geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Quantastrophus on Fri, 01 December 2017, 01:54:54
-
Hi, all!
This is my first post here on GeekHack but I am more active on reddit under the same username. This is a Split 60% + macro row inspired by the VE.A that I have been working on. I've manufactured a prototype and am hoping to get enough interest from the community to turn this into a group buy.
The PCB and plates should be coming in the next few weeks so I can fully assemble the board and put up some typing videos, etc.
(https://i.imgur.com/RyTtmIW.jpg)
imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/jGuWP (https://imgur.com/a/jGuWP)
reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7gnyu7/sx_60_album_on_imgur/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7gnyu7/sx_60_album_on_imgur/)
Keyboard Body comprises of 6 pieces:
- Bottom Left - 6061 ALU
- Bottom Right - 6061 ALU
- Top Left - 6061 ALU
- Top Right - 6061 ALU
- Left Weight - Bead Blasted Brass
- Right Weight - Bead Blasted Brass
Mounting Style
I'm not sure of the name (I call it sandwich) but here is a picture from Fusion 360 so you can visualize:
(https://i.imgur.com/3w7YDhB.png)
Keyboard Plate - This will be 2 pieces of bead blasted brass
Keyboard PCB
- QMK
- All connectors will be USB Type C
- In Switch LEDs
- Layout:
(https://i.imgur.com/xU3zT8g.png)
The prototype was manufactured in China but I'm not 100% confident in the quality of the anodizing. Maybe members of the community can weigh in from photos or I can take more detailed photos to discuss what expected quality is for anodizing as I'm unsure.
Despite the deficiency in the anodizing, I would say that their machining is actually quite good and I am happy with it. The board has no noticeable blemishes in my opinion.
Some options I'm considering based on feedback are:
- Use a local company to Cerakote the cases
- Find a suitable nearby company for anodizing
- Offer the case bead blasted with clear anodizing
- Find a new factory altogether
IC Link: https://goo.gl/forms/iR4zuzxZBO2f5QIz2 (https://goo.gl/forms/iR4zuzxZBO2f5QIz2)
I'll update the thread tomorrow with an Google Forms interest check. Thanks for reading!
Second prototype Photos
(https://i.imgur.com/aKyPN5s.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/H89qti8.jpg)
-
reserved.
-
hype, im down
-
Looking great, very interested.
-
The anodizing looks good to me.
-
Been waiting for something like this for a while now - definitely can count me in!
-
would there be an option for feet?
-
Wait for this for a long time.I'm in. :))
-
Looks really nice. :thumb:
-
Been waiting for this!
Any chance for the pcb to support swapping left space and fn?
On the ve.a gb many ppl request this layout option
-
Why is the Y always on the right side? :(
Looks very good tho, I wouldn't say I'm in too fast but I'm pretty interested, at least.
-
Why is the Y always on the right side? :(
Looks very good tho, I wouldn't say I'm in too fast but I'm pretty interested, at least.
I feel the same way about B being on the left side, but hey, that's just the correct way to type.
-
inspired by the VE.A ?
-
inspired by the VE.A ?
Yes, I was inspired to create a keyboard similar to the VE.A after owning one for a few months. I also felt that there were some changes to the VE.A that I could make to make the board more suitable for myself.
What I liked about the VE.A:
- Retains the normal staggered layout
- Constructed fully of aluminum
- Uses macro rows to balance the size of each side
What I didn't like and how I changed it:
- When typing on the keyboard I noticed some lag between the two halves: I designed a new PCB that doesn't use V-USB or an outdated ATMEGA microcontroller.
- I don't use a lot of the keys in a 75% layout: I switched to a 60% and 1 macro row layout.
- I don't like the PCIE connector: I altered the PCB to use USB Type-C connectors
Most of this could be covered by just creating an alternate PCB for the original VE.A, but I also wanted to change to a 60% form factor. This is why I decided to create a new keyboard as opposed to designing a new PCB for the original VE.A.
-
I hope this gets off. I would buy one instantly.
-
I hope this gets off. I would buy one instantly.
Same here!
I’ve even considered buying a Mistel to get my hands on a split 60, but I can’t stand the limited programmability and unsymetrical sides etc.
This on the other hand is exactly what I have been waiting for.
Pls make it happen!
In for two anytime <3
-
shoutout to afrokobe for showing me this. it looks awesome. and I'm very interested
-
Why is the Y always on the right side? :(
Looks very good tho, I wouldn't say I'm in too fast but I'm pretty interested, at least.
