Author Topic: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice | 15/02/22 Update - R4 prototype received and built! (Read 55866 times)

Qwertle · « **on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:19:52 »

Calice - A 75% F13 Alice

The 'Complete' Alice.

IC Form | Discord

R4 Prototype

Background

Heya Geekhack, for the longest time as an Alice user I always wanted something that I could use on the daily for work, but never found something that exactly met my needs in an Alice layout (F-Row and Arrows). The focus was to create an Alice with a function row and arrows while trying to keep the form-factor as close as possible to a normal Alice layout in width.

Features

Case Angle: 5.0°
Case Material: 6063 Aluminium & Sandblasted Brass Weight
Weight: 2.4kg
Colours: TBD (poll in IC form)
Plate: 1.5mm Aluminium (other plate materials to be confirmed)
Mounting: Geonworks Tadpole + M3 O-ring
Feet: SKUF Feet
PCB: Custom PCB designed by Jels (MX Compatible, Encoder Support, QMK and VIA Compatible)
Alphas Tilt: 10.0°
Front Ledge: 18mm
Optional Wrist Rest
Layout - Layout supports normal/stepped caps, 2U+1.25U Left Spacebar and Split Backspace and Rotary Encoder at Home key

Pricing and Vendors

Target Pricing - $550 ~ $600USD @ 150 units

Oceania - Switchkeys
South East Asia - TBD
North America - TBD
Canada - TBD
Europe - TBD

Current Status / Timeline

8/May/21 - R1 Prototype ordered
08/Jul/2021 - R2 Prototype ordered, awaiting manufacturing
20/Jul/2021 - Initial IC
01/Sep/2021 - R2 Prototypes received
21/Sept/2021 - R3 Design Finalised, design log updated, R2 prototype photos added to IC
09/Oct/2021 - R3 Prototype Ordered
01/Dec/2021 - R3 Prototype Received
22/Dec/2021 - R4 Prototype Ordered, ETA mid-March 2022. IC Updated
25/Jan/2021 - R4 Prototype received and built Twitch Build VOD
15/Feb/2022 - R4 Prototype pictures and typing tests added to IC
28/April/2022 - FnF Round Ordered
18/July/2022 - FnF Round Delivered, currently fulfilling

R4 Prototype Photos

R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - ABS Plate - GMK Olive
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - PP Plate - GMK Olive
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - ABS Plate - PBT British Racing Green
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - PP Plate - PBT British Racing Green

R3 Prototype Photos

More

Pictures courtesy of Warmthoughts

R3 Prototype Sound Test - Marshmallows lubed with 3204 - PP Plate. Built by Warmthoughts
https://clips.twitch.tv/RamshackleLovelyEggGOWSkull-GljfUGU5YGXwMSYC

R3 Prototype Sound Test - Kailh Black Stem Cherry MX Blacks lubed with 205g0 - Aluminium Plate. Built by SwitchDoctor

R2 Prototype Photos

More

R1 Prototype Photos

More

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the tadpole and o-ring mounting look like?

Special Thanks

CAZ and TaeKeyboards for being in the fabled Discord call where the Calice started from, as well as their constant support throughout this process
Thank you to Geon for making the tadpoles available!
Avocadoughh and Forehead for being on the design journey and learning Fusion360 together, even if one of us didn't watch Quantrik's 65% Keyboard Case Design video like we told him to 100 times
Jels for helping create the PCB and helping with checking my design
ClassicRory for doing the renders as well as passing his eye over at the design and providing invaluable feedback
The SK Chill VC gang over at SwitchKeys for their continued support for this project
Ant over at CustomKBD and 0ldmate for their help with the initial prototypes

Qwertle · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:20:52 »

Updates & Design Log

23/Jul/21 - Thanks for the amazing IC responses, I'm overwhelmed by the interest in the Calice! I've updated design to add the C3 Unified Daughterboard. USB port still horizontally centred to F6/F7, vertically it's located centre to the height of the bottom piece.
Updated USB port design has been included in the R2 prototypes

