01:05:52 »

Thanks for making it happen. Now all we gotta do is get PCBs!

Arhipio · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 07 April 2017, 01:15:15 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 07 April 2017, 01:05:52

Thanks for making it happen. Now all we gotta do is get PCBs!

Arhipio · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 07 April 2017, 15:35:46 »

For those of you who have not paid your invoices yet, you have until tonight to submit them. Potentially tomorrow before I submit the bulk order. Thanks for everyone who participated

punkpc · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 07 April 2017, 19:50:38 »

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 07 April 2017, 01:05:52

Thanks for making it happen. Now all we gotta do is get PCBs!

I have had a pcb for months... been waiting on someone to run a plate gb.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

neon_tom · « **Reply #35 on:** Fri, 07 April 2017, 20:19:33 »

Quote from: punkpc on Fri, 07 April 2017, 19:50:38

Quote from: merlin64 on Fri, 07 April 2017, 01:05:52
Thanks for making it happen. Now all we gotta do is get PCBs!
I have had a pcb for months... been waiting on someone to run a plate gb.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Haha this is me too

Arhipio · « **Reply #36 on:** Sat, 08 April 2017, 02:26:49 »

GB closed, all invoices sent out going to order 35. I'll place the order sometime mid day tomorrow. I messaged the couple of people who still have not paid. Thank you for everyone who participated

Arhipio · « **Reply #37 on:** Sat, 08 April 2017, 13:43:13 »

Just placed the order in with the manufacturer, I'll let you guys know when I get a response.

Arhipio · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 11 April 2017, 18:06:44 »

Order confirmed by manufacturer, should be a week from now until I receive them.

Arhipio · « **Reply #39 on:** Fri, 14 April 2017, 23:05:16 »

Just sent them an email asking for an eta. Should be done sometime next week and hopefully I can get the orders shipped soon after.

Arhipio · « **Reply #40 on:** Sat, 15 April 2017, 01:17:28 »

Just got a response, they will finish cutting tomorrow and time save them for monday. Which means I can probably pick them up tuesday

.

Arhipio · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 18 April 2017, 21:44:29 »

Plates arrived

, drove an hour to get them today. The tolerances are fantastic (tested a switch, stab mount and space bar stabilizing tube), very durable and awesome finish. I will probably get them all shipped by Friday and I will start packing them Thursday maybe Wednesday (depending on how busy I am). Thanks for everyone who participated, sadly no extras will be available.

http://imgur.com/a/lBDDx

neon_tom · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 18 April 2017, 22:25:31 »

These look like they turned out really well. I'm definitely looking forward to getting mine!

Arhipio · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 18 April 2017, 23:05:03 »

Quote from: neon_tom on Tue, 18 April 2017, 22:25:31

These look like they turned out really well. I'm definitely looking forward to getting mine!

I'm anxiously wanting to build my own, but I'll hold off until I get all of them shipped. Come saturday this puppy is getting made

smithyithy · « **Reply #44 on:** Wed, 19 April 2017, 04:11:36 »

These look really nice, I'm undecided whether to paint mine or leave it bare to show off the finish

benjamonkey · « **Reply #45 on:** Wed, 19 April 2017, 09:24:18 »

These do look great, Arhipio! Thanks for organizing this GB. I'm glad I caught the image of the space bar stabilizing tube, as I might not have mounted it. Are you building yours up with Cream damped switches? They're what I have at the moment, but I'm hoping to track down some Oranges to try XMIT's Creamsicle mod.

Arhipio · « **Reply #46 on:** Wed, 19 April 2017, 11:06:20 »

Quote from: benjamonkey on Wed, 19 April 2017, 09:24:18

These do look great, Arhipio! Thanks for organizing this GB. I'm glad I caught the image of the space bar stabilizing tube, as I might not have mounted it. Are you building yours up with Cream damped switches? They're what I have at the moment, but I'm hoping to track down some Oranges to try XMIT's Creamsicle mod.

I took my cream switches apart and undampended and linearized them. So smooth...

benjamonkey · « **Reply #47 on:** Wed, 19 April 2017, 12:36:53 »

Quote from: Arhipio on Wed, 19 April 2017, 11:06:20

I took my cream switches apart and undampended and linearized them. So smooth...

You're starting to make me think I should have ordered more than 1 plate!

Arhipio · « **Reply #48 on:** Wed, 19 April 2017, 12:44:25 »

Quote from: benjamonkey on Wed, 19 April 2017, 12:36:53

Quote from: Arhipio on Wed, 19 April 2017, 11:06:20
I took my cream switches apart and undampended and linearized them. So smooth...

You're starting to make me think I should have ordered more than plate!

I made the mistake of not ordering extras (first gb, live and learn). I'm considering a second gb down the line. Probably sometime in the summer. I could even offer different plate layouts.

merlin64 · « **Reply #49 on:** Wed, 19 April 2017, 12:56:39 »

You should try speaking with Hasu to see if you could offer it as a package deal. PCB & plate.

Meanwhile...I eagerly await my shipping invoice

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Author Topic: [GB] ALPS Apple Extended Keyboard 60% Steel Plates - All orders shipped! (Read 14422 times)