Aluminum 60% case - GH60, Poker, Pure

[WhiteFireDragon]

I've been working on this for the past few months and this is what I have so far. It's nearly done but I still have to refine some stuff.

top view with some edge lines



bottom view without any reference edge lines


Color-coded by parts, and next to a matching concept GHkeyad



Color-coded by parts, concept GH70 (GH60 + GHkeypad)



What this design allows:

1) compatibility with all 60% layout - includes poker, pure, and upcoming GH60

2) integrated plate - there will be a plate that screws into the bottom piece of the main case.

3) removable switches - the plate allows for removal of the top switch housing without desoldering. The plate design also allows for rotated switches to be removed. You'll also have the option to choose between costar stabilizers, PCB-mounted stabilizers, or plate-mounted stabilizers. Refer to HERE for more info.

4) modular top cover - The top cover has 3 different designs, allows you to choose a winkeyless cover, HHKB style, or standard full keys

5) optional plate - The PCB can be mounted into the case without a plate, made possible by the 5 screw-in standoffs. This was for people that prefer PCB bottom-out feeling.

6) compatibility with the older poker plate - The PCB/plate combo is a direct drop-in without any mods. The old plate won't be able to screw into the case, but you can still screw this PCB/plate combo down to the standoffs.

7) (maybe) optional brass discs - You can add different numbers of brass discs at the bottom to make the case heavier, or take them all off for a lighter case. Any amount up to 4.


more details and description later....

[Shadovved]

I like! 

Now whats lacking is the GH60 within  )

[dirge]

Put me down for one also ISO plate option

Would having the case longer at the front for wrist rest be something people like?

[Turbo Slaab]

Nice man!

[singaporean123]

FREAKING AWESOME

[sherryton]

Nice Job!  Those winkeyless blocks look huge in the picture haha.

[hoggy]

I'd love one of those!

[eon]

4) modular top cover that can be chosen to support standard layouts, winkeyless, or HHKB.

Very nice, meaning there will be multiple top covers available ?

[developej]

am i missing something? pure has 4 modifiers to the right of space, and i see only 3 holes here? also, pure has '~' key right of the RSHIFT, and there is no hole for it on this pic

[dirge]

am i missing something? pure has 4 modifiers to the right of space, and i see only 3 holes here? also, pure has '~' key right of the RSHIFT, and there is no hole for it on this pic

Think he's only posted a pic of what a winkeyless top would look like.  I'm sure other case tops would be available if this comes to production.

[danielucf]

Think he's only posted a pic of what a winkeyless top would look like.  I'm sure other case tops would be available WHEN this comes to production.

Let me fix that for you.....I hope 

I'm in for one or two as long as they are not available for a couple months unless someone purchases my Tamron lens for Canon DSLR.

[phetto]

Very nice..

[regack]

TAKE ALL MY MONEY NOW!!!!

(translation : It's a very faithful and beautiful design.  I like how it stays true to the original simple case design, but takes into account so many variations and improvements.  Now, the added bonus to doing all this work, is that it might be adapted to work with the GHpad  )

[boost]

THAT IS NICE!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see the prototype ^_^

[jdcarpe]

Beautiful. I need two, please. One WKL, one HHKB.

[singaporean123]

I'm curious as to how much these may cost. I hope it will be under 340 usd

[TDub]

Looks very good! Definitely would like 2 of those for the 2 GH60s i am going to order

[WhiteFireDragon]

Every line and cut will add to the cost, so I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible without making it look too boring (ie, just a tray). I think Beast is done with is case design too, so I'm sure he can contribute to the design.

Nice Job!  Those winkeyless blocks look huge in the picture haha.

Because we're all so use to seeing blocks on TKL size cases. The frame on these are smaller so the block to frame size ratio will be different. The winkeyless block and the standoffs look out of proportion to me too.

Now, the added bonus to doing all this work, is that it might be adapted to work with the GHpad  )

I could consider it, but as of right now, there's no finished PCB or dimensions to work from. I already have a poker, pure, and prototype GH60 PCB to reference to.

[Sai]

price pls or a guess pls

[WhiteFireDragon]

One million billion $$.

Honestly I don't know. This is still in design phase, so notice how it's not in the IC or GB subforum yet. The simple imsto/oneproduct aluminum trays were $100, and the duck poker case was $280. The design of this is a tad more complicated than duck poker, but I don't think it should be higher than $280.

[mashby]

Honestly I don't know. This is still in design phase, so notice how it's not in the IC or GB subforum yet. The simple imsto/oneproduct aluminum trays were $100, and the duck poker case was $280. The design of this is a tad more complicated than duck poker, but I don't think it should be higher than $280.

I'm looking down at my Pure and I just don't see how the top of the case would fit, but I love the idea. This is fantastic work.

[Sai]

I agree. anything is still possible at this stage. just wishing for a good one.

[alaricljs]

I'm looking down at my Pure and I just don't see how the top of the case would fit, but I love the idea. This is fantastic work.

The example shown won't fit, it's designed for a different layout specific to the GH60.  However WFD has alternate designs with no blocking to suit the Pure or GH60 in Pure layout.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Then you probably missed this part:

4) modular top cover that can be chosen to support standard layouts, winkeyless, or HHKB.

