[GB] Aluminum Cases for Cherry G80-3XXX boards

[kinruan]

Again after a long while, i am glad to announce that the final version of the GAC3494 aluminum cases for cherry G80-3XXX series keyboards are ready for the group buy.

Product includes 3 parts, top cover, base, and plastic Translucent strip for LEDs.  6061 Aluminum for the major parts alone with plating coats. Top and bottom are fastened by well adjust screws. Colors available would most likely to be black, silver, and gun grey if there are enough orders. (>10 for plating i believe, i need to confirm this.)

The case would fit the following models(not limited to): Cherry G80-3000; G80-3494; G80-3496; G80-3484 etc as long as they have the same internal supporting structure . Open them up, take out the PCB, put it into the case, screw them together! simple as that

The design is final after multiple times of improvements(yes I intentionally skip a couple possible groupbuys in the past years for better quality), which means there won't be much defects

Order Here-----> https://goo.gl/forms/d5bxXHmwYf8625Hr2
No Deadline, try to hit the MOQ (actually there is, about half a year maybe)



MOQ is 50, regardless the same group buy in china I personally think on GH we should meet about 20

For GH groupbuy only, we are able to print your GH or any preferred ID on the back tag + GH logo on the left corner. Please let me know who should i talk to about using the GH logo, thank you.

Price will be about 320$ each set (confirmed) 8/6 update: price is final

Current Orders: 3
Order list:

Ipreferpie
Pliny
gandroider



some photos ---->http://www.igao7.com/news/201406/abostudio-gac3494-open.html
more pictures and google document link will be released within 24 hour. for those who can't wait just google image GAC3494. there are a couple examples. 
PM me as well for serious questions otherwise please just post here

[kinruan]

Logo sample:
















The last silver one was an early sample, actual screw positions are shown as the ones on black samples.
Also, the tag on the back was too large on some of the samples, the actual design would be 30% smaller , exactly like the one in 2nd photo, without green Abo logo

[WNovizar]

Is this shipping from china?

[b4d_tR1p]

ooooh great tnks!

[kinruan]

Is this shipping from china?

yes but no, there are two ways to manage the shipment, either getting them all ready in US then distribute them or directly shipping cases to everyone in the world, pending on how many orders i have in other regions

[duynguyenle]

Will this support something like a Leeku 3000? My understanding is that the PCB is designed to be compatible with G80-3000 cases. How difficult would it be to make this work with a plate-mounted PCB?

[kinruan]

Will this support something like a Leeku 3000? My understanding is that the PCB is designed to be compatible with G80-3000 cases. How difficult would it be to make this work with a plate-mounted PCB?

as long as it stays fit in a G80 case, i believe it will fit the GAC case

[kinruan]

seriously nobody interested?

[duynguyenle]

seriously nobody interested?

I am, but this GB is coming at a particularly bad time (already spent too much getting some recent keycap sets). Will this be available after the GB period for people interested in buying it? Do you have a webstore available?

[kinruan]

I am, but this GB is coming at a particularly bad time (already spent too much getting some recent keycap sets). Will this be available after the GB period for people interested in buying it? Do you have a webstore available?

this one lasts long. half a year maybe

[duynguyenle]

I am, but this GB is coming at a particularly bad time (already spent too much getting some recent keycap sets). Will this be available after the GB period for people interested in buying it? Do you have a webstore available?

this one lasts long. half a year maybe

I see, that's probably good news. I'll try and put an order in for Christmas or so 

[kinruan]

well...

[Pliny]

I'm strongly considering it! I keep coming back to this thread. I like full-size boards, but then I'm lefty so they're easy for me to use.

Did you let Deskthority know about this? My impression is they love their full-size Cherry boards over there.

[jaffers]

Aha

[bocahgundul]

no ****ing winkeyless?

[stoic-lemon]

Very nice looking case.

[Giorgio]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

[Data]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

Funny guy.

[Giorgio]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

Funny guy.

Explain to me why it is impossible to have $150 cases when we have $50 cases for a 60%

[romevi]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

Funny guy.

Explain to me why it is impossible to have $150 cases when we have $50 cases for a 60%

Please list the $50 60% cases. You may answer your own query.

[Giorgio]

Aliexpress. CNC and anodised.

[xondat]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

Oh how naive you are cute.

[Giorgio]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

Oh how naive you are cute.

Luckily less than you 

[unoab]

Well in all fairness TEX aluminum TKL cases from mechanical keyboards are $150 with shipping included/free shipping so people may expect a bit more value in a surrogate case for another board as it is not a custom..  But, I still would expect to pay more for a larger case, from a smaller production run, and on top of that shipping from across seas.

Though, I would think if people are comparing prices they would be looking at the GMK uniqey keyboards and comparing the price of a configurable full keyboard with keycaps, aluminum case, and bluetooth to this one and that is where you have to convince people one way or another..  And this is where aesthetics will come in too, as both boards are very different looking from each other (conventional vs what I have heard some call 'the banana').

[romevi]

Aliexpress. CNC and anodised.

I searched through AliExpress, but the only one around that price range was $58, and they're completely out of stock. The next cheapest option would be $74, and that's for a basic alu case that's flat.
This case for the G80 series is angled, consisting of more aluminum, which would consequently result in more materials, time, and quality inspection. Those factors, not to mention others (including size increase), probably add up quite a bit. Especially so since this case is made in smaller quantities; the fewer the quantities, the more expensive consumer products tend to be.

[Giorgio]

Aliexpress. CNC and anodised.

I searched through AliExpress, but the only one around that price range was $58, and they're completely out of stock. The next cheapest option would be $74, and that's for a basic alu case that's flat.
This case for the G80 series is angled, consisting of more aluminum, which would consequently result in more materials, time, and quality inspection. Those factors, not to mention others (including size increase), probably add up quite a bit. Especially so since this case is made in smaller quantities; the fewer the quantities, the more expensive consumer products tend to be.