I feel the same way about B being on the left side, but hey, that's just the correct way to type.
There are 14 keycaps on the row, makes more sense to me to split 7/7 than 6/8. :rolleyes:
-
Anything new about this？Hope the color of case would be more choices.
-
very cool, I'd buy one.
-
Yes please.
-
Anything new about this？Hope the color of case would be more choices.
Hi,
I'm currently getting some anodizing samples for the following colors:
- Black
- Dark Gray
- Gray
- Rose Gold
- Periwinkle
-
I would ditch one color for silver or add it. Yea, some rose gold cases are pretty but silver is a bigger seller. :thumb:
-
I would ditch one color for silver or add it. Yea, some rose gold cases are pretty but silver is a bigger seller. :thumb:
+1 for Silver
Rosegold can definitely be nice, but I feel this board is too classy for flashy anodizing.
For colors I would much rather see powder / ceracoating in white, cyan etc.
Never been a huge fan of anodizing colors.
-
I would ditch one color for silver or add it. Yea, some rose gold cases are pretty but silver is a bigger seller. :thumb:
+1 for Silver
Rosegold can definitely be nice, but I feel this board is too classy for flashy anodizing.
For colors I would much rather see powder / ceracoating in white, cyan etc.
Never been a huge fan of anodizing colors.
Silver will be an option. It will just be anodizing without any color.
I am considering offering a special option for the first 5 people in the group buy. A case made of brass and then I will have Cerakoting done locally in any color the person wants. Of course this will be a little more expensive.
-
uhhhhh can I be #1 and get all brass, no coating.. polished for kicks.
-
I would certainly be interested, price dependent.
-
Silver will be an option. It will just be anodizing without any color.
I am considering offering a special option for the first 5 people in the group buy. A case made of brass and then I will have Cerakoting done locally in any color the person wants. Of course this will be a little more expensive.
I’m not a big fan of limited special options to be honest.
I have two carbon edition X60s and it was kind of a mess. In a lot of situations it felt liked special edition got treated differently but not in a good way. =(
I would LOVE to see cerakote as an option tho!
Not trying to sound critical, but if I do it’s definitely out of love <3
This is by far the one board I’m stoked about the most even more then ve.a v2 so I just want this to perfect.
Offering a limited option will make 5 people happy vs everyone else sad they didn’t get one, so the negative effects outweigh imo.
-
Spacebar keys need stabilisers, right? I haven't seen stabilisers of this size. Are they included in the kit?
I hope PCB has south facing switches?
-
Spacebar keys need stabilisers, right? I haven't seen stabilisers of this size. Are they included in the kit?
I hope PCB has south facing switches?
2u stabs will work. Same size as left/right shift.
-
Any update?
-
Any update?
I have the PCBs. I will receive the components on Thursday and will be putting a PCB together.
I'm currently waiting for the new factory to send me a prototype + plates.
They will also send me anodizing samples for colors I have selected.
-
Any update?
I have the PCBs. I will receive the components on Thursday and will be putting a PCB together.
I'm currently waiting for the new factory to send me a prototype + plates.
They will also send me anodizing samples for colors I have selected.
Great! Hope this kb will go on sale soon. :p
-
Stoked for pics of the new prototype.
I’m already sold tho, just waiting until this goes live and I can order a few =)
Btw pls offer additional plates & pcbs
-
Everyday when I check Ve.a and SX60 for updates ;______;
-
Everyday when I check Ve.a and SX60 for updates ;______;
I'm with ya. but patience is big haha.
-
if yall want to chat with Quantrik, he hangs out in discord in kb-kustoms. Told me the proto anode got messed up, so he had to look for new factory, which he found. I think right now things aren't moving very fast because of holidays
-
Everyday when I check Ve.a and SX60 for updates ;______;
ve.a mid jan, i think
-
I'm down for this!!!
-
This needs to happen. VEA envy too strong these days
-
This needs to happen. VEA envy too strong these days
They both need to happen <3
-
Very interested in this indeed! Will like to know your rough estimate of the price if/when you have one.
EDIT: Is it possible to allow a configuration to switch the position of the fn and left space key on the left side?
-
Split 60% is nice but I wish it would come with proper F keys on the left side and not just an artisan row
-
Split 60% is nice but I wish it would come with proper F keys on the left side and not just an artisan row
Sorry but no plan for proper F keys on the left side. I added the left row simply to balance the length between the left and right sides.
