[GB] F104+SSK+122+62+77+50+Ergo orders now open! Kishsaver+Industrial Model F

[hashbaz]

What a time to be alive.

[Puddsy]

Finally!

[ixtopolis]

@Ellipse
Is the order window going to be open through July? I keep wanting to get into this but it's never the right time money-wise.

[Atredl]

@Ellipse
Is the order window going to be open through July? I keep wanting to get into this but it's never the right time money-wise.

The final ordering round will be open 1-2 months after the early-bird round ships. Early-bird has just started assembly so it’ll definitely still be open at the end of July.

[Mr_BeastQuake]

In before end of early bird round is June 30th and people complain Ellipse didn't have it posted. 

[euphxenos]

@Ellipse
Is the order window going to be open through July? I keep wanting to get into this but it's never the right time money-wise.

Every month, that note on Ellipse's site about having your orders in by the end of the month changes to the end of the following month.  In a few days, it will ask you to have your order in by the end of July.  That's been going on for a very long time; please don't be fooled into thinking there's an urgent need to get in an order, or you'll miss out.  That's just for the early bird round; there's another round after this.  Read his last update carefully -- he still hasn't completely finalized the springs (he's still going to test whether the latest version of the springs works with the assembly machine), and the molds for the keycaps aren't entirely done.  As positive and upbeat as the update is, it's still not done.  Don't fall for the false sense of urgency.

[Ellipse]

Thanks for attending the Bay Area Model F meetup everyone! It was nice meeting all of you!  In case anyone was curious on feedback from the meeting there was also some discussion on DT (also posted on the meetup thread for sake of completeness):

https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/bay-area-ca-brand-new-model-f-meetup-7-7-t19299.html

[pixelpusher]

Wow!  That F77 looks amazing!  I cannot believe that is a new board.  Totally looks like NIB vintage.   

[euphxenos]

Thanks for attending the Bay Area Model F meetup everyone! It was nice meeting all of you!  In case anyone was curious on feedback from the meeting there was also some discussion on DT (also posted on the meetup thread for sake of completeness):

https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/bay-area-ca-brand-new-model-f-meetup-7-7-t19299.html

Was that announced in this thread, or only on other sites?  I would've gone if I'd known about it, but I rarely look at Deskthority.

[Taeha Types]

Was fortunate enough to see some of the latest samples in person and play around with them!

[Lagomorph]

Had a pretty lousy day at work, but coming home to this was nice. Whoever made that video, great job!

[LightningXI]

Was fortunate enough to see some of the latest samples in person and play around with them!

Hell yeah, dude. Are you in for one?

Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk

[Taeha Types]

Was fortunate enough to see some of the latest samples in person and play around with them!

Hell yeah, dude. Are you in for one?

Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk

Most definitely am! Joined last year hehe

[Giorgio]

Hey AEclipse. Not all model F sound the same.

Proceeds to run away, laughing like a hyena.

[Synjin]

If I were to place an order now, would it be considered early bird still? Approximately when will be the ETA be? I joined when this first opened but I canceled since I want really sure how long it would take and that was ages ago but it looks like it is finally getting there.

[Ellipse]

Yes we are still early bird!  These should start going out later this year.

[Ellipse]

A mini-update - progress on keys, springs, and P clips:

Keys are approved for production!  Industrial SSK blue color is a match and has been approved!

After 6 months of retooling the molds, the factory has succeeded!  All keys and stabilizer inserts function and operate well with the barrels.  The factory will either start production on all colors except pearl/off-white, or they will wait until that color is approved (they are still working on the PBT color mixing as the previous samples were very close but not an exact match).

First tests of the custom built pneumatic spring attacher! 

P clips are almost finished!  The P clip secures the cable inside the classic die cast zinc cases to minimize risk of damage to the USB port on the xwhatsit controller.  Just another example of molds and tooling needing to be built from scratch because none of the original Model F tooling survived.  Attached are photos of the P clip stamping tool and inspection process.

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

A mini-update - progress on keys, springs, and P clips:

Keys are approved for production!  Industrial SSK blue color is a match and has been approved!

After 6 months of retooling the molds, the factory has succeeded!  All keys and stabilizer inserts function and operate well with the barrels.  The factory will either start production on all colors except pearl/off-white, or they will wait until that color is approved (they are still working on the PBT color mixing as the previous samples were very close but not an exact match).

First tests of the custom built pneumatic spring attacher! 

