Sincerely apologies for the long delay to all of the five beautiful human beings that have been waiting for this update. Personal matters, work, etc etc. But at least I have had about a week to try both V1s and have noted quite a number of things that need change that couldn't be seen from photos. Hopefully what i will be asking for won't cost more of my soul to accomplish (yes, i know i'm being dramatic). Some quick points to highlight here;
1. There are a lot more TKL users than i expected.
2. Height of rest needs to be lower.
3. Frosted acrylic is a pretty nice material.
4. It is also very light. (500g for those curious)
5. Magnets need to change.
6. Machining in some areas needs to be BETTARRr!
7. Feet might change from bumpons to the long stringy kind if I can find transparent ones. Will add much needed friction and, more importantly, in my head looks better for the non-opaque materials.
8. Name of keycap model will be changing. Scatterbrained dodo bird that I am, I forgot it's the same name as the gorgeous keeb I have been waiting since last year for the groupbuy to launch. Gok Sir, if you happen to see this, please gib keeb already... =[
I hereby conclude the end of the first IC. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to read this and write a feedback. I have read all 3 sentences multiple times and have taken them to heart. Prototype V2 will be here by the 15th followed soon by the second IC which will only run a week or less. Targeting to start the groupbuy on the 22nd, ending that end of the month and then start production first week of June. Might seem very rushed but I really want a smaller rest for myself.
I'm not sure what happens to ICs that have gone past their lifespans nowadays but I hope the mods reading this lets this post be up a little longer as a reference or for information. I did not post a IC anywhere else because I'm a rogophobic lazy bum with a severe case of question reluctance. Thank you kindly for your graciousness.
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Changelog details will be in comments together with new photos etc. Just scroll and look out for my badly taken pictures. Should be it.
IC 1 Form: CLOSED.
Hi Everyone! My name is Terence Chia Yi. An old keeb enthusiast whom after around (at a certain point I decided to not look at the yearly date anymore) an eleven-year hiatus from the hobby, went slightly mad last October and decided to return to this slippery slope. I will cut to the chase for this first post which is currently a to-do item that has grown into a rather large buzzing earworm at the back of my head.
This IC is for The Array; A customizable, in more ways for a group-buy item than most things I have come across since October, wrist rest tray.
The name “ARRAY” is derived from
ARtisan t
RAY. Also, personally, the definition of the word also embodies perfectly the soul and purpose of what The Array is meant for.
The Array is inspired by one of the newly purchased products that I have grown to love very much, made by small team of Korean friends who call themselves 4GT. I first got the aluminium by sheer luck, before I even knew who they were and was floored by how well-made it was. Now I own the wooden one as well.
This project is part homage and partly hoping to complement the 4GT tray by adding another two popular keyboard sizes (60% and 65%). Maybe a small amount of TKL but that will depend on the IC here. Though I would rather do that for R2 if this does get to that stage. I've made some tweaks to the design, admittedly selfishly, to better suit my own needs for a rest. These will be elaborated after the prototype photos below.
The Array will currently be available in 6061-T6 Aluminium and Acrylic (The Array Lite). Polycarbonate sample block is currently being machined into the Prototype V2 which will be closer to what I had in mind like in the final render.
PC is not going to be an option until the first PC prototype is deemed passable in the material.
There will be two models, Type K and Type C, for each material to serve different user needs. Features for each are stated below;
The Array: Type K(eycap)
The Type K has slots for artisan keycaps with an acrylic lid. The lid is held in place with a magnetic badge on the left (think Space65). 65% Arrays come with 12 slots.
The Array: Type C(ompartment)
The Type C has no slots for artisans. This variant is for the peeps that properly value their money and do not collect keycaps. The space can be used for pens, keycap pullers etc. The rest of it is the same as the Type K above.
Both Type K and Type C of The Array Lite comes with "lifting points" instead of badges to hold the lid.
Photos for this prototype will be in the next update within the next two days. Along with spec sheets which are already done but I am old and tired.
Current finishing is only anodization (more than one colour will be available) for the aluminium variants. Cerakote options might be available at launch.
Final render for The Array
The design tweaks that have been made for The Array are mainly the cut-out lips at each side to better lift the rest for cleaning the desktop etc. The 4GT one is about 1.4kg and I found myself having trouble lifting it comfortably whenever the need arises.
The Array, though lighter, is already 1.2kg for the 65% Type K model with no items inside.
The Array Prototype V1.0
The other main design feature of the Array is the use of a magnetic badge to secure the lid in place. The 4GT rest was so beautifully machined that I cannot squeeze a fingernail in-between, and under, the body and acrylic lid to remove the lid. They provide a tiny plunger for this very reason. This change makes this easier and overall is more holistic as a singular item.
Round One options that buyers will be able to customize are as follows;
Array Type.
Ano colour for the badge.
Ano colour for the case.
Additional badges. (Price TBD)
Engraving for badge or/and case. (TBD but should be 7 to 15usd depending on size etc)
Targeted price, not including shipping, is 100-120usd for The Array and of course lower for The Array Lite.
Lead time for an order of ≈70 pieces will take 4-6 months (I can only give a more accurate frame after seeing, hopefully, some IC forrms becase of all the customization options)
No MOQ but soft cap (Number will be more accurate for the same said reasons above).
Any queries etc, please feel free to reach me at my revived from the dead Instagram @the.discerning.hobbyist or my email knotnuffspace@gmail.com.
Not discord for now coz it’s not boomer friendly.
Thank all of you for your precious time reading about this project. Take care!
