Aluminum 60% case - GH60, Poker, Pure

[WRXChris]

I'm loving the modular case design!  Great job WFD, looking forward to one of these and the GH60!

[regack]

Circular cuts for brass disc inserts to add weight. Kinda looks like a DJ table 

[image removed]

A thick rectangular plate/bar made of brass can fit a larger volume, but I think they're much more expensive than the same amount of volume manufactured in discs. That's why I did circle cuts instead of one long rectangular cut. I think the machining time to do round cuts is also less than a straight rectangular one. Does anyone actually know?

Possibly, but that is probably because with a circular area, they can use whatever diameter tool can fit in the circle... if it's rectangular, they'll have to switch to a smaller tool to radius the corners... unless you made it more like a rectangle with semi-circle ends...

[alaricljs]

Rectangular brass:  http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1599&step=4&showunits=inches&id=1116&top_cat=79

No idea where to get off the shelf discs.

[mashby]

Having switched my Pure to the Duck Poker case, I really like the added weight the brass inserts provide. Love that you're looking to include this in your case.

[WhiteFireDragon]

The GH60 case is pretty much done, and the GHpad is still in concept phase until the PCB is planned out. Both of the cases are a matching pair and can be placed side-by-side. I'll put this pic in the OP as well. It's color coded by parts for easier viewing:

blue = main bottom piece
red = plate
purple = top cover
yellow = brass weights
green = standoffs

Rectangular brass:  link

No idea where to get off the shelf discs.

I was actually looking at that same site. I was thinking of getting a long bar with 2" and 1.25" diameters and having the metal shop cut them into discs. Buying individual discs might be too expensive.

[dirge]

This is looking incredible please make this real.

[ishumprod]

Hi !

i was actually looking for this on google right now, and saw this thread while browsing GH..

i wonder if this is made on solidworks, and if it is, could it be possible for me to get the .str file ?

i have a CNC mill and a charlyrobot that i can use, so i could get the prototype in little time =)

( i have acess to the machines thanks to my studies, i work on a thecnical school.

[alaricljs]

I was actually looking at that same site. I was thinking of getting a long bar with 2" and 1.25" diameters and having the metal shop cut them into discs. Buying individual discs might be too expensive.

Hmm, funny thing is I was looking for round bars, and completely skipped over "Round Bar"  wth?   Anyhow, these guys do cutting, and you can special request better tolerances, however they don't go through any effort to machine cut, it's just a chop-saw.  ~$2.50/pc in material for 2" x .25" discs out of a 1ft raw bar.

[regack]

The GH60 case is pretty much done, and the GHpad is still in concept phase until the PCB is planned out. Both of the cases are a matching pair and can be placed side-by-side.

Show Image

WFD, this is fantastic!!

[komar007]

The GH60 case is pretty much done, and the GHpad is still in concept phase until the PCB is planned out. Both of the cases are a matching pair and can be placed side-by-side.

Show Image

WFD, this is fantastic!!

Indeed, just a shame I probably can't afford it.
But maybe if 1000 are sold...:D

[jdcarpe]

Or maybe someone might organize a little donation in the form of a WFD case to the person who did all the hard work in designing the very basis for this AWESOME case's existence? I think that might be arranged...

[mashby]

Or maybe someone might organize a little donation in the form of a WFD case to the person who did all the hard work in designing the very basis for this AWESOME case's existence? I think that might be arranged...

Count me in for that.

[CPTBadAss]

Or maybe someone might organize a little donation in the form of a WFD case to the person who did all the hard work in designing the very basis for this AWESOME case's existence? I think that might be arranged...

Count me in for that.

I'll donate to that cause ^_^

[asura]

A thick rectangular plate/bar made of brass can fit a larger volume, but I think they're much more expensive than the same amount of volume manufactured in discs. That's why I did circle cuts instead of one long rectangular cut. I think the machining time to do round cuts is also less than a straight rectangular one. Does anyone actually know?

No idea where to get off the shelf discs.

Agreed - sheet and standard cast/rolled stock are pretty easy to get, discs not so much.  Just compare "brass square bar" and "brass disc" in your search engine of choice.  Discs might look cuter and distrubute the mass more evenly, but they're harder to find.  What sort of depth is available for ballast?

[sordna]

Why go with the round holes? Make it a rectangle, so folks can easily fill them in with strips of lead or whatever material they decide... although probably most folks wouldn't bother to add weight to the keyboard, it still will be heavier than a stock poker or pure.

[komar007]

Or maybe someone might organize a little donation in the form of a WFD case to the person who did all the hard work in designing the very basis for this AWESOME case's existence? I think that might be arranged...

Count me in for that.

