[IC] A true GH/DT custom keyboard kit - What do you want to see?

[evangs]

Better balance, bottom row may be a bit too much

(Attachment Link)

split spacebar for the win.  the fact that 6+ unit spacebars still exist is a travesty

[Photekq]

New form regarding plate types. Please fill out! http://goo.gl/forms/Y1B31Mes61

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I will likely be continuing with the TKL form factor. I believe it will act as a good foundation for future group buys due to the popularity of the layout, and it will allow some time for more 60/65%-supporting alps keysets to become available.

[Chewypost]

New form regarding plate types. Please fill out! http://goo.gl/forms/Y1B31Mes61

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I will likely be continuing with the TKL form factor. I believe it will act as a good foundation for future group buys due to the popularity of the layout, and it will allow some time for more 60/65%-supporting alps keysets to become available.

What's the difference between half and full plate?

[Photekq]

What's the difference between half and full plate?

A half plate is where there is a large cutout around the alpha cluster. It allows for the keyboard to remain plate mounted, while the alphas have a feeling more similar to a PCB mounted keyboard. Some people prefer it for certain switches.

[ideus]

Better balance, bottom row may be a bit too much

(Attachment Link)

I feel more inclined to minimalism; therefore, it is always hard to understand the insistence to split the space bar, what else can be done with it, that is not already solved with other keys.

[Patchwrks]

New form regarding plate types. Please fill out! http://goo.gl/forms/Y1B31Mes61

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I will likely be continuing with the TKL form factor. I believe it will act as a good foundation for future group buys due to the popularity of the layout, and it will allow some time for more 60/65%-supporting alps keysets to become available.

Awesome news. Full plates all the way! Titanium would be awesome but I have to imagine the switches would feel odd being on something that sturdy

[Photekq]

Awesome news. Full plates all the way! Titanium would be awesome but I have to imagine the switches would feel odd being on something that sturdy

FWIW I would love to offer all the types I mentioned in the form, but I'm not yet sure if that would be viable. I don't plan to offer polycarbonate because I've had no luck finding a good place to cut it, while I can get alu/ss/ti all cut by the same people.

[limitz]

Awesome news. Full plates all the way! Titanium would be awesome but I have to imagine the switches would feel odd being on something that sturdy

If tactile switches are for alu, and linear are for SS. I would say Ti works perfect for clicky switches. I have a tried a lubed and stickered MX White w/ a 60g Korean spring on a 1.5mm thick Ti plate, and it feels heavenly.

It gives the clicky switch a nice "snap", and reduces ping substantially.

[joey]

Photekq: just to confirm " (Substantially more expensive. Likely $100-150)" means $100-150 for the plate.. or $100-150 *more* than the other plates?

[Photekq]

Photekq: just to confirm " (Substantially more expensive. Likely $100-150)" means $100-150 for the plate.. or $100-150 *more* than the other plates?

$100-150 for the plate, although I'm not 100% sure yet. It might be up to $200. Titanium is a very expensive material and getting it cut is really expensive too.

[joey]

Photekq: just to confirm " (Substantially more expensive. Likely $100-150)" means $100-150 for the plate.. or $100-150 *more* than the other plates?

$100-150 for the plate, although I'm not 100% sure yet. It might be up to $200. Titanium is a very expensive material and getting it cut is really expensive too.

Ok.

I pretty much filled out all the MX full/half plate options. At this point I don't know which one I'd really want.

Will the plates have the switch top cutouts?

[need]

Will wait for the next 60% / 65% one ...

[FoC_Tow]

New form regarding plate types. Please fill out! http://goo.gl/forms/Y1B31Mes61

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I will likely be continuing with the TKL form factor. I believe it will act as a good foundation for future group buys due to the popularity of the layout, and it will allow some time for more 60/65%-supporting alps keysets to become available.

You should definitely do whatever seems to be the right choice to you!
I respect the decision to go tkl as the first custom to keep things simple as a good starting point.

That being said, I'm really hoping for a true 60% to come rather sooner then later, and think we already had quite an interesting pool of ideas going on for that.
So I will probably wait for a 60% to happen as well personally.

Best of luck for your project!
Hope it's going to be a huge success. <3

[ArnavM]

aight phontark, at this point I'll buy it no matter what you do (especially a cool looking TKL  )

[Photekq]

aight phontark, at this point I'll buy it no matter what you do (especially a cool looking TKL  )

I'm going by Potatokek now. Please keep up.

[alienman82]

removed.

[livingspeedbump]

Love the renders. Love the idea behind the board. Would buy, for sure.

