[Order Thread] MKC Aluminum Cases for Filco [Shipping soon]

[jil_jil32]

@csimi: Do you have any pics of the case before assembling? ^^

[WhiteFireDragon]

Thanks for pics csimi! What profile are those caps? Either they're really short, or the top of the aluminum shell is thick so it makes the caps look low profile.

[feng]

Thanks for pics csimi! What profile are those caps? Either they're really short, or the top of the aluminum shell is thick so it makes the caps look low profile.

Those should be the gray thick PBT keycaps from imsto.

[csimi]

Damn, it looks nice. Are the edges, especially the inner hones towards the keys chamfered or rounded?

Looks chamfered (from a quick wikipedia search of the word), though I'm not an expert.

It looks great! Have you ordered a grey one?

Since I didn't have the color board I ordered a "greyish black" one.
It is more lighter than I thought it would be, but after ordering it I realized that too dark might not really look that special, so I guess it was a pleasant surprise.

@csimi: Do you have any pics of the case before assembling? ^^

Sorry, I didn't think about that, I was pretty excited. No good camera at home anyways.

[tipo33]

Finaly ordered one.  Will take picks once ot arrives,  with zinc keycaps to match

[dorkvader]

Finaly ordered one.  Will take picks once ot arrives,  with zinc keycaps to match

So you got one in light Grey (To match the zinc) ?

[Elrick]

Finaly ordered one.  Will take picks once ot arrives,  with zinc keycaps to match

NICE...... The new R2 Zinc keyset by Feng would look FANTASTIC.  I can not overlook getting a set for my baby. 

[tipo33]

Finaly ordered one.  Will take picks once ot arrives,  with zinc keycaps to match

So you got one in light Grey (To match the zinc) ?

I got the Silver one, and a titanium space bar, also from feng.  I now need to get a Filco TKL before any of it arrives.  Lol
It all looked so nice that I figured I will pick one up.

[metalliqaz]

I got the Silver one, and a titanium space bar, also from feng.  I now need to get a Filco TKL before any of it arrives.  Lol
It all looked so nice that I figured I will pick one up.

All metal... you had better take some pics when you get that thing together.  My my my...

[tipo33]

I got the Silver one, and a titanium space bar, also from feng.  I now need to get a Filco TKL before any of it arrives.  Lol
It all looked so nice that I figured I will pick one up.

All metal... you had better take some pics when you get that thing together.  My my my...

I know!!  I saw the three group buy threads, and the idea was born.   There will be picks, don't wory.

[WhiteFireDragon]

I got the Silver one, and a titanium space bar, also from feng.  I now need to get a Filco TKL before any of it arrives.  Lol
It all looked so nice that I figured I will pick one up.

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

[metalliqaz]

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

King of all keyboards: Priceless

[feng]

  OMG

[Elrick]

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

Yep, for the FULL-METAL experience we will willingly bend over for this.  I'll take it like a man, no matter how it bleeds.  )

[longweight]

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

King of all keyboards: Priceless

No king would have zinc caps

[agor]

Its missing the $250 red Cherry Key Cap from Biniaris

[tipo33]

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

King of all keyboards: Priceless

No king would have zinc caps

  Waiting for the titanium mods.

[longweight]

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

King of all keyboards: Priceless

No king would have zinc caps

  Waiting for the titanium mods.

Haha aren't we all! I need money to get this case!

[digitalleftovers]

I got the Silver one, and a titanium space bar, also from feng.  I now need to get a Filco TKL before any of it arrives.  Lol
It all looked so nice that I figured I will pick one up.

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

Hey, its less than doing it all by yourself!

[digitalleftovers]

I got the Silver one, and a titanium space bar, also from feng.  I now need to get a Filco TKL before any of it arrives.  Lol
It all looked so nice that I figured I will pick one up.

$150 filco TKL
$175 zinc caps
$105 space bar
$350 Alu case

total $780 not including paypal fees  . Full metal sounds pretty awesome though, but total price rape.

Hey, its less than doing it all by yourself!

And what you get is WAY better than this thing:

[graboy]

If only this was affordable... I've been waiting a long time for an aluminum filco case just like this. Probably not going to buy it, but we'll see if my urges get to me.

[Surreal Killa]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

[longweight]

Hi Feng, do you have a picture of the case before it is anodized?

[nebo]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

Everyone said that but nobody was interested in the GB....

[Surreal Killa]

If it resulted in a price drop, I'd be interested in the group buy. Probably need a few hundred people though, right?

[Bar81]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

Everyone said that but nobody was interested in the GB....

Because the dropped price was still out of control.  I would be in for $250 and I suspect that is the psychological barrier for others as well.

[pasph]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

Everyone said that but nobody was interested in the GB....

Because the dropped price was still out of control.  I would be in for $250 and I suspect that is the psychological barrier for others as well.

this

[Surreal Killa]

Word. I was thinking around the $200 mark. I could go $250 (assuming the postage price isn't too high).

[WhiteFireDragon]

Well I think soon, more people/companies is will a metal TKL case. Right now there's no competition, but it's only a matter of time.

[metalliqaz]

Well I think soon, more people/companies is will a metal TKL case. Right now there's no competition, but it's only a matter of time.

We'll be waiting.

[longweight]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

Everyone said that but nobody was interested in the GB....

Because the dropped price was still out of control.  I would be in for $250 and I suspect that is the psychological barrier for others as well.

The price is not out of control, just right for a premium product!