21/Sep/21 - Following changes were made based on R2 prototype

Case angle changed 5° for a more comfortable typing experience, as well as lowering the case by about 4mm on the back. Makes the back less chunky but also more proportionate to the top piece
Simplified plate design, added more tadpole mounting points to better support flexible plate material
Increased bottom cavity by 2.5mm to better support flexible plate materials
Case bottom side profile is now perpendicular to ground, this also has a flow on effect in that the weight is now rectangular
Handles have had curves increased as an aesthetic choice for a more 'flowy' back profile
Removed Calice engraving on top face

22/Dec/21 - Following changes were made based on R3 prototype

Front ledge decreased by 2mm to 18mm
Simplified plate design with less mounting points more evenly distributed
Back ledge was added, changed design aesthetic for back profile

hali · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:21:23 »

interesting butt and mounting, glwic

Rory · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:22:27 »

Calice is my bias

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CAZ · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:23:56 »

I stand by my original convictions that this layout is cursed. That being said you have done a fantastic job and I have enjoyed acompanying you on your design journey. I look forward to adding one of these beautiful monstrosities to my collection.

CAZ Approved

shutuphamish · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:26:18 »

Hype, been waiting a while for this

0ldMate · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:26:32 »

This looks amazing. Willing to forgive that you didn't pick up your proto that I printed. Very excited to see this come to fruition.

checkboy · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:39:09 »

Amazing work mate! Proto pics lookin good, and them renders

forehead · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:51:08 »

Can't wait for my first premium board!

El_Jackador · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 09:57:01 »

Its not for me but that's pretty cool!

FamilyJoule924 · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:01:49 »

looks amazing, if possible make it a alice sat 75 with rotary encoder and led. or even just one or the other would be a really nice addition

WejB · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:17:55 »

Instant buy. Good job mate. All that hard work paid off!

keeganzero · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:33:33 »

This feels wrong, but I can't look away.

Alessio · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:46:50 »

could we get a render with greg on it? reckon it'd be funny as ****

Puddsy · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:47:18 »

has science gone too far

hexa · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 11:45:17 »

Chonky yet elegant. Excited to see this develop

Tyson · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 13:46:06 »

Board sounds good, I'd be down to get one when the GB starts!

YoloKeebs · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 13:53:28 »

Lemme book a cab to hit that escape key

PvtSkittles · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 15:11:10 »

Looks real nice. I can 't help but think the F row looks like eyebrows though...

MrBingo · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 17:24:20 »

It is.... Precious.

waylaidwanderer · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 17:48:21 »

Instead of Calice (which sounds like "callus"), taking the same idea, we could use Arisu as the base word, then it would be Carisu -> Carrie?

Very interested in this layout btw!

Surostu · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 17:54:40 »

This is a need, not a want.

Science has gone just the right distance. What a time to be alive.

Sinpra · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 18:04:31 »

Hello I would like to know where I can put down my deposit! :gibcalice:

lpcables · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:02:28 »

Lettttssss goooo, I need it, if it only had HHKB layout support

Nuap · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:10:51 »

OH man this is nice. The bottom profile reminds me of an old Telstra beige house phone

)

The layout shows no support for split backspace - is that the case?

Nothatso · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 19:46:56 »

I've been hoping for someone bold enough to try this layout for some time. It's weird/different and I love it. I want it yesterday.

SwitchKeys · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 21:28:32 »

Great work Qwertle! Looking forward to this one.

ZeroStressLevel · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 22:37:48 »

I SIMP FOR CALICE

grumpy213 · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 23:17:40 »

Looking solid, thick, tight. Keep me updated on your progress.

JAKP · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 05:04:53 »

Love the lilac. Looking forward to seeing r2 prototypes!

