[GB] CNC Anodized aluminum case & separable cable for Filco TKL(87) keyboard

[gr4v3m4n]

will the case fit phantom pcb and plate??

[wholypantalones]

will the case fit phantom pcb and plate??

I'll let you know once mine gets here.

[Sempre]

will the case fit phantom pcb and plate??

I'll let you know once mine gets here.

Thank you. I'll also be awaiting conformation.

[sennin32]

Are these possibly shipping soon, or are we still at the end of September?

All finished,
But we have to check every one before shipping
Will finish that this week.

Update :
Pic of reprocessed anodizing.
With all 4 colors!
http://imgur.com/a/O8GKg

Is it just the photos or does the black have uneven anodising?

It is because of light

[sennin32]

From the looks of this, it seems that the PCB/plate is being attached to the case with through PCB/plate screws into the gap between the F-row and the Num-row. I can't tell from the pictures, but it would seem then that the bottom of the plate/pcb must be secured with some tabs (or screws with a lip) that lip over the lower part of the plate to hold it in the case.

If that is correct, I've seen this method of holding the plate/pcb before in the MKC Geekey 87A. That's interesting because the MKC Geekey 87a shares its PCB and plate design with the Ganss GS87 and Noppoo Mid 87, which are also rumored to fit in a Filco case.

I have an MKC Geekey 87a (non-working) and a Ganss GS87 on order (to donate parts into the MKC case). I'm almost willing to order this case when it is available in the Doyu store just to try and confirm. At the very least, if it doesn't work I'll have an excuse to buy a Filco finally. 

Basically you got it!
The only screw position we can use is those 2 near F row.
There's no other mounting point on origin Filco Keyboards.
In order to prevent the unstable of PCB.
There's 2 extra screw position on the bottom of the case.
And it will hold PCB by screw and washer.

[sennin32]

Hi,
Every body.
Cases have finished, but got a layout issue on the separable module.
This makes the keyboard has no response after finished.
We've spotted the bug today and figure out what cause it.
The engineer made a mistake, usb pins are reversed.
Means, it should be 12345, but become 54321.
Trying to find cable that is reversed instead of make all PCBs again.
 

[Blazestorm]

You might be able to do it manually if you just pop out the pins and swap them around:

[codywanks]

You might be able to do it manually if you just pop out the pins and swap them around

I pity the poor sod who has to do it for all 80 (?) orders 

[Blazestorm]

Might take a few hours. But might be better than re-manufacturing the PCBs and delaying it longer. I doubt any reversed cables exist...

[sennin32]

Might take a few hours. But might be better than re-manufacturing the PCBs and delaying it longer. I doubt any reversed cables exist...

If we can not find it, we might have to do that T_T
We use the cable similiar to the pic below:
http://www.ksdxl.com/product/20159/2015091178212161.jpg
I tried to pop the pin out, but it's really tight.

[Cotay]

See if these guys can make it work for you: https://world.taobao.com/item/529129770382.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.675ba573GcOUi5#detail

I don't know which breakout USB board you used, but these can be customized by the end user: https://world.taobao.com/item/555092264486.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.675ba573ZflL0z#detail

[sennin32]

See if these guys can make it work for you: https://world.taobao.com/item/529129770382.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.675ba573GcOUi5#detail

I don't know which breakout USB board you used, but these can be customized by the end user: https://world.taobao.com/item/555092264486.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.675ba573ZflL0z#detail

We've modified the cables!
They works now.
Every PCB might has different definition.
For example, filco and varmilo is inverse.

[Cotay]

Good to hear. Yes, not all keyboard manufacturers follow the standard USB cable order when designing their PCBs. When replacing the USB breakout board or USB cables, it is essential to check the cable orientation to prevent knackering your board or at worst starting a fire. This is important even when changing out a keyboard into a case that was ostensibly designed for your particular keyboard. I ordered an aluminum case for a Varmilo and the USB breakout board that came with it was not compatible as delivered with the Varmilo.   

[codywanks]

I ordered an aluminum case for a Varmilo

do you have a link to that?

[duynguyenle]

I ordered an aluminum case for a Varmilo

do you have a link to that?

