[IC] SKB2 - steel, isolation top mount, powder coated / ETA set!

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Eon75 for the SKB2-75 (V1 and V2)
Eon95 for the SKB2-95

Both PCBs are designed by Maarten for the SKB2 GroupBuy.
More details on them will follow.

[Gepriester]

I'm so hyped for this. I can't wait 

[BWLR]

I'm so hyped for this. I can't wait 

Same! What's left to do PlastikSchnittstelle?

[FearsomeCubedWarrior]

~

[The_Royal]

I know its pretty long in the process but I know there were Many, Many people looking for The Ave. to be made in this fashion:




If you have the space/time/interest, please let me know 

[enrique.aliaga]

Have we already decided which RAL code to use for beige. Did I miss the poll?

I just wanted to mention that RAL9002 looks better than RAL9001, and closer to, say, the beige on my IBM Model Ms.


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[rinkaan]

Didn't have any poll I guess... Plastic is deciding on the colors now I guess

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[PlastikSchnittstelle]

I'm so hyped for this. I can't wait 

Same! What's left to do PlastikSchnittstelle?

Yes, the update section tells it.
But let me elaborate:

Many times before I had mentioned that I was planing to take better pictures. A friend of mine is an actual photographer, he'll take the pictures. It just hasn't happened jet. The reason is that for each of the case colors I wanted to get a keycap set that matches well. I'm covered for beige, black and grey. Yellow and stainless steel, I had to get caps.
For yellow I handpicked colors for a PBT DSA set from signatureplastics. First it took ages to arrive, SP processed the order quickly but it was stuck at customs for much too long. Secondly, I chose YAM but that turned out to be a very light banana yellow and does not fit the RAL1023 well. Instead I should have gotten YCR, that would fit well.
I also have ordered three blank sets from mykeyboard. They are not coming due to corona.
Before I don't have the caps, I can't have the pictures taken. Before I don't have the pictures, I don't want to let go of the units that I want to send out to review.

However there is a solution already on its way to me. A GMK Serika set. That fits the yellow case. Pictures are planed for next week. Will probably not have a good match for the stainless steel case but I can't let the lack of caps allow this operation to be hold off for longer.

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Have we already decided which RAL code to use for beige. Did I miss the poll?

I just wanted to mention that RAL9002 looks better than RAL9001, and closer to, say, the beige on my IBM Model Ms.

Didn't have any poll I guess... Plastic is deciding on the colors now I guess

No no no no nooo! Guys! I said there'd be a poll on beige, so there will be a poll on beige.
My previous post about the wait for keycaps should explain why the poll hasn't happened jet. Only when the pictures are taken I can give you an accurate representation of the three options RAL9001, RAL9002 and RAL1013.

Based on those pictures you can vote.

I know, I'm also pissed off by the wait. The last prototype cases are ready since a long time now, just waiting. Maybe I'm sometimes not flexible enough and insist too much on the schedule I hade once thought up. Really close now.

[BWLR]

No worries. All completely understandable and thanks for the detailed explanations. Nobody is pissed off, just excited 👍🏻

[Senor Coconut]

No worries. All completely understandable and thanks for the detailed explanations. Nobody is pissed off, just excited 👍🏻

+1!

[rinkaan]

Yeah not pissed! Gives me more time to decide if I can afford 1800 and what colors and what keycaps to get for it... Initially tot of getting a lux set, but didn't really want a black keyboard and the stainless with nickel seems better with a Grey set as well.. Thanks for the wait really!

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[knockingplayer]

About the plates

You know from the pictures in the start post that the plates have relief cuts around the mounting points. I tried different sizes, they all had much less of an impact that I was expecting. Since the case has big bezels, I thought why not use the room you have, so I tried the maximum amount of relief cuts. It's basically a thin strip that winds as much as possible in the available space. Want to show you what I got (obviously hasn't been surface treated jet):

Show Image

(I think embedding here does not work like this, please tell me if you know how)

link to the video

Here you can also see one of the grommets getting seated:

Show Image

(I think embedding here does not work like this, please tell me if you know how)

link to the video

Now before you all scream "I-WANT-THAT", please read my thoughts about this:
I have put the plate into a case and put switched and caps on. It's not a complete build but I can tell that when typing you won't be able to tell this plate with super long and winding relief cuts apart from one without them. If you press down on all keys with both hands then you do feel is, the plate can be pressed down. But in terms of typing - there is no effect for me noticeable.
Isolating the plate from the case via the grommet is much more noticeable compared to going metal on metal with the mounting. Maybe using grommets has a lesser effect in CNC milled cases but for my type of case, the isolation mounting has a big and satisfactory impact.