If you let MD handle the logistics, even for just the US, that would make a heap of sense IMO. You could still probably find your own shop to do the work and keep a keen eye on quality control as well I would assume. With the current state of GB's I'd personally feel a lot better with something like that. I've just been burned way too much lately to really risk $$$ in another large buy atm, and that is by no means any personal reflection on you at all 

If you let MD have it completely made on their own, I feel like they'd probably use the same shop they use in China (assumption?) as some of their past stuff, which probably isn't ideal for a board of this caliber. Still, i see no reason why they cant use a place you are working with to produce them, set the price accordingly, and go from there handling all the fulfillment and customer service related things.

[Photekq]

If you let MD handle the logistics, even for just the US, that would make a heap of sense IMO. You could still probably find your own shop to do the work and keep a keen eye on quality control as well I would assume. With the current state of GB's I'd personally feel a lot better with something like that. I've just been burned way too much lately to really risk $$$ in another large buy atm, and that is by no means any personal reflection on you at all 

If you let MD have it completely made on their own, I feel like they'd probably use the same shop they use in China (assumption?) as some of their past stuff, which probably isn't ideal for a board of this caliber. Still, i see no reason why they cant use a place you are working with to produce them, set the price accordingly, and go from there handling all the fulfillment and customer service related things.

The main advantage of using MD is their connections for manufacture in the far east and the prices that come along with it. I would not choose to go with MD in order to give buyer security, as this is something I can provide myself: I would ask that if I do not deliver goods in under 180 days that people chargeback.

If I were to go with a shop of my choice, then the GB would be run by me alone.

[livingspeedbump]

If you let MD handle the logistics, even for just the US, that would make a heap of sense IMO. You could still probably find your own shop to do the work and keep a keen eye on quality control as well I would assume. With the current state of GB's I'd personally feel a lot better with something like that. I've just been burned way too much lately to really risk $$$ in another large buy atm, and that is by no means any personal reflection on you at all 

If you let MD have it completely made on their own, I feel like they'd probably use the same shop they use in China (assumption?) as some of their past stuff, which probably isn't ideal for a board of this caliber. Still, i see no reason why they cant use a place you are working with to produce them, set the price accordingly, and go from there handling all the fulfillment and customer service related things.

The main advantage of using MD is their connections for manufacture in the far east and the prices that come along with it. I would not choose to go with MD in order to give buyer security, as this is something I can provide myself: I would ask that if I do not deliver goods in under 180 days that people chargeback.

If I were to go with a shop of my choice, then the GB would be run by me alone.

So with my experience with their prototypes/boards/etc the milling seems to be pretty on spot. The one thing you should probably double check/look out for is their anodizing. On boards like the HHKB Metal Case the anodizing was a really nice color, but chipped off relatively easily, and thus tarnished the look of the board. But they may have other options, just something to ask about if you do go that way 

[ccarlitos2]

Filled out the form. yeeeeee. I hope half plate is an option

[mrboovn]

First time i hear about titanium plate,but it might be interesting 

[yuktsi]

i want one. 

[Vittra]

Both forms have been filled thus far. Keeping a close eye on this.

[daviswalkers]

Glad you decided on the TKL not only for reasons already mentioned but because I personally have never understood the argument of "there are already tons of custom (korean or otherwise) TKL's out there that are amazing why make another", I've been trying to buy a high end TKL for a few months now and cant find any for sale, all these references to KMAC's, OTD's, Cheats, LZ's, Ducks, and TGR's and yet I went months without a single offer, I was finally offered one and bought it but it is not in the color that I wanted most however I had to settle to finally get a "High End" TKL, so I'm hoping at least one of these TKL buys goes through so I can get my truly ideal board.

[Photekq]

Moving forward now that form factor has been established :

Layouts.

Standard layout :


Variations :


Any thoughts/desired additions?

[azhdar]

Moving forward now that form factor has been established :

Layouts.

Standard layout :

Show Image

Variations :

Show Image

What about winkeyless with blockers?

[Photekq]

What about winkeyless with blockers?

This is just for the PCB. Winkeyless with blockers would just require a separate top piece, which would be available.

[joey]

Are the plates going to be universal?

[Photekq]

Are the plates going to be universal?

For MX yes, but not for alps, as alps switches depend entirely on the plate for mounting.

[toidbb]

Would anyone be interested in a split spacebar for additional bottom row options?

[bocahgundul]

nice nice work photekq

[ccarlitos2]

Yeeeeeeeee

[joey]

Also hope you will realise some details on the dimensions of the PCB, if I decide to make my own, would be helpful!

[daviswalkers]

Looks great, also looks like the variations will make it quite easy to make an almost HHKB like layout.

[chilldude_22]

Got my eyes on this 

[bocahgundul]

just make this board a reality bruh. I'm gonna waste my moneyzz on this board only

[MOZ]

Moving forward now that form factor has been established :

Layouts.

Standard layout :

Show Image

Variations :

Show Image

Any thoughts/desired additions?

