Author Topic: [IC] F62-PE keyboard case by Alf re-run (Read 18568 times)

f5runner · « **on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 00:46:50 »

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=96650.0

Overview
Recently saw someone with a F62-PE IRL, CNC'd by ALF, and very bumped out that I didn't get into this hobby sooner. Well, I got in touch with the guy behind ALF (Xuxian), and he told me he could make a batch of F62-PE, with an MOQ of 20, which would cost $200 just for the case EDIT: the sale price is completely the same as before, price and everything. Communication issue.

Details
Features are listed in original link above (minus details about PCB), and here I would add a few things that was told to me by Xuxian:

There were only three rounds of these keyboards, less than 50 of them in total
Top and bottom of case is equal in height
The case itself weight a freaking 4KG
The keyboard can be shipped in 60 days
Case has standard screw stems as other 60% and is a tray mount kb
If anyone is interested, I can work with a local Cerakoat vendor to get more colours than the grayscale. Won't be cheap though.

To share your interest for this GB, please comment below or fill out this form https://forms.gle/kusXH8SEunu8fFEb8

Who's running this
I am a programmer, with two kids, situated in Hong Kong, and started using mechs for about 3 years now. Started to get serious this year and now settled on a 30g capacitative keyboard...for now. I realised that the coolest keyboards are all GBs and limited in quantity. So, I got in touch with some manufacturers and see if they can re-run some stuff. Anyways, if this run is successful I can probably do this part time and make pretty keyboards a bit more accessible. Cheers.

x9Memoriez · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 02:03:18 »

200usd sounds great for a 4kg case, any clue of shipping costs?

f5runner · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 03:11:44 »

Best rate I can find with reasonable time would be about 50 dollars, keeping shipping weight at 5KG, and shipping time from HK to US would take about a week. For other shipments I am used to the price would be 70, which is not great but I haven't got a bad shipment from them.

** Edit: OK, the Mighty Google answered - someone can ship it for $8/KG. So that's about 10 dollar difference right there.

dantambok · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 03:47:44 »

I wonder how the original GB participants feel about the pricing on this since they paid much higher (right?)

f5runner · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 04:10:32 »

Nope, turns out it's my communication issue with him. Price and kit is completely the same as before. Sorry.

dantambok · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 04:54:41 »

Ah well that makes sense. Thank you for clarifying!

piercejenkins · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 06:56:06 »

Will this accept universal pcb and is the connector for the cable going to be in the middle again? Most are on the left side. I’ve wanted this SO BAD!!! TAKE MY MONEY!!!!

How much is the cerakote option?

f5runner · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:08:57 »

Base on past runs from various sites, my estimates will be about 100+. Not gonna be cheap. If you want to diy cerakote you will need to bank roll some tools and waste some pieces. I was looking at some tutorials on YT but gave that up when someone shared the sweat and skill and time you have to put in.

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f5runner · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:13:43 »

According to the last GB universal 60% is a no go. However, xuxian did tell me those are standard tray mount points. So...I am not sure. I can try buying a dz60 and borrow my friend's F62-PE

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piercejenkins · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:19:16 »

I would love to put xd75re I’m this and call it endgame!! I really hope a standard 60% pcb with cable on the left works for this. On the modern dasher d60 they included a small daughter board to use as an extension to reach the hole for the cable.

I would be very interested to know if the dz60 works in this case!!

befbef · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:34:24 »

Quote from: f5runner on Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:13:43

According to the last GB universal 60% is a no go. However, xuxian did tell me those are standard tray mount points. So...I am not sure. I can try buying a dz60 and borrow my friend's F62-PE

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afaik the first run was universal but for the second the standoff placement was changed.

piercejenkins · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:35:59 »

Would it be possible to make this round universal?

f5runner · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:49:03 »

Got a definitive answer. No. PCB is totally custom.