Poker and pure can only fit in a top cover without the winkeyless block. The one in the current picture can only fit a plate for 1.5x modifiers, which only a GH60 PCB can support. The end design will have different top covers and plates available (hence why it's "modular"), but the bottom case will be the same for all keyboards.

[mashby]

Then you probably missed this part:

4) modular top cover that can be chosen to support standard layouts, winkeyless, or HHKB.

Poker and pure can only fit in a top cover without the winkeyless block. The one in the current picture can only fit a plate for 1.5x modifiers, which only a GH60 PCB can support. The end design will have different top covers and plates available (hence why it's "modular"), but the bottom case will be the same for all keyboards.

Yeah, I realize it'll have a different top, but given the layout, wouldn't just be a rim around the bottom tray since the Pure is just a pile of keys. 

[WhiteFireDragon]

I think you finally understand how it works. Yup, poker or pure, or any other layout that is not winkeyless will have only a cover that's literally just a rim that screws down to the case. That block in the pic is what covers the windows key. For a HHKB layout, those blocks are slightly enlarged and moved to the bottom corners to cover the CTRL.

[sordna]

When do you expect to have a prototype in your hands?

[SmallFry]

Looks nice WFD. The Winkeyless blocks look a bit thick, but nonetheless good.

[Shadovved]

Any ETA on the design outcome? )

[Cobertt]

This is a really sweet design, nice work!

[TheProfosist]

Put me down for one in my plate option.

[Caaaarrrt]

This looks pretty awesome, I'll be watching it closely

[WhiteFireDragon]

Looks nice WFD. The Winkeyless blocks look a bit thick, but nonetheless good.

Hmm maybe because of the angle? Here's the same case with parts color-coded, and at a different angle:

[Batmann]

^This right here just exposed you to multi color case request!
and nice work WFD

[dirge]

Looks nice WFD. The Winkeyless blocks look a bit thick, but nonetheless good.

They'll be ontop of the plate so no issue.

How does the plate screw in?  Can't see how that connects to either the top or bottom.

[SmallFry]

Aha, it seems to have been just the angle. Thanks for the different view.

[Aleksander]

Interested in one with ISO-plate

[4LI4Z]

The perfect case for the GH60! Does the plate allow to open the rotated switches on the GH60 too?

[Turkishrambo]

would love one! My wallet is slightly empty atm so i would def get in a month or 2 when the gh60 goes into GB mode & such

[GoatMaster]

nice job! i am looking forward for some news.

[Glissant]

There's no way I can afford this, but I'm going to keep my eye on it as I love the idea.

[Loligagger]

How does the plate screw in?  Can't see how that connects to either the top or bottom.

I'd like to know this as well. Seems like the bezel is too thin for tabs on the plate to screw into the base.

Also, is the base at the same angle as the stock poker/pure cases? Any possibility for standoffs?

[jdcarpe]

There are standoffs. You can see them in the original image. That's how this is also compatible with Poker and Pure PCBs.

[Loligagger]

Standoffs as in on the bottom of the case to change the angle of the board (probably should have used better wording).

[jdcarpe]

Oh, feet.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Here is the same case with a different top cover, this is the Happy Hacking Keyboard style. The cherry MX version of the HHKB, but this will only be possible with the upcoming GH60 layout options. The current poker or pure does not support 1.5x bottom modifiers to pair up with this HHKB block style.

[mashby]

Here is the same case with a different top cover, this is the Happy Hacking Keyboard style.

This is brilliant. I think you've really out done yourself for 60% cases. Fantastic work and I can't wait to buy one.

[tjweir]

Given my desire to get a GH60, I'd have to get one of these to go with it. 

Nice work!

[WhiteFireDragon]

A more detailed description of the feature that I'll also copy/paste to the OP:


1) compatibility with all 60% layout - includes poker, pure, and upcoming GH60

2) integrated plate - there will be a plate that screws into the bottom piece of the main case.

3) removable switches - the plate allows for removal of the top switch housing without desoldering. The plate design also allows for rotated switches to be removed. You'll also have the option to choose between costar stabilizers, PCB-mounted stabilizers, or plate-mounted stabilizers. Refer to HERE for more info.

4) modular top cover - The top cover has 3 different designs, allows you to choose a winkeyless cover, HHKB style, or standard full keys

5) optional plate - The PCB can be mounted into the case without a plate, made possible by the 5 screw-in standoffs. This will satisfy people that hate plate-mounted PCBs.

6) compatibility with the older poker plate - The PCB/plate combo is a direct drop-in without any mods. The old plate won't be able to screw into the case, but you can still screw this PCB/plate combo down to the standoffs.

How does the plate screw in?  Can't see how that connects to either the top or bottom.

I'd like to know this as well. Seems like the bezel is too thin for tabs on the plate to screw into the base.

Also, is the base at the same angle as the stock poker/pure cases? Any possibility for standoffs?

There are small recessed edges around the whole inner rim that the plate sits on. Technically don't need any tabs, but there are also 4 tabs to screw the plate into the case. The upper cover will screw into the main bottom piece, screw going from bottom up so the holes and screws won't be visible.



I don't know if it's the same angle as the stock poker/pure case. I designed the case with reference to the PCB measurements, not the stock case.


Lastly, guys this is not an order thread lol. No ETA at the moment, it's last on my priority list. I still need to take care of all the current GB stuff, pending keyboards I have to do, and GH prototype first.

[WhiteFireDragon]

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





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?