This needs to happen. VEA envy too strong these days
It will happen ;)
This needs to happen. VEA envy too strong these days
They both need to happen <3
Very interested in this indeed! Will like to know your rough estimate of the price if/when you have one.
EDIT: Is it possible to allow a configuration to switch the position of the fn and left space key on the left side?
Yes I will add that layout to the PCB as quite a few users here and on discord have requested it.
-
I'm a bit concerned about wear along the join between the two halves, especially on the corners.
[attach=1]
-
Very interested! Can’t wait for pics with pcb, switches and caps :D
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I'm a bit concerned about wear along the join between the two halves, especially on the corners.
(Attachment Link)
You'll notice that the corners are rounded as opposed to being sharp, so they should not wear down like a 90 degree angle would. I would also hope that you choose to use this keyboard in the split layout so this wouldn't be an issue.
-
I'm a bit concerned about wear along the join between the two halves, especially on the corners.
(Attachment Link)
You'll notice that the corners are rounded as opposed to being sharp, so they should not wear down like a 90 degree angle would. I would also hope that you choose to use this keyboard in the split layout so this wouldn't be an issue.
I do it with my VE.A and TS65 all the time.
Mainly when I need to make room for the cats or engage in some one handed typing.
-
I think this looks awesome. I'd be all over it if it was 65% w/2 macro rows. Trying to cram arrows into a 60% never really works IMO. Also, 65% w/2 macro rows would work perfectly with all the wrist wrests for the VE.A while this is a new form factor.
This is tempting as is, but if you run it a 65% form factor at some point, I'll be all over that :thumb:
-
Awesome work! Just a thought on the branding: Sentraq has sold a 60% board called the S60-X and a matching 65% called the S65-X. You may want to consider re-naming your board while you still can to avoid anyone confusing the two.
-
I think this looks awesome. I'd be all over it if it was 65% w/2 macro rows. Trying to cram arrows into a 60% never really works IMO. Also, 65% w/2 macro rows would work perfectly with all the wrist wrests for the VE.A while this is a new form factor.
This is tempting as is, but if you run it a 65% form factor at some point, I'll be all over that :thumb:
I made only 1 macro row so that the size of the two halves would be balanced. I'm not a huge fan of 65% form factor since I program my board quite a bit to avoid having to move my hands around too much.
Also I have added new photos in the original post.
-
New prototype looks awesome!
Definitely need this in my life <3
Only thing Im not sure of is the top logo tbh, I would personally prefer a clean top without logo.
-
New proto looks great! Any estimate on the date of the gb or the price yet?
-
New proto looks great! Any estimate on the date of the gb or the price yet?
I will probably make the GB post next week sometime. I haven't decided what to set the number of boards at yet so I don't have 100% accurate pricing unfortunately.
-
Did you think about making HHKB top bezel as an option?
And maybe a shine through logo with rgb led underneath.
Anyway, love the design, can't wait to get my hands on one of them. :thumb:
-
Did you think about making HHKB top bezel as an option?
And maybe a shine through logo with rgb led underneath.
Anyway, love the design, can't wait to get my hands on one of them. :thumb:
He knows dah wey
YAS 62 style top would be the dream if it even works out with the split, probably not gonna happen tho
-
Did you think about making HHKB top bezel as an option?
And maybe a shine through logo with rgb led underneath.
Anyway, love the design, can't wait to get my hands on one of them. :thumb:
I am probably going to limit the number of units for this to around 30 based off the IC results and also the fact that it will be my first GB.
I want to keep the options minimal to keep the margin for error small. So, no to the HHKB top bezel and no to the RGB LED underneath the logo.
-
Did you think about making HHKB top bezel as an option?
And maybe a shine through logo with rgb led underneath.
Anyway, love the design, can't wait to get my hands on one of them. :thumb:
I am probably going to limit the number of units for this to around 30 based off the IC results and also the fact that it will be my first GB.
I want to keep the options minimal to keep the margin for error small. So, no to the HHKB top bezel and no to the RGB LED underneath the logo.
Fair enough. Loose suggestions for round 2 then. :p
-
My [GB] post is awaiting approval for the past day. Hopefully the mods will approve it soon. You can find the GB over on r/mechmarket for now.
-
My [GB] post is awaiting approval for the past day. Hopefully the mods will approve it soon. You can find the GB over on r/mechmarket for now.
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
-
Even though I really like it and filled the IC, I’m gonna have to pass. To much money for me at this moment.
Best of luck to all entering the raffle!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
no
-
GB thread has landed https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93665.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93665.0)