P clips are almost finished!  The P clip secures the cable inside the classic die cast zinc cases to minimize risk of damage to the USB port on the xwhatsit controller.  Just another example of molds and tooling needing to be built from scratch because none of the original Model F tooling survived.  Attached are photos of the P clip stamping tool and inspection process.

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Pretty cool machine there.

[esquilax]

Hey Ellipse, I've sent you an email and a PM about an address change. Just making sure you got it... I wouldn't want to have come this far only to lose my new keyboard in the mail!

EDIT: You got me! Thanks for your help!

[Ellipse]

Yes sorry for the delays on the updates for addresses. 

[compileme]

Just put my oder in for an HHKB-style F62! I can fully program it with layers right?

[Ellipse]

Yep compileme feel free to check out the xwhatsit info here:  http://downloads.cornall.co/ibm-capsense-usb/

[compileme]

Great! Another quick question: for the HHKB layout (split right shift and split backspace), will the default layout be programmed like the stock HHKB?

[vewy_nice]

The flywheel on that green stamping press is making me sweat.

[Ellipse]

Yes something matching or almost matching the HHKB layers compileme

[FoC_Tow]

Yes sorry for the delays on the updates for addresses.

I need to update my shipping address aswell.
Will shoot you an email tomorrow <3

[Ellipse]

Pearl color key samples are expected tomorrow!  Hopefully they will be an exact color match to the 1984 F122 / XT keys.

[Giorgio]

Pearl color key samples are expected tomorrow!  Hopefully they will be an exact color match to the 1984 F122 / XT keys.

All the model F that I've heard sound differently, all keycaps that I've seen look a little bit different.

[Ellipse]

The pearl color is approved and the keys are now going into production!  The key color is a match to the original XT set used on the prototype classic case F77 I brought to the various meetups.

The assembled springs first batch should be going out in a week or two.  The factory has produced three of the spring attachers so far (from the video posted earlier). 

As always please disregard the colors in these photos as they are not 100% accurate.  In person the keys are a match.

[pixelpusher]

Keycap colors approved.  Springs approved.  What else is missing?  Are we close to assembly?

[Ellipse]

Assembly already started with the springs earlier this month.  If the 1,000 first run springs are consistent with the approved samples, the other 199k springs will be produced.  We still have the dye sub to complete.  All other major parts are finished (the boxes and protective foam will be done once everything else is done to minimize storage space usage at the factory).

In the next week or so I am getting the assembled spring first run parts as well as some F122/F107/PC AT foam in case anyone needs early delivery (please let me know if you'd prefer this).

[Pete]

I feel a great rustling in my jimmies. We're getting close!

[Glod]

want it even more now. #endgame?

This picture is what I am hoping to have at its best, it is what sold me. My expectations are super high

Show Image

[Ellipse]

As a reminder I am taking care of the dye sub and was planning to send the keys back for assembly after finishing the dye sub. 

To save significant time I was thinking of having the factory assemble everything except the printed keys and putting it all on the cargo ship when everything is finished.  That way we won't have to wait for the dye sub to finish, for them to receive the keys back, for them to install the keys, and then wait another month for the cargo ship to arrive before deliveries can start.  All 200,000 or so keys (less dye sub) are planned to be completed by the end of August.

To minimize my assembly time I expect to ask the factory to figure out how to "assemble" the keys without a keyboard (maybe using plastic sheets with the keys properly arranged, like IBM used) and then mail me those sheets which can go into the dye sub jig and then pressed on to the keyboards (IBM used similar methods per the IBM Model F keyboard assembly video on YouTube).

Still waiting on the first production spring samples and dye sub test results.

[Jedi]

Wait, am I reading this right?  You personally are going to install 200,000 keycaps by hand

[Ellipse]

Jedi please see the third paragraph and take a look at the IBM Model F keyboard assembly video on YouTube.  IBM pressed the keys all at once from a template to the keyboard.

[esquilax]

Call me crazy, but if it pushed up shipping, I'd be happy to install my own keys. Just give me a bag of them. Not sure how much that would change shipping times or impede QA, though.

[u]

Call me crazy, but if it pushed up shipping, I'd be happy to install my own keys. Just give me a bag of them. Not sure how much that would change shipping times or impede QA, though.

The keys need to be installed for testing.

