Correct me if im wrong anyone but from the engraving look of last insert for Octagon v2 the plate would look much like the one on the bottom. :)
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Will be interested in one
However need to justify the price on the engraving
Blackbird insert is different from Octagon, it's only on the inside so nothing can be seen from the outside unlike octagon
So it serves solely to add weight not aesthetic from outside the case
I'm in for one as well! I don't know about you guys, but I personally would prefer something a little more distinguished? Something like these quick mockups would be awesome imo.when I think of blackbird:
I'm in for one as well! I don't know about you guys, but I personally would prefer something a little more distinguished? Something like these quick mockups would be awesome imo.when I think of blackbird:Show Image(https://images5.alphacoders.com/411/411608.jpg)
whoaaaa :eek:I'm in for one as well! I don't know about you guys, but I personally would prefer something a little more distinguished? Something like these quick mockups would be awesome imo.when I think of blackbird:Show Image(https://images5.alphacoders.com/411/411608.jpg)
i think of the same thing :thumb:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/MSPVo6o.jpg):eek:
Here are the potato photos I could take, no better camera :-[
My crude measurements of the weight recess is 11 13/16" x 2 3/16" x 1/8", don't trust myself to get exact enough screw placement measurements.
https://imgur.com/a/U3Qqx (https://imgur.com/a/U3Qqx)
I'm in for one as well! I don't know about you guys, but I personally would prefer something a little more distinguished? Something like these quick mockups would be awesome imo.when I think of blackbird:Show Image(https://images5.alphacoders.com/411/411608.jpg)
Yeah I mean 1/8" is 3.1 mm so your probably right. I did say crude ;) not exact but should give a ballpark. Don't have anything precise enough to help much more. Trusty tape measure.Here are the potato photos I could take, no better camera :-[
My crude measurements of the weight recess is 11 13/16" x 2 3/16" x 1/8", don't trust myself to get exact enough screw placement measurements.
https://imgur.com/a/U3Qqx (https://imgur.com/a/U3Qqx)
I think you'd need to measure in metric to be more accurate. I'd wager that the depth is 3mm like the octagon.
No further responses regarding CAD files, but many offers of measuring their crevices were PMed this weekend.
I do have a CAD files for the Duck Orion keyboard though, so if this falls through, I might just do that instead lol.
1-2 weeks minimum. We would still have to do the mockup, but I think if my manufacturer has to do the legwork, it might be more expensive for everyone. So really a CAD file is ideal.
I really have no clue how to measure the crevice (I also don't have a black bird), so I don't know what measurements are needed to come up with a good mock up.
i could try and make a cad file but i dont have experience on the screw fitment parts and i dont know how precise i will get the measurements in generalWoot!
UPDATE
I got a reply from Duck last night asking for my email address. Let's hope that's for sending me a CAD file. =).
UPDATEGood to hear about the update! Did you get the link i sent earlier? Hioe everything works. Will be keeping an eye out for progress :)
.dwg file received from Duck. It's basically just a plain plate, so I'll still have to deal with putting the design on it. Either way, that is PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next step is to make prototype and test fit.
I'm looking for volunteers to help me test fit. Ideally you would be in WA state in the United States and my next door neighbor. =). lol.
I live in Seattle, so if you are close by and have a black bird, and don't mind taking photos and meeting up, I'd love to have you PM me. I don't expect anything on my end for at least two weeks, given the holidays and all, and I don't expect anyone to give that up for me either.
If people are close by enough we could even do a mini black bird meetup lol. I'd be the only odd one out.
I'm looking for volunteers to help me test fit. Ideally you would be in WA state in the United States and my next door neighbor. =). lol.
I live in Seattle, so if you are close by and have a black bird, and don't mind taking photos and meeting up, I'd love to have you PM me. I don't expect anything on my end for at least two weeks, given the holidays and all, and I don't expect anyone to give that up for me either.
If people are close by enough we could even do a mini black bird meetup lol. I'd be the only odd one out.