Not only is the impact of the winding relief cut hardly noticeable, it also brings problems in terms of manufacturing, transportation and handling. The thin strips are quite fragile and I fear if I would have a lot produced like that, quite a few might end up broken.
So even if this looks like something you might want to have in your plate, I have to say that this kind of cut is in my opinion neither a noticeable nor a feasible solution.
I will do relief cuts but not like this.

Are You gonna release the plate files so i can get a brass plate?

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Are You gonna release the plate files so i can get a brass plate?

Sure, I will.
Last GB, everyone who asked me got the file. Though I always respeonded with the offer to not just send the standard plate file but rather make the custom layout plate file myself. I think almost all who asked for the plate file actually got their own custom plate file instead. There were only two ALPS requests that I struggled with a bit.

[Bl4ck]

maybe this has been already answered, but what is going to be the actual layout of the 65% version. I've seen 2 different renders I think.

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Here you can see all the sizes and versions that will be available:



Btw, it's also mentioned in the start post

Sizes & versions

Various sizes and versions will be available. Some are already sure, more will probably be added later (please let me know what you'd like to see).
So far:

• 40% Ortholinear
• 60% Standard, WKL, HHKB, YAS62, Boardwalk
  
• 65% Standard, 0.5U bottom row blocker, 0.5U bottom row blocker & 2U right column blocker
• 75% (not KBD75-style instead a new custom design, SKB2-75)
  
• TKL Standard, WKL
• not 1800 but something similar: SKB2-95
  

[nuno99costa]

Here you can see all the sizes and versions that will be available:

(Attachment Link)

Btw, it's also mentioned in the start post

Sizes & versions

Various sizes and versions will be available. Some are already sure, more will probably be added later (please let me know what you'd like to see).
So far:

• 40% Ortholinear
• 60% Standard, WKL, HHKB, YAS62, Boardwalk
  
• 65% Standard, 0.5U bottom row blocker, 0.5U bottom row blocker & 2U right column blocker
• 75% (not KBD75-style instead a new custom design, SKB2-75)
  
• TKL Standard, WKL
• not 1800 but something similar: SKB2-95
  

Does the 95 come with only with that cutout for the f13-f16 keys?

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[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Does the 95 come with only with that cutout for the f13-f16 keys?

Right, I forgot!
I'll let you vote on this. Together with the vote on beige.
Will be only one 95% version. Either the top right cluster will have five (like shown) or four keys.

[Bl4ck]

Here you can see all the sizes and versions that will be available:

(Attachment Link)

Btw, it's also mentioned in the start post

Sizes & versions

Various sizes and versions will be available. Some are already sure, more will probably be added later (please let me know what you'd like to see).
So far:

• 40% Ortholinear
• 60% Standard, WKL, HHKB, YAS62, Boardwalk
  
• 65% Standard, 0.5U bottom row blocker, 0.5U bottom row blocker & 2U right column blocker
• 75% (not KBD75-style instead a new custom design, SKB2-75)
  
• TKL Standard, WKL
• not 1800 but something similar: SKB2-95
  

Oh I see.. so the 3 versions I saw are all being made ahahah

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

3rd and last early bird round

As you know 40%, 75% and 95% have recently been added. Before production I want to make sure everything is fine, so I'll need a prototype of each size. That's why I'll do a last funding round. I'll reopen the early bird form, which is linked in the start post, later today.
(will be the 4rth prototype batch)

[nuno99costa]

3rd and last early bird round

As you know 40%, 75% and 95% have recently been added. Before production I want to make sure everything is fine, so I'll need a prototype of each size. That's why I'll do a last funding round. I'll reopen the early bird form, which is linked in the start post, later today.
(will be the 4rth prototype batch)

Will it be the same 110€ as in the previous round?

