[IC] Another Universal TKL plate / PCB GB

[Vintage]

Yeah $50 is expensive for sure... but I do admit powder coat is quite nice. And if a SS plate was like $35 (I think the WFD GB was around there) it would not be THAT much more if you subtract the cost of the spray paint. But maybe I am just grasping at straws

Maybe a unique finish like "wrinkle" would help differentiate the coating more from a regular paint job....

[jdcarpe]

I actually still like the idea of anodized aluminum. I would definitely be in for a couple of those.

[SpAmRaY]

I actually still like the idea of anodized aluminum. I would definitely be in for a couple of those.

Anodized aluminum is really nice, and as plain as it is, I really like the black. having now experienced an R1 anodized aluminum plate i really like it.

[Vintage]

I like anodized as well but I hope we would have options for more colors. I saw an LZ plate in cyan-ish an I though it looked really good.

I guess anodize might be the best option. Probably way cheaper than powder coat.

[jdcarpe]

I like anodized as well but I hope we would have options for more colors. I saw an LZ plate in cyan-ish an I though it looked really good.

The only problem with doing colors like blue, etc. is that they don't look good with certain cases and/or keycaps. Colors like grey and black match pretty well with anything.

If we offered more than one color, each color would have a cost per rack.

[Vintage]

Yeah true... but I even think a dark grey would be better than black.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

I agree. I'd rather do Ano Alum. If we offered a select number of colors (Graphite, Cyan, Gold, Maroon and Forest Green) then they would all be select, nearly unique colors never seen before, and I'm certain we'd find enough to fill a rack with each color (though honestly, with each rack costing 30 bucks, I'd be happy to take a rack by myself if it gets me my dream color)

It's only like 15 plates to a rack, right?

[Vintage]

I thought Beast said 30. Not sure if that many people would be interested in a color like that... but might as well try Maybe a vote to see what colors were most popular would be smart.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

How much was it per rack? I thought it was $30 per rack, and if that's the case, shipping is the most expensive part of getting these anodized. If we get 30 cyans, awesome, but if we only get 5, that's a difference of each person paying 1 dollar, and each person paying 6 dollars. I'd still put up 6 bucks to get my ano.

In fact! I will go as far as to say, if it is 30 dollars, I will buy ano for the rack. I will pay 30 dollars to get MY board ano, and anyone else that wants to jump on my rack with me gets a free Cyan ano on their Aluminum board.

Bam, MOQ met. Let's do this.

[jdcarpe]

How much was it per rack? I thought it was $30 per rack, and if that's the case, shipping is the most expensive part of getting these anodized. If we get 30 cyans, awesome, but if we only get 5, that's a difference of each person paying 1 dollar, and each person paying 6 dollars. I'd still put up 6 bucks to get my ano.

In fact! I will go as far as to say, if it is 30 dollars, I will buy ano for the rack. I will pay 30 dollars to get MY board ano, and anyone else that wants to jump on my rack with me gets a free Cyan ano on their Aluminum board.

Bam, MOQ met. Let's do this.

What plate design were you wanting, Calm? Just the Universal TKL, which is ANSI 125 only? If you're willing to pay for the rack, maybe we can be the test case for some plates from The_Beast. I would get a test plate or two in cyan, and pay the shipping to and from the anodizer.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

How much was it per rack? I thought it was $30 per rack, and if that's the case, shipping is the most expensive part of getting these anodized. If we get 30 cyans, awesome, but if we only get 5, that's a difference of each person paying 1 dollar, and each person paying 6 dollars. I'd still put up 6 bucks to get my ano.

In fact! I will go as far as to say, if it is 30 dollars, I will buy ano for the rack. I will pay 30 dollars to get MY board ano, and anyone else that wants to jump on my rack with me gets a free Cyan ano on their Aluminum board.

Bam, MOQ met. Let's do this.

What plate design were you wanting, Calm? Just the Universal TKL, which is ANSI 125 only? If you're willing to pay for the rack, maybe we can be the test case for some plates from The_Beast. I would get a test plate or two in cyan, and pay the shipping to and from the anodizer.

Honestly, I'm not picky. I've got a uTKL plate on the way to use with my QFR, and a Phantom plate on the way. So I'm up for a phantom plate, or uTKL ANSI.

Doesn't matter. I'll go with whatever.

