Massdrop - HHKB Metal Case

[DanielT]

This case is just plain **** , I don't think there is anything to be said about it. I like the HHKB just the way it is, if it were for an alu case, and it's something I really don't feel HHKB needs, it should be something slender with curves and not a **** brick. 

[Elrick]

some dirty convicts just can't appreciate the finer things in life  )

All you really need is some fine ass and loads of 10th Anniversaries, everything else is just plain, poorly made garbage masquerading as something 'special'  .

HHKB is a joke everyone has heard already except for the suckers who bought into it........

[saturnotaku]

All you really need is some fine ass and loads of 10th Anniversaries

With or without a warped case?

[MJ45]

some dirty convicts just can't appreciate the finer things in life  )

All you really need is some fine ass and loads of 10th Anniversaries, everything else is just plain, poorly made garbage masquerading as something 'special'  .

HHKB is a joke everyone has heard already except for the suckers who bought into it........

The 10th Anniversaries are the joke that costs $200 more than a current RF 87, for a long past Topre anniversary.

[kturnbull]

Buying one. Cause if anything... if the MD fails... we might never see a revised. I'll eat the cash for prototyping fees.

Been waiting on an alu hhkb case for too many years to wuss out now. I have to at least *try* it. Might be a waste of 200$... but I can live with that.

EDIT: Not to mention.... I *have* a buddy with a 6 axis... willing to make me one... but the machine time is AMAZING... Alu would be like 900$ for the original case style. BUT!!! Redesigning the bottom half of THIS case... would be incredibly cheap (compared). The top portion is really what I want/need. I can redo the bottom to slanted if need be.

[CPTBadAss]

FWIW, I'm getting my hands on the case for a review.

[btctopre]

FWIW, I'm getting my hands on the case for a review.

Review from objective, competent person ✓

The fate of this drop rests in your hands~

[Evo_Spec]

FWIW, I'm getting my hands on the case for a review.

Are you getting it before the drop ends? or do you mean you're buying one from this drop to review?

[CPTBadAss]

I'm getting the one in the picture on Massdrop. I think that's the prototype. I'm not sure of the date I'll have it in hand yet.

[Evo_Spec]

I'm getting the one in the picture on Massdrop. I think that's the prototype. I'm not sure of the date I'll have it in hand yet.

Although i don't have an HHKB i still look forward to seeing your review.
I know many people here have been waiting for a metal case so it's disappointing to see how this one turned out.

[SpAmRaY]

FWIW, I'm getting my hands on the case for a review.

Review from objective, competent person ✓

The fate of this drop rests in your hands~

But he doesn't even like Topre

[HoffmanMyster]

FWIW, I'm getting my hands on the case for a review.

Review from objective, competent person ✓

The fate of this drop rests in your hands~

But he doesn't even like Topre

Yeah, exactly.  Or maybe we just have to interpret the review exactly opposite of what CPT says?  )

"Topre still sucks" = "This case preserves the heavenly thock of Topre"
"Wow, this thing actually makes Topre feel nice!" = "Don't buy this, it will ruin Topre for you"

[CPTBadAss]

This case didn't let me shove Alps into it

-12/10

[Sed8op8]

This case didn't let me shove Alps into it

-12/10

I lol'ed of course that's what you would find went wrong with it <3

[absyrd]

Even though that CPTALPSFANBOI is reviewing it, I still trust him.

Then $20 says he ends up using it as a penholder. It is gonna be holding lots of pens soon.

[geniekid]

This case didn't let me shove Alps into it

-12/10

Lol )

[trenzafeeds]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

[atlas3686]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

Somebody get this guy a nice CAD file! Problem with the MD case is its not very nice looking, don't need CpT to tell me that...

[trenzafeeds]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

Somebody get this guy a nice CAD file! Problem with the MD case is its not very nice looking, don't need CpT to tell me that...

People in the other thread were saying just a scan of the current case would be fine. Doesn't need to be fancy, just a metal version of what we have now.

[inanis]

Then $20 says he ends up using it as a penholder. It is gonna be holding lots of pens soon.

This is actually a fabulous idea!


This I can tell you, I got a sample of one of the wood cases that MD has been selling by Royal Glam (this is just speculation, but a I think all these recent CNC'd case offerings are from the same company), and the manufacturer certainly cut corners with the wood cases. I assume, as others have pointed out, that the reason this is a block instead of keeping true to the HHKB form factor is to save on CNCing time and costs.

[Air tree]

We don't need an aluminium HHKB case, we need a wood one.


a wooden HHKB would be amazing. 

