[IC] FKS87 - Southpaw TKL - GB starts January 10, 2022

[Tom_Kazansky]

Hello everyone,
Welcome to the interest check for the FKS87.



IC Form: https://forms.gle/PQFcAeW6HUooLrrh9

I want to make a southpaw TKL, here are the renders: https://imgur.com/a/pq4kzMj

More

The prototype:

more pics: https://imgur.com/a/t77AGlH

the specs of this board:

Case:
- CNC'd 6061 Aluminum
- Top mount
- 6° typing angle

Plate:
- CNC'd 6061 Aluminum
- Universal layout

PCB:
- ATMega32u4
- QMK and VIA supported
- ESD protection
- Type-C USB daugtherboard
- Soldered PCB
- Supported layout:


Color: (anodization)
- Black, Blue, Red, Silver, Yellow

Kit Content:
- Case (top and bottom pieces)
- Plate
- Weight (there is no weight, unfortunately)
- PCBs (main one and daugtherboard)
- hardwares: screws, bumpons

Group Buy detail:
- GB Date: January 10th, 2022 to January 23rd, 2022 (a period of two weeks)
- Sale format: 30 ~ 50 units, FCFS (first come first serve)
- Price: 250 USD + shipping.
Shipping will be invoiced separately when the boards are complete.
Ships from Hanoi, Vietnam
- Fulfillment time (estimated): early April, 2022



previous form: https://forms.gle/q8X7Cadv9seCYSZ8A (Closed)

If you're interested in this board, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/PQFcAeW6HUooLrrh9

Any and all constructive feedback is great!
Thank you.

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

Renders? Form doesn’t work.

[kameron]

add renders of something and the form doesnt work this is pre ic needs a lot of work

[Tom_Kazansky]

add renders of something and the form doesnt work this is pre ic needs a lot of work

Renders? Form doesn’t work.

form fixed.
I can't decide on some layout option so I need your feedback.

[linell]

Always wanted to see something like this!

[Friendship]

are you designing this board or are we?

[Tom_Kazansky]

Always wanted to see something like this!

thank you! 

are you designing this board or are we?

I design it but I want to sell to you (the users).
I'm afraid my taste is... weird and it might be difficult to sell the board. 

[Tom_Kazansky]

form updated:
- add image to bezel option
- add more options to "above nav cluster"

you can edit your response now.

[treeleaf64]

This is what I, a consumer, would like to see as a successful TKL.

1. Yellow, silver, and black only.
2. Top mount, aluminum plate only
3. f12 (f13 will look odd on southpaw)
4. 1mm corner fillets; 12mm top, 5mm sides, 8mm bottom
5.    No knob, OLED on that spot you picked
6. stainless steel through weight (assuming you can do it since you have SSplate option)

[Tom_Kazansky]

This is what I, a consumer, would like to see as a successful TKL.

1. Yellow, silver, and black only.
2. Top mount, aluminum plate only
3. f12 (f13 will look odd on southpaw)
4. 1mm corner fillets; 12mm top, 5mm sides, 8mm bottom
5.    No knob, OLED on that spot you picked
6. stainless steel through weight (assuming you can do it since you have SSplate option)

thank you, I will keep these points in mind. 
the Stainless Steel plate is actually not from the CNC factory I'm working with, but I will ask the CNC Factory about the weight.

[Tom_Kazansky]

Hello,
I have closed the form, and based on survey results, I will proceed with the following layout:
- F13 F-row
- Led indicators (actually tied with "oled + rotary encoder" option but I will choose the "easier" option)


The next update will have renders, stay tuned! 

[linell]

Hello,
I have closed the form, and based on survey results, I will proceed with the following layout:
- F13 F-row
- Led indicators (actually tied with "oled + rotary encoder" option but I will choose the "easier" option)

Show Image

The next update will have renders, stay tuned!  ;D

Can't wait to see this layout on a keyboard!

[Tom_Kazansky]

Hello,
The renders are up! 
If you're interested in this board, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/PQFcAeW6HUooLrrh9

[linell]

please consider half plates

[Tom_Kazansky]

is there anyone else interests in this board? 

I just placed my order for the prototype PCB.

please consider half plates

I will. 

[Acidthefurry]

would fn key where the right win key is at be possible?

[max.clacks]

would fn key where the right win key is at be possible?

Since it supports QMK and VIA, you can just remap the keys to be whatever key you would like.