[jdcarpe]

How much was it per rack? I thought it was $30 per rack, and if that's the case, shipping is the most expensive part of getting these anodized. If we get 30 cyans, awesome, but if we only get 5, that's a difference of each person paying 1 dollar, and each person paying 6 dollars. I'd still put up 6 bucks to get my ano.

In fact! I will go as far as to say, if it is 30 dollars, I will buy ano for the rack. I will pay 30 dollars to get MY board ano, and anyone else that wants to jump on my rack with me gets a free Cyan ano on their Aluminum board.

Bam, MOQ met. Let's do this.

What plate design were you wanting, Calm? Just the Universal TKL, which is ANSI 125 only? If you're willing to pay for the rack, maybe we can be the test case for some plates from The_Beast. I would get a test plate or two in cyan, and pay the shipping to and from the anodizer.

Honestly, I'm not picky. I've got a uTKL plate on the way to use with my QFR, and a Phantom plate on the way. So I'm up for a phantom plate, or uTKL ANSI.

Doesn't matter. I'll go with whatever.

Do you like the 86-key layout with 1.50 mods on the bottom row? Care for an HHKB-style alphanumeric section? If you could use any layout that the PCB supported, which would be your ideal?

[CalmB4tehPwn]

HHKB style would be nice. Or ANSI winkeyless.

[Vintage]

How much was it per rack? I thought it was $30 per rack, and if that's the case, shipping is the most expensive part of getting these anodized. If we get 30 cyans, awesome, but if we only get 5, that's a difference of each person paying 1 dollar, and each person paying 6 dollars. I'd still put up 6 bucks to get my ano.

In fact! I will go as far as to say, if it is 30 dollars, I will buy ano for the rack. I will pay 30 dollars to get MY board ano, and anyone else that wants to jump on my rack with me gets a free Cyan ano on their Aluminum board.

Bam, MOQ met. Let's do this.

xD Hell yeah!

BTW, what are you guys using for a Phantom case? Was thinking of picking one up but undecided because of the limited case options for TKL boards :/ Gonna get either that or mod a QFR (cheaper option).

[dragonxx21]

How much was it per rack? I thought it was $30 per rack, and if that's the case, shipping is the most expensive part of getting these anodized. If we get 30 cyans, awesome, but if we only get 5, that's a difference of each person paying 1 dollar, and each person paying 6 dollars. I'd still put up 6 bucks to get my ano.

In fact! I will go as far as to say, if it is 30 dollars, I will buy ano for the rack. I will pay 30 dollars to get MY board ano, and anyone else that wants to jump on my rack with me gets a free Cyan ano on their Aluminum board.

Bam, MOQ met. Let's do this.

xD Hell yeah!

BTW, what are you guys using for a Phantom case? Was thinking of picking one up but undecided because of the limited case options for TKL boards :/ Gonna get either that of mod a QFR (cheaper option).

One guy who's building a phantom linked to this. Others seem to just use Filco cases or other TKL cases.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

I'm hoping to pick up one of Takaki's acrylic cases in his round 2, assuming there is one, assuming round 1 goes well.

In the mean time, I've got one of Feng's cases.

[Vintage]

Hmmm.. thanks.

Will ponder whether that's worth the extra cost. Kinda feel like if I wanna go all out custom keyboard I would want a tricked out case to go with it.

Anyway, this GB is getting exciting. Cyan ano looks sooo good!

[whiskytango]

I'm thinking of using WFDs universal plate but modding it to allow ANSI125 and ANSI150 cutouts for the bottom. That should work with a ANSI125, ANSI150 phantom as well as a QFR or Filco board right?

You mean make the switch holes universal on the bottom row like the universal gh60 plate? I like that idea.

[domoaligato]

I'm thinking of using WFDs universal plate but modding it to allow ANSI125 and ANSI150 cutouts for the bottom. That should work with a ANSI125, ANSI150 phantom as well as a QFR or Filco board right?

You mean make the switch holes universal on the bottom row like the universal gh60 plate? I like that idea.

yes please

[MOZ]

Once the case design on my open source TKL is complete, I might hold a GB.

I'm mostly done, if you want to get it done ASAP, help me complete it

[Moosecraft]

ANSI winkeyless with anodized plate, I'm down for atleast one

[jdcarpe]

I'm thinking of using WFDs universal plate but modding it to allow ANSI125 and ANSI150 cutouts for the bottom. That should work with a ANSI125, ANSI150 phantom as well as a QFR or Filco board right?