Rx003 · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 08:26:15 »

I think this would be my first alice, loving the lilac! Glwic

Mistyyy · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 08:32:34 »

I have been waiting for this day to come , can we get the show on the road ASAP

Xanniard · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 09:31:28 »

This is really amayzeeng a Complete Alice sounds like a board for me! <3

japancakes · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 12:25:15 »

It's the plum red thiccness for me.

tarokeebs · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 14:01:42 »

really looking forward to this board! that plum red color is amazing

UGunaLOSE · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 15:35:24 »

Oh this looks nice!!! GLWIC

Klexos · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 15:58:31 »

I've been wanting to build an Adelheid for about as long as I can remember but never got around to it. This gives me a reason not to. Cursed? More like the superior layout!

EnlargedCrouton · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 20:33:27 »

great looking board, ive been looking for something just like this

DatYellowAsian · « **Reply #38 on:** Thu, 22 July 2021, 04:55:45 »

So excited to see how far this idea has come from the start. Congrats and can't wait to get one myself!

forsee · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 22 July 2021, 05:44:13 »

Oooh I love this! GLWIC!

I'd be totally down for buying one of these!

Please try to get a UK proxy if you can

booncakes · « **Reply #40 on:** Fri, 23 July 2021, 05:31:41 »

Looking very nice.

highpur · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 23 July 2021, 23:04:56 »

Excited to see the progress for this board

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #42 on:** Sat, 24 July 2021, 00:41:03 »

Yes Mr Puddsy it has gone too far I dont like the alice but this one doesn't look too bad I guess it's just another aluminum keyboard at teh end of the day nothing very special

hottrout · « **Reply #43 on:** Sat, 24 July 2021, 05:12:32 »

I am very interested in this layout. Will you be providing a wrist rest at the same time with this board?

zea · « **Reply #44 on:** Sat, 24 July 2021, 22:37:39 »

please consider centering the usb port, it's killing me. otherwise I really love this keyboard, it looks really good!

rmendis · « **Reply #45 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 01:43:57 »

Like it

godofdeath · « **Reply #46 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 08:10:53 »

Keep the USB off centered, so less people will want it KEKW

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

bansheetango · « **Reply #47 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 10:19:32 »

^ this

Also like the chonker.

jakey · « **Reply #48 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 17:47:33 »

Love this, I need arrow keys for work - so this is perfect for me! I'm in.

HutchoJ · « **Reply #49 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 21:48:35 »

Thankyou for making the most useful and comfortable board ever, this won't ever leave my desk! Love the colours and design <3

Qwertle · « **Reply #50 on:** Mon, 20 September 2021, 12:10:15 »

21/09/21 Update and Thoughts

After receiving the R2 prototypes and going over the design again I'm extremely happy with how the R3 redesign went to address some things that came up in the R2 prototypes.

These were mainly an issue with flexible plate materials not having enough case cavity to support them properly, but also required more mounting points to also achieve this. This seems like a better solution but also provides flexibility for the end user to choose what mounting points should be used, in my head I have it that for stiffer plate materials you'd be able to use less tadpoles for more flex. Also simplified the plate design all together, to be fair the first one was pretty memey and definitely not required, a bit over zealous on my behalf but I'm happy with where we've landed now.

Also made some changes to the case bottom, notably making the case bottom side profile perpendicular to the ground. This helps with making sure the USB Daughterboard is also perpendicular to the ground now for better user experience, but the flow on effect of this is that the case bottom itself no longer has a trapezium bottom face to it, meaning that the weight is now a normal rectangle which looks more pleasing to the eye. The case bottom also has a more flowy back profile, which I think with the other touches such as the softening of the front edge fillets in R3 have helped make the case less boxy and more refined.

