Author Topic: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice | 15/02/22 Update - R4 prototype received and built!  (Read 55512 times)

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Offline Qwertle

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 15
Calice - A 75% F13 Alice
The 'Complete' Alice.





IC Form     |     Discord






R4 Prototype





Background

Heya Geekhack, for the longest time as an Alice user I always wanted something that I could use on the daily for work, but never found something that exactly met my needs in an Alice layout (F-Row and Arrows). The focus was to create an Alice with a function row and arrows while trying to keep the form-factor as close as possible to a normal Alice layout in width.





Features
  • Case Angle: 5.0°
  • Case Material: 6063 Aluminium & Sandblasted Brass Weight
  • Weight: 2.4kg
  • Colours: TBD (poll in IC form)
  • Plate: 1.5mm Aluminium (other plate materials to be confirmed)
  • Mounting: Geonworks Tadpole + M3 O-ring
  • Feet: SKUF Feet
  • PCB: Custom PCB designed by Jels (MX Compatible, Encoder Support, QMK and VIA Compatible)
  • Alphas Tilt: 10.0°
  • Front Ledge: 18mm
  • Optional Wrist Rest
  • Layout - Layout supports normal/stepped caps, 2U+1.25U Left Spacebar and Split Backspace and Rotary Encoder at Home key
       







Pricing and Vendors

    Target Pricing - $550 ~ $600USD @ 150 units
  • Oceania - Switchkeys
  • South East Asia - TBD
  • North America - TBD
  • Canada - TBD
  • Europe - TBD





Current Status / Timeline

        8/May/21 - R1 Prototype ordered
        08/Jul/2021 - R2 Prototype ordered, awaiting manufacturing
        20/Jul/2021 - Initial IC
        01/Sep/2021 - R2 Prototypes received
        21/Sept/2021 - R3 Design Finalised, design log updated, R2 prototype photos added to IC
        09/Oct/2021 - R3 Prototype Ordered
        01/Dec/2021 - R3 Prototype Received
        22/Dec/2021 - R4 Prototype Ordered, ETA mid-March 2022. IC Updated
        25/Jan/2021 - R4 Prototype received and built Twitch Build VOD
        15/Feb/2022 - R4 Prototype pictures and typing tests added to IC
        28/April/2022 - FnF Round Ordered
        18/July/2022 - FnF Round Delivered, currently fulfilling






R4 Prototype Photos




R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - ABS Plate - GMK Olive
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - PP Plate - GMK Olive
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - ABS Plate - PBT British Racing Green
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - PP Plate -  PBT British Racing Green






R3 Prototype Photos

More
Pictures courtesy of Warmthoughts


R3 Prototype Sound Test - Marshmallows lubed with 3204 - PP Plate. Built by Warmthoughts
https://clips.twitch.tv/RamshackleLovelyEggGOWSkull-GljfUGU5YGXwMSYC

R3 Prototype Sound Test - Kailh Black Stem Cherry MX Blacks lubed with 205g0 - Aluminium Plate. Built by SwitchDoctor





R2 Prototype Photos

More





R1 Prototype Photos

More





Frequently Asked Questions

What does the tadpole and o-ring mounting look like?






Special Thanks
  • CAZ and TaeKeyboards for being in the fabled Discord call where the Calice started from, as well as their constant support throughout this process
  • Thank you to Geon for making the tadpoles available!
  • Avocadoughh and Forehead for being on the design journey and learning Fusion360 together, even if one of us didn't watch Quantrik's 65% Keyboard Case Design video like we told him to 100 times
  • Jels for helping create the PCB and helping with checking my design
  • ClassicRory for doing the renders as well as passing his eye over at the design and providing invaluable feedback
  • The SK Chill VC gang over at SwitchKeys for their continued support for this project
  • Ant over at CustomKBD and 0ldmate for their help with the initial prototypes

« Last Edit: Tue, 20 September 2022, 08:32:34 by Qwertle »

Offline Qwertle

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 15
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:20:52 »
Updates & Design Log

23/Jul/21 - Thanks for the amazing IC responses, I'm overwhelmed by the interest in the Calice! I've updated design to add the C3 Unified Daughterboard. USB port still horizontally centred to F6/F7, vertically it's located centre to the height of the bottom piece.
Updated USB port design has been included in the R2 prototypes


21/Sep/21 - Following changes were made based on R2 prototype
  • Case angle changed 5° for a more comfortable typing experience, as well as lowering the case by about 4mm on the back. Makes the back less chunky but also more proportionate to the top piece
  • Simplified plate design, added more tadpole mounting points to better support flexible plate material
  • Increased bottom cavity by 2.5mm to better support flexible plate materials
  • Case bottom side profile is now perpendicular to ground, this also has a flow on effect in that the weight is now rectangular
  • Handles have had curves increased as an aesthetic choice for a more 'flowy' back profile
  • Removed Calice engraving on top face


