Author Topic: Funky acrylic cases  (Read 9420 times)

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Offline MOZ

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Funky acrylic cases
« on: Mon, 09 September 2013, 15:19:51 »
Branching off from: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35672.msg1035342#msg1035342

School base case top for G80-1800


I'm considering once the designs for my TKL/60%/1800 are complete, I want to do something different besides the normal acrylic case GB.

A GB where we can have funky cases made, eg, the school bus case, maybe a pikachu case.

We can have maybe 4-5 designs in different form factors, because I see there are many members with families and young children here on GH, and I know for a fact that you want to treat them with awesome keyboards, and thus these colorful funky cases.

So would you be interested in such funky case tops?

How do I add a poll?

Offline keymaster

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 09 September 2013, 15:25:18 »
LOL great idea, even though I wouldn't be interested myself.

This would be perfect for someone with a little brother or nephew. They would adore it.

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 09 September 2013, 15:27:37 »
LOL great idea, even though I wouldn't be interested myself.

This would be perfect for someone with a little brother or nephew. They would adore it.

This is one design, I'm sure we can come up with many such designs.

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 09 September 2013, 15:29:11 »
I'll put in a request for a princess top cover.

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 09 September 2013, 15:30:38 »
I'll put in a request for a princess top cover.

I need the basic design ;)

Offline LechnerDE

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 04:49:41 »
I like the idea of making non-standard cases, but I think the school bus one is a bit too extreme. I mean it looks cool at first, but would an adult really put this on his desk?

It shouldn't look like a children's toy in my opinion, maybe something more discreet like a special frame, so the keyboard looks like a framed painting or something.

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 05:13:35 »
I like the idea of making non-standard cases, but I think the school bus one is a bit too extreme. I mean it looks cool at first, but would an adult really put this on his desk?

It shouldn't look like a children's toy in my opinion, maybe something more discreet like a special frame, so the keyboard looks like a framed painting or something.

Anything is possible and I think we can all agree that everyone has a different taste :)

Offline Moosecraft

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 06:12:50 »
Batman?
The joker?
This is a really good idea, gonna follow this thread.
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Offline phetto

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 06:18:18 »
wtf?

Offline bahamot

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:04:10 »
make castle, mario, and the princess then it will be more attractive  ;)

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Offline pasph

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:11:57 »
I like the idea of making non-standard cases, but I think the school bus one is a bit too extreme. I mean it looks cool at first, but would an adult really put this on his desk?

It shouldn't look like a children's toy in my opinion, maybe something more discreet like a special frame, so the keyboard looks like a framed painting or something.

+1 don't waste great possibilities
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 13:09:21 »
Interested.

 :cool:

Offline SeriouSSpotS

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 10 September 2013, 13:17:01 »
Kind of cool, would to see a real one
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Offline Forever

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 11 September 2013, 00:30:08 »
it is so weird that i could not type any word if im using it. :))

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 02:22:01 »
it is so weird that i could not type any word if im using it. :))

But it'll look great on your desk.

Offline dragonxx21

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #15 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 02:25:54 »
Is it bad that I'd actually like to have a school bus case...?
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Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #16 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:19:53 »
Is it bad that I'd actually like to have a school bus case...?

Tis the magic school bus ;)

Offline pasph

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #17 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:29:46 »
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Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #18 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:36:40 »
Oh we should make something like that.

Offline inlikeflynn

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 16 September 2013, 08:29:17 »
I'll put in a request for a princess top cover.

I'll second that request for a princess top cover! My daughters' would love that instead of their plain old beige 1800 they currently use. I'd say it would have to just be normal shape on the sides/bottom but then maybe on the top have the castle towers or something?
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Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 16 September 2013, 10:30:50 »
Designing something lke this is not going to ge easy, some images and mockups would help though.

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 23 September 2013, 13:41:45 »
I might make the school bus one as I was an avid Magic School Bus fan as a kid for my upcoming 1800 PCB.

I am thinking that I might have these in a way so you can drop your existing keyboards with their plates (The common ones atleast), so no desoldering is required. And you can change the case as often as you change your kid's diapers :P

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #22 on: Thu, 26 September 2013, 15:26:12 »
So first case was cut today, the magic school bus case.

I shall post pics real soon.

Offline BliTzKiN

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #23 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 13:00:32 »
So first case was cut today, the magic school bus case.

I shall post pics real soon.

Where are they! I want to see the magical bus!

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #24 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:08:58 »
So here it is:
37097-0
37099-1


There are some misalignment since I haven't bolted it, I am still awaiting the arrival of my 1800 PCB.

