[IC] TheVan 44 PCB + Kit - Group Buy now LIVE

[evangs]

Hey guys,

I got one quote back so far for the aluminum case and based on that I need to get some more feedback.

What price range are you comfortable with for this 40% kit including an aluminum case, pcb, hardware, and with and without keycaps?

thanks!

[evangs]

So it seems my first case design is too complicated to get machined for a reasonable cost.  I came up with a new design that should have the same end result but can be manufactured much more easily.  I am drawing up new cad parts and will be sending them out for quotes on Monday.

[evangs]

Here are some terrible renders of the case design to give you guys an idea of what I'm working on.

[William_S_Jones]

Here are some terrible renders of the case design to give you guys an idea of what I'm working on.

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It's descent, I'm looking forward to this. It's going to be great to have a 40% keyboard with a sturdy case!

[torafuma]

Looks pretty sharp. 

[evangs]

Looks pretty sharp. 

Thanks!  Hopefully getting quotes today/tomorrow

[evangs]

got the first quote back and I gotta say pricing is looking really good so far!  Going to wait for the other two quotes before I post any pricing info, but just wanted to give an update and say things are on track and looking really good for choice of anodized color on the case/plate

[William_S_Jones]

got the first quote back and I gotta say pricing is looking really good so far!  Going to wait for the other two quotes before I post any pricing info, but just wanted to give an update and say things are on track and looking really good for choice of anodized color on the case/plate

That's great, I'll continue watching & look forward to hearing more on this set.

[vivalarevolución]

I feel like under $150 for the case, plate, PCB and whatever other hardware would be great.  I know plates can be pretty cheap with quantity, but metal cases and a good solid PCB can be pricey.

[evangs]

I feel like under $150 for the case, plate, PCB and whatever other hardware would be great.  I know plates can be pretty cheap with quantity, but metal cases and a good solid PCB can be pricey.

Yeah, that is definitely going to be doable.  still waiting for a couple more quotes to come in, but already it will be less than that with current quote.

[evangs]

3D printed case prototype!

[evangs]

small update....

well ok, BIG UPDATE

I have partnered with a local manufacturer to produce the cases and plates for TheVan44!!!!

East Valley Precision located in Gilbert Arizona with be machining the base and water jet cutting the plates.
http://www.eastvalleyprecision.com/

I left my pricing sheet at home, but will post another update with that information when I get home.

[CPTBadAss]

That's awesome to hear. Can't wait to see some metal prototypes....although that 3D printed one looks great

[evangs]

That's awesome to hear. Can't wait to see some metal prototypes....although that 3D printed one looks great

Thanks!  I'm excited about bringing TheVan44 into the world

[William_S_Jones]

That's awesome to hear. Can't wait to see some metal prototypes....although that 3D printed one looks great

Great job, I like this case too! It's amazing seeing your project's progression.

[evangs]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

tipping point for the gb will be 50 kits
tipping point for keycaps is also 50 sets

Lemme know what you guys think!

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

[Ephemeral]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

Awesome! 
A couple questions from a noob:
Are any of the components presoldered on the PCB?
I'm not finding anything searching for the Midnight Drive set. Any images of it?

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

Black and silver would be a safe choice, but I think a red would be pretty sweet.

[evangs]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

Awesome! 
A couple questions from a noob:
Are any of the components presoldered on the PCB?
I'm not finding anything searching for the Midnight Drive set. Any images of it?

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

Black and silver would be a safe choice, but I think a red would be pretty sweet.

All components are pre soldered on the pcb only thing to solder will be switches.

Midnight drive set is the colors set on the keyboard layout editor link in the original post. can be viewed at this link http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/d89f40f03516b45703e1

I'll be offering the 5 colors listed unless there is overwhelming demand to swap one for another!

[Melvang]

Looks great.  I can't personally say I will be buying it as I am fulfilling my 40% itch with a Ti Smallfry.  Though I love to see people getting stuff made locally as supporting local business instead of sending to another country just for cheaper prices (99% of the time for much lower quality and little to no QC).