[HoffmanMyster]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

I fully support this, but you should really make a separate thread, both to keep the info organized and to avoid heading off topic in these threads.

This I can tell you, I got a sample of one of the wood cases that MD has been selling by Royal Glam (this is just speculation, but a I think all these recent CNC'd case offerings are from the same company), and the manufacturer certainly cut corners with the wood cases. I assume, as others have pointed out, that the reason this is a block instead of keeping true to the HHKB form factor is to save on CNCing time and costs.

I just don't get it.  If you want to save cost, give us an aluminum cast case.  We need dat curve + slope. 

[trenzafeeds]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

I fully support this, but you should really make a separate thread, both to keep the info organized and to avoid heading off topic in these threads.

Done. This is an IC for people who want a more traditional alu case.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76196.0

[inanis]

We don't need an aluminium HHKB case, we need a wood one.


a wooden HHKB would be amazing. 

Them barrels make it hard out of wood. I'd love to try it though!

I just don't get it.  If you want to save cost, give us an aluminum cast case.  We need dat curve + slope. 

I suspect it is so they can sell something at a premium price and hope people won't notice the flaws. I don't mean MD either, or just MD I guess. I think MD takes a lot of the manufactures word on what is good, because they may not have the most in depth knowledge on the subject. They see people want an aluminum HHKB case and work with someone overseas to make that happen. They rely a lot on that vendor to get it right. It would be better if they could get more feedback on what people really want in a case like this. There is so much love for the styling of the HHKB, it didn't have to be changed to this blocky form.

[HoffmanMyster]

I just don't get it.  If you want to save cost, give us an aluminum cast case.  We need dat curve + slope. 

I suspect it is so they can sell something at a premium price and hope people won't notice the flaws. I don't mean MD either, or just MD I guess. I think MD takes a lot of the manufactures word on what is good, because they may not have the most in depth knowledge on the subject. They see people want an aluminum HHKB case and work with someone overseas to make that happen. They rely a lot on that vendor to get it right. It would be better if they could get more feedback on what people really want in a case like this. There is so much love for the styling of the HHKB, it didn't have to be changed to this blocky form.

This is another thing I don't understand, then.  They could easily get a Vendor account here on geekhack and solicit advice from users to make their products better, just like every other Vendor registered here.  Or I guess they can just keep making stuff and hoping we like it...?

(I know you don't know the answer to this, I'm just venting in response)

[trenzafeeds]

This is another thing I don't understand, then.  They could easily get a Vendor account here on geekhack and solicit advice from users to make their products better, just like every other Vendor registered here.  Or I guess they can just keep making stuff and hoping we like it...?

(I know you don't know the answer to this, I'm just venting in response)

While it may not be the case (no pun) for the HHKB, in most other cases regular users of GH are a minority when compared to the legions of people who spam-**** the MD forums with "will this fit my pok3r?". I would guess we're just not that much of a priority.

[HoffmanMyster]

This is another thing I don't understand, then.  They could easily get a Vendor account here on geekhack and solicit advice from users to make their products better, just like every other Vendor registered here.  Or I guess they can just keep making stuff and hoping we like it...?

(I know you don't know the answer to this, I'm just venting in response)

While it may not be the case (no pun) for the HHKB, in most other cases regular users of GH are a minority when compared to the legions of people who spam-**** the MD forums with "will this fit my pok3r?". I would guess we're just not that much of a priority.

Yeah, they're able to sell their stuff without our input, but what if our input would make it better?  Why throw away that potential input?  Just seems silly to me.  The only thing you really have to do to be a Vendor is not **** people over and have a legitimate business.

[inanis]

This is another thing I don't understand, then.  They could easily get a Vendor account here on geekhack and solicit advice from users to make their products better, just like every other Vendor registered here.  Or I guess they can just keep making stuff and hoping we like it...?

(I know you don't know the answer to this, I'm just venting in response)

It is interesting isn't it? I know that there is no love loss between a majority of GH and MD, but instead of partaking the community and working with us (and I don't just mean GH, but Reddit, DT or whomever else) to make something cool they often take the ideas and go full speed ahead with their partners overseas. That isn't always the case of course, but anyone would be lying if they said that didn't happen.

I don't think their intentions are always bad, but sometimes they way they go about it is questionable. It would be great if that could change since likely everyone could benefit from it.

[HoffmanMyster]

This is another thing I don't understand, then.  They could easily get a Vendor account here on geekhack and solicit advice from users to make their products better, just like every other Vendor registered here.  Or I guess they can just keep making stuff and hoping we like it...?