I'm super happy with the forest green and plum red colours, I think they've come out a treat and will definitely be included in the final group buy

[Edit] Also as part of the R3 design, have designed an accompanying wrist rest and will be having this prototyped in the next round of prototypes

[Editedit] Was able to build the R2 prototype recently and record a sound test. I love how the pop of the hyperglides comes through the board, very happy with how it's sounding right now

jakey · « **Reply #51 on:** Mon, 20 September 2021, 13:38:34 »

Thanks for the update Qwertle!

The forest green looks gorgeous, I love it! I'm looking forward to hearing & seeing more, and hopefully owning my own one day!

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #52 on:** Mon, 20 September 2021, 20:32:03 »

That is a **** load of plate tabs

hottrout · « **Reply #53 on:** Tue, 21 September 2021, 08:41:33 »

IC filled in. Please provide a wrist rest to match at the time of production as it really is a requirement of such a board. Love the colours by the way. Please also keep me one of these.

Qwertle · « **Reply #54 on:** Tue, 21 September 2021, 10:05:14 »

Quote from: hottrout on Tue, 21 September 2021, 08:41:33

IC filled in. Please provide a wrist rest to match at the time of production as it really is a requirement of such a board. Love the colours by the way. Please also keep me one of these.

I actually forgot to mention in my update that a wrist rest for the Calice was designed and will be prototyped, cheers for reminding me!

hottrout · « **Reply #55 on:** Tue, 21 September 2021, 11:59:37 »

Quote from: Qwertle on Tue, 21 September 2021, 10:05:14

Quote from: hottrout on Tue, 21 September 2021, 08:41:33
IC filled in. Please provide a wrist rest to match at the time of production as it really is a requirement of such a board. Love the colours by the way. Please also keep me one of these.

I actually forgot to mention in my update that a wrist rest for the Calice was designed and will be prototyped, cheers for reminding me!

\( ﾟヮﾟ)/

\( ﾟヮﾟ)/

\( ﾟヮﾟ)/

actress · « **Reply #56 on:** Tue, 21 September 2021, 12:20:15 »

Is ISO layout a possibility ?

Qwertle · « **Reply #57 on:** Thu, 23 September 2021, 10:12:12 »

Quote from: actress on Tue, 21 September 2021, 12:20:15

Is ISO layout a possibility ?

Unfortunately due to the design ISO layout isn't available for Calice

hottrout · « **Reply #58 on:** Thu, 23 September 2021, 11:53:36 »

Quote from: actress on Tue, 21 September 2021, 12:20:15

Is ISO layout a possibility ?

Very rarely is ISO an option on Alice style layout boards. There a few exceptions, the best (so far IMO) being a board called FLX Virgo. That said, I too am a die hard ISO fan but I also love the alice layout and once you use it you might even prefer ANSI as it works very well in this configuration.

darthcapn · « **Reply #59 on:** Sun, 10 October 2021, 22:04:09 »

75% is the best %. Love it. Glwic, defo coping one if I can.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Dyto69 · « **Reply #60 on:** Mon, 11 October 2021, 02:54:02 »

I love the rendered ano mismatch lmao. glwic

japancakes · « **Reply #61 on:** Fri, 22 October 2021, 17:45:24 »

pumped on plum.

any chance of PE + case foam?

Jacki · « **Reply #62 on:** Fri, 22 October 2021, 20:03:08 »

I like this.
I think theres a bit too many top mounting points.
4 on top and bottom of the plate should be enough.

ArkOberon · « **Reply #63 on:** Fri, 22 October 2021, 23:29:31 »

The more Alice boards I see, the more fall in love with them. Best of luck.

baka jiken · « **Reply #64 on:** Sat, 23 October 2021, 01:08:23 »

Lilac, Plum, and Dark forest are amazing colors!

peacdesign · « **Reply #65 on:** Thu, 16 December 2021, 05:41:02 »

Colours are hot. We simp for Calice.

Shoe17 · « **Reply #66 on:** Thu, 16 December 2021, 21:52:51 »

I've been looking at a 75 board that's a burgundy or plum color, and I just happened to see this. I also loved the alice style layout, so this would fit my needs perfectly. I'm excited to see where this goes!