You mean make the switch holes universal on the bottom row like the universal gh60 plate? I like that idea.

The problem with doing that for the Phantom is that there are no holes in the PCB for mounting stabilizers. That leaves us using plate mount stabilizers only, which eliminates the possibility of using a "Universal" style plate with slots for the switch holes where the stabilizer cutouts would normally be.

[The_Beast]

Damn you guys are all flippy floppy!




So is this for phantom plates or uTKLs plate? SS or aluminum?

I guess I'll start another thread with a poll to get things cleared up


Also, these are the only colors I have available:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39787.msg821179#msg821179

[argyakrivos]

Damn you guys are all flippy floppy!

Show Image

So is this for phantom plates or uTKLs plate? SS or aluminum?

I guess I'll start another thread with a poll to get things cleared up


Also, these are the only colors I have available:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39787.msg821179#msg821179

I'm guessing a universal TKL plate (e.g. ANSI) will work with phantom as well.

I personally want it for my phantom  ^-^

[The_Beast]

I'm thinking of using WFDs universal plate but modding it to allow ANSI125 and ANSI150 cutouts for the bottom. That should work with a ANSI125, ANSI150 phantom as well as a QFR or Filco board right?

You mean make the switch holes universal on the bottom row like the universal gh60 plate? I like that idea.

The problem with doing that for the Phantom is that there are no holes in the PCB for mounting stabilizers. That leaves us using plate mount stabilizers only, which eliminates the possibility of using a "Universal" style plate with slots for the switch holes where the stabilizer cutouts would normally be.

I did a quick drawing and see what you mean now. We could have a uTKL 125/150, but it wouldn't work with the Phantom since you can't PCB mount stabilizers on it.

[Vintage]

aww no Cyan alu

I guess dark grey and blue look pretty good though... hmmm even the purple.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Okay, so do we have to decide on a single layout then? Or will your machinist MOQ for a few varying cuts?

And those are absolutely the only colors your machinist can do, or just what they advertised? I love the blue but it's a little darker than I was hoping. Some variation on blue would have a place in my heart eternally. Cyan, Teal, anything that isn't Crayola Blue.

Either way, I'm still up for covering the prototype rack, in blue. So anyone that wants to jump on that rack with me, speak up.

From the sample chips, it looks like a very clean even anodizing, so I have no reason to doubt it'll come out nicely.

[jdcarpe]

Well, I think esoomenona wants one of these, but I'm not sure he wants blue:



I want the same plate, but with a standard F-row. I will redesign the drawing for what I want in the next few days.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

I can't decide if I want the 5 above the arrow cluster open like that. Great if I want add in a function layer numpad, or even take out the nav cluster and introduce a base layer numpad AND arrow cluster. IDEAS

but if I get a plate which allows for that option, it'll limit the cases I can get. I don't think it looks good to have a translucent/parent acrylic case top and have the PCB revealed there.

Maybe I need to get two plates until I decide.

[jdcarpe]

I can't decide if I want the 5 above the arrow cluster open like that. Great if I want add in a function layer numpad, or even take out the nav cluster and introduce a base layer numpad AND arrow cluster. IDEAS

but if I get a plate which allows for that option, it'll limit the cases I can get. I don't think it looks good to have a translucent/parent acrylic case top and have the PCB revealed there.

Maybe I need to get two plates until I decide.

Okay, well I can design yours with the 5 holes omitted. I think I'm going to make mine with the bottom corners omitted, like this:

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Something about it is not calling my name.

I think I'd like it better if the omitted corners were the same size. It looks very off balanced there.

[jdcarpe]

Something about it is not calling my name.

I think I'd like it better if the omitted corners were the same size. It looks very off balanced there.

Well, that plate is a bit different in that it uses a 6-unit spacebar, the same as the HHKB does. But I won't make another one like that. I prefer the symmetry of using the 7-unit space, even if it's not 100% true to the HHKB.

[Glod]

im wondering if a new universal plate run could have a separate plate for the arrow cluster so that you can have a mini plate for phantom users who want a 92-key and a different mini plate for filco/qfr users. i bet you could also make a universal caps lock and right shift as well.......

edit and when i say mini plate i mean the entire 3 columns of keys on the right side of the filco/phantom/qfr

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Something about it is not calling my name.