I am open to receive coin at any time, and in any amount =)Thanks for the detailed update Merlin, as discussed earlier i will definitely get on it once i return from my trip this weekend.
Right now I'm deciding if I want the engraving done. I personally like the 2nd option the best...but I'm not vested in this as I do not own a black bird. I realize that the scale that gaiden had his design on is not quite accurate. I've asked him to re-do his design at his earliest convenience perhaps that will make me more open to engraving. I haven't heard very much regarding if people really want the engraving or not (it is more expensive).
So the Octagon V2 GB was a learning experience for both me and my manufacturer. We sold the blanks at cost for $40, and the engraved for $45. It's going to be more than that, now that we know what it takes for a mirror finish. Prices haven't been determined yet. I also didn't anticipate how much work it was going to be, my wife suggests I charge a small fee for my labor this time around. I'm unsure if I want to do that because I'd hate for someone to back out just because I wanted to earn a few bucks. Maybe I'll just do an option for donation that way I'm not pressuring anyone. But like to encourage donation, do something like a raffle. Something like "for everyone who donates $X, you get entered for a chance to win something cool. Don't know yet.
So the Octagon V2 GB was a learning experience for both me and my manufacturer. We sold the blanks at cost for $40, and the engraved for $45. It's going to be more than that, now that we know what it takes for a mirror finish. Prices haven't been determined yet. I also didn't anticipate how much work it was going to be, my wife suggests I charge a small fee for my labor this time around. I'm unsure if I want to do that because I'd hate for someone to back out just because I wanted to earn a few bucks. Maybe I'll just do an option for donation that way I'm not pressuring anyone. But like to encourage donation, do something like a raffle. Something like "for everyone who donates $X, you get entered for a chance to win something cool. Don't know yet.
So the Octagon V2 GB was a learning experience for both me and my manufacturer. We sold the blanks at cost for $40, and the engraved for $45. It's going to be more than that, now that we know what it takes for a mirror finish. Prices haven't been determined yet. I also didn't anticipate how much work it was going to be, my wife suggests I charge a small fee for my labor this time around. I'm unsure if I want to do that because I'd hate for someone to back out just because I wanted to earn a few bucks. Maybe I'll just do an option for donation that way I'm not pressuring anyone. But like to encourage donation, do something like a raffle. Something like "for everyone who donates $X, you get entered for a chance to win something cool. Don't know yet.
It is my opinion that your time is as valuable as the rest of ours. I wouldn't mind paying more. That being said, do you think it would be possible for this time's finishing be smoother? For the previous batch of Blackbird brass weights I felt that it was quite rough.
I know I'm late to the party regarding this but:If someone can get some confirmation from the maker about what this keyboard was named after then i am for whatever that is :) i assumed it was named after the plane but there was no confirmation.
1. I can get you a CAD file if you give me a week.
2. Can't we do an SR71 type design (Ive attached a good starting point)Show Image(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161203/0a6d909039f19c5d8107bb23bae91808.png)
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I actually think that jet design is too busy.as is i think so too. If it was just the outline that could work, but I LOVE wodan's design. slick and reminiscent of space and aircraft sleekness to me at least.
Its funny, a few people have already mentioned tungsten as an additional material. It's about 2-3 times as dense as steel. I wonder how much that would even cost or if my manufacturer has the tools to properly cut it.Shoot let's just do lead 😁
Its funny, a few people have already mentioned tungsten as an additional material. It's about 2-3 times as dense as steel. I wonder how much that would even cost or if my manufacturer has the tools to properly cut it.Shoot let's just do lead
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Tungsten crew checking in.It was a joke, but I have no doubt tungsten would cost more if not a lot more
I know this is a pipe dream, haha.Its funny, a few people have already mentioned tungsten as an additional material. It's about 2-3 times as dense as steel. I wonder how much that would even cost or if my manufacturer has the tools to properly cut it.Shoot let's just do lead
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Tungsten is significantly denser than lead!
It would be about 28 oz. Based on my quick Google fu, the cost for material alone is about 60 USD.