22/Dec/21 - Following changes were made based on R3 prototype
  • Front ledge decreased by 2mm to 18mm
  • Simplified plate design with less mounting points more evenly distributed
  • Back ledge was added, changed design aesthetic for back profile

« Last Edit: Sat, 15 January 2022, 07:05:55 by Qwertle »

Offline hali

  • Posts: 494
  • Location: edmonton
    • hali.studio
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:21:23 »
interesting butt and mounting, glwic

Offline Rory

  • Posts: 16
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:22:27 »
Calice is my bias


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Offline CAZ

  • Posts: 16
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • Project Manager for Switchkeys
    • Switchkeys AU
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:23:56 »
I stand by my original convictions that this layout is cursed. That being said you have done a fantastic job and I have enjoyed acompanying you on your design journey. I look forward to adding one of these beautiful monstrosities to my collection.

CAZ Approved

Offline shutuphamish

  • Posts: 17
  • Location: past the blue stump, Western Australia
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:26:18 »
Hype, been waiting a while for this

Offline 0ldMate

  • Posts: 48
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:26:32 »
This looks amazing. Willing to forgive that you didn't pick up your proto that I printed. Very excited to see this come to fruition.

Offline checkboy

  • Posts: 3
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:39:09 »
Amazing work mate! Proto pics lookin good, and them renders  :cool:

Offline forehead

  • Posts: 3
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:51:08 »
Can't wait for my first premium board!

Offline El_Jackador

  • Posts: 39
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:57:01 »
Its not for me but that's pretty cool!

Offline FamilyJoule924

  • Posts: 56
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:01:49 »
looks amazing, if possible make it a alice sat 75 with rotary encoder and led. or even just one or the other would be a really nice addition

Offline WejB

  • Posts: 6
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:17:55 »
Instant buy. Good job mate. All that hard work paid off!

Offline keeganzero

  • Posts: 72
  • Location: Sacramento, CA
  • huhu
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:33:33 »
This feels wrong, but I can't look away.
Boards: F1-88, R1 KFE, IDB60, Cypher, HHKB Pro 2 Type-S, RF 87UW55, G80-1800, CM QFR

Offline Alessio

  • Posts: 107
  • Location: Barcelona, Spain
    • YT Channel
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:46:50 »
could we get a render with greg on it? reckon it'd be funny as ****

Offline Puddsy

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Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:47:18 »
has science gone too far
QFR | MJ2 TKL | "Bulgogiboard" (Keycon 104) | ctrl.alt x GON 60% | TGR Alice | Mira SE #29 | Mira SE #34 | Revo One | z | Keycult No. 1 | AIS65 | First CW87 prototype | Mech27v1 | Camp C225 | Duck Orion V1 | LZ CLS sxh | Geon Frog TKL | Hiney TKL One | Geon Glare TKL



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Offline hexa

  • Posts: 27
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 11:45:17 »
Chonky yet elegant. Excited to see this develop  :thumb:

Offline Tyson

  • Posts: 881
  • Location: Texas
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 13:46:06 »
Board sounds good, I'd be down to get one when the GB starts!

Offline YoloKeebs

  • Posts: 1
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 13:53:28 »
Lemme book a cab to hit that escape key

Offline PvtSkittles

  • Posts: 50
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 15:11:10 »
Looks real nice. I can 't help but think the F row looks like eyebrows though...

Offline MrBingo

  • Posts: 87
  • Location: Mexico
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 17:24:20 »
It is.... Precious.


Offline waylaidwanderer

  • Posts: 10
  • Location: Canada
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 17:48:21 »
Instead of Calice (which sounds like "callus"), taking the same idea, we could use Arisu as the base word, then it would be Carisu -> Carrie? :)

Very interested in this layout btw!

Offline Surostu

  • Posts: 64
  • switchkeys.au x keyboardfinder.com
    • keyboardfinder
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 17:54:40 »
This is a need, not a want.

Science has gone just the right distance. What a time to be alive.


Offline Sinpra

  • Posts: 2
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #22 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 18:04:31 »
Hello I would like to know where I can put down my deposit! :gibcalice:

Offline lpcables

  • Posts: 1
  • Location: Sydney, Australia
    • lpcables
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:02:28 »
Lettttssss goooo, I need it, if it only had HHKB layout support :)  :cool:

Offline Nuap

  • Posts: 186
  • Location: Australia
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:10:51 »
OH man this is nice. The bottom profile reminds me of an old Telstra beige house phone  :))


The layout shows no support for split backspace - is that the case?

