[Interest Check] Metal vivanco plate

[False_Dmitry_II]

I really have no idea how many people have got these, but I thought I'd ask. I've got mine in pieces right now because I'm in the middle of switching from the XM simplified alps it comes with to complicated cream alps; and wanted to see how hard it would be to have it made as metal. So this is the answer I got, and if enough people want one I'll go through with the order. Edit: I forgot to mention, but the entire reason this thread is here is that it uses a plastic plate to start with.


1pc 1/16” Aluminum = $175 lot charge : No finish
2pcs 1/16” Aluminum = $112.5/ea : No finish
5pcs 1/16” Aluminum = $65/ea : No finish
10pcs 1/16” Aluminum = $ 48.36/ea  : No finish  

1pc  1/16” Steel  = $125 lot charge : No finish  
2pcs 1/16” Steel  = $95/ea : No finish
5pcs 1/16” Steel = $47.6/ea : No finish
10pcs 1/16” Steel = $34.82/ea : No finish

[dorkvader]

Clearly: Steel > Al

I've not heard of this keyboard before: I'd be interested if I had one. Are they vintage/rare?

[False_Dmitry_II]

It seems to be fairly rare. I got mine from missilemike, you can find some of the threads where he sold some by searching for 'vivanco geekhack'. I couldn't find the main one where he was talking about his auctions by doing that though.

[dorkvader]

Is it the same as this:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:5115

I searched vivanco, and found the model number KPT-84, which is the same as this ALPS-based 'keypot technology' board.

Hmm, depending on the possible mounting and dimensions, I might be interested to DIY-up an ALPS 'board sometime.

[False_Dmitry_II]

That looks almost identical to it in terms of what the case looks like and the physical placement of the keys. Mine has only ansi legends though along with a cooler dolch color scheme. Other than that, yeah, that's pretty much it.

[BiNiaRiS]

Clearly: Steel > Al

I've not heard of this keyboard before: I'd be interested if I had one. Are they vintage/rare?

But you can't anodize steel and make it look cool like you can with aluminum.

And Dmitry, where are you getting these done? The place near me? Steel should almost always be more expensive for these kind of things because it takes a lot longer to cut. The raw material is a bit cheaper, but the cut time for aluminum is a lot less. The place near me charges $220/hr for cut time so it adds up fast.

Also, you're gonna have a hard time finding people for this. It's not at all a common keyboard.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Well I'll only be going through with it if there are enough to make it cheap enough. I am aware that it isn't really likely, but I figured I'd give it a last shot before going ahead and reassembling mine with the plastic.

That said, no it isn't the place near you. Apparently nearly every single place expects whatever kind of file it is that has the info they need. I was referred to this place by one of the other ones who were like 'doing a replica is beyond the scope of what we do, but these guys do it'.

I think the fact that they are making a replica is why it starts out so high. If ya still want the name of the place I'll look it up, I don't know it offhand.

[dorkvader]

But you can't anodize steel and make it look cool like you can with aluminum.

But since I feel that paint > anodyzing, then it works out. Al is cool, because it forms an Al2O3 (alumina) layer on the outside of the piece, but steel would be more functional.

Hmm, I imagine getting a punch for the keys would significantly decrease machining time, but you may still have alignment issues. I'm sure the manufacturer used a punch.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Well anyways, it's back together with the plastic plate. I think it would have been easier to put together with a metal one but that would be too much money for this. I didn't particularly dislike it before to begin with, just figured it would be cool to upgrade it while changing switches. I wanted to do that because of how likely it is that I use this small keyboard around other people. The XMs are not quiet.

[digitalleftovers]

Hey, I've seen this keyboard over at OTD.  I never knew what it was, though.  Any idea if these keyboards are still available, or is it just something we need to hunt for?

[dorkvader]

Hey, I've seen this keyboard over at OTD.  I never knew what it was, though.  Any idea if these keyboards are still available, or is it just something we need to hunt for?

I'm pretty sure you need to look for them.

Here are some search terms I used when I looked:
Keypot KPT-84
Vivanco KPT-84