[swagpiratex]

Price is a function of supply and demand. Increase the supply, and the price will drop accordingly. As long as there is only a singular supplier in the market, we are at his mercy in terms of pricing.

If you really want to jedi mindtrix yourself though, just ask yourself if that aluminum case is worth three days worth of work. I'm assuming most people are getting paid at least $30,000 for work.

If you're a student, sorry. SOL. Graduate and get a job so you can play with the big boys.

[dorkvader]

With what I get paid, this case is worth more than a week of work.

Price is NOT just a function of supply and demand. Even if there is a huge supply, more than demand, they won't sell these at a loss. Even if MKC Bills his machine time to low (not zero, as machines need oil and maintenance, and it'd be a loss) there is a "bottom floor" to the price.

For example, the Apple unibody MBP cases: Lots of intricate machining there (Just looked at my spare one), but they don't cost that much: (and they probably cost Apple a lot less) under $200 cost, and it comes with a keyboard.

I'd say this is pretty intricate, and the cost is pretty justifiable, but it's just out of my price range. I'm already eating ramen

[Bar81]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

Everyone said that but nobody was interested in the GB....

Because the dropped price was still out of control.  I would be in for $250 and I suspect that is the psychological barrier for others as well.

The price is not out of control, just right for a premium product!

Says the guy who pays over $100 for a piece of plastic <shaking head>

[longweight]

I would be interested if the price were to be dropped.

Everyone said that but nobody was interested in the GB....

Because the dropped price was still out of control.  I would be in for $250 and I suspect that is the psychological barrier for others as well.

The price is not out of control, just right for a premium product!

Says the guy who pays over $100 for a piece of plastic <shaking head>

Your point being?

[metalliqaz]

Says the guy who pays over $100 for a piece of plastic <shaking head>

lol, don't go down that road.  Value is always a little crazy.  A diamond is just a rock, a Core i7 is made out of silicon - common sand, and a 1900's coke bottle is just garbage until a collector finds it.

[Surreal Killa]

The diamond industry is sad. People dying for super heated carbon.

[dorkvader]

The diamond industry is sad. People dying for super heated carbon.

Heat and pressure. Look at carbon's phase diagram. Take it up to 100 Atm and maybe 2,000K or so.

That's why I prefer other ceramics, BN, SiC, etc. They are (almost) as hard, much less brittle, they don't burn in a fire, and aren't overpriced.

I would save up for a ceramic case for sure. I'm not as hot on the metal, but this one looks really nice!

[nebo]

The diamond industry is sad. People dying for super heated carbon.

Heat and pressure. Look at carbon's phase diagram. Take it up to 100 Atm and maybe 2,000K or so.

That's why I prefer other ceramics, BN, SiC, etc. They are (almost) as hard, much less brittle, they don't burn in a fire, and aren't overpriced.

I would save up for a ceramic case for sure. I'm not as hot on the metal, but this one looks really nice!

Ceramic would be too fragile I think. I mean, I don't throw my keyboard around but one good drop and it's done.

Feng, any update on how production is going?

[damorgue]

Technical ceramics come in a large variety and there are some freaky ones, with all kinds of properties. Some are very durable, and there are even those with low electrical resistance now days.

[dorkvader]

Technical ceramics come in a large variety and there are some freaky ones, with all kinds of properties. Some are very durable, and there are even those with low electrical resistance now days.

Damorgue is right, and has highlighted some more reasons why ceramics are man's best friend. If you really need a less brittle one, you can go with a geopolymer, which is a composite of ceramics and polymers. It's a compromise, but should still be excellent.

Besides, after a good drop, any metal case will be broken, too. The corner will bend in, and probably break the PCB.

[digitalleftovers]

I know, this thread is totally jacked, I'm sorry!

I would really like to make a wooden case, but not a CNC cut version.  I would like to try to make one with classic joinery techniques (dove tails, mortise and tenons, biscuits, etc...  It would be sturdier and I wouldn't need a special machine, just some hand tools and LOTS of patience <- because I need to learn how to actually make those joints, too. :-)

[lowtec]

Any chance of a case like this for a fullsize keyboard, preferably Filco MJ-2 ?

[TheProfosist]

Any options for a custom top to be made so it will fit a 7bit layout phantom?

[WhiteFireDragon]

Doubtful. Only a handful of people got phantom builds, even fewer got 7bit layout, and out of those, hardly any will buy this case. At a business standpoint, MKC won't spend the time to make another custom measurement for 1-2 sales.

[dorkvader]

It would be pretty easy to file off the excess bits (Function key row spacers and spacers between arrowkeys and abovekeys) but there really won't be much of a top case left after all that. I would be worried about it bending or breaking.

[digitalleftovers]

When I get mine I will document how it goes together.  I plan to put my phantom board inside it (or at least try).  Originally, even though I got a PHANSI plate, I wanted to do the 7bit keypad since all of the phantom plates have the cutouts for that side cluster.  But, it's certainly going to take a small batch run from someone to fulfill that need. I don't want to file down mine just for that purpose, but I'll take some closer pics and see if it could be done.

[emptythecache]

Any pictures yet people?

[longweight]

Can I still order on the 25th Feng?

[damorgue]

Feng, did you ever ask him about making a modification to the case so that it fits the Phantom with 7bit layout or just the keys above the arrow cluster?

I know that you said he would charge a lot to release the CAD files, but could you let him know that I will gladly modify them and send them back if he would then agree to offer them.