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piercejenkins · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:56:26 »

So if we buy a case alone how can we make it work if the pcb required is custom?

vicissitude · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:58:45 »

interested.

whalematrontron · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:59:47 »

Quote from: piercejenkins on Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:56:26

So if we buy a case alone how can we make it work if the pcb required is custom?

I do not believe you can buy the case alone - that seems to have been a communication error. It should be 390USD for the case + PCB + plate

piercejenkins · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 08:05:23 »

Quote from: whalematrontron on Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:59:47

Quote from: piercejenkins on Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:56:26
So if we buy a case alone how can we make it work if the pcb required is custom?

I do not believe you can buy the case alone - that seems to have been a communication error. It should be 390USD for the case + PCB + plate

Well that sucks. I was hoping to use my own pcb.

beekey · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 08:09:06 »

The second run was with a custom PCB, which lacked the normal USB connector. There is not much space below the PCB. You solder a connector to the PCB.

I would be interested to get another PCB, as the last time they did not send me my second PCB I ordered. Will PCB only be on option?

In general this is a very nice case. Love it. Heavy as ****.

f5runner · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 08:12:28 »

Yes. The PCB has the USB port in the middle of the case. Don't think it would be compatible with other boards

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TieuNgu · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 10:46:28 »

Quote from: beekey on Fri, 12 April 2019, 08:09:06

The second run was with a custom PCB, which lacked the normal USB connector. There is not much space below the PCB. You solder a connector to the PCB.

I would be interested to get another PCB, as the last time they did not send me my second PCB I ordered. Will PCB only be on option?

In general this is a very nice case. Love it. Heavy as ****.

I second this. Have the board myself, the PCB was a custom DC60 which you have to connect to a daughter board for type-C connector so normal PCB will not work.

Sythyn · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 12 April 2019, 20:20:44 »

Hyped as hell! Thanks for doing this mate.

Lyle88 · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 00:17:20 »

Omg I have wanted this ever since I found the last GB a week after it closed! But now I have an order placed for CA66 and g60 so don't think I can afford this too

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macclack · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 00:22:49 »

I'm definitely interested in this. I've always wanted this case and am excited that there could be a re-run. I'll be watching this closely.

8six753o9 · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 01:12:23 »

Quote from: f5runner on Fri, 12 April 2019, 00:46:50

The keyboard can be shipped in 60 days

I don’t want to sound rude or anything but I just want to make people aware. The last two ALF group buys I was in, we were told that the boards will be shipped in 60 days, one of which only had 20 units. Today (7 months later), there are still people that haven’t received their boards yet. There is still 2 other ALF group buys running (total of 4) and haven’t completed yet but somehow there is time for another interest check with a statement that it will be shipped in 60 days?

Puddsy · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 01:52:50 »

interested for sure but my trust in alf is low

Jedi · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 04:59:05 »

Interested as well, will it be possible to include a option for a second pcb?

Jaxxstatic · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 08:01:05 »

Is this gap between the top and bottom case part of the design, or is the case just not screwed down for people to look inside?

f5runner · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 08:33:46 »

Part of the design, yes. I saw a lot of pics on Google with that gap.

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f5runner · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 08:48:08 »

For a full on look of that side gap, have a look at this Chinese post: https://m.zfrontier.com/post/detail/4813

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dr_unconscionable · « **Reply #29 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 17:57:35 »

Tentatively interested, but also cautious about timelines given the number of GBs ALF is currently undertaking.

f5runner · « **Reply #30 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 18:28:54 »

Well, if you guys are not positive about the timeline I can take the risk and buy in 20 of these and just do a run of retail. But cerakoted options would probably only be available to one or two buyers because of the risk. I will have to buy them in raw metal form and that's a risk that I can only take so much of.

