[IC] Key Cap Boxes

[Shadovved]

Thats a pretty large MOQ...

We shall go ahead with the full set box atm, and see what favourable replies QWER can give us

[mashby]

This is what an IC is all about -- throwing around ideas and seeing what sticks -- so I'm thrilled with all the feedback that this thread as received and grateful for everyone's participation. We're still waiting for the sample boxes to arrive so that Shadovved can get a proper quote, so things are far from being finalized., but here are my thoughts...

A single layer box for a full 104 key cap set with space for tsangan and iso would be preferred and what the focus of the upcoming GB should be.

The QWERkeys boxes are cool, but they're clearly more for novelty key caps and there are a ton of different options for those at a much lower price, such as Amac boxes from the Container Store, tackle boxes, etc.

[Shadovved]

This is what an IC is all about -- throwing around ideas and seeing what sticks -- so I'm thrilled with all the feedback that this thread as received and grateful for everyone's participation. We're still waiting for the sample boxes to arrive so that Shadovved can get a proper quote, so things are far from being finalized., but here are my thoughts...

A single layer box for a full 104 key cap set with space for tsangan and iso would be preferred and what the focus of the upcoming GB should be.

The QWERkeys boxes are cool, but they're clearly more for novelty key caps and there are a ton of different options for those at a much lower price, such as Amac boxes from the Container Store, tackle boxes, etc.

So we shall. The guesstimate for that single-layered box is around $5 shipped to the distributor (how many times have I said it? )

*most prolly can be lower*

But for more accurate pricing....please wait for me to get the sample boxes sent to the manufacturer

Stay tuned!

[TheQsanity]

The QWERkeys boxes are cool, but they're clearly more for novelty key caps and there are a ton of different options for those at a much lower price, such as Amac boxes from the Container Store, tackle boxes, etc.

Verry coool indeeed

[naturehaze]

Would get 5 boxes...
Im in eu.

[whiskytango]

I would buy 5

[Mugen]

in for at least 3

[guilleguillaume]

I'm interested aswell.

[mashby]

Just a quick status update.

Last time I spoke with Shadovved, he was still waiting on the delivery of the boxes he ordered. He's based out of Singapore, so it's a bit alarming that they haven't arrived yet from this vendor. Adds credence to his thought that the seller was questionable. Can you imagine if we had done a huge group buy with this vendor? 

Anyway, once he receives the boxes, he will be getting quotes on having custom boxes created, so we're still playing the waiting game for right now.

[Shadovved]

Just a quick status update.

Last time I spoke with Shadovved, he was still waiting on the delivery of the boxes he ordered. He's based out of Singapore, so it's a bit alarming that they haven't arrived yet from this vendor. Adds credence to his thought that the seller was questionable. Can you imagine if we had done a huge group buy with this vendor? 

Anyway, once he receives the boxes, he will be getting quotes on having custom boxes created, so we're still playing the waiting game for right now.

Sorry for the lack of reply recently.

Seller decided to not reply me, nor seem to have shipped anything.

I might work with mashby and try to do abit of design for our OWN boxes.

Might consider foam inlay, might need to check costs on that.

After I get some design running, will try a prototype........

In the meantime, please contribute your genii with material options and layouts etc

*please keep the costs in mind when suggesting options*

Thanks!

[mashby]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

[SpAmRaY]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

[Shadovved]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

Hm, I ordered the boxes since March?

I think the seller doesnt have any on hand.......

Anyway, I might get it tried out soon......

Maybe we can design our own GH box! Decide how you want the keys arranged and how to open the boxes

 I can make vinyl GH stickers and slap them on the box if you guys a interested

[SpAmRaY]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

Hm, I ordered the boxes since March?

I think the seller doesnt have any on hand.......

Anyway, I might get it tried out soon......

Maybe we can design our own GH box! Decide how you want the keys arranged and how to open the boxes

 I can make vinyl GH stickers and slap them on the box if you guys a interested

The taobao agent i used got the box because they sent photos of all the items in my order but they refunded it saying it was damaged.

[phetto]

Interested in 10

[Shadovved]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

Hm, I ordered the boxes since March?

I think the seller doesnt have any on hand.......

Anyway, I might get it tried out soon......

Maybe we can design our own GH box! Decide how you want the keys arranged and how to open the boxes

 I can make vinyl GH stickers and slap them on the box if you guys a interested

The taobao agent i used got the box because they sent photos of all the items in my order but they refunded it saying it was damaged.

Hm, same seller?

[SpAmRaY]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

Hm, I ordered the boxes since March?

I think the seller doesnt have any on hand.......

Anyway, I might get it tried out soon......

Maybe we can design our own GH box! Decide how you want the keys arranged and how to open the boxes

 I can make vinyl GH stickers and slap them on the box if you guys a interested

The taobao agent i used got the box because they sent photos of all the items in my order but they refunded it saying it was damaged.

