Author Topic: [GB] Aella: a 75% keyboard from AKB - GB concluded (Read 30167 times)

Alchemist Keyboards · « **on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 06:23:09 »

GB now closed, thanks to everyone who joined!

TYPING TEST VIDEO FROM ALEXOTOS

~~Estimated shipping: Q2 2022.~~

AKB Website
AKB Discord
AKB Instagram

The Aella is a 75% “seamless/screwless” board that adopts a beautiful and unique side profile with clean, smooth curves and a compact design with a staggered F-row. In my opinion this is the optimal 75% layout aesthetically, while not compromising on function. I decided to go with a ‘screwless’ design to focus all attention on the sweeping curves of the side profile, as that is the real star of the show here.

It also has a pretty name so it has that going for it too.

SPECS

Typing angle: 7°
Case Material: 6063 Aluminium
Mounting system: Top/burger mount using poron washers
Front height: 18mm (without feet)
PCB: Designed by Upas with a centered flex cut. Paired with the ai03 unified daughterboard. QMK & VIA compatible PCB. Solder only.
Plates: Aluminium as standard, with FR4, PC and brass as optional extras.
Case options: WKL only.
Weight: 1.5kg built (est.)

LAYOUT SUPPORT

COLOUR OPTIONS

Purple/Lilac

Deep Blue/Silver

Silver

E-White

E-Black

PROTOTYPE PICS

More

This v-shaped tray was initially designed to allow more room for flex, but on the first prototype I wasn't happy with how it altered the sound so this was dropped on the later revision.

Yeah it's a cursed layout, sue me.

ADDITIONAL RENDERS

More

Following renders by Pikku-Allu

Following renders by FLX

EXPLODED VIEW

SPECIAL THANKS

Flexerman (FLX) for the PCB design, for renders and for crucial input throughout the whole design process. He's also an all-round good egg.
Amber for giving me her blessing to run with the Wraith layout, even though the Wraith hasn't run in GB yet.
Pikku-allu for his incredible renders, helping make the Aella look as beautiful as it possibly could be.
Upas, Jae & Louis for their encouragement and for running with this design.
ThereminGoat for his honest input and unwavering support.
Aiwanei - for all your lack of involvement in this project, thanks for nothing
Alexotos for building the prototype on his Twitch stream.

Bleddyn · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 07:48:09 »

The best looking 75% money can buy. Or that you could steal. Just in general.
Support the actual mammoth of a man hunk that is Alchemist Keyboards and get the one board you will need in your 75% locker.

SummonedEgg · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 07:49:06 »

Moods · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 07:52:14 »

this is hot

dmatx1 · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 07:53:53 »

Nice side profile and interesting layout with the 0.75u blockers

El_Jackador · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 07:59:50 »

So excited!!!!

lewisflude · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 08:36:42 »

Stunning work!

tonyjones · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 08:46:27 »

COUNT ME IN FOR THE PURPLE!!!

Pontus · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 09:56:03 »

Amazing work as always!

ilikerustoo · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 01 July 2021, 10:56:47 »

I'll take it

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 02 July 2021, 06:38:41 »

iLumkb pricing announced - $620 SGD inc GST!

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 02 July 2021, 16:37:33 »

Added a sick exploded view video, courtesy of FLX.

Armyofkeyboards · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 03 July 2021, 13:39:10 »

Having Proto[Typist] as the only vendor in Europe is like kicking Europeans not based in the UK out of the GB.

I don't get why some GBs do this after Brexit.

zdemon · « **Reply #13 on:** Sun, 04 July 2021, 02:53:58 »

Are there going to be hotswap pcbs?

Leo66 · « **Reply #14 on:** Sun, 04 July 2021, 02:57:35 »

Reserved

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 04 July 2021, 07:03:30 »

Quote from: zdemon on Sun, 04 July 2021, 02:53:58

Are there going to be hotswap pcbs?

Not this time, this one's solder only

Surefoot · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 04 July 2021, 14:47:10 »

Definitely in, if there's an actual EU vendor...

ThereminGoat · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 05 July 2021, 21:49:22 »

Totally not biased or anything, but I can't wait to finally get this board in my hands! Another great design to add to the AKB collection.

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 07 July 2021, 03:53:55 »

Quote from: Surefoot on Sun, 04 July 2021, 14:47:10

Definitely in, if there's an actual EU vendor...

Quote from: Armyofkeyboards on Sat, 03 July 2021, 13:39:10

Having Proto[Typist] as the only vendor in Europe is like kicking Europeans not based in the UK out of the GB.

I don't get why some GBs do this after Brexit.

EU customers can purchase from Proto[Typist] and pay all their correct local duties and taxes (incl VAT) at checkout without paying again on import. UK VAT is only charged to UK customers. EU VAT is only charged to EU customers at checkout if they choose. ROW customers will not be charged. Hope this clears things up

Armyofkeyboards · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 07 July 2021, 10:46:46 »

Quote from: Alchemist Keyboards on Wed, 07 July 2021, 03:53:55

Quote from: Surefoot on Sun, 04 July 2021, 14:47:10
Definitely in, if there's an actual EU vendor...

Quote from: Armyofkeyboards on Sat, 03 July 2021, 13:39:10
Having Proto[Typist] as the only vendor in Europe is like kicking Europeans not based in the UK out of the GB.

I don't get why some GBs do this after Brexit.

EU customers can purchase from Proto[Typist] and pay all their correct local duties and taxes (incl VAT) at checkout without paying again on import. UK VAT is only charged to UK customers. EU VAT is only charged to EU customers at checkout if they choose. ROW customers will not be charged. Hope this clears things up

Yeah, sure, we can pay for taxes and duties up front and the order will be shipped as ''Duties and Taxes Paid''. But that doesn't mean I won't be charged at the time of recieving. There's been plenty of times that I've bought outside of the EU paying taxes/customs/duties up front (some of them from Jae itself or Protozoa) and I've ended up having to pay VAT or even couriers fees again in order to get the package.

