GB Post:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=100166.0GB/Raffle detailed plan posted:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99634.msg2742332#msg2742332Brass starts 4/13, PC/alu start at 4/14, here is a graphic that contains most information for the upcoming GB:
Hey my keeb friends, it's your boye oldcat here, to present a design in collaboration with airpotter from Gray Studio.
Krauth summarized Renι Descartes' philosophy succinctly, "That cannot doubt which does not think, and that cannot think which does not exist. I doubt, I think, I exist." As a fan of and heavily influenced by Descartes' Philosophy, I combined the key term with some design choices of this board, and named it "Think6.5°".
THINK frame in my study room
Think6.5° has been more than 3 months in the making, and the prototype is currently being made. I think it is a good time to gather some final feedback for a potential production version. My original plan was to make about 10 boards (at a relatively high price) for myself and friends, but PCB maker is not willing to just make 10. Potter asked me about doing a GB to lower cost of production, if enough people in the community are interested. So here it is:
Motivations and Design Choices
This post is getting to long with too much information, if you want to know my original motivation for this project and the design choices, please read More
1. It is a design that I had for quite a while, that combines many good elements from all the top-notch 65% boards I own, trying to optimize and come up with an ideal design, for my own taste. 65% keyboards comprise a significant portion of my life out of the busy work schedules, and some of you have probably heard of and joked about my owning many Canoe boards. Indeed, the amazing designs like TGR910, Canoe, Zephyr, etc are the true inspirations for me, and I am trying to come up with a design that looks good and also optimizes typing sound. The final two candidates are 4.5mm PC plate vs. a gasket 1.5mm aluminum or 1.5mm brass plate. In our testing, thicc PC plate stands out.
2. From the typing sound perspective, we adopt a thick 4.5mm PC plate integrated to the top plate, PC helps to preserve the sound of the switch while simultaneously maintain typing consistency. No metal rattling or high-pitched sound from thick aluminum or brass.
3. I have always advocated for affordable premium-quality boards. Gray certainly shares this value. Therefore, for this board, the pricing will be very affordable and competitive compared with current offerings in the market, as per the tradition of prior Gray Studio GBs. Personally, I will promise you that as a designer I will not take a single dollar of profit out of a potential GB, the money will go to high-quality material, best processes, and Potter's and our PCB designer's manufacturing costs and operating expense.
5. Angle will be 6.5 degrees, hence the name. In my experience, 5° is a bit flat (feels ok), and 8° is too steep, so why not 6.5°, it feels good.
6. It will be PC only. Currently I do not have the intention to make an aluminum case, I believe there are many good aluminum board options in the market. If there are many requests, we will do a slight modification to make the metal version either top mount or gasket mount, shouldn't be too much work as we have other top and gasket designs already.
7. A high-quality, good looking, hotswap, QMK, Type-C PCB with underglow is being developed and will be included if this ever goes to GB stage. I know god-like Wilba's PCB is hard to beat, but our goal and material and process we use for this PCB will be that kind of quality.
TL; DR, What are the Features?
1. Premium-quality, affordable Polycarbonate (PC) board
2. 6.5 degree angle
3. PVD Brass Badge and PVD Brass Weight
4. 4.5mm, perfectly-cut PC Plate specifically designed for both the sound optimization and typing consistency with most switches (not your regular metal integrated plate!)
5. Three versions: ANSI Hotswap with badge (compact 660), ANSI hotswap without badge, Compatible-layout non-hotswap
6. Premium-quality PCB with QMK, type-C (connector position in the middle), underglow, ESC key 4XRGB, hotswap (non-hotswap PCB for compatible layouts).
7. GB price (1*case, with or without brass badge, 1*brass weight, 1* PCB, 1*box, accessories): under $300 (confirmed to be $299.98), looks like after redesigning some parts and adding compatibility etc cost is going up quite a bit, but I will honor my promise for being pro bono, and hence this pricing for this particular GB.
8. There will be some exciting raffles for this GB, including a few discounted raffle boards and some free special color badges/weights to share my love with this community: raffle board estimated around $250 (confirmed to be $250). Details for the raffle are being discussed and forthcoming.
9. Limited Edition full brass versions (comes in PVD black, PVD rose gold, and PVD gold) will be available at $650, details forthcoming.
9. Design: oldcat and airpotter
10. manufacturer: gray studio and factory
11. Compatible with PCB screw-in stabilizers
12. Badge 3D-model file will be open-sourced after GB
13. China GB and Geekhack GB will be the same pricing (excludes fees and shipping).
Supported Layouts
Note: All 4 layouts will be made.