Let's say that I've got the final argument, but that I prefer not to post it. Do you want to let me have the last word, or do you want me to publish the final argument?

[romevi]

Aliexpress. CNC and anodised.

I searched through AliExpress, but the only one around that price range was $58, and they're completely out of stock. The next cheapest option would be $74, and that's for a basic alu case that's flat.
This case for the G80 series is angled, consisting of more aluminum, which would consequently result in more materials, time, and quality inspection. Those factors, not to mention others (including size increase), probably add up quite a bit. Especially so since this case is made in smaller quantities; the fewer the quantities, the more expensive consumer products tend to be.

Let's say that I've got the final argument, but that I prefer not to post it. Do you want to let me have the last word, or do you want me to publish the final argument?

Absolutely post the final argument. I'm curious to see the breakdown as I haven't been able to make one.

[Giorgio]

PM'ed

[xondat]

PM me too! Or post it here at least.

[kinruan]

I'm strongly considering it! I keep coming back to this thread. I like full-size boards, but then I'm lefty so they're easy for me to use.

Did you let Deskthority know about this? My impression is they love their full-size Cherry boards over there.

NO i did not. i do not use DT forum that often and i am unfamiliar with posting threads. if you would like to help me setting up over there i would appreciate.

[kinruan]

Though, I would think if people are comparing prices they would be looking at the GMK uniqey keyboards and comparing the price of a configurable full keyboard with keycaps, aluminum case, and bluetooth to this one and that is where you have to convince people one way or another.

thank you for the advice, i honestly don't know what to say to convince people, obviously not everyone here understand the difference between a 50$ aluminum poker case  and a 150$ aluminum poker case, the CNC work, material are just quite difference and the design itself takes a lot more credit than many people may think.

and sure i love old style cherry, not bananas.

[bocahgundul]

Very nice and all, but a $100-150 case would be better :-) we have $50 pok3r cases, so...

Quality.

[kinruan]

i saw the picture of cheap cases and i post it here ---->http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32648390668.html
honestly.
what the hack is that? nothing but a piece of flat aluminum maybe it is not even that much flat. it contains absolute zero design, giving up all kinds of details such as stiffeners and stabilizers. 
here is a picture of the original case

do you see the details? just like my GAC here


and don't forget that you use your keyboard more often than you look at it, the typing feeling matters, and i assume it is horrible in the ****ty case above even it is a filco board, which is one of the best typing board

[Giorgio]

i saw the picture of cheap cases and i post it here ---->http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32648390668.html
honestly.
what the hack is that? nothing but a piece of flat aluminum maybe it is not even that much flat. it contains absolute zero design, giving up all kinds of details such as stiffeners and stabilizers. 
here is a picture of the original case

Show Image

do you see the details? just like my GAC here

Show Image

and don't forget that you use your keyboard more often than you look at it, the typing feeling matters, and i assume it is horrible in the ****ty case above even it is a filco board, which is one of the best typing board

I'm retiring.

[kinruan]

bump

[gandroider]

Hi, I'm newbie here.

I had a Cherry MX Board 2.0 and this (which I think also a G80-3xxx too). Will it fit to this Aluminium case?

Thanks

[duynguyenle]

Hi, I'm newbie here.

I had a Cherry MX Board 2.0 and this (which I think also a G80-3xxx too). Will it fit to this Aluminium case?

Thanks

MX-board 2.0 will not fit. The second keyboard you mentioned is indeed a G80-3000 and will fit just fine

[gandroider]

Hi, I'm newbie here.

I had a Cherry MX Board 2.0 and this (which I think also a G80-3xxx too). Will it fit to this Aluminium case?

Thanks

MX-board 2.0 will not fit. The second keyboard you mentioned is indeed a G80-3000 and will fit just fine

Thank you for the explanation.

[kinruan]

bump

[xondat]

How many Chinese orders are there?

[kinruan]

How many Chinese orders are there?

roughly around 5-10 so far

[kinruan]

bump

[kinruan]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

[duynguyenle]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

Mainly because my budget is rather tight towards the end of the year and with all the keyset GBs happening I have to pick and choose what I get into, would love to put down money upfront for this but at this point I don't want to commit to having another $300 chunk of my money tied up in another GB. We'll see what the size of my Chistmas bonus this year after my annual performance review 

[xondat]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

Price can be lower, MOQ is too high, and it's a replacement case for something that isn't really popular.

[Geroximo]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

For 320$ you can get keyboards that are far superior to the rather crappy G80-3000.

[geniekid]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

Too expensive.

[Giorgio]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

Too expensive.

Correct answer.

It could be paired witk a programmable leeku pcb to add some value.

[duynguyenle]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

Too expensive.

Correct answer.

It could be paired witk a programmable leeku pcb to add some value.

Agreed, a suitable plate or plate files would be welcomed too, since all OG 3000 boards a PCB mounted, and the plate with the correct spacing for 3000 board is not widely available (that I know of)

[Moistgun]

just please let me know any reason nobody is interested in this 0.0 i would grab one too, be honest

I don't really know anyone who uses a 3000,  and I don't think anyone I know would spend over 300 on a case and wait gb times for it.

[wodan]

The Cherry G80s are very popular in China while people here would't touch a thin-PCB, non-plate keyboard with a 10 foot pole.

In order to sell high price custom aluminium custom keyboards here, you have to offer plate & custom PCB as well to sell higher numbers. In this price range, you can already get a Uniqey keyboard with a nice, thick GMK pcb, GMK doubleshots and programmability ... of some kind...

[PancakeMSTR]

I want to many things.....