[treeleaf64]

better

1. internals
2. color sample
3. daughter board
4. orion indicator (change)

//
first group buy don't do 30-50
your store needs to be available

[Tom_Kazansky]

would fn key where the right win key is at be possible?

yes, it's possible, you can change that key to any other key with QMK/VIA

first group buy don't do 30-50
your store needs to be available

I will certainly need to setup my store,
do you have suggestions on the quanity?
I think that's the "safe amount" of boards that I can delivery within a reasonable timeframe.

[linell]

considering the fact that this is a pretty niche layout, I wouldn't expect many units to be produced

can't wait for protos

[Tom_Kazansky]

Hello,
I got an update

The prototype is here

more pics: https://imgur.com/a/t77AGlH

I'm a bit hesitant to show the prototype, its not good as I expected.

The case pieces fit a bit tightly, so I think I will adjust the bottom piece's dimension a bit (so they won't rub against each other)

I'm worry about the anodization job, which is not good, I guess I will switch to another anodization shop.

is there anythings I can do to improve the product? (maybe... some finishing process that can be done before anodization) any suggestions is greatly appreciated.
---
Even though there are a few issues, I want to proceed with the GB and see it through.

The price of the kit is: 250 USD + shipping

I think I need 1 to 2 weeks to setup the store then the GB may start.

[lach64]

can we get some pictures of the internals

[linell]

yay proto but oof that ano is... something
glad to see half plate 
price point is nice but imma get shafted by shipping
consider 6063 alu for case and 5052 for plate

[Tom_Kazansky]

can we get some pictures of the internals

there are more pics here: https://imgur.com/a/t77AGlH

yay proto but oof that ano is... something
glad to see half plate 
price point is nice but imma get shafted by shipping
consider 6063 alu for case and 5052 for plate

I did ask about Alu 6063, but the CNC shop seems... unenthusiastic  , I guess ordering materials with low quanity is troublesome for them,
so maybe things will get easier after my first GB.

[keybo_hobo]

Please consider using unified daughterboard like ai03.

[Tom_Kazansky]

Hi,
I'm having troubles with shipping rate,
anyone has any tips about how to (accurately) calculate the shipping rate?

I thought of going the "third party" route, I reached out to a local vendor but they rejected me, I guess they're busy.

is it good practice to charge the shipping fee later? (when the boards are ready to be shipped)

Please consider using unified daughterboard like ai03.

hi,
I did think of using ai03's daughterboard but I can't seem to find the right components, so I go with my own instead 

[Friendship]

Hi,
I'm having troubles with shipping rate,
anyone has any tips about how to (accurately) calculate the shipping rate?

I thought of going the "third party" route, I reached out to a local vendor but they rejected me, I guess they're busy.

is it good practice to charge the shipping fee later? (when the boards are ready to be shipped)

Please consider using unified daughterboard like ai03.

hi,
I did think of using ai03's daughterboard but I can't seem to find the right components, so I go with my own instead 

a quick google search https://github.com/ai03-2725/Unified-Daughterboard

If something else is barring you from using the above link files for that universal component, I would highly suggest designing your own or engineering the case to also accept the unified DB for folks to install down the line thus reducing the chance for obsoletion

[linell]

Hi,
I'm having troubles with shipping rate,
anyone has any tips about how to (accurately) calculate the shipping rate?

I thought of going the "third party" route, I reached out to a local vendor but they rejected me, I guess they're busy.

is it good practice to charge the shipping fee later? (when the boards are ready to be shipped)

Please consider using unified daughterboard like ai03.

hi,
I did think of using ai03's daughterboard but I can't seem to find the right components, so I go with my own instead 

a quick google search https://github.com/ai03-2725/Unified-Daughterboard

If something else is barring you from using the above link files for that universal component, I would highly suggest designing your own or engineering the case to also accept the unified DB for folks to install down the line thus reducing the chance for obsoletion

agreed
nonstandard stuff is a pain

[keybo_hobo]

If something else is barring you from using the above link files for that universal component, I would highly suggest designing your own or engineering the case to also accept the unified DB for folks to install down the line thus reducing the chance for obsoletion

Agree

[Tom_Kazansky]

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,
I would like to announce the details about the Group Buy

- GB Date: January 10th, 2022 to January 23rd, 2022 (a period of two weeks)
- Sale format: 30 ~ 50 units, FCFS (first come first serve)
- Price: 250 USD + shipping.
Shipping will be invoiced separately when the boards are complete.
Ships from Hanoi, Vietnam
- Fulfillment time (estimated): early April, 2022

[linell]

yay an update
gonna pick one up
a discord server would be appreciated

[derpturtle]

southpaw so lit

not sure if it was just an aesthetic choice but u could definitely do without a couple of those screws btw. glwic/gb!