(I know you don't know the answer to this, I'm just venting in response)

It is interesting isn't it? I know that there is no love loss between a majority of GH and MD, but instead of partaking the community and working with us (and I don't just mean GH, but Reddit, DT or whomever else) to make something cool they often take the ideas and go full speed ahead with their partners overseas. That isn't always the case of course, but anyone would be lying if they said that didn't happen.

I don't think their intentions are always bad, but sometimes they way they go about it is questionable. It would be great if that could change since likely everyone could benefit from it.

Exactly.  I'm itching to give them money for an HHKB case!  Sadly, this isn't the one for me.  It's a shame, but they would know that if they bothered to ask. 

I'd gladly pay double the asking price for this case if the case were properly designed.  I hope you heard that, Massdrop.

[a_ak57]

At this point I'm just hoping MD has actually been reading the comments for the drop (and here/elsewhere too) and are taking things to heart.  That way if they don't end up pushing a lot of units, they'll understand it's because there are a number of people unhappy with their approach rather than "oh guess people don't actually want an aluminum HHKB case" and maybe they'll try again some day with a design that doesn't suck.  And I would hope they'll learn a lesson not just for this but for niche projects in general:  reach out to the community first. 

[Dreamre]

I'd prefer one with a built in slope similar with the KMAC Happy and the KMAC2.

[MJ45]

I would like to see PFU reissue (remake) the HHKB HG and have it available in-the USA. I would buy one in a heartbeat (the non urushi golddust caps). I'm sure their are many others that would if PFU made them again.

[absyrd]

I would like to see PFU reissue (remake) the HHKB HG and have it available in-the USA. I would buy one in a heartbeat (the non urushi golddust caps). I'm sure their are many others that would if PFU made them again.

Start a snail-mail campaign!
http://www.pfusystems.com/embedded-keyboard/hhkb/contact.html

[btctopre]

I would like to see PFU reissue (remake) the HHKB HG and have it available in-the USA. I would buy one in a heartbeat (the non urushi golddust caps). I'm sure their are many others that would if PFU made them again.

IIRC the vanilla HG was around $2,250, so... kind of a tough sell even as incredible as that case is.

[keshley]

We don't need an aluminium HHKB case, we need a wood one.


a wooden HHKB would be amazing. 

Don't spoil my surprise!


I mean uhhhh... yeah, somebody should totally try their hand at a wood HHKB case 

[Bromono]

This is very similar to the digilog case, which I like!

I think I am going to buy one!

I do agree that I wish It looked like the stock HHKB case. Kinda like the Duck Viper. But I also know how hard it is to work with metal and I am willing to give it a try.

I think it will still look really good! Especially when people start throwing Bunny's Sliders in there and putting some awesome caps on.

[keshley]

Since so many people are talking about throwing on sliders, let me just point out something:

The two holes needing drilled out for the Novatouch sliders are dual purpose: they also allow the keycap stems to drop below the mounting surface, so you can, you know, actually depress the keys.

So, even with the JTK sliders, the MX return and shift keys still won't work without modification to the keycaps themselves.

[HoffmanMyster]

Since so many people are talking about throwing on sliders, let me just point out something:

The two holes needing drilled out for the Novatouch sliders are dual purpose: they also allow the keycap stems to drop below the mounting surface, so you can, you know, actually depress the keys.

So, even with the JTK sliders, the MX return and shift keys still won't work without modification to the keycaps themselves.

I already mentioned that.    Or are there people saying you can still use the sliders without the holes?  Not sure exactly who you're responding to here. 

Also, WTF why would you not mill out the Novatouch stabilizer holes??  Ugh

[keshley]

Since so many people are talking about throwing on sliders, let me just point out something:

The two holes needing drilled out for the Novatouch sliders are dual purpose: they also allow the keycap stems to drop below the mounting surface, so you can, you know, actually depress the keys.

So, even with the JTK sliders, the MX return and shift keys still won't work without modification to the keycaps themselves.

I already mentioned that.    Or are there people saying you can still use the sliders without the holes?  Not sure exactly who you're responding to here. 

Also, WTF why would you not mill out the Novatouch stabilizer holes??  Ugh

Might have skimmed over it. Just wanted to make sure people didn't think the holes were just for the sliders.

[rowdy]

Random thought - if making the top half of the case is the difficult part, can you use the Massdrop case top, and have someone machine a case bottom with an incline?

[keshley]

Random thought - if making the top half of the case is the difficult part, can you use the Massdrop case top, and have someone machine a case bottom with an incline?