Nurseh · « **Reply #67 on:** Tue, 04 January 2022, 20:06:00 »

Looking forward for this project!

bansheetango · « **Reply #68 on:** Wed, 05 January 2022, 03:27:14 »

Really hoping there'll be a EU vendor for this.

Qwertle · « **Reply #69 on:** Tue, 15 February 2022, 05:38:37 »

15/02/22 Update and Thoughts

New year brings new updates with Calice!

R4 prototype was received late January (very much a pleasant surprise), and in it's current state is what I envisioned the Calice to be both in aesthetics and sound. The sound profile remains with a bias to a clacky sound signature, but the board sounds a bit tighter and fuller. The ABS plate was a very nice plate and in my opinion the best plate material on the Calice for a clacky, slightly chirpy sound signature. But the design can also go the other way and have a deeper sound as evidenced by the PBT keycap sound tests.

The R4 prototype will continue to go around to other Australian streamers to builds and to gather more feedback, but design wise I think I'm happy with where we've landed.

In terms of other updates with regards to the buy, there's still work being done in the background but things are chugging along nicely.

R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - ABS Plate - GMK Olive
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - PP Plate - GMK Olive
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - ABS Plate - PBT British Racing Green
R4 Prototype Sound Test - Stock Epsilons - PP Plate - PBT British Racing Green

EdgeOfInfinity · « **Reply #70 on:** Tue, 08 March 2022, 13:54:36 »

that r4 proto looking really good!

KeeBnnuy · « **Reply #71 on:** Fri, 11 March 2022, 08:03:45 »

i hope you know this is a swear word akin to "****ing hell" in Canadian french 😂 Be careful with your Canadian vendor

SwellPeople · « **Reply #72 on:** Sun, 20 March 2022, 17:14:07 »

Really excited to see where you go from the R4 prototype, it looks so good

Would love to get one once it goes to GB!!!

Jubileus · « **Reply #73 on:** Wed, 27 April 2022, 04:29:27 »

Interested! Would there be a posibility of hotswap PCB?

customKBD · « **Reply #74 on:** Mon, 04 July 2022, 05:59:24 »

Can't wait for this - banger job qwertle!

enomooshiki · « **Reply #75 on:** Thu, 18 August 2022, 02:52:18 »

can't wait... please... GIB CALICE!!

Nonnegaard · « **Reply #76 on:** Fri, 19 August 2022, 03:57:34 »

75% F13 Alice? All you need is a knob and you have all the buzzwords!

duxi90 · « **Reply #77 on:** Mon, 12 September 2022, 07:15:56 »

This is definitely the layout I'm looking for. Alice's lack of the F-row and `/~ key makes it unusable for my usage.

Really looking forward to this one.

QWER|key · « **Reply #78 on:** Thu, 15 September 2022, 01:44:53 »

I've been waiting for this for such a long time.

joke · « **Reply #79 on:** Wed, 12 October 2022, 04:43:21 »

Quote from: Qwertle on Thu, 23 September 2021, 10:12:12

Quote from: actress on Tue, 21 September 2021, 12:20:15
Is ISO layout a possibility ?

Unfortunately due to the design ISO layout isn't available for Calice

There's Keychron Q10 which supports ISO layout.

hawkhandlerr · « **Reply #80 on:** Tue, 08 November 2022, 18:35:11 »

Is this still happening? I'd love to be notified when available?

thocciness · « **Reply #81 on:** Thu, 17 November 2022, 10:56:40 »

Tadpole mount and full function row Alice... yes please!

bananabreadchef · « **Reply #82 on:** Sat, 19 November 2022, 00:59:53 »

Mildy cursed but I still love it lol

gktttwsam · « **Reply #83 on:** Thu, 31 August 2023, 10:14:03 »

Is it still available?

News:

Author Topic: [IC] Calice - 75% F13 Alice | 15/02/22 Update - R4 prototype received and built! (Read 55866 times)