[IC] Matias Stabilizer and Hook Sets

[BlueNalgene]

This is an IC to see if there is enough interest to start a group buy for Matias stabilizer sets. 

I sent an email to Steve McGowan at Matias to find out what is included in these sets.

Stabilizers:
(Note: Stabilizers are also called Balance Bars)

1 pc for 1 x 7 Alps keycap
1 pc for 1 x 6.25 Alps keycap
1 pc for 1 x 2.75 Alps keycap
6 pcs for 1 x 2 or 1 x 2.25 Alps keycap

Top Hooks:
(These are the parts that connect to the underside of the keycap. You need 2 top hooks per keycap.)

Minimum 14 pcs (usually around 18 pcs) Alps style (grey)
Minimum 4 pcs (usually around 5 pcs) Cherry style (white)

Bottom Hooks:
(These are the parts that connect to the steel plate of the keyboard. You need 2 bottom hooks per keycap.)

Minimum 14 pcs (usually around 18 pcs) Alps style (grey)
Minimum 4 pcs (usually no more than 4 pcs) Cherry style (white)

Each set is $9.95 without shipping on the Matias site.  Steve said he could get us a price reduction for bulk orders.  I currently do not know the MOQ for those price reductions.  So in the mean time, I'm going to plop this interest check form here to gauge if this is good idea.

FILL OUT THE FORM

If you have questions and comments, let's hear 'em.

Edit:
This is a pic jdcarpe posted of a set Matias sent to him.






Edit: The GB thread is submitted and will be open pending approval by the moderators.

[nickheller]

I'd be willing to buy a few 

[nubbinator]

Can we get some pics in the OP?  I may need some, but I need to see what exactly it is.

[BlueNalgene]

Can we get some pics in the OP?  I may need some, but I need to see what exactly it is.

I wasn't sent any, but I bet I can find some.

[BlueNalgene]

Pic shamelessly stolen from something JDCarpe posted here.

[nubbinator]

I'd be in for enough for 3 60% alps boards.  I think it would be nice to maybe set it up as board size sets.  Have a 60% kit, TKL kit, and fullsize kit that works with Cherry and Alps style caps.  That way you don't have to try and figure out what exactly you need.

Of course, I could also just be reading the OP wrong since I'm a little confused by how things are phrased.

[BlueNalgene]

I'd be in for enough for 3 60% alps boards.  I think it would be nice to maybe set it up as board size sets.  Have a 60% kit, TKL kit, and fullsize kit that works with Cherry and Alps style caps.  That way you don't have to try and figure out what exactly you need.

Of course, I could also just be reading the OP wrong since I'm a little confused by how things are phrased.

The sets are just how the parts come from Matias. 

Theoretically I could separate everything into what people ordered for their particular plates from the 60% GB, but that would end up shorting people the spares.

[nubbinator]

I guess I'm confused because the email talks about minimum pieces.  Are they saying it has a minimum of that many pieces in the bag?  It sounded to me like they were talking about a minimum needed for a board.

[jdcarpe]

I'm in for a few sets

[BlueNalgene]

I guess I'm confused because the email talks about minimum pieces.  Are they saying it has a minimum of that many pieces in the bag?  It sounded to me like they were talking about a minimum needed for a board.

I am confused about that too.  Seems like a strange way to put things.  I read it as the minimum included in the bag. 

[vivalarevolución]

interested.

[njbair]

Didn't I reply to this yet? Definitely interested, especially if we can get layout-specific sets.

[jbondeson]

Definitely in for a few sets!

[CPTBadAss]

BlueNalgene and njbair been on a TEAR lately <3. Of course I'm interested

[njbair]

BlueNalgene and njbair been on a TEAR lately <3. Of course I'm interested

BlueNalgene right now:

"I don't think PCBs, switches, and seventeen different Alps plate designs all in one group buy is enough work. I should start another IC."

I think we're watching him traverse the thin line between insanity and genius.

[BlueNalgene]

BlueNalgene and njbair been on a TEAR lately <3. Of course I'm interested

BlueNalgene right now:

"I don't think PCBs, switches, and seventeen different Alps plate designs all in one group buy is enough work. I should start another IC."