Offline Nothatso

  • Posts: 17
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:46:56 »
I've been hoping for someone bold enough to try this layout for some time. It's weird/different and I love it. I want it yesterday.
« Last Edit: Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:54:39 by Nothatso »

Offline SwitchKeys

  • Posts: 300
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
    • SwitchKeys
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #26 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 21:28:32 »
Great work Qwertle! Looking forward to this one.  :)

Offline ZeroStressLevel

  • Posts: 4
  • Location: Australia
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #27 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 22:37:48 »
I SIMP FOR CALICE

Offline grumpy213

  • Posts: 1
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #28 on: Tue, 20 July 2021, 23:17:40 »
Looking solid, thick, tight. Keep me updated on your progress.

Offline JAKP

  • Posts: 4
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • peac.design
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #29 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 05:04:53 »
Love the lilac. Looking forward to seeing r2 prototypes!

Offline Rx003

  • Posts: 114
  • Location: Uijeongbu, South Korea
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #30 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 08:26:15 »
I think this would be my first alice, loving the lilac! Glwic

Offline Mistyyy

  • Posts: 2
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #31 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 08:32:34 »
I have been waiting for this day to come , can we get the show on the road ASAP

Offline Xanniard

  • Posts: 2
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #32 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 09:31:28 »
This is really amayzeeng a Complete Alice sounds like a board for me! <3

Offline japancakes

  • Posts: 72
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #33 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 12:25:15 »
It's the plum red thiccness for me.

Offline tarokeebs

  • Posts: 30
  • Location: California
  • TMOv2r2 || Kikuichimonji
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #34 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 14:01:42 »
really looking forward to this board! that plum red color is amazing :)
      

collection: tmov2 | kikuichimonji

Offline UGunaLOSE

  • Posts: 106
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #35 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 15:35:24 »
Oh this looks nice!!! GLWIC

Offline Klexos

  • Posts: 10
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #36 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 15:58:31 »
I've been wanting to build an Adelheid for about as long as I can remember but never got around to it. This gives me a reason not to. Cursed? More like the superior layout!
« Last Edit: Thu, 22 July 2021, 02:51:20 by Klexos »

Offline EnlargedCrouton

  • Posts: 23
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #37 on: Wed, 21 July 2021, 20:33:27 »
great looking board, ive been looking for something just like this  :thumb:

Offline DatYellowAsian

  • Posts: 2
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #38 on: Thu, 22 July 2021, 04:55:45 »
So excited to see how far this idea has come from the start. Congrats and can't wait to get one myself!

Offline forsee

  • Posts: 13
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #39 on: Thu, 22 July 2021, 05:44:13 »
Oooh I love this! GLWIC!

I'd be totally down for buying one of these! :D Please try to get a UK proxy if you can



Offline booncakes

  • Posts: 2
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #40 on: Fri, 23 July 2021, 05:31:41 »
Looking very nice.

Offline highpur

  • Posts: 17
  • Location: Australia
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #41 on: Fri, 23 July 2021, 23:04:56 »
Excited to see the progress for this board ;D

Offline treeleaf64

  • Posts: 1836
  • Location: United State
  • Traveler
    • treeleaf64
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #42 on: Sat, 24 July 2021, 00:41:03 »
Yes Mr Puddsy it has gone too far I dont like the alice but this one doesn't look too bad  I guess it's just another aluminum keyboard at teh end of the day nothing very special
treeleaf64: https://discord.gg/rbUjtsRG6P

This is the cat and pat!!!!!!!!

Offline hottrout

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  • Location: Norn Iron
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Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #43 on: Sat, 24 July 2021, 05:12:32 »
I am very interested in this layout.  Will you be providing a wrist rest at the same time with this board?
Current Daily Driver : Virgo - Ultramarine - Standard Lube  |  WTB : Topre Realforce Hi-Pro, please PM me if you have one for sale.

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Offline zea

  • Posts: 74
  • Location: mr worldwide bro
  • yeh
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #44 on: Sat, 24 July 2021, 22:37:39 »
please consider centering the usb port, it's killing me. otherwise I really love this keyboard, it looks really good!

Offline rmendis

  • Posts: 448
  • Artisan addict
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #45 on: Sun, 25 July 2021, 01:43:57 »
Like it

Offline godofdeath

  • Posts: 406
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #46 on: Sun, 25 July 2021, 08:10:53 »
Keep the USB off centered, so less people will want it KEKW

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk


Offline bansheetango

  • Posts: 55
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #47 on: Sun, 25 July 2021, 10:19:32 »
^ this

Also like the chonker.

Offline jakey

  • Posts: 4
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #48 on: Sun, 25 July 2021, 17:47:33 »
Love this, I need arrow keys for work - so this is perfect for me! I'm in.

Offline HutchoJ

  • Posts: 4
Re: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice
« Reply #49 on: Sun, 25 July 2021, 21:48:35 »
Thankyou for making the most useful and comfortable board ever, this won't ever leave my desk! Love the colours and design <3