The mounting plate is clear acrylic:
37101-2


As you can see, I have tried to get the colors on the edges of the case all the way to the bottom:
37103-3

Since the case is pretty tall, it required a good number of 2.7mm feet to get a decent tilting angel of ~8degrees.
37105-4
37115-5

This is a shot of layer 2 (1 being the top), layer 4 and 5 are similar. As you can see the shape of the extra bits (Black, grey, white parts) is slightly different, this is to allow screw holes and get them to lock into the main yellow case body. This ensures that only layer 1 and 2 have to be fused. I try to avoid fusing acrylic but to get a clean look, the top two layers had to to be fused:
37107-6

As I had mentioned earlier, the plate is clear and used the same shape as my open-source 1800 case, this means that the case body can be changed anytime and the simple and standard shaped 1800 can be used, without having to desolder the switches:
37109-7
37111-8

The clear acrylic base plate with the feet bolted.
37113-9

Here is the complete kit, minus the feet which are attached to the base already:
37117-10


Now I need suggestion regarding the keycaps, I think the bumblebee set would look great, but I missed out on the GB :(. Any other set?

Also, I am thinking yellow 2x3x4mm LEDs, and orange one on the mods? What do you think? Also planning to mount yellow SMD LEDs or the 2x3x4mm one on the bottom side, so it glows. Thoughts?

EDIT: There is a small circle that I will get cut in orange when I get the GH Anniv. keychains ordered, you can see the space in the yellow engine part of the bus int he first photo.

Sorry for the bad pics, I don't have a camera, just my phone.
« Last Edit: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:12:08 by MOZ »

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #25 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:10:08 »
That is sweet bro!

Offline Glod

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #26 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:11:16 »
wow, haha thats not something you would expect to ever be made. thumbs up for following through with your idea!  :thumb:

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #27 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:17:27 »
Suggestion on keysets and LEDs?

Also I'm thinking since the top looks so plain, why not get something etched on it perhaps? Or just some black vinyl saying :GeekHack - School of keyboard enthusiasts"

Anywhere to get a white on red "Stop!"?

Offline Glod

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #28 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:27:14 »
that text would work. not sure about orange LEDs on there.

And i think a plain white on black key caps will work unless you can get your hands on some yellow and black ones  like the bumblebee set.

(edit: Instead of a STOP key) hobby shops/sites may have stop signs for train sets, maybe you could rig one on there with some blinking red LEDs for the stop sign., i think that would be neat lol
« Last Edit: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:39:53 by Glod »

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #29 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:31:14 »
Suggestion on keysets and LEDs?

Also I'm thinking since the top looks so plain, why not get something etched on it perhaps? Or just some black vinyl saying :GeekHack - School of keyboard enthusiasts"

Anywhere to get a white on red "Stop!"?

I've got some red stop keys I think it's black on red in SA profile I think.

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #30 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:44:48 »
Suggestion on keysets and LEDs?

Also I'm thinking since the top looks so plain, why not get something etched on it perhaps? Or just some black vinyl saying :GeekHack - School of keyboard enthusiasts"

Anywhere to get a white on red "Stop!"?

I've got some red stop keys I think it's black on red in SA profile I think.

Can I haz?

Offline Artichoke

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:47:05 »
That turned out really well, I feel like I've seen a few "STOP" keycaps in crap bag pictures, might try posting in that thread in the classifieds.

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:48:41 »
Suggestion on keysets and LEDs?

Also I'm thinking since the top looks so plain, why not get something etched on it perhaps? Or just some black vinyl saying :GeekHack - School of keyboard enthusiasts"

Anywhere to get a white on red "Stop!"?

I've got some red stop keys I think it's black on red in SA profile I think.

Can I haz?

I'm sure I could work something out ;)

Offline elton5354

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #33 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 15:51:58 »
Yellow key sets? Obviously the TH sets you've ordered.

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #34 on: Fri, 27 September 2013, 16:08:22 »
Yellow key sets? Obviously the TH sets you've ordered.

They'll reach me in over 7 weeks! ><

PCB should be here in about 2-3 weeks I suspect. I want take long to build it once it is in my hands.

Offline Tarzan

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #35 on: Sat, 28 September 2013, 19:16:18 »
Sweet case!  My son was impressed by the pictures!

Offline MOZ

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #36 on: Sat, 28 September 2013, 19:29:20 »
Sweet case!  My son was impressed by the pictures!

Thanks. He'll be more impressed when he has one on his desk ;)

Offline Tarzan

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Re: Funky acrylic cases
« Reply #37 on: Sat, 28 September 2013, 21:58:07 »
Sweet case!  My son was impressed by the pictures!

Thanks. He'll be more impressed when he has one on his desk ;)

That's where I was headed next...   :p