geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: westfoxtrot on Wed, 24 October 2018, 15:28:52
-
(https://i.imgur.com/F5H0GXr.jpg)
Hello folks. First off, thanks for checking out my keyboard! Here’s some beautiful renders produced by Egla from the International Kit (https://the-international-kit.com/):
(https://i.imgur.com/quNzuay.jpg)Click here for more (https://imgur.com/a/AYmuk5z)
With this board I aimed to create a board with a subtle signature that was easily recognisable. To this aim I’ve got a few unique features. First off I have a straight line at the front and back of the board accented by the plate itself stepping through the sides of the case
(https://imgur.com/OSM4yDZ.jpg)
In the original design this was designed to be Blue with a brass plate to accent, hence the name which is Dutch for “on sea”
I’ve also included a slight slope raise of height between the front and the back of the board to surround the caps a little more, higher at the back than at the front. It’s 7mm at the front and 9mm at the back. It’s a small difference but, for me, it creates a unique structure to the board.
It has compatibility with a tada68 pcb and I intend to share the plate files so you can always custom cut additional plates if you need. So far I have my vision of the buy structured like so:
25 units in aluminium, all numbered 1-25. Choice of 6 colours for all aluminium parts.
10 units in polycarbonate, separately numbered 1-10.
Features:
7-9mm High Profile
Sandwich Mount
5° typing angle
Separate ISO & ANSI plate
.5u blocker for arrows
Polycarbonate or Aluminium body
Polycarbonate, Aluminium or Brass plate
Sandblasted Brass weight
Sandblasted Brass or aluminium name plate with custom lettering
Custom PCB (South facing LEDs)
Custom colours have been selected by me following some samples from my factory. I have chosen 6 colours in total:
Charcoal
Aubergine
Olivia
Ocean
Royal Green
Anthracite
Click here to see an album of the colour samples. (https://imgur.com/a/TrH36FZ)
I have produced a prototype of the board in polycarbonate which helped me to learn a lot about the positives and negatives of the original design and tweak based on this. Changes include: raising the top piece 1mm overall. Dropping the overall height of the board 6mm. Adjusting the nameplate and weight mounting. Changing brass from polished to sandblasted.
Here you can see an album of the prototype (https://imgur.com/a/i6r2oVW)
I’ve also worked closely with a designer to come up with a slightly fresher feel for the board, changing the font used from the prototype and changing the logo to a completely new design, I’m really happy with the work she did and have to give her a huge shout out here: Morgana on Twitter (https://twitter.com/morganadalmeida)
I have implemented the changes in the working design and they will be in the final parts
You can see the proposed redesign here:
(https://imgur.com/3c91Sq9.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/izvRPfC.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/jfgUGev.jpg)
Due to the limited run of this board we are looking at a price of around $425-50 US per board (not including shipping)
Additional parts prices would be structured like so:
Plate $80
Nameplate $25
PCB $50
I plan to run this buy in november assuming this IC is well-received
Sig edit: fixed some stuff [:
-
colors look really nice, I esp like the separate plates. Will the PC plates be finished the same as the PC case?
-
colors look really nice, I esp like the separate plates. I am correct to assume that the middle piece shown off in the proto is the plate right?
Exactly right yeah, it's the plate.
I plan to have the polycarbonate pieces all sandblasted.
-
In for one ;D
-
nice
-
I am also in for one! GLW IC! (And GB eventually)
-
Loved trying out the prototype - can't wait for the GB. I was going to go green, but that aubergine....
-
My loins are girded, my wallet has been reinforced, and the expense spreadsheet has been locked away. I'm prepared. For Aanzee.
-
Aanzee let's goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
-
Yes! I'm in for an Olivia!
-
Of course you know I'm in for Polycarbonate, but Olivia looks good too! Glad to see all of the different options and things that are going to be included in this package.
-
Are you planning to only make 25?
-
Are you planning to only make 25?
35 in total, 10 in polycarbonate and 25 in aluminium.
No plans to make anymore
-
Darn, this is looking extremely good. I like that you just went for compatibility with the tada68 pcb.
-
Will the ISO plate support a standard left shift? I personally prefer it over the 1.25 shift.
Great design!!!
Gesendet von meinem H8416 mit Tapatalk
-
Will the ISO plate support a standard left shift? I personally prefer it over the 1.25 shift.
Great design!!!
Gesendet von meinem H8416 mit Tapatalk
If there is enough people requesting it I can add it, as it stands it only supports split left shift.
-
Lovely kit! Weight design is super nice.
-
Poly carb looks soo good. The brass accent standing out. Wow.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Why is the plate so expensive? $80 seems like a lot to ask
-
Why is the plate so expensive? $80 seems like a lot to ask for
+1
Gesendet von meinem H8416 mit Tapatalk
-
Why is the plate so expensive? $80 seems like a lot to ask
From what i understand the case is not normally cut and requires a more complicated process which explains the higher cost.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Why is the plate so expensive? $80 seems like a lot to ask
Manufacturers don't always give exact quotes on the price of an item usually, they just decide some arbitrary cost for the whole order and cut it up into somewhat reasonable proportions, and I suspect that's what we're seeing here.
I don't think westfoxtrot can magically make the price lower than the quote he got, so I guess it's take it or leave it.
-
Why is the plate so expensive? $80 seems like a lot to ask
ok looking at the plates - they are CNC cut, its a small MOQ and maybe only 50% will order extras.
TBH given the small nature of this boards run I think the prices are perfectly reasonable. I'm certainly still in for one.
-
I’d rather have a fixed proper designed and cnc’ed plate for $80 than a cheaper plate with wrong stab cutouts for the spacebar like the Canoe.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Why is the plate so expensive? $80 seems like a lot to ask
ok looking at the plates - they are CNC cut, its a small MOQ and maybe only 50% will order extras.
TBH given the small nature of this boards run I think the prices are perfectly reasonable. I'm certainly still in for one.
CNC'd i can understand always more expensive than laser cutting
-
To address the plate cost there are a few factors that determine this:
1) The plate is not stamped or lasered but is CNC'd. For the production units I only want to do a CNC'd plate as for the design to flow correctly the plate should have tapered front and back edges. CNC time is always more expensive than laser time and I'm not producing in anywhere near enough numbers for stamping to be viable.
2) Low unit counts. I have 2 plate designs that are being produced and offering in 3 materials for each design leads to a total of 6 different machining setups. I really want this Keyboard to have as many options as possible for me to handle despite the low numbers I am aiming for (35 total units) as I want the board to feel premium.
For the kit price I have been able to calculate this based on a total count of all the items being produced and needed for a kit and then divide this by the units to be able to ensure as low a price as possible.
I will speak to the factory about reducing the options to reduce the cost or if there is some way of lowering the price but I stand by my inital pricing for the additional plates.
-
Can you address why the 2 bottom rows are higher than the rest. Will this be corrected?
-
Can you address why the 2 bottom rows are higher than the rest. Will this be corrected?
do you mean on the prototype?
I already addressed this:
Changes include: raising the top piece 1mm overall
-
Joined. Couldn't resist.
-
Group Buy Thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=97986.0)