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RETURNISO · « **Reply #31 on:** Sat, 13 April 2019, 19:46:37 »

Nice ~~price~~ lol saw the "real" price

, still wanna take one, ~~any proper pics with cherry caps on it?~~ found some

Edit.

i dont know if it s possible, but a small update that would be neat though is adding this to the center standoff

beekey · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 14 April 2019, 13:47:23 »

Quote from: 8six753o9 on Sat, 13 April 2019, 01:12:23

Quote from: f5runner on Fri, 12 April 2019, 00:46:50
The keyboard can be shipped in 60 days
I don’t want to sound rude or anything but I just want to make people aware. The last two ALF group buys I was in, we were told that the boards will be shipped in 60 days, one of which only had 20 units. Today (7 months later), there are still people that haven’t received their boards yet. There is still 2 other ALF group buys running (total of 4) and haven’t completed yet but somehow there is time for another interest check with a statement that it will be shipped in 60 days?

I second that. I like the case a lot, but communication and incomplete shipping was not so great. Took more than a month to figure out that they do not have a second PCB to ship to me. Got a refund, but took ages. Would have preferred the PCB as this is a risk with these custom case jobs. Maybe desoldering the connector from a normal 60% and rewiring would be an option in case of PCB failure.

Lyd · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 03:30:15 »

I would love to pic one up if the GB gets going, but I'd need for it to be a universal traymount (a daughter-board plug for usb-mini/micro/c or something to let me use my preferred pcb) or moving the port over). I know it might not be all too possible, but an offering in beige as opposed to black would have me in love, but I'd settle for black if it is a universal traymount.

If this is going to be limited to a specific pcb (one I've seen a few fail in batches of ~20 before) I'm gonna have to give this a no-go.
Best of luck running this GB, and like I said if you can get a universal traymount I will gladly pick one up.

piercejenkins · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 06:46:33 »

Quote from: Lyd on Mon, 15 April 2019, 03:30:15

I would love to pic one up if the GB gets going, but I'd need for it to be a universal traymount (a daughter-board plug for usb-mini/micro/c or something to let me use my preferred pcb) or moving the port over). I know it might not be all too possible, but an offering in beige as opposed to black would have me in love, but I'd settle for black if it is a universal traymount.

If this is going to be limited to a specific pcb (one I've seen a few fail in batches of ~20 before) I'm gonna have to give this a no-go.
Best of luck running this GB, and like I said if you can get a universal traymount I will gladly pick one up.

I second this. This is an insta-buy if you manage to make it universal tray mount. I think there is a beige option for cerakote called desert sand.

f5runner · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 06:48:49 »

Universal probably not. Beige yes if you pay another good chunk of money

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Lyd · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 10:58:01 »

Quote from: piercejenkins on Mon, 15 April 2019, 06:46:33

I second this. This is an insta-buy if you manage to make it universal tray mount. I think there is a beige option for cerakote called desert sand.

I was unaware that cerakote colors were available online

It had always just been a bit of a black box for me. There's a color called "H-142 Light Sand" that would look perfect! Thanks for giving me the hint.

Quote from: f5runner on Mon, 15 April 2019, 06:48:49

Universal probably not. Beige yes if you pay another good chunk of money

First of all, how much would we be talking here for the cerakote?

And if there is no possible way to get this into a universal case in any way, then I'm afraid I'm gonna have to let it pass me by. I'm not adverse to soldering and working on it to get it to work, but I'd need to know if something like that was even possible. If the daughter board could be made to accept a generic header that I could attach to a custom made pcb that might be good enough to make me interested. Something like how Hasu's controller for the Leopold FC660C works.

equalunique · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 14:22:34 »

Quote from: piercejenkins on Fri, 12 April 2019, 07:19:16

I would love to put xd75re I’m this and call it endgame!! I really hope a standard 60% pcb with cable on the left works for this. On the modern dasher d60 they included a small daughter board to use as an extension to reach the hole for the cable.

I would be very interested to know if the dz60 works in this case!!

Same here. XD75re or maybe even Boardwalk PCB. Depends on the mounting options & USB placement.