I think I'd like it better if the omitted corners were the same size. It looks very off balanced there.

Well, that plate is a bit different in that it uses a 6-unit spacebar, the same as the HHKB does. But I won't make another one like that. I prefer the symmetry of using the 7-unit space, even if it's not 100% true to the HHKB.

Oh, so with a 7u spacebar, it would be symmetrical? I'm all about that business.

[jdcarpe]

Okay, we could do a run of any or all of these. I will get the files to The_Beast.

HHK150
HHK150mod
JDC150

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Umph. That last one is sexy for sure.

Now I need a case to match.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Are these going to have the notches for switch modding?

[jdcarpe]

Are these going to have the notches for switch modding?

They are there, it's just subtle. They are a newer design without the little tabs in the middle. You can see if you zoom in that the switch holes aren't just squares.

[dragonxx21]

I second what Calmb4tehPwn said. The last one looks nice to me as well.

[jdcarpe]

im wondering if a new universal plate run could have a separate plate for the arrow cluster so that you can have a mini plate for phantom users who want a 92-key and a different mini plate for filco/qfr users. i bet you could also make a universal caps lock and right shift as well.......

edit and when i say mini plate i mean the entire 3 columns of keys on the right side of the filco/phantom/qfr

The problem with splitting off the right 3 columns is that the screw hole to attach the plate to the bottom of the Filco housing is right in the middle of where the cut would be.

[Glod]

im wondering if a new universal plate run could have a separate plate for the arrow cluster so that you can have a mini plate for phantom users who want a 92-key and a different mini plate for filco/qfr users. i bet you could also make a universal caps lock and right shift as well.......

edit and when i say mini plate i mean the entire 3 columns of keys on the right side of the filco/phantom/qfr

The problem with splitting off the right 3 columns is that the screw hole to attach the plate to the bottom of the Filco housing is right in the middle of where the cut would be.

hmm what about just cutting off the last 3 rows of the 3 columns (arrow cluster) or would that be costly or unstable)

[jdcarpe]

im wondering if a new universal plate run could have a separate plate for the arrow cluster so that you can have a mini plate for phantom users who want a 92-key and a different mini plate for filco/qfr users. i bet you could also make a universal caps lock and right shift as well.......

edit and when i say mini plate i mean the entire 3 columns of keys on the right side of the filco/phantom/qfr

The problem with splitting off the right 3 columns is that the screw hole to attach the plate to the bottom of the Filco housing is right in the middle of where the cut would be.

hmm what about just cutting off the last 3 rows of the 3 columns (arrow cluster) or would that be costly or unstable)

I have an idea I will try.

[Glod]

so it's not a dumb idea?

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Are these going to have the notches for switch modding?

They are there, it's just subtle. They are a newer design without the little tabs in the middle. You can see if you zoom in that the switch holes aren't just squares.

Hey, I've yet to take a switch apart, so I still don't wholly understand the mechanism involved, or what's required. So I trust you when you say I can take a switch apart with this board.

I'm ALL in.

Though I'm flip flopping on color choice here. I can't decide if I want to go blue, green (that green is gorgeous) or brown.

[dragonxx21]

Any idea how much the plates will cost you each, or have you not gotten to that step yet?

[Vintage]

Im down for a uTKL in blue for sure if others are interested. Also interested if there is any possibility of a cyan color.

[argyakrivos]

I'm interested in black or grey or white (if there is such an option - would be cool!)

[jonathanyu]

Okay, we could do a run of any or all of these. I will get the files to The_Beast.

HHK150
HHK150mod
JDC150

Show Image

So there won't be 1.25 mod?

[jdcarpe]

Okay, we could do a run of any or all of these. I will get the files to The_Beast.

HHK150
HHK150mod
JDC150

Show Image

So there won't be 1.25 mod?

When The_Beast runs the TKL plate GB, I'm sure there will be all kinds of options. I'm just playing with some oddball designs for a test run at the anodizing. :)

[CalmB4tehPwn]

I'm interested in black or grey or white (if there is such an option - would be cool!)

White anodizing is not an option, in any form of anodization.
Unfortunately, it requires dye to be sort of injected into the aluminum, and the molecules that make up white die are too large to be injected. Can't happen.
Sorry.