But it is not only this. As a EU citizen I have certain rights than I can't take advange in the case something goes wrong. Just not being able to return the order within 14 days without a reason bothers me.

I'd be interested in getting a board if there was an actual vendor inside the EU but not from one in the UK. I'm obviously not demanding a vendor in the EU, don't get me wrong, but it makes things for EU customers way easier.

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 08:29:37 »

Quote from: Armyofkeyboards on Wed, 07 July 2021, 10:46:46

Quote from: Alchemist Keyboards on Wed, 07 July 2021, 03:53:55
Quote from: Surefoot on Sun, 04 July 2021, 14:47:10
Definitely in, if there's an actual EU vendor...

Quote from: Armyofkeyboards on Sat, 03 July 2021, 13:39:10
Having Proto[Typist] as the only vendor in Europe is like kicking Europeans not based in the UK out of the GB.

I don't get why some GBs do this after Brexit.

EU customers can purchase from Proto[Typist] and pay all their correct local duties and taxes (incl VAT) at checkout without paying again on import. UK VAT is only charged to UK customers. EU VAT is only charged to EU customers at checkout if they choose. ROW customers will not be charged. Hope this clears things up

Yeah, sure, we can pay for taxes and duties up front and the order will be shipped as ''Duties and Taxes Paid''. But that doesn't mean I won't be charged at the time of recieving. There's been plenty of times that I've bought outside of the EU paying taxes/customs/duties up front (some of them from Jae itself or Protozoa) and I've ended up having to pay VAT or even couriers fees again in order to get the package.

But it is not only this. As a EU citizen I have certain rights than I can't take advange in the case something goes wrong. Just not being able to return the order within 14 days without a reason bothers me.

I'd be interested in getting a board if there was an actual vendor inside the EU but not from one in the UK. I'm obviously not demanding a vendor in the EU, don't get me wrong, but it makes things for EU customers way easier.

For what it's worth you still have those rights, and if that should occur PT would refund the VAT paid to you at checkout if you had to pay it on import

El_Jackador · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 09 July 2021, 04:47:38 »

Is the standard plate option going to be half-plate by default like the renders and prototypes?

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 11 July 2021, 12:59:48 »

Quote from: El_Jackador on Fri, 09 July 2021, 04:47:38

Is the standard plate option going to be half-plate by default like the renders and prototypes?

It'll be a full plate as standard, but I'm planning on having plate files in a whole bunch of formats (half plate included) available publicly shortly after fulfilment.

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 12 July 2021, 17:20:07 »

Check out Alexotos' build stream of the Aella from yesterday: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1083539398. Also added into the post

sneekypoo · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 13 July 2021, 13:11:23 »

I would be so in if that teal bottom was an option

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 14 July 2021, 17:42:35 »

The Aella groupbuy is less than 24 hours away!

Launch times:
US: CannonKeys - 11:00 EST
Asia: iLumkb - 23:00 SGT
RoW: Proto[Typist] - 16:00 BST

For the US folks, get a head-start on details regarding the CK sale here

FluffyWaffle · « **Reply #26 on:** Thu, 15 July 2021, 16:46:01 »

In for the navy blue and PC + Brass plate

Happy that paying taxes at checkout through DHL was painless (except for the wallet, but that's the game). I hope EU import customs honor that deal, but crossing that bridge when I get to it.

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 15 July 2021, 18:07:27 »

Quote from: FluffyWaffle on Thu, 15 July 2021, 16:46:01

In for the navy blue and PC + Brass plate

Happy that paying taxes at checkout through DHL was painless (except for the wallet, but that's the game). I hope EU import customs honor that deal, but crossing that bridge when I get to it.

Their get their slice of the pie so I can't see there being an issue to be honest. It's just paid to them via a different party is all.

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #28 on:** Thu, 15 July 2021, 18:07:56 »

Lovely typing test from Alexotos here:

Gh0sty · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 16 July 2021, 11:37:56 »

Aaaaaaaand it's gone...

nihonjam · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 19 July 2021, 02:56:08 »

Quote from: Gh0sty on Fri, 16 July 2021, 11:37:56

Aaaaaaaand it's gone...

Not sure what you are referring to but it looks to be still available from all vendors.

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 20 July 2021, 10:21:25 »

We've got two days left to join this one guys, now's your last chance

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 23 July 2021, 11:07:42 »

GB now closed, thanks to everyone who joined!

I'll keep updates posted here and on my discord (in main post) when I have them.

deviant324 · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 14:53:40 »

First call for the color selection got lost on my end apparently, good thing the second one made it through. Probably swallowed by spam filter, I completely forgot we were waiting for the form

growler · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 22 May 2022, 05:02:35 »

ne upd8

Tappity tap tap tap

Alchemist Keyboards · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 22 May 2022, 07:01:47 »

Latest update from CannonKeys:

growler · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 22 May 2022, 07:03:15 »

Quote from: Alchemist Keyboards on Sun, 22 May 2022, 07:01:47

Latest update from CannonKeys:

Show Image

Many thanks!

Tappity tap tap tap

OmegaZero55 · « **Reply #37 on:** Fri, 02 September 2022, 18:25:07 »

Mine just arrived today from Cannon Keys! It looks so nice.

are2dcrz · « **Reply #38 on:** Fri, 09 September 2022, 00:02:00 »

Got mine in today. My first 75% and it did not disappoint. Comparing to the Tomo, this might be one my top keyboards.

News:

Author Topic: [GB] Aella: a 75% keyboard from AKB - GB concluded (Read 30167 times)