Is there a standard switch and stabs position for the big ass enter? I've seen at least a few different styles:
1. ANSI enter switch mount and stab mount, with a very short (~1U) vertical stab on the ANSI "\|"
2. ISO enter vertical switch mount and stab mount and a switch mount on the ISO "~#". So basically the same footprint as the standard ISO.
3. Tai Hao - ANSI enter switch mount and stab mount, with a weird thing on the ANSI "\|" part.

[tjweir]

Moving forward now that form factor has been established :

Layouts.

Standard layout :

Show Image

Variations :

Show Image

Any thoughts/desired additions?

Split spacebar would be my only request.

[fknraiden]

I'd like to see a 75% bundled along with a numpad.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

I'd like to see a 75% bundled along with a numpad.

This is a pretty nice idea. Have a child deal for a matching numpad!

[daviswalkers]

Just reading through some of the posts and I wanted to clarify something, when you're saying "with blockers" you're talking about something that would look like this

not something that would look like this


Or am I misunderstanding?

[bocahgundul]

I vote for built in blockers


and where can I send my money photekq?

[whentheclouds]

guys, never mind the confusing terminology. 'with blockers' ALWAYS refer to built in blockers. first, because if it doesn't come with blockers, it's just a regular winkey version where you put in your own aluminum blocker (which you purchase yourself, hence why it isn't part of the kit). second, because anyone with a modicum of keyboard design knowledge in 2016 understands that built in blockers are a necessity for any kustom board.

[whentheclouds]

guys, never mind the confusing terminology. 'with blockers' ALWAYS refer to built in blockers. first, because if it doesn't come with blockers, it's just a regular winkey version where you put in your own aluminum blocker (which you purchase yourself, hence why it isn't part of the kit). second, because anyone with a modicum of keyboard design knowledge in 2016 understands that proper TKL form is a necessity for any kustom board.

[daviswalkers]

guys, never mind the confusing terminology. 'with blockers' ALWAYS refer to built in blockers. first, because if it doesn't come with blockers, it's just a regular winkey version where you put in your own aluminum blocker (which you purchase yourself, hence why it isn't part of the kit). second, because anyone with a modicum of keyboard design knowledge in 2016 understands that built in blockers are a necessity for any kustom board.

Yeah I figured as much but was just trying to clarify however after reading this again:

What about winkeyless with blockers?

This is just for the PCB. Winkeyless with blockers would just require a separate top piece, which would be available.

"a separate top piece" reads that they will be built in so I believe my question was answered.

[asgeirtj]

ugh blockers "shudders", built into the top piece ftw

[StormyMonday]

I was just checking on the price and availability of Phantom parts, when I came across this thread. I must say that the case render is absolutely gorgeous and the TKL layout variations look spot on. The big attraction for me, though, is the support for Alps switches.

I may be getting slightly ahead of things, but do you envision TKM support?

Keep up the good work, I'd REALLY like to see this happen. 

[Photekq]

I've discovered through a family friend that there is a large machine shop in my town that does all kinds of CNC manufacture and also manual fabrication. They also do anodising and PCB manufacture. Funnily enough I had no idea they existed as they're tucked away behind a load of buildings and can only be seen by going down one very small street. Now, I definitely wouldn't go with the first shop I talk to, but this place seems very promising. They have the equipment necessary to create an incredibly high quality product, and QC should be much easier to handle if I'm dealing with a local firm. It's just a question of their prices and how they are to deal with as a firm. I'll be asking for a quote on the current design just to get an idea.

Is there a standard switch and stabs position for the big ass enter? I've seen at least a few different styles:
1. ANSI enter switch mount and stab mount, with a very short (~1U) vertical stab on the ANSI "\|"
2. ISO enter vertical switch mount and stab mount and a switch mount on the ISO "~#". So basically the same footprint as the standard ISO.
3. Tai Hao - ANSI enter switch mount and stab mount, with a weird thing on the ANSI "\|" part.

This is something I've been thinking about in the past few days. I wanted to add big ass support so that it would be easier to source Alps keycaps, but there are few factors I hadn't thought about :

• As you said.. There are many variants each requiring different stabilisers. This will result in there needing to be multiple plates for full support. Add this to the fact that alps already requires a separate plate for each stabiliser system/layout and we will have quite a lot of different plates, which could cause some serious issues when it comes to getting them made for a good price.
• Surely if someone is going to pay $450 for a custom keyboard kit they will be willing to spend some time/money to find a proper ANSI/ISO set

Because of these factors I'm wondering if it is a good idea to have big ass support after all.

Split spacebar would be my only request.

Good idea.

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Regarding blockers:

Yes, of course, there will be a top piece with fixed blockers. I wouldn't dare use those ugly inserts..

[whentheclouds]

hey Photek, do you happen to know whether GMK has a bigass enter mold?

[Photekq]

hey Photek, do you happen to know whether GMK has a bigass enter mold?

That's a good question. I have no idea, I'm afraid. I never thought to ask. I would imagine that they do though.