Universal support (for the above PCBs) is a must for me, otherwise this is a no go.

If all else fails, CAD files/details so that a custom PCB/plate can be constructed. I can cut my own plates easily & have folks who can help me fab a PCB as long as a design is available.

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TieuNgu · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 19:30:20 »

Also if you could do a WKL version, I would pick up one as well

Lyle88 · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 19:44:04 »

Everyone here realises that this guy isn't re-designing this board right? He simply wants to do a re-run, so I presume modifications are out of the picture, as that would require design, prototyping, and such, which I don't think is the idea here

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f5runner · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 19:47:02 »

Correct. Someone got the right idea.

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piercejenkins · « **Reply #41 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 20:43:23 »

Quote from: f5runner on Mon, 15 April 2019, 19:47:02

Correct. Someone got the right idea.

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Well, yeah. Re-run the first round which was universal. We’re not asking him to invent a new board.

f5runner · « **Reply #42 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 20:51:54 »

I can ask about it. Not extremely positive tho

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lanyusea · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 21:29:47 »

again, will join if there is HHKB choice

f5runner · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 15 April 2019, 22:38:26 »

OK people, here's the deal - if you want R1, you lose the RGB on the top left corner, and the internal wiring from board to exit you have to deal with yourself. Board can be universal though. If anyone has an R1, please voice if there is enough space in the case to plug the USB C/mini port straight to the exit at the back of the keyboard or if you have to solder the USB cable in. I will do some research and see if there is any picture that would shed some light on this matter.

Lyd · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 16 April 2019, 11:03:37 »

Quote from: f5runner on Mon, 15 April 2019, 22:38:26

OK people, here's the deal - if you want R1, you lose the RGB on the top left corner, and the internal wiring from board to exit you have to deal with yourself. Board can be universal though. If anyone has an R1, please voice if there is enough space in the case to plug the USB C/mini port straight to the exit at the back of the keyboard or if you have to solder the USB cable in. I will do some research and see if there is any picture that would shed some light on this matter.

Thank you so much!
Hopefully we'll get something about how other people from the R1 buy ran the cable.

f5runner · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 16 April 2019, 11:10:35 »

From what I see it's an attached cable. As for how it's actually connected (soldered vs plugged in inside the case), I will have to ask

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f5runner · « **Reply #47 on:** Tue, 16 April 2019, 11:19:29 »

Oh, and one more thing. I put in the down payments already for 20 keyboards. If any of you are serious about having an R1 or cerakoated keyboard, please DM me. Cerakoate process got a rough quote of 80 dollars. Those will arrive to Hong Kong with no anodization and processed by the vendor. The rest of them will be ordered with half black and half gray in R2 spec.

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RETURNISO · « **Reply #48 on:** Tue, 16 April 2019, 18:31:37 »

Quote from: f5runner on Tue, 16 April 2019, 11:19:29

Oh, and one more thing. I put in the down payments already for 20 keyboards. If any of you are serious about having an R1 or cerakoated keyboard, please DM me. Cerakoate process got a rough quote of 80 dollars. Those will arrive to Hong Kong with no anodization and processed by the vendor. The rest of them will be ordered with half black and half gray in R2 spec.

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Cool, sorry I am just a little confused about R1 vs R2 details.

I am right that,

1. PCB will be the custom dc60 PCB. USB etc is fixed and the NCS stuff works out of the box? And is flashed with QMK?
2. Layouts and plate option is still this https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=96650.msg2640362#msg2640362 ?
3. The grey you mention is the "titanium grey" option from R1? Do you have any pics?
4. Extra PCB n plate options to buy with it?

1corazon · « **Reply #49 on:** Fri, 19 April 2019, 01:21:29 »

I NEED THIS PLEASE EMAIL ME ONCE THIS IS AVAILABLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Author Topic: [IC] F62-PE keyboard case by Alf re-run (Read 18568 times)