I'll donate to that cause ^_^

Wow, thanks!
But seriously, maybe I just won't buy that realforce:D
+ I'll have some buffer from the GH60 groupbuy, so don't worry. I will have these cases, that's for sure:)

[aggiejy]

Or maybe someone might organize a little donation in the form of a WFD case to the person who did all the hard work in designing the very basis for this AWESOME case's existence? I think that might be arranged...

I'm in!

[WhiteFireDragon]

Hmm, funny thing is I was looking for round bars, and completely skipped over "Round Bar"  wth?   Anyhow, these guys do cutting, and you can special request better tolerances, however they don't go through any effort to machine cut, it's just a chop-saw.  ~$2.50/pc in material for 2" x .25" discs out of a 1ft raw bar.

Man it's like you peered right into my computer or something. How did you know the brass discs were exactly 0.25" deep? Or that's some really good guestimate based on how deep it looks in the pic. Anyways, it's $2.50 for material only, any good guestimates on the labor of cutting them? I guess I'll go shopping for material at a later time.

Why go with the round holes? Make it a rectangle, so folks can easily fill them in with strips of lead or whatever material they decide... although probably most folks wouldn't bother to add weight to the keyboard, it still will be heavier than a stock poker or pure.

Actually, I think majority prefer heavier. I know you hang around the ergonomic section mostly, but if you venture into these novel item area (cases, keycaps, korean keyboards, etc), you'll realize heavier/thicker = more desirable.

i wonder if this is made on solidworks, and if it is, could it be possible for me to get the .str file ?
i have a CNC mill and a charlyrobot that i can use, so i could get the prototype in little time =)
( i have acess to the machines thanks to my studies, i work on a thecnical school.

I may take you up on this, although you're all the way in Switzerland makes things a little harder. And also I don't want to sound like an elitist or anything, but you're still a relatively new member and all....

[noxwood]

> Actually, I think majority prefer heavier. I know you hang around the ergonomic section mostly, but if you venture into these novel item area (cases, keycaps, korean keyboards, etc), you'll realize heavier/thicker = more desirable.

Definitely, although once it gets too heavy it starts to throw the portability out the window.

[ishumprod]

I may take you up on this, although you're all the way in Switzerland makes things a little harder. And also I don't want to sound like an elitist or anything, but you're still a relatively new member and all....

i understand it , it was with intentions to help, and i also wanted to have a serious piece to make so i can see how good it goes, maybe do some more to help peolple in europe ( you aren't in eurpoe are you ?)

i don't have lots of knowledge on the keyboard subject, but i think every bit is something

anyways good luck on this

[simkev]

The GH60 case is pretty much done, and the GHpad is still in concept phase until the PCB is planned out. Both of the cases are a matching pair and can be placed side-by-side. I'll put this pic in the OP as well. It's color coded by parts for easier viewing:

blue = main bottom piece
red = plate
purple = top cover
yellow = brass weights
green = standoffs

Show Image

Show Image

Rectangular brass:  link

No idea where to get off the shelf discs.

I was actually looking at that same site. I was thinking of getting a long bar with 2" and 1.25" diameters and having the metal shop cut them into discs. Buying individual discs might be too expensive.

Looking really nice, how thick is the top cover?

[danielucf]

I am more excited about GH60 and GHpad coming to fruition than Korean customs. I hope they will be widely available even if it takes months for production, and dealing with waiting lists.

[ApocalypseMaow]

TAKE MY MONEY!

[leesofi]

i think G H 6 0 is better than nomal circles.
it same as duck poker case. lol.

[Binge]

As a supporter of the GH60 I really want to see this come to pass.  While heaviness is nice I would prefer the bottom to be as non-slip as possible.

[aggiejy]

How does the angle of this case without feet compare to the angle of a Filco without feet?  Some things like the RACE I hate because the angle is too steep out of the box.

[jdcarpe]

Looks like an exact copy of the Poker case bottom, so I would guess the angle is the same.

[WhiteFireDragon]

I don't know what the angle of the Filco is, or the angle of the stock poker case. I just designed it based on what feels right, but they do look similar. Does anyone actually know the angle of the poker case? I don't have a protractor with me to measure it.

Or maybe someone might organize a little donation in the form of a WFD case to the person who did all the hard work in designing the very basis for this AWESOME case's existence? I think that might be arranged...

I was going to suggest this when the GB/IC thread starts. Mr komar should get whatever his heart desires, and his heart desires one of these cases, regardless of cost.

[SmallFry]

I think they are about 7 degrees. At least that's what Beast uses for his rests, IIRC.

[The_Beast]

I think they are about 7 degrees. At least that's what Beast uses for his rests, IIRC.

8

[SmallFry]

Oh, whoops, thanks.