Hm, same seller?

This is the one I was looking at

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021

That seller also has a ton of other stuff normally found on geekhack, I'm guessing its someone here?

EDIT: Ok so I don't know what happened it just got refunded this time for no reason so yeah thats a dead end. 

For reference this was the photo that was sent when I made my first order



I also found a few more if you guys want to check these out

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.46.ubjF7E&id=18087033786 <- appears to be some kind of group buy

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.62.ubjF7E&id=24219736575

[Neal]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43233.msg891800#msg891800

Has Sherry heard us?

[mashby]

 

[samwisekoi]

Interested in many, some for me and some for special sets like the upcoming (seriously) Elvish sets.

 - Ron I samwisekoi

[UniClown]

I'd be interested in 2

United States

[rofle]

2-3, UK.

[adrock]

I'd be in for half a dozen to a dozen. In the UK.

[Rabbit]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

Hm, I ordered the boxes since March?

I think the seller doesnt have any on hand.......

Anyway, I might get it tried out soon......

Maybe we can design our own GH box! Decide how you want the keys arranged and how to open the boxes

 I can make vinyl GH stickers and slap them on the box if you guys a interested

The taobao agent i used got the box because they sent photos of all the items in my order but they refunded it saying it was damaged.

Hm, same seller?

This is the one I was looking at

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021

That seller also has a ton of other stuff normally found on geekhack, I'm guessing its someone here?

EDIT: Ok so I don't know what happened it just got refunded this time for no reason so yeah thats a dead end. 

For reference this was the photo that was sent when I made my first order

(Attachment Link)

I also found a few more if you guys want to check these out

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.46.ubjF7E&id=18087033786 <- appears to be some kind of group buy

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.62.ubjF7E&id=24219736575

Acturely.the second link is my shop. I just made that box for my friend.

I made only 200 as limitied eddtion. I never thought GH would think of my box.

Thanks fot bringing that up.

[josh]

Sorry to hear that the TaoBao seller has been such a bust. I've had no luck on my own attempting to find another source, so maybe creating it from scratch is the best way to go. There is clearly demand for them if you can get it sorted out.

Does anyone in this thread actually have a box that can be used as a reference?

I've tried ordering one off of Taobao and they cancelled the first one said it was damaged, so now I'm trying again but that might take a week or two, if I can get it.

Hm, I ordered the boxes since March?

I think the seller doesnt have any on hand.......

Anyway, I might get it tried out soon......

Maybe we can design our own GH box! Decide how you want the keys arranged and how to open the boxes

 I can make vinyl GH stickers and slap them on the box if you guys a interested

The taobao agent i used got the box because they sent photos of all the items in my order but they refunded it saying it was damaged.

Hm, same seller?

This is the one I was looking at

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021

That seller also has a ton of other stuff normally found on geekhack, I'm guessing its someone here?

EDIT: Ok so I don't know what happened it just got refunded this time for no reason so yeah thats a dead end. 

For reference this was the photo that was sent when I made my first order

(Attachment Link)

I also found a few more if you guys want to check these out

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.46.ubjF7E&id=18087033786 <- appears to be some kind of group buy

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.62.ubjF7E&id=24219736575

Acturely.the second link is my shop. I just made that box for my friend.

I made only 200 as limitied eddtion. I never thought GH would think of my box.

Thanks fot bringing that up.

哎呦兔子,限量版哎呦呦

[SpAmRaY]

So this came in from taobao

[Rayne]

D:

[Shadovved]

So this came in from taobao

I don't know what to say LOL )

I am talking with Mr Bunny (not BunnyLake) now to see what we can do

He might do a foam interior or something, but we'll need to see how..........

[SpAmRaY]

So this came in from taobao

Unfortunately this box was beat up fairly bad in shipping.

The there is a layer of sticky glue where the keys go.

[okooko]

So this came in from taobao

Unfortunately this box was beat up fairly bad in shipping.

The there is a layer of sticky glue where the keys go.

I had some spare cardboard around the house (leftovers from my archery targets)
and made a shifty ghetto one, took me about half and hour to make it and isnt that great lol
ill get a photo lol

[Neal]

Whoa that box got beat up.

[samwisekoi]

Did some pricing for a custom made foam tray in a stock box.

Stock box (approximately 12x9x2) $1 each in 50-box bundles.

Custom foam liner like this:


http://www.wecutfoam.com/images/polyurethane_foam_cut_laser_s.jpg

At 1/2" thick each unit will be $10 with a minimum order of $100.

Should I pursue this any further?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Shadovved]

Did some pricing for a custom made foam tray in a stock box.

Stock box (approximately 12x9x2) $1 each in 50-box bundles.