Pretty sure you just email the Varmilo sales rep and order one straight from them. Her details is listed in the vendor threads somewhere. Failing that (or if you're too lazy to deal with emails, you could always wait until the next time they drop on Massdrop, it pops up every so often

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-87-key-aluminum-case

Edit: Also found it here on aliexpress, no need to wait for MassDelay: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/VA87-VB87-Anodized-Aluminum-CNC-Case-CNC-Aluminum-Feet-for-Varmilo-VA87-VB87-Mechanical-Keyboard/32756038138.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10068_10130_10192_10190_10307_10301_10137_10303_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_100031_10099_10338_10103_10102_440_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10324_10325_10326_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10179_143_10312_10313_10184_10314_10078_10079_10073,searchweb201603_17,ppcSwitch_7&btsid=2f3e4497-6d40-4a24-a642-73ff30a27703&algo_expid=9c0c0627-2031-4220-9ffd-c8a8f8a1db43-0&algo_pvid=9c0c0627-2031-4220-9ffd-c8a8f8a1db43

[Cotay]

I ordered an aluminum case for a Varmilo

do you have a link to that?

Pretty sure you just email the Varmilo sales rep and order one straight from them. Her details is listed in the vendor threads somewhere. Failing that (or if you're too lazy to deal with emails, you could always wait until the next time they drop on Massdrop, it pops up every so often

Varmilo doesn't make an aluminum case for their TKL boards, on the VA68M. The only available case for the Varmilo TKL boards is a third party product (from YMD Tech).

Amazon has two colors (black and silver) currently, but note that it also ships from overseas.  YMD also has a Taobao store in addition to their AliEx store mentioned: https://world.taobao.com/item/553673627864.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.675ba573L4buJL#detail  Apparently only the Taobao store has all colors available at present.

[codywanks]

@duynguyen: I already have several Varmilo cases, both from MD and Taobao, but none of them came with a breakout board. Which is why I was curious about Cotay's case.

[Cotay]

@duynguyen: I already have several Varmilo cases, both from MD and Taobao, but none of them came with a breakout board. Which is why I was curious about Cotay's case.

Just to clarify, mine was ordered through their Amazon listing. I thought it was strange that it had the USB breakout board when the Varmilo already has one. I'm keeping it around for when I might want to modify a cabled board to have a removable cable.

[kbdfans]

nice

[sennin32]

@duynguyen: I already have several Varmilo cases, both from MD and Taobao, but none of them came with a breakout board. Which is why I was curious about Cotay's case.

@duynguyen: I already have several Varmilo cases, both from MD and Taobao, but none of them came with a breakout board. Which is why I was curious about Cotay's case.

If you open the keyboard, you can find the PCB

[codywanks]

If you open the keyboard, you can find the PCB

I thought it was strange that it had the USB breakout board when the Varmilo already has one.

Yeah exactly this.

[Blazestorm]

Any updates? Got all the parts for my builds except the cases

[sennin32]

Hi,
We take several days to pack the cases.
Will send most orders this week.
But there's still some defect shows up in second anodize.
Most of them are black and blue.
So for orders in blue, might have to wait for few days more.

We take some pics today to show the color and how the case stick PCB steady.

Check all the pics here :
https://imgur.com/a/eQ8lE

[sennin32]

It has no significant difference from gray and silver in the pics due to flash light.
But for actual case, Gray is much darker than silver.

[CommonCurt]

Nice,  I really regret not being able to join the GB for a grey one.
Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

[sennin32]

Nice,  I really regret not being able to join the GB for a grey one.
Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

Will be this week.
Black and blue is not enough cause these colors is easier damaged.
More defect, we've send them back to anodize processing again.
Gray and silver will have some more extra available.

[wholypantalones]

Nice,  I really regret not being able to join the GB for a grey one.
Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

Will be this week.
Black and blue is not enough cause these colors is easier damaged.
More defect, we've send them back to anodize processing again.
Gray and silver will have some more extra available.

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly; since I ordered a black case there's an additional wait for re-anodizing a third time?

[jrfhoutx]

Nice,  I really regret not being able to join the GB for a grey one.
Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

Will be this week.
Black and blue is not enough cause these colors is easier damaged.
More defect, we've send them back to anodize processing again.
Gray and silver will have some more extra available.

So then will the grey and silver be shipping for gb orders this week?

[sennin32]

Nice,  I really regret not being able to join the GB for a grey one.
Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

Will be this week.
Black and blue is not enough cause these colors is easier damaged.
More defect, we've send them back to anodize processing again.
Gray and silver will have some more extra available.

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly; since I ordered a black case there's an additional wait for re-anodizing a third time?

