[IC] Phantom Skeleton Kit

[roostrc0gburn]

News/Updates:

This is my first IC/GB, so please be patient with me. I am here to learn and serve to community.

[1/15]   Interest Check Form is up! If you haven't already, please fill it out  http://goo.gl/forms/P0YV7AKsU4

[1/29]   IC phase ending soon. There is minimal interest in this project, so we are just getting plates. I can post resources for all other parts needed to do the build if people need that. Plate layout will be Standard ANSI, with optional Winkeyless - potato renders below. If you need ISO or some other layout, PM me and we'll see what we can do.

[2/1]   Posted to Reddit. 22 orders for plates before posting. here's some renders!

More

[2/6] emailed the vendor for lead times and price confirmation. Also emailed @bpiphany for options on PCB pricing. Waiting to hear back from them before opening the GB next week. I am hoping to have some options for people who want a full kit

[2/10] given that Chinese new year was monday (2/8), there is no point in starting this group buy this week. The holiday lasts all week, and the lantern festival is in a couple weeks. Realistically, this GB won't start until the end of Feb, or early March.

[2/16] talked to the plate fab shop again. here are our available options (all same price):

• ANSI 1.25, ANSI 1.5 WKL, ISO 1.25 and ISO 1.5 WKL
• Aluminum or Stainless Steel
• Dual-Action Sander Finish or #4 Grain

[2/19]   talked to a rep from mechanicalkeyboards.com at a local LAN event. i think it may now be possible to include phantom pcbs as well as the teensy 2.0 controllers, diodes, leds, resistors, etc into the group buy package! maybe even a little cheaper than our alternative options. I will keep you guys posted. GB starting this weekend if i can nail down some of these details and pricesin

[2/23]   Still negotiating prices, which will basically determine what parts will be included in the GB. I think we will be able to offer all layouts supported by the Teel PCB (ANSI 1.25, ANSI 1.5 WKL, ISO 1.25, ISO 1.5 WKL, and 7BIT. Still my goal to start GB and prototype by the end of the month!

[2/25]   OK, we have vendors and prices for all the parts except stabilizers. please PM me if you have a source that we could include, or at least point people to for the kit. working on final adjustments and preparations for the GB. looks like starting this week might be a stretch, so i will shoot for this weekend! thanks for your patience

[2/29]   Happy leap day! just posted the GB thread, awaiting mod approval. I will open up orders this week!!!

GROUP BUY IS OPEN
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=80118

What's Included:

This list is currently in progress, and I will update as more feedback comes in from the community. My goal is to provide a complete kit for under $100.

• 2 Stainless Steel Plates (SAE 304): Top and Bottom
• 12 Stainless Steel threaded standoffs
• 24 Machine Screws
• 1 Phantom PCB
• 1 Teensy 2.0 Controller
• Diodes (1N4148)
• 2 LEDs (colors TBD)
• 2 Resistors (if needed for LEDs)
• Various types of switches - Greetech, Kailh, Gateron, Cherry
• Stabilizers?

Some of these items we will need to find a vendor or omit from the kit. That will mean people will need to source those parts themselves.
I have a vendor for the plates, and bpiphany has offered to help with the PCBs. I am thinking it may be easiest to find a proxy and order the electronic parts from tao bao (LEDs, diodes, resistors). Maybe we can do the same for the Teensy 2.0. If anyone can help with this, please pm me.

Backstory:

This is a bit of a reboot of a group buy i was recently a part of. We had plates made, but they did not fit the Phantom PCB. There is still some interest from that group to have plates made, but there is not really enough interest to warrant a whole new group buy. My thought is to open this up to everyone, and include parts for an entire kit. If possible, I would like to be able to offer each individual part as a "child deal" that people could order separately. Ie. if you just wanted plates, or just wanted diodes, etc...

At this point, we just need to determine what is possible, and if we have enough people to make it happen.

[Steezus]

I got enough TKLs myself but this is a really cool idea if you can get it done. For ~$100 that would be a great starter kit for people to dive into building keyboards.

[SpAmRaY]

I wish you luck hopefully this doesn't succumb to the phantom curse.

[roostrc0gburn]

oh, now there's a curse...?

[SpAmRaY]

oh, now there's a curse...?

Well if you look at the last phantom group buy and a few buys people tried to do afterwards related to the phantom they all crashed and burned.

[Tym]

oh, now there's a curse...?

Well if you look at the last phantom group buy and a few buys people tried to do afterwards related to the phantom they all crashed and burned.

Yeah you should rename it; Ghost, revenant, shadow, shade, wraith or something.

Personally I like Wraith

[roostrc0gburn]

come to think of it... thats how this whole damn thing started

[cryptokey]

Might want to check out aliexpress or alibaba (for large quantities) so you don't need to proxy from taobao on the led's

[UsualSuspectXXX]

I'd definitely be interested.

[theanyday]

Guess this might be my 3rd round of trying to buy some Phantom plates.

[toidbb]

I am interested as well.

[wakko]

In

[mrbishop]

ive been wanting to build a phantom... but i need to do more Aluminum milling on my CNC so i'll probably just go it alone. BUT for someone who doesn't have a CNC or who has built a keyboard before. this sounds smashing.