I think we're watching him traverse the thin line between insanity and genius.

I remember when I used to sleep.

[HoffmanMyster]

Ugh I really need to get a grasp on what all I need for Alps stuff.    Gonna miss all these group buys if I keep dawdling. 

This group buy would complement the 60% party, right?

[njbair]

Ugh I really need to get a grasp on what all I need for Alps stuff.    Gonna miss all these group buys if I keep dawdling. 

This group buy would complement the 60% party, right?

Yes. The plate clips will work for BlueNalgene's buy, but the wires and cap clips will only work with calls that use Alps-style stab mounts (SP caps use MX cruciform stems for the stabilizers).

If you are really interested in getting an Alps board, PM me and I can help you figure it all out.

[BlueNalgene]

This group buy would complement the 60% party, right?

That is the intent.  Note that some plates won't work with the wires Matias has, but the hooks and such will.

If this thing passes my first check and goes live in time, I could combine shipping on things with purchases from the 60% thing.

[jbondeson]

This group buy would complement the 60% party, right?

That is the intent.  Note that some plates won't work with the wires Matias has, but the hooks and such will.

If this thing passes my first check and goes live in time, I could combine shipping on things with purchases from the 60% thing.

You're one crazy alps lovin fool.

I knew I liked the cut of you jib.

[Våtdräktsman]

You are a god among men!

[BlueNalgene]

This IC hit 50 units.  I have sent an email to the guys at Matias to iron out the details (on a Saturday, because I'm super smart like that). 

Expect this GB to go live early next week.  This is going to be a SUPER SHORT one, expect less than a week.  My plan is to get this going in time so that I can order the stab sets at the same time I order the switches (saving money on shipping).  Then, if you placed an order in the Alps Party 60% GB, it will be combined with the items from that (saving more money on shipping). 


I'm here to chew bubblegum and save you money.  And I'm all out of... both honestly.

[njbair]

Somehow I originally missed that these came with extras and Cherry parts. I had put in for two sets but depending on price I may grab 3-4.

[tofgerl]

I'm going to ask here since I assume others will have questions like it.

I have ordered two Alps sets from your GB, Blue, one Dell which I will use with Alpine winter, and one AEK2 which I will use with original AEK2 caps.
And I have _no_ idea which stab sets I need. I have none of the parts yet, including the AEK2 caps, so I need someone to baby me a little here...

I suppose this could have been asked in the actual GB thread, but I didn't.

[VinnyCordeiro]

This IC hit 50 units.  I have sent an email to the guys at Matias to iron out the details (on a Saturday, because I'm super smart like that). 

Expect this GB to go live early next week.  This is going to be a SUPER SHORT one, expect less than a week.  My plan is to get this going in time so that I can order the stab sets at the same time I order the switches (saving money on shipping).  Then, if you placed an order in the Alps Party 60% GB, it will be combined with the items from that (saving more money on shipping). 


I'm here to chew bubblegum and save you money.  And I'm all out of... both honestly.

I love you, guy. In a manly and heterosexual way, of course. 

[BlueNalgene]

I'm going to ask here since I assume others will have questions like it.

I have ordered two Alps sets from your GB, Blue, one Dell which I will use with Alpine winter, and one AEK2 which I will use with original AEK2 caps.
And I have _no_ idea which stab sets I need. I have none of the parts yet, including the AEK2 caps, so I need someone to baby me a little here...

I suppose this could have been asked in the actual GB thread, but I didn't.

The stab set should work 100% with Dell ANSI layout.  This is including the Alpine Winter caps.

The stab set should work with most of the AEKII caps, but I'm not an expert on that board so I don't know about the spacebar.  If you harvest from an actual AEK2 for the caps, then you can use the stabilizers that come with that board.

[tofgerl]

Of course I can use the existing stabs... Didn't even think about that! Thanks

[njbair]

The only stabilizer compatibility issues I foresee are for the Infinity keys: 6U spacebar and short right shift. But the 6.25U spacebar stab may work, and the unused 2U backspace stab may work for the short right shift. If they don't work as-is, a slight bending of the ends into a trapezoid shape would probably be enough to make them work.

Edit: these same issues affect the HHKB layout as well.