Just curious, though I am sure you already answered, but where are you having the PCBs done at?  Love black pcbs.

[evangs]

Looks great.  I can't personally say I will be buying it as I am fulfilling my 40% itch with a Ti Smallfry.  Though I love to see people getting stuff made locally as supporting local business instead of sending to another country just for cheaper prices (99% of the time for much lower quality and little to no QC).

Just curious, though I am sure you already answered, but where are you having the PCBs done at?  Love black pcbs.

PCBs are being done by circuit hub

[evangs]

cases and plates will be anodized locally by Anodizing of Mesa!

[William_S_Jones]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

tipping point for the gb will be 50 kits
tipping point for keycaps is also 50 sets

Lemme know what you guys think!

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

The pricing looks great for both options. I believe the black & silver anodized colors will sell best.I know I'm going to want that teal option.

[evangs]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

tipping point for the gb will be 50 kits
tipping point for keycaps is also 50 sets

Lemme know what you guys think!

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

The pricing looks great for both options. I believe the black & silver anodized colors will sell best.I know I'm going to want that teal option.

  I want a black one and a teal one for myself!

[Ephemeral]

All components are pre soldered on the pcb only thing to solder will be switches.

Midnight drive set is the colors set on the keyboard layout editor link in the original post. can be viewed at this link http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/d89f40f03516b45703e1

I'll be offering the 5 colors listed unless there is overwhelming demand to swap one for another!

Thanks for the answers. This board is sounding pretty solid. I'll be looking forward to this making it to the GB phase.
If I could suggest a nice purple, perhaps an indigo?
If it has to replace a color, maybe replace blue? Since blue is pretty close to teal, and I see some interest in teal happening here already.
Any thoughts on this?

[evangs]

All components are pre soldered on the pcb only thing to solder will be switches.

Midnight drive set is the colors set on the keyboard layout editor link in the original post. can be viewed at this link http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/d89f40f03516b45703e1

I'll be offering the 5 colors listed unless there is overwhelming demand to swap one for another!

Thanks for the answers. This board is sounding pretty solid. I'll be looking forward to this making it to the GB phase.
If I could suggest a nice purple, perhaps an indigo?
If it has to replace a color, maybe replace blue? Since blue is pretty close to teal, and I see some interest in teal happening here already.
Any thoughts on this?

I'd be open to doing that.  I like the idea of doing colors that are a bit different from what is always done.

[William_S_Jones]

Purple sounds great to me! I hope to get both the teal & purple pcbs.

[evangs]

Purple sounds great to me! I hope to get both the teal & purple pcbs.

the cases will have those colors, not the pcbs 

[William_S_Jones]

Purple sounds great to me! I hope to get both the teal & purple pcbs.

the cases will have those colors, not the pcbs 

LOL, I had a feeling that was te case(get it) after I typed that.....

[evangs]

Purple sounds great to me! I hope to get both the teal & purple pcbs.

the cases will have those colors, not the pcbs 

LOL, I had a feeling that was te case(get it) after I typed that.....

Lol.  PCBs hopefully ship out tomorrow and then I can verify the design

[William_S_Jones]

Even better, I'll be on the lookout tomorrow.

[evangs]

PCBs shipped out today!  In the mean time I got another project I'm cooking up.  check it out over here https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=80117.0

[dougp]

I'm interested in a PCB & plate - did you look at a sandwich case design?

[evangs]

I'm interested in a PCB & plate - did you look at a sandwich case design?

I'm actually going to be running this with machined aluminum cases similar to the Tex cases.  There will be a choice of 5 colors for anodizing.

[dougp]

I'm interested in a PCB & plate - did you look at a sandwich case design?

I'm actually going to be running this with machined aluminum cases similar to the Tex cases.  There will be a choice of 5 colors for anodizing.

Unless I missed it - did you post a price?  I imagine the base will be kind of expensive and I'm personally not a huge fan of lips.

[evangs]

I'm interested in a PCB & plate - did you look at a sandwich case design?

I'm actually going to be running this with machined aluminum cases similar to the Tex cases.  There will be a choice of 5 colors for anodizing.