I'm waiting for E3E to receive my Orion plate and test fit. I plan to open the GB for both weights at the same time, so as to save money on the material buying.
Meanwhile I'm gathering info on weight engravings, and other administrative kind of stuff.
Can I get the plutonium then? ;)
If people are willing to shell out the cash, I'm sure I can make some arrangements for one offs. Just be advised it won't be cheap. $150 is probably the low end for tungsten stuff. However because its tungsten, its resale value would probably be higher than the peasant grade brass and stainless steel inserts. LOL.
If people are willing to shell out the cash, I'm sure I can make some arrangements for one offs. Just be advised it won't be cheap. $150 is probably the low end for tungsten stuff. However because its tungsten, its resale value would probably be higher than the peasant grade brass and stainless steel inserts. LOL.
Would the tungsten price go down at all with volume, would a one-off tungsten cost more than say a batch of 10 tungsten? I know the material cost is quite high with tungsten, so it wouldn't go down much if at all.
I vote for plat. That's got to be it! End game weight right here boys
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Alright for those of you with deep pockets and exotic taste
To make it worthwhile for my manufacturer we would need to get
12 tungsten plates at roughly $500 each
Other exotic material and their prices are
12 molybdenum plates at around $350 each
12 titanium plates at around $150 each
12 carbon fiber plates at around $100 each
12 platinum plates at around $6000 each LOL!!!!
Keep in mind these are all initial estimates
Alright guys, I think the GB will start soonThis is exciting! And thanks for the vote of confidence Merlin. I will try my best to give back to the community the only way i know how.
Design:
It was pretty much even between Gaiden and Wodan. I'm just going to make an executive decision here and go with Gaiden as he's been fun getting to know and is quite responsive in all my questions. He even designed an Orion engraving for me without my prompting. Besides its quite similar to the Octagon V2 which I personally like.
Costs:
As I thought things are more expensive than the Octagon V2 weight. That weight was a learning process and both me and my manufacturer learned a lot through several mistakes. This time we're pros. =)
The cost for both Orion and Octagon will be the same. Using the Octagon V2 sales as a basis if about 50 orion and 50 octagon plates are sold with an even mix of SS and Brass, the pricing will be as follows:
Brass: $60
Engraved Brass: $70
SS: $45
Engraved SS: $55
The big change is that these are all going to be mirror finish from the start. What happened with the Octagon is that they weren't mirror finish....so the cost was $40 for blanks, and $45 for engraved. The end result was that the SS came actually mirror finish, and the brass was almost there.
Rich People Stuff
For those requesting exotic materials. I think you better have at least $500 ready to hand over. The prices I quoted a few posts back were for 12 people but my manufacturer is willing to work with you as long as you are willing to pay. I'm hoping some of you actually go through with this as having a weight made out of tungsten would be pretty sexy and many years from now, you would be able to pass it off to your grand kids as a family heirloom, even if keyboards have "evolved".
Screws
I am still continuing my search for screws, either way I won't be charging for this until it comes shipping time. This way it helps mitigate some of the costs and gives me more time to go searching
do you mean have 500 between all of us? i could consider that, im still interested. if the final price fell below 150 i'd be pretty down.
as far as everything else goes tho, you can for sure could me in for an engraved brass. looks pretty cute
Just to clarify if less than 12 people, you better have $500 each at the minimum for any of the exotic materials.
yeah... seems like a hassle the more i think about it. i think there are only 3-4 of us really interested as is.
I really wanted tungsten to happen but alas, it's too rich for my blood. I'm down for engraved brass though!
Happy New Year Guys!
Just submitted the GB for moderator approval
Happy New Year Guys!
Just submitted the GB for moderator approval
Is anybody selling Blackbird weights or can I still participate in this?
Is anybody selling Blackbird weights or can I still participate in this?
Merlin64 has a Groupbuy thread open for weights and has already invoiced people for them, but I don't know if he is taking more orders or not. Below is the GB thread but maybe shoot him a PM to see if he would still accept an order or not.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=86707.0