What are my case upgrade options? New to all of this.

[sacklunch]

Hey there,

I have this keyboard with cherry blues:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/mechanical-keyboard/wasd-104-key-doubleshot-abs-classic-retro-mechanical-keyboard.html

I use the keyboard for work (I'm a writer) and really enjoy it so far. But I bought it knowing that I would eventually want to change the case. From what little I understand of the terminology (forgive me) I would like a 96 key or 90% case; in short, I would like a case that has a number pad, but has no or little space between it and the other keys. I was hoping to get an all aluminum or wood case. I see that there are random group buys for such cases, but I can't find any current ones (please correct me!).

My understanding is that with a new case I will need a new board; with these parts I can desolder the switches and solder them onto the new board. I am unsure of what boards will work with my switches (or if such a question is even relevant).

As for cost, I am willing to spend a couple hundred, if need be. I'm looking for a case that will last years while also looking nice.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
-sack

[Tactile]

What you're describing is a very special keyboard and not found easily. It sounds like you want something like this. There just aren't many kits like that other than special runs, as Massdrop did. 

No point in tearing your board apart just to get the switches. Just buy switches and keep your keyboard intact, or sell it.

[Sylvestyeo]

There a few 96key KBs that pop to mind - its my favorite layout by far!

If you want something soon (i.e. readily available to ship), you can try the following
winkeyless.kr - look for the B.mini EX (the website is a little confusing to navigate at first and pictures are scarce in the main page. Look at FAQ section to get some brief understanding then pop by the QnA section. There's a ton of picture of the keyboards in the QnA section as Hojin (owner) posts there quite a fair bit. If not just drop him an email, found on the page)
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=545001819263 - from Taobao. If you have difficulties purchasing in Chinese, you can always use a reshipper. Search through the forum and you'll find a few commonly used reshippers here (I use Superbuy because my Chinese is horrible af despite coming from Asia).

Disclosure, I've bought both keyboards and they look great so far. Have yet to assemble them so can't give any reviews for now. But on inspection, they look real nice.

If you're willing to wait and join the GH groupbuy community, there are two 96key KBs in the IC section which should turn into Group Buys (GB) soon enough. Keep a watch for them and jump once they turn live.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93409.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93126.0
https://input.club/kira-waitlist/ - sign up for the waitlist
 
Yes most of them are kits so you'll have to solder them yourself. Some do provide soldering options (winkeyless.kr does provide it), but that will add a bit of cost to the overall board. More importantly that limits your options of switches to mostly either Cherry or Gaterons. There's so much more out there!

[sacklunch]

Thanks for the responses!

I'm surprised that there are not more case options for larger keyboards. It seems the 60% reigns supreme.
I quite like the Espectro case and will await the groupbuy. How quickly do such sales happen after an interest check is made?