[simkev]

Will the PCB standoffs be milled out of the bottom piece or will they be screwed in? Which are the size of the screws used in the poker and pure to secure the PCB to the standoffs, M2, M2.5? Might be hard to find standoffs in that size. Also what is the thickness of the top piece, the one that is available in three different options?

[jdcarpe]

Poker screws are M2 x 4mm. I found that out by trial and error after ordering some #2-56 x 5/32 screws.

[HannibalChew]

If i get a GH60 this is definitely the case i want! It looks awesome!

[ApocalypseMaow]

I really want that numpad too! Gah that thing is just beautiful.

[jdcarpe]

WFD, I plan to use Cherry plate mount stabilizers with my GH60 plate, so could you include the opening all the way across the spacebar area between the inserts so I can insert the stabilizer bar when assembling.

Thanks!

[simkev]

WFD, I plan to use Cherry plate mount stabilizers with my GH60 plate, so could you include the opening all the way across the spacebar area between the inserts so I can insert the stabilizer bar when assembling.

Thanks!

shouldn't the bar go under the plate or have I gotten everything wrong?

[jdcarpe]

With Cherry plate mount stabilizers, if there is no horizontal opening, you can't fit the bar under the plate to fit in the stabilizer inserts. I didn't understand it at first, but if you try it a few times, you can see how the stab inserts tilt into their openings. If there is no opening for the spacebar wire, you have to use either PCB mount Cherry stabs or Costar stabs.

[simkev]

With Cherry plate mount stabilizers, if there is no horizontal opening, you can't fit the bar under the plate to fit in the stabilizer inserts. I didn't understand it at first, but if you try it a few times, you can see how the stab inserts tilt into their openings. If there is no opening for the spacebar wire, you have to use either PCB mount Cherry stabs or Costar stabs.

OK

[WhiteFireDragon]

i think G H 6 0 is better than nomal circles.
it same as duck poker case. lol.

I know english is not your native language, but can you rephrase? I'm guessing you're saying GH60 should have a better design than just the circular weights, otherwise it'll just be the same as duck poker? I take everything into consideration when designing this to try to accommodate to mostly everyone.

[WhiteFireDragon]

WFD, I plan to use Cherry plate mount stabilizers with my GH60 plate, so could you include the opening all the way across the spacebar area between the inserts so I can insert the stabilizer bar when assembling.

With Cherry plate mount stabilizers, if there is no horizontal opening, you can't fit the bar under the plate to fit in the stabilizer inserts. I didn't understand it at first, but if you try it a few times, you can see how the stab inserts tilt into their openings. If there is no opening for the spacebar wire, you have to use either PCB mount Cherry stabs or Costar stabs.

It's not a design flaw, I intentionally didn't put in that extra cut you're talking about. I think you just overlooked something very obvious: you can install the plate-mounted cherry stabilizer and wires from bottom up 

[alaricljs]

Ok, 1) I think the G H 6 0 dude wants those letters carved into the case bottom instead of circles...
2) you can get away without the wire slot on the space bar, it only requires that you install the plastic pieces without the wire and then carefully slip the wire in from the edge of the assembly between the pcb/plate.  The only board I have seen this not work is pokers where they put the wire on the inboard side of the space bar.

[leesofi]

Sorry about my short english skill.
you understand what i wrote.
"G H 6 0" shape weight have no problem to making, i think. (but price will more expensive that compare to circle.)
Imitation precedes creation but i hope GH60 project have its own style.
 

[leesofi]

like this.

 
 
aha....
screw will be problem..
G,H,6 is fine but 0.. will be problem with screw.
anyone have better idea?

[mashby]

Woah. 

That might be crazy expensive, but it's definitely cool.

[WhiteFireDragon]

leesofi, that looks great, although extremely expensive to carve that out in both the case and the brass weights. Although that looks uber cool, I don't think spending that much is a wise way to delegate budget, especially for a part that won't be seen after everything is installed. Also, I'm trying to tailor this case to poker and pure, not just GH60.

[leesofi]

Oh, i see.
Except 60, GH is good too for brass weight.
It will be cool when brassweight is in outside of case(bottom) like 356mini.
Its just personal wish

[Index]

Oh man, definitely in this one for a hhkb style.

[esoomenona]

Oh, i see.
Except 60, GH is good too for brass weight.
It will be cool when brassweight is in outside of case(bottom) like 356mini.
Its just personal wish

That's what I was just about to suggest. It wouldn't make any sense to hide those nice brass weights on the inside. If they are styled as such, they should be on the bottom so they can be admired from time to time.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Ok I haven't touched this stuff for almost 2 weeks because I got too busy, but finally got a chance to design this based on what lyson suggested. This one only took a couple hours since it's just a modified version of the GH60 bottom piece. It's basically a joined GH60 and GHpad, with an area in the middle divider for a wire to connect the two PCBs together. Then only one USB cable going to communicate with the computer.