Hi,
Not all cases, only some of them.
So most orders will be sent this week.
Around 1~2 orders will delay.

[punksinatra]

only filco was tested with this case right? so the old QFR that was made by costar should fit?

Any other cases you have tried to fit?

phantom, ikbc c-f-mf, v80, code, kul-es, masterkeys?

[sennin32]

only filco was tested with this case right? so the old QFR that was made by costar should fit?

Any other cases you have tried to fit?

phantom, ikbc c-f-mf, v80, code, kul-es, masterkeys?

We don't have other PCBs to test
It is nothing to do with stabs.
Only PCB size and screw position matters.

[codywanks]

Just received my tracking number, thanks Sennin!

[duynguyenle]

Got shipping notification!!!!! 

[sennin32]

Around 5 orders still processing.
Will send all except 1 order next week
(Blue go too many defect... not enough to full fill all orders)

[clasicks]

any extra or b stock for sale?

[wholypantalones]

any extra or b stock for sale?

Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

Will be this week.

I think that sums it up.

[clasicks]

any extra or b stock for sale?

Any estimates on when they will be available on your website?

Will be this week.

I think that sums it up.

Thanks!

[sennin32]

https://shopkey.doyustudio.com/001kba8fc-s
Here it is.

[duynguyenle]

Mine showed up today, I thought I got the Grey version but turned out it was Black  I must've selected the wrong option at checkout.

Excellent quality on the anodisation though, very nice and smooth and initial inspection reveals no blemishes!

Now to go and find a plate for this to use with my LFK TKL Alps PCB )

[Blazestorm]

Mine showed up today, I thought I got the Grey version but turned out it was Black  I must've selected the wrong option at checkout.

Excellent quality on the anodisation though, very nice and smooth and initial inspection reveals no blemishes!

Now to go and find a plate for this to use with my LFK TKL Alps PCB )

I have 3 of these cases showing up today and I already have 3x LFK PCBs and 3x mk.com Phantom Plates to install in them. I'll let you know if they work out, I suspect I might need something on the bottom edge of the plate/pcb to fit better/add support underneath, but we'll see. The Phantom plates have cut-outs for Alps and Cherry but have an issue with plate thickness. It's about 1.5mm where the recommendation is ~1.2mm for Alps. They still fit and clip in fine, but some Alps switches will wear out if you install/remove them a bunch of times.

[wholypantalones]

So mine arrived rattling around in thin cardboard box with no padding in it whatsoever, wrapped with a thin layer of bubble wrap on the outside..

Honestly, there's still some machining marks under the anodizing and a small bump in the corner but I guess it's acceptable. No rubber feet or bumpons were supplied. Anodizing isn't bad, but it's not a $300 custom either. Kinda disappointing.

Imgur gallery review Phantom PCB test fit: https://imgur.com/a/wwcKC

[DasGnome]

I was surprised that it wasn't secured inside the box, and that not even rubber bumpons were supplied. Mine came with a small indent on the top keyboard edge that's easily noticeable from even a few feet away. Very sad since I've been so hyped for it and yet get a glaring defect. I've emailed Doyu about it directly. Besides that it's exactly as beautiful as expected.

[donjoan666]

Hi Sennin!
Thanks for your great work! Mine arrived today and it looks great! 
However, the package didn't include the USB module, connector and additional screws (basically the ziploc from the other picture).
Can I get that as well? Please let me know!
Thanks!
DH

[clasicks]

Was able to buy one of these today, (thanks to poster above) - Gonna try and put a QFR in it. I think i will end up drilling through the plate to use the f row mounting holes... Waiting till its in hand to make a decision.

I will have to look into crafting a badge to sink into the LED holes...

[Sempre]

I received mine today, black silver and grey. All had great finishing and I am impressed. The silver case has minor imperfections but not very noticeable. Had to pay £26 in taxes. Now I hope I can finish building them before the end of this year.

[ullr]

Got mine today after missing the mailman yesterday

I can confirm that it does work with a Japanese majestouch 2; except only the two screws towards the back of the PCB (when sitting like you use it) work so if you have really absurdly heavy switches that might leave too much flex. The cable does work and the case does fit though.

I am more or less happy with the case, I think the top surface should be a lot thicker though if I had one gripe.