[FLFisherman]

Are there any pictures anywhere of what you're thinking of buying? I've never heard of a Phantom before. :/

[mrbishop]

mechanicalkeyboards.com has phantoms
sparkfun.com has teensys and accessories
maxkeyboards.com has leds
wasdkeyboards.com has stabs
MAX also has caps

[Data]

Are there any pictures anywhere of what you're thinking of buying? I've never heard of a Phantom before. :/

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom

---

I did a couple of Phantom builds recently on my own.  What happened with your plates not fitting?

[FLFisherman]

mechanicalkeyboards.com has phantoms
sparkfun.com has teensys and accessories
maxkeyboards.com has leds
wasdkeyboards.com has stabs
MAX also has caps

Are there any pictures anywhere of what you're thinking of buying? I've never heard of a Phantom before. :/

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom

---

I did a couple of Phantom builds recently on my own.  What happened with your plates not fitting?

Ahhh, it's a PCB. Thank you!

[mrbishop]

More

mechanicalkeyboards.com has phantoms
sparkfun.com has teensys and accessories
maxkeyboards.com has leds
wasdkeyboards.com has stabs
MAX also has caps

Are there any pictures anywhere of what you're thinking of buying? I've never heard of a Phantom before. :/

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom

---

I did a couple of Phantom builds recently on my own.  What happened with your plates not fitting?

Ahhh, it's a PCB. Thank you!

i have some useful information some times
at least thats where i usually get stuff from so i dont have to wait a month for over seas shipping

[jdcarpe]

I think this is what OP is trying to acheive?

[mrbishop]

I think this is what OP is trying to acheive?

Show Image

JD you always come in with the nicest stuff.  :thumb: :thumb:

[axtran]

JD's boards are always so beautiful.

[roostrc0gburn]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

[axtran]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

There was a JD Skeleton made in the past with a Phantom inside.

[roostrc0gburn]

mechanicalkeyboards.com has phantoms     $32 (+Teensy 2.0 $22)
sparkfun.com has teensys and accessories     
maxkeyboards.com has leds
wasdkeyboards.com has stabs
MAX also has caps

I bought a Phantom PCB and Teensy 2.0 from MechanicalKeyboards.com for $54. Depending on the amount of interest (and bpiphany's help) i think we can get ours made for less.

[roostrc0gburn]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

There was a JD Skeleton made in the past with a Phantom inside.

TIL

[jdcarpe]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

There was a JD Skeleton made in the past with a Phantom inside.

TIL

Do you need plate drawings? Sources for the hardware?

[SpAmRaY]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

Where did you buy plates that didn't fit?

[axtran]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

Where did you buy plates that didn't fit?

There was a DT GB for what seemed like an inexpensive set of plates for a skeleton-style TKL, which people assumed fit the Phantom.

Top row fitment didn't work out... Left everyone with plates they couldn't Phantom. People can turn to GON PCBs, but that's kind of expensive for what the board intended to be. Hope I captured it correctly!

[SpAmRaY]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

Where did you buy plates that didn't fit?

There was a DT GB for what seemed like an inexpensive set of plates for a skeleton-style TKL, which people assumed fit the Phantom.

Top row fitment didn't work out... Left everyone with plates they couldn't Phantom. People can turn to GON PCBs, but that's kind of expensive for what the board intended to be. Hope I captured it correctly!

Ah ok. I don't follow DT much anymore.

[harlw]

I dig it

[roostrc0gburn]

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

There was a JD Skeleton made in the past with a Phantom inside.

TIL

Do you need plate drawings? Sources for the hardware?

I have developed CAD files and have quotes from a couple fab shops for the plates. Thanks for the offer. If this goes to GB and we can find a cheaper source, we will definitely go that route.

yep, that's exactly it, JD. thanks for posting the pictures. you were in the original group buy on DT, right? if those are the same SS plates i got, then you must have done your build with a GON or B.87 pcb.

Where did you buy plates that didn't fit?

There was a DT GB for what seemed like an inexpensive set of plates for a skeleton-style TKL, which people assumed fit the Phantom.

Top row fitment didn't work out... Left everyone with plates they couldn't Phantom. People can turn to GON PCBs, but that's kind of expensive for what the board intended to be. Hope I captured it correctly!

yeah, it was more of a selling point than an assumption. another hard lesson for me - always check yourself. i had left it to others to verify the design.

The plates in this GB will fit the Phantom sold by MechanicalKeyboards.com and our own PCBs if we have them made for a group buy.

[TalkingTree]

I'm interested in PCB, controller and plates.

[roostrc0gburn]

survey is up. thanks everyone for your responses in-thread. please also go to the link and submit your interest there

[ika]

Might want to check out aliexpress or alibaba (for large quantities) so you don't need to proxy from taobao on the led's

Many of the eBay dealers will work with you if you need larger quantities. Their english is decent enough to work a transaction with. I got 1800 1.8mm LEDs shipped ePacket for roughly $66, when the base prices were 0.05/ea or 0.10/ea for the LEDs.

[LeandreN]

Woooo!