Interest Check Form and Polls
Please fill out the form below, in which you will see a few polls regarding layout, PCB color combo, and pricing, for those who already submitted a form, please kindly update to fill out the PCB color combo poll:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KRWAYYYrB1h_g5ScqGBNsXAQZ2xYPu9bjIPLAIRx--4
After you fill out the polls, you can view the summary graphics, or use this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KRWAYYYrB1h_g5ScqGBNsXAQZ2xYPu9bjIPLAIRx--4/viewanalytics
Timeline
March 31 6:50PM PST: GB and Raffle details
April 10: GB forms open for viewing
April 13: 6:50AM -6:50PM PST: Brass Raffle
April 14: 6:50:00PM PST: Alu/PC GBs start
Completion: 3-4 months after GB payment collection
Feel free to pre-fill the forms and submit after GB opening time.
Links of interest
Follow me on Instagram
Chat on Discord Channel
Support your boye OldCat and this project by using this signature to share THINK6.5° to the community![url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99634.0][img]https://i.imgur.com/E810Wvi.jpg[/img][/url]More Renders
To view additional renders with keycaps of different colorways, click More
This ESC 4XRGB mod is a must-have in the Chinese enthusiast community, now we make it built-in 
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3D Print Prototype Images:
CNC Prototype Images (continuously adding more pictures)
Make Log (since GH IC Debut)
2/28/2019:
1.Case: Initial design complete, prototypes production in progress, eta 1-2 weeks. Will make multiple prototypes regarding badge placement.
2.PCB: Design complete, prototypes production in progress, eta 2 weeks.
3/1/2019:
Sincere thanks to so many friends who have filled out the IC form! Based on the feedback from the first day:
1.Confirmed that we will make 1 case with badge (badge placement TBD), and 1 case without the badge. The blocker near the arrow cluster will stay.
2.We are exploring different colors of PC materials.
3.We are working on simplifying the bottom brass weight.
4.Most likely a second non-hotswap PCB will be provided either as a kit bundle or as an option (TBD).
3/2/2019:
1. new renders updated
2. PCB design posted
3. Received additional feedback and working on them
3/3/2019:
1. Badge with 3 upper indicator light has been adopted.
2. We will provide different colors of LEDs for the indicator lights, and hotswap SIP led sockets
3. Confirmed PCB design for the build-in 4XRGB circling on the ESC key.
4. Stepped capslock will be compatible
5. Font orientation on the badge being tweaked
6. Finalizing weight design and send .step file to factory
7. I believe we have addressed most concerns and feedback so far, and any additional feedback welcome.
8. Confirmed a third case option that supports compatible layouts (7u space, ISO, split BS).
3/4/2019:
1. Still working on refining the badge (alignment, font orientation) and the weight (some don't like the horizontal stripes, we are coming up with a better design). Rendering software hung a few times, it was frustrating and maybe time to get a new computer
2. Decide that we will make the badge's 3D model opensourced after GB, so that participants can make their own badge and print out with other materials. Default brass badge will still be included for #1.
3/5/2019:
1. Redesigned weight plan is out. Gather feedback to finetune
2. Renders for our meticulously-designed 4.5mm plate is out, optimized for all MX switches including Holy Panda
3. Badge design has been finalized. Still working on weight design (overnight).
4. PCB design finalized.
3/6/2019:
1. Weight and badge design completed.
2. PCB sent for prototyping
3. Cases sent for prototyping
3/8/2019:
1. 3D Print prototype received and passed all tests.
2. CNC prototype being machined
3/9/2019 - 3/10/2019:
1. Rendering more images with different keycap colorways while we wait for the CNC prototype.
2. Received PCB Prototype. Tested and fully functional.
3/11/2019 - 3/13/2019:
1. Waiting for CNC prototype
2. Adding poll for an additional layout.
3. CNC Prototype partially finished, see pictures in one of the later posts.
3/14/2019 - 3/15/2019:
Factory closed for a few days temporarily for the Chinese Party National Meetings.
3/17/2019:
1. CNC cases have been made, pending sand-blasting. CNC cases checked for accuracy of the edges and the holes and passed QC.
2. Badges/weights CNC in progress, will get PVD treatment and anodization soon
3/18/2019:
1. Still waiting on the prototype items.
2. Added full pvd brass version to the prototyping queue, and considering that as an option for a special edition limited to a small quantity (~$650).
3/21/2019:
1. #3 Layout CNC finished, frosted. #1 and #2 in progress, badges/weights CNC done, awaiting anodization and PVD.
3/22/2019:
Based on numerous requests from users on additional aluminum bottom piece, I gave Potter a call about this possibility. So I updated the Poll with a new question on the optional aluminum bottom. If there is not enough interest we will drop this option.
3/24/2019:
1. A decision was made to include full aluminum board as a separate option. I am not a big fan of Koyu/Doro/M60A style integrated plate for the reasons I have mentioned. But there are many requests. There will be a few colors available, no MOQ because demand from China is enough to cover MOQ. Same price as Polycarbonate.
2. Bottom case prototype done, pictures updated.
3. We will announce GB and raffle details 3/31/2019 6:50PM MST.
3/28/2019:
1. More badges and weights are being made.
2. Black, glass fiber enhanced PC board prototype is being made.