[sennin32]

Got mine today after missing the mailman yesterday

I can confirm that it does work with a Japanese majestouch 2; except only the two screws towards the back of the PCB (when sitting like you use it) work so if you have really absurdly heavy switches that might leave too much flex. The cable does work and the case does fit though.

I am more or less happy with the case, I think the top surface should be a lot thicker though if I had one gripe.

@@
There's two extra screw holes on the bottom side (Side close to your body).
It is for adding screws and keep the PCB on the position without moving.
You can try that, will be much better.

[Blazestorm]

https://imgur.com/a/Wkwi4

Now to start building them =)

The mk.com Phantom Plate requires additional support on the bottom because the Filco OEM plate has that 90* bend which the bottom screws push against. A small piece of metal/acrylic/wood would work to fill the gap.
The mk.com Phantom Plate also has some small gaps on the left/right edges because it's just a little too narrow, I don't think you'd really see that much once the PCB and switches are installed.

And there were no feet, I guess because this case was meant to replace the stock Filco case, it was assumed you would take the feet off your Filco case (which I don't have). So now I'm looking at finding some rubber feet: 40mm x 10mm x 3mm w/ 5mm radius is what I think we need. I found a seller on Amazon that seems to do custom sizes and if he can make this size I might order a bunch and sell extras to anyone who wants some.

Weight for just the case comes in at just over 2.0lbs which is pretty decent.

First one built: https://imgur.com/a/BXHAd

[duynguyenle]

https://imgur.com/a/Wkwi4

Now to start building them =)

The mk.com Phantom Plate requires additional support on the bottom because the Filco OEM plate has that 90* bend which the bottom screws push against. A small piece of metal/acrylic/wood would work to fill the gap.
The mk.com Phantom Plate also has some small gaps on the left/right edges because it's just a little too narrow, I don't think you'd really see that much once the PCB and switches are installed.

And there were no feet, I guess because this case was meant to replace the stock Filco case, it was assumed you would take the feet off your Filco case (which I don't have). So now I'm looking at finding some rubber feet: 40mm x 10mm x 3mm w/ 5mm radius is what I think we need. I found a seller on Amazon that seems to do custom sizes and if he can make this size I might order a bunch and sell extras to anyone who wants some.

Weight for just the case comes in at just over 2.0lbs which is pretty decent.

First one built: https://imgur.com/a/BXHAd

Show Image

Can you show the inside? Which plate have you uses and did you have to make any modifications to get it to sit securely in the case?

[Blazestorm]

I used the mechanicalkeyboards.com Phantom plate w/ lfkeyboards.com TKL PCB.

To fit the plate securely I just added a bunch of drawer liner under the PCB, so when you put the bottom plate on, it pushes the plate against the top case. Not perfect, but works pretty well I think. I can take some pictures later to show the gap that you need to fill to get the 2nd set of screws to fit. You could use a thin piece of metal/wood/acrylic that goes between the plate and the bottom screws. The two top screws fit this plate fine, just the bottom has a gap because it was designed for Filco plate/PCB

A second note about this PCB/Plate combo is the screw-holes on the LFK PCB are not large enough for the screws provided. So you need to install them onto the plate first before you start installing switches. I used some more scotch tape to hold the screw in-place while I went to solder. Alternatively you could just find some other screws that have a slightly smaller radius (this only applies to this LFK PCB).

So aside from the rubber feet, the next part of polish/improvement is lightpipes for the LEDs, the lfkeyboard PCB has RGB SMD LEDs for the two indicators, which is great, you can customize the colors, etc. But because they're SMD, the light isn't very focused. I used some scotch tape to diffuse the LED a bit. So now I'm also looking at getting some lightpipes from mouser or a similar place.

It also turns out my plate was bent a little bit so I needed to add extra padding to push the right half of the plate up against the top plate. Not sure if I bent it while soldering/installing, or if it was bent before. I'll check my other two plates later. Great part about this plate though is it supports Alps + MX (Just like the PCB) and if you're using MX, you also get switch-top opening as well.

I don't really want to take this one apart again just yet, the bottom plate is actually a really tight fit and it becomes a problem to remove it. Even if you unscrew all 8 screws, it's stuck in there with tension and you have nothing to access it with. I used a screw-driver through the top of my PCB (through another layout's switch cut-out) to push the bottom plate out. I knew because of the drawer liner all at the bottom.I wouldn't damage the bottom plate. But I have 2 more plates and 2 more cases, so I can take some better pictures to show the issue.