[xueyao]

It's finally coming to life! Can't wait to press those delicious keys

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Ellipse]

The assembled spring samples and more inner foam for the original F122/F107/PC AT keyboards should arrive next week - if anyone is looking for more inner foam or for their current foam order to ship early please PM me.  If all goes well I can approve the spring production to finish.

[Ellipse]

The one-piece keys from the new molds entered production earlier this month. Here is a photo of a QC station for inspecting each key and making sure it fits well with the production barrels.

[Ellipse]

August Production update:

Production springs approved for mass production!  The springs fortunately are a match to the approved sample springs and I have approved the remaining 199,000 springs for production.  The factory's first 1,000 springs were correctly assembled by the custom built pneumatic spring attacher machine #1; machines 2 and 3 require some minor adjustment to correct the seating of the spring on the flipper for optimal performance.

I also received some samples of the production compact cases and they are excellent.  The sample cases from last year were very good but the bottom plate was a little too thin and the factory had to add more screws to ensure a tight assembly. 

The blue cases came out a beautiful deep blue color that I like, but they are not a match to the Carolina Blue we specified so I'm requesting they make additional cases with the correct Carolina Blue color.

The regular/silver/light gray compact cases are also a match to the approved samples.  I would describe the color as a little lighter than a 2013 MacBook Pro. 

The production black hard anodized compact cases are also excellent.

And the F122 (also for F107/PC AT) foam arrived - I expect to mail out the orders this week.  Please PM me if you'd like your F122 foam order shipped this week.  I have extras beyond the number ordered so feel free to place another order this week if you'd like.

So this means that all keyboard parts are now in production or finished production!  The last major part is the dye sub which the other shop is still working on.

[Ellipse]

Does anyone else need PC AT / F122 / F107 foam?  I still have extras that can go out this month.  I sent out all the current orders of just foam.

[Giorgio]

Does anyone else need PC AT / F122 / F107 foam?  I still have extras that can go out this month.  I sent out all the current orders of just foam.

I would be happy to purchase those, but delivery cost to Italy - and to Europe in general - is too high.

[Kevadu]

Does anyone else need PC AT / F122 / F107 foam?  I still have extras that can go out this month.  I sent out all the current orders of just foam.

Wait, you have PC AT foam?  I didn't see that as an option in the drop-down on your store.

[ag36]

Does anyone else need PC AT / F122 / F107 foam?  I still have extras that can go out this month.  I sent out all the current orders of just foam.

I would be happy to purchase those, but delivery cost to Italy - and to Europe in general - is too high.

Me too

[Ellipse]

I can ship First Class Mail International for the foam if you are only ordering foam.  Should be about $20 to ship.  Please PM me to double check your location.

Yes please see the description in the foam for PC AT:  "You can use my new foam for your AT as well. The AT layout is essentially that of the F107 but with the 15 key F107 section (insert/delete, cursor keys etc) cut out.  To get PC AT foam, order the F107 and cut out the 15 key section yourself.  I just tested this with the PC AT refurb I did and it worked well. You’d just need to do a little snipping around the space bar area."

[Ellipse]

Production on the final two keyboard parts continues this month. The dye sub supplier is not yet finished with the key samples.

We've reached $599,000 in orders so far! 

I am glad that so many people have ordered the extra parts which will keep these keyboards running smoothly long after production ends. Even if you don't end up needing them it's good that they are out there in case someone else in the community needs them. So far 3,000+ extra individual flippers+springs, 1,700+ barrels, and 275 First Aid Kits have been ordered along with 1,300+ F62/F77 keyboards.  I hope everyone can spread the word about the great Model F keyboards so they are not lost to history.

[PancakeMSTR]

Production on the final two keyboard parts continues this month. The dye sub supplier is not yet finished with the key samples.

We've reached $599,000 in orders so far! 

I am glad that so many people have ordered the extra parts which will keep these keyboards running smoothly long after production ends. Even if you don't end up needing them it's good that they are out there in case someone else in the community needs them. So far 3,000+ extra individual flippers+springs, 1,700+ barrels, and 275 First Aid Kits have been ordered along with 1,300+ F62/F77 keyboards.  I hope everyone can spread the word about the great Model F keyboards so they are not lost to history.

Hi Ellipse,
I ordered an F77 with an industrial grey case. I'm consider switching that to beige, and I wonder if that's possible? I'm not yet sure I actually want to switch (I'm indecisive about these things), but I would like to know if it's even something that can happen.

Thanks.

[Ellipse]

Sure, please email me if you decide to change.