Custom foam liner like this:

(Attachment Link)
http://www.wecutfoam.com/images/polyurethane_foam_cut_laser_s.jpg

At 1/2" thick each unit will be $10 with a minimum order of $100.

Should I pursue this any further?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

Show Image

Hm, Mr Rabbit is considering foam cuttings as well......now its a community sourced project. We'll cross reference to difference sources and see wherever we can get them the cheapest ;D

[samwisekoi]

Here is a 12x12 design that could be split into two 6x12 layers:


Keycap Tray design by samwisekoi

I'll shop it around to local foam and cardboard vendors.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[calavera]

can one row fit in two 7x space bars in that layout? I ask because I like to include the matching moogle/tsangan..etc mod kits in the same box if possible.

[samwisekoi]

can one row fit in two 7x space bars in that layout? I ask because I like to include the matching moogle/tsangan..etc mod kits in the same box if possible.

The main slots are 15 wide, so yes.  Also the 'extras' slot is 8x.  Or we could remove a row of talls and replace it with three extras or full-width rows.

 - Ron I samwisekoi

[Shadovved]

can one row fit in two 7x space bars in that layout? I ask because I like to include the matching moogle/tsangan..etc mod kits in the same box if possible.

The main slots are 15 wide, so yes.  Also the 'extras' slot is 8x.  Or we could remove a row of talls and replace it with three extras or full-width rows.

 - Ron I samwisekoi

Is it good that we have a 1-layer box instead?

And 1 row of extras may not be enough for bigger sets with multi coloured mods

[samwisekoi]

can one row fit in two 7x space bars in that layout? I ask because I like to include the matching moogle/tsangan..etc mod kits in the same box if possible.

The main slots are 15 wide, so yes.  Also the 'extras' slot is 8x.  Or we could remove a row of talls and replace it with three extras or full-width rows.

 - Ron I samwisekoi

Is it good that we have a 1-layer box instead?

And 1 row of extras may not be enough for bigger sets with multi coloured mods

I started with available box sizes that were at least as wide as a Poker but were not too deep.  This was the size I ended up with.  Also 12x12 is an easy size to get packing material like bubble-wrap.

The positive of having a single layer is that tooling costs go down and we reach MOQ sooner.  The downside is that the boxes end up like pizza boxes and probably weaker than a keyboard-shaped box,

Something that would fit an entire 104-key set plus two full additional rows would be ideal in my opinion.  Something like 16x10x2" that opens on the large side like a pizza and not from the top like a cereal box (or a USPS Flat Rate box).

I'll go down to the box store this week and see what they have in their catalogs.  If it could double as a keyboard shipping box it would be  an upside as well.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Shadovved]

can one row fit in two 7x space bars in that layout? I ask because I like to include the matching moogle/tsangan..etc mod kits in the same box if possible.

The main slots are 15 wide, so yes.  Also the 'extras' slot is 8x.  Or we could remove a row of talls and replace it with three extras or full-width rows.

 - Ron I samwisekoi

Is it good that we have a 1-layer box instead?

And 1 row of extras may not be enough for bigger sets with multi coloured mods

I started with available box sizes that were at least as wide as a Poker but were not too deep.  This was the size I ended up with.  Also 12x12 is an easy size to get packing material like bubble-wrap.

The positive of having a single layer is that tooling costs go down and we reach MOQ sooner.  The downside is that the boxes end up like pizza boxes and probably weaker than a keyboard-shaped box,

Something that would fit an entire 104-key set plus two full additional rows would be ideal in my opinion.  Something like 16x10x2" that opens on the large side like a pizza and not from the top like a cereal box (or a USPS Flat Rate box).

I'll go down to the box store this week and see what they have in their catalogs.  If it could double as a keyboard shipping box it would be  an upside as well.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

Show Image

I can get a big big big bunch of these from China, in custom sizes as well.

Like those pizza boxes with 2 flaps on the side

[MKULTRA]

USA, 5-10

[samwisekoi]

USA, 5-10

Nah, we're doing better than that!

1776, Spanish-American, WWI, WWII, Grenada, Panama, Cold War

Canada (still not States), Civil (can't be called a win), Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, ?

I make it 7-6, but it is still only 6am here, so maybe I'll think of more later.  War history buffs?

 - Ron | samwisekoi


p.s.  Or did you mean you'd like five to ten boxes delivered to you in the USA? Can't argue with that!

[Tym]

samwisekoi, well played sir! Made me giggle.

[Mysteric]

UK, in for two.

[SpAmRaY]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45034.0

Redline doing a key cap box group buy

[jonathanyu]

I would like to take 2 of them

[mashby]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45034.0

Redline doing a key cap box group buy

Thanks for the link SpAmRaY. Looks like someone else found a way to make this happen. Cool!