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[PlastikSchnittstelle]

yes

[Bl4ck]

Can i be early bird on this round even If i don't want those versions you metioned? (I want 65% not 40%, 75% and 95%)

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Can i be early bird on this round even If i don't want those versions you metioned? (I want 65% not 40%, 75% and 95%)

Totally.
When the GroupBuy starts, you'll pic any size/version you want.

[nuno99costa]

Hope I don't miss it opening. Any idea on what time you'll open it?

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[Bl4ck]

Hope I don't miss it opening. Any idea on what time you'll open it?

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Same... really want to get in!

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Around eight o clock German time, I guess.

[StanleyLelnats]

Did all the early bird slots fill up?

[Bl4ck]

Did all the early bird slots fill up?

I think they didnt open yet

Edit: Opened just now!

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Hope I don't miss it opening. Any idea on what time you'll open it?

sorry, was away, it's open now

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Early bird form is open again

As mentioned earlier, I have now reopened the early bird form.
This is the 3rd funding round for the 4rth and last prototype batch.

[nuno99costa]

Let's hope I got in

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[Bl4ck]

I'm assuming I did get in doesn't it automatically close?

Edit: How can we confirm If I properly managed to enter my details ahah

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

I'll monitor it and close it myself.

[SteffeMK]

Early bird form is open again

As mentioned earlier, I have now reopened the early bird form.
This is the 3rd funding round for the 4rth and last prototype batch.

How long after you recieve this round of protos do you think it will be until the gb starts?

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[PlastikSchnittstelle]

I just need the parts, powdercoating not necessary for checking that everything is fine.
Thinking first week of april is realistic for the GB to start.

[teejstroyer]

The 75% is such a beauty


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[Bl4ck]

Are the invoices for early bird going out today?

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

No, not today, will sleep now. Don't know if I'll find the time tomorrow, maybe wednesday.

Btw, here are some square renderings:



Support R0 and R5, it's the real ****

[dommyy13]

Signed up for early bird, this kb is a beauty!

[bananasplit_00]

Aww man, i wanna earlybird but im out of spending money for this month Good luck on getting that funding, probably going to go quick 

[qwertypoiu]

I suppose I can't be in on the latest early bird round if I already took part in round 1? 

edit: wording

[FearsomeCubedWarrior]

~

[Cantello]

Any keycap ideas that include a Norde kit for a yellow 65% one? I was thinking GMK Nautilus for the TKL/grey but have no idea for the second 65% that I wanted to get. I'm not even sure if it is going to be yellow or beige, something lighter anyway. For yellow, do you think that e.g. KAT Atlantis would be a good match? Blue & yellow normally mixes very well but I can't yet see the final board in my head.

[BWLR]

GMK Honey?

[Cantello]

GMK Honey?

Looks good but no Norde kit, should have mentioned that... Plus I was thinking of something away from the yellow-on-yellow-colorway, some complementary colours maybe?

[Bl4ck]

GMK Honey?

Lux?

[Cantello]

Lux?

Q: Colemak, Ergodox, Norde?
A: No.

So: beautiful set but no.

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

Early bird form is closed again

There is a plugin that I could use to close the early bird form when a certain amount of entries is reached. Better than constantly checking manually. When I had checked earlier today the form was already closed again. Maybe I'll find the time for the invoices later today, if not then tomorrow.

[PlastikSchnittstelle]

GMK Honey?

Lux?

GMK Honey?

Looks good but no Norde kit, should have mentioned that... Plus I was thinking of something away from the yellow-on-yellow-colorway, some complementary colours maybe?

Honey and Lux are both perfect for the yellow powder coating. I think I had posted renders with caps that should look like Lux. Can try some honey-like renderings.
And yes, kits don't necessarily need yellow as main color. Just a yellow accent makes a nice combo. Metropolis for example and the upcoming Nautilus R2.