If you need assistance for this project, feel free to PM me.

[roostrc0gburn]

Might want to check out aliexpress or alibaba (for large quantities) so you don't need to proxy from taobao on the led's

Many of the eBay dealers will work with you if you need larger quantities. Their english is decent enough to work a transaction with. I got 1800 1.8mm LEDs shipped ePacket for roughly $66, when the base prices were 0.05/ea or 0.10/ea for the LEDs.

good point! there are a couple vendors i have worked with previously. still getting emails from them every now and then... damn they are persistent

i am fairly confident that we can find electronic parts for cheap. if not, its pretty easy for people to source themselves. The trick will be finding the Teensy 2.0 boards for cheap, or someone who can make them for us.

[roostrc0gburn]

Woooo!

If you need assistance for this project, feel free to PM me.

Thanks, LeandreN! do you have any sources for switches and stabilizers? I'm thinking probly Gateron...

[roostrc0gburn]

_

[LeandreN]

Woooo!

If you need assistance for this project, feel free to PM me.

Thanks, LeandreN! do you have any sources for switches and stabilizers? I'm thinking probly Gateron...

Switches yes, stabilisers no.

[bbrotha]

Interested, I was in the DT GB as well, and I rather spend $100 ish on everything than on a single gon board tbh.

[roostrc0gburn]

Interested, I was in the DT GB as well, and I rather spend $100 ish on everything than on a single gon board tbh.

you could just order plates if thats all you need

[amharris]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

[Dernubenfrieken]

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

[roostrc0gburn]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

Thanks, guys. I agree. We want a quality product. I dont see any reason why this kit couldn't be under/around $100 though. That is what I'm shooting for

[amharris]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

Thanks, guys. I agree. We want a quality product. I dont see any reason why this kit couldn't be under/around $100 though. That is what I'm shooting for

Brilliant to hear that!
Additionally, you may want to change the checkboxes to radio buttons, given that they are 'Yes or No' responses, as - in their current state - the form can be submitted with both of each checked.

[roostrc0gburn]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

Thanks, guys. I agree. We want a quality product. I dont see any reason why this kit couldn't be under/around $100 though. That is what I'm shooting for

Brilliant to hear that!
Additionally, you may want to change the checkboxes to radio buttons, given that they are 'Yes or No' responses, as - in their current state - the form can be submitted with both of each checked.

thanks for that! this is a first time for many things :-D

[amharris]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

Thanks, guys. I agree. We want a quality product. I dont see any reason why this kit couldn't be under/around $100 though. That is what I'm shooting for

Brilliant to hear that!
Additionally, you may want to change the checkboxes to radio buttons, given that they are 'Yes or No' responses, as - in their current state - the form can be submitted with both of each checked.

thanks for that! this is a first time for many things :-D

Hehe.
Also, just a personal thing... I'd like to see the switches and stabilisers in the interest form separated, as it's easy for me to get switches at a fairly affordable price [Gaterons] but a bit tricky to get stabilisers, so being able to split up what I want would be great.
Thanks in advance!

[roostrc0gburn]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

Thanks, guys. I agree. We want a quality product. I dont see any reason why this kit couldn't be under/around $100 though. That is what I'm shooting for

Brilliant to hear that!
Additionally, you may want to change the checkboxes to radio buttons, given that they are 'Yes or No' responses, as - in their current state - the form can be submitted with both of each checked.

thanks for that! this is a first time for many things :-D

Hehe.
Also, just a personal thing... I'd like to see the switches and stabilisers in the interest form separated, as it's easy for me to get switches at a fairly affordable price [Gaterons] but a bit tricky to get stabilisers, so being able to split up what I want would be great.
Thanks in advance!

i agree on this one also. We just have to find a vendor first! looks LeandreN will be able to help with the switches.

[amharris]

A kit like this for under $100 is fantastic.
Though I wouldn't skimp where there would be small increases, as I think most would be happy to pay a tad more [I'm not implying that you are skimping, just making a statement].

...but yeah, I'd be in for this, even though I'm about to have a house move; this is just too cheap to pass up!

Brilliant work so far, roostrc0gburn.

I'm in. Was just looking into a phantom based TKL this week.
I have to agree about pricing and extra features. If we could pay a bit more to get a nicer case or other changes Id be willing too.

Thanks, guys. I agree. We want a quality product. I dont see any reason why this kit couldn't be under/around $100 though. That is what I'm shooting for

Brilliant to hear that!
Additionally, you may want to change the checkboxes to radio buttons, given that they are 'Yes or No' responses, as - in their current state - the form can be submitted with both of each checked.

thanks for that! this is a first time for many things :-D

Hehe.
Also, just a personal thing... I'd like to see the switches and stabilisers in the interest form separated, as it's easy for me to get switches at a fairly affordable price [Gaterons] but a bit tricky to get stabilisers, so being able to split up what I want would be great.
Thanks in advance!

i agree on this one also. We just have to find a vendor first! looks LeandreN will be able to help with the switches.

Yeah, he should be able to feed a lot of Gateron Blues to you and possibly other Gaterons, if there is a decent MOQ.

Cheers.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Submitted IC!