Unless I missed it - did you post a price?  I imagine the base will be kind of expensive and I'm personally not a huge fan of lips.

$153.00 no key caps
$219.00 with keycaps

Any lips on this case are smaller than what you would get with sandwich case. 

[torafuma]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

tipping point for the gb will be 50 kits
tipping point for keycaps is also 50 sets

Lemme know what you guys think!

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

Will this include switches as well? Also, I am partial to black & red for colors. (black case, red plate)

[evangs]

as far as pricing goes for the kit, it's looking like this

option 1: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers = $153.00 + shipping
option 2: Case, Plate, PCB, Hardware, Stabilizers, Midnight Drive Keycap set = $219.00 + shipping

tipping point for the gb will be 50 kits
tipping point for keycaps is also 50 sets

Lemme know what you guys think!

also looking at offering the following anodize colors - black, silver, teal, blue, and red.

what color do you prefer?

Will this include switches as well? Also, I am partial to black & red for colors. (black case, red plate)

Independent colors for plates and cases is doable.  No switches are included

[vivalarevolución]

I'm interested in a PCB & plate - did you look at a sandwich case design?

I'm actually going to be running this with machined aluminum cases similar to the Tex cases.  There will be a choice of 5 colors for anodizing.

Unless I missed it - did you post a price?  I imagine the base will be kind of expensive and I'm personally not a huge fan of lips.

$153.00 no key caps
$219.00 with keycaps

Any lips on this case are smaller than what you would get with sandwich case.

Meh, $153 ain't bad for a custom with a real case.

[Ephemeral]

Independent colors for plates and cases is doable.

That would be too dope. I would love to see that happen.

3D printed case prototype!

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Is this the final design? I like it. Nice and simple. Small bezels. Good stuff.  :thumb:

[evangs]

Independent colors for plates and cases is doable.

That would be too dope. I would love to see that happen.

3D printed case prototype!

Show Image

Show Image

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Is this the final design? I like it. Nice and simple. Small bezels. Good stuff.  :thumb:

It will happen! And yes that is the final design

[evangs]

PCBs are out for delivery today!  Be on the lookout for an update tonight

[evangs]

pcb prototypes arrived, look nice, and best of all work!! need to make some slight adjustments with the case, but will be moving forward with a final prototype verifying the machining, anodizing and kit assembly.

[evangs]

Placed order for final pcb design and aluminum case prototype!  The case should be done in 1 - 2 weeks at which point I will post some sweet sweet pictures.  pcbs will be here at the end of the month.  Provided everything matches up, group buy will launch shortly after.  Should have a final prototype ready to bring with me to the socal keyboard meetup at Datamancer.

[evangs]

The initial PCB design had a single led on the lower left key as an indicator.  I liked how good it looked and got a bit ambitious and added back lighting support to the PCB.....  Hope you guys like.

[Geekmie]

The initial PCB design had a single led on the lower left key as an indicator.  I liked how good it looked and got a bit ambitious and added back lighting support to the PCB.....  Hope you guys like.

Yeah, why not. support SMD maybe?

[evangs]

The initial PCB design had a single led on the lower left key as an indicator.  I liked how good it looked and got a bit ambitious and added back lighting support to the PCB.....  Hope you guys like.

Yeah, why not. support SMD maybe?

It's setup for standard in switch through hole leds.

[justinyhuang]

good job on TheVan 44!
any idea about what kits would be available for the GB? would it be an option to buy only the plate and the PCB?

[evangs]

good job on TheVan 44!
any idea about what kits would be available for the GB? would it be an option to buy only the plate and the PCB?

Thanks!  I am planning on running the GB with two options.

Option 1:
Case
Plate
PCB
Hardware
Stabs

Option 2:
Case
Plate
PCB
Hardware
Stabs
Custom Keycaps

I could add a PCB only option.  However I can't do just the plate as the shop doing the machining is doing both the cases and the plates as sets to get me the low price.

[odd]

Count me in.

edit:

I'm in for option 2

[evangs]

Count me in.

edit:

I'm in for option 2

Awesome!!