Absolutely. Don't technically even need the bottom part for the case to function, but that has obvious drawbacks. I'd like to see dimensions of the top portion though, before committing to such a course.

[Elrick]

The 10th Anniversaries are the joke that costs $200 more than a current RF 87, for a long past Topre anniversary.

The Biggest joke are morons thinking a tiny all plastic HHKB calculator (with no lcd) is worth around $300, LOL  ) .

You could still snap it in half due to it's flimsy construction which goes to show, make something sub-standard and market it as a "Hacker's Keyboard"  and watch all the ignorant dweebs flock to it.

Just like Gaming mice that Razer make, again morons thinking that owning them would make them superior gamers, unfortunately it doesn't  .

[nubbinator]

Meh, I borrowed Type S expecting to hate it and fell in love with it.  Say what you will about the price, but it's, IMO, the best Topre board out there and one of my favorite feeling boards.

[jonathanyu]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

I fully support this, but you should really make a separate thread, both to keep the info organized and to avoid heading off topic in these threads.

This I can tell you, I got a sample of one of the wood cases that MD has been selling by Royal Glam (this is just speculation, but a I think all these recent CNC'd case offerings are from the same company), and the manufacturer certainly cut corners with the wood cases. I assume, as others have pointed out, that the reason this is a block instead of keeping true to the HHKB form factor is to save on CNCing time and costs.

I just don't get it.  If you want to save cost, give us an aluminum cast case.  We need dat curve + slope. 

hoffman, can you explain the curve a little bit? I understand the slope but cant really understand the curve.. (you know, i don't have any topre board yet)
Is the pcb also curve or just the case?

[AKIMbO]

Forget you guys....I'm buying one in silver. Will transfer my Type-S into it and review.

[HoffmanMyster]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

I fully support this, but you should really make a separate thread, both to keep the info organized and to avoid heading off topic in these threads.

This I can tell you, I got a sample of one of the wood cases that MD has been selling by Royal Glam (this is just speculation, but a I think all these recent CNC'd case offerings are from the same company), and the manufacturer certainly cut corners with the wood cases. I assume, as others have pointed out, that the reason this is a block instead of keeping true to the HHKB form factor is to save on CNCing time and costs.

I just don't get it.  If you want to save cost, give us an aluminum cast case.  We need dat curve + slope. 

hoffman, can you explain the curve a little bit? I understand the slope but cant really understand the curve.. (you know, i don't have any topre board yet)
Is the pcb also curve or just the case?

The case has a very subtle curve to it.  I actually didn't realize there was a curve until I took a closer look a few days ago.  It's just the case; the PCB is flat.

There are really a lot more angles to this case than you'd expect.

[dorkvader]

I'm getting the one in the picture on Massdrop. I think that's the prototype. I'm not sure of the date I'll have it in hand yet.

I'd recommend reviewing it before/after krytox application. I suspect the metal will wear the stems (like we see in heavily used hall effect KBs) but we won't know until long-term users weigh in.

[swimmingbird]

Thought I'd mention it in this thread as well. We've talked about it a bit in mistake's thread, but if someone can send my a CAD file for a minimalist HHKB case, I might be able to get a couple milled at my local shop for not ridiculously expensive.

I fully support this, but you should really make a separate thread, both to keep the info organized and to avoid heading off topic in these threads.

This I can tell you, I got a sample of one of the wood cases that MD has been selling by Royal Glam (this is just speculation, but a I think all these recent CNC'd case offerings are from the same company), and the manufacturer certainly cut corners with the wood cases. I assume, as others have pointed out, that the reason this is a block instead of keeping true to the HHKB form factor is to save on CNCing time and costs.

I just don't get it.  If you want to save cost, give us an aluminum cast case.  We need dat curve + slope. 

hoffman, can you explain the curve a little bit? I understand the slope but cant really understand the curve.. (you know, i don't have any topre board yet)
Is the pcb also curve or just the case?

The case has a very subtle curve to it.  I actually didn't realize there was a curve until I took a closer look a few days ago.  It's just the case; the PCB is flat.

There are really a lot more angles to this case than you'd expect.

Show Image

#realkeyboardshavecurves

[Elrick]

#realkeyboardshavecurves

LOL  ) ) ) )

Considering a HHKB isn't a real keyboard to begin with.....
 

[beehatch]

#realkeyboardshavecurves

LOL  ) ) ) )

Considering a HHKB isn't a real keyboard to begin with.....

Can you just shut the **** up already? We get it. You don't like it.