[IC] Topre PBT Spacebars...

[Matt3o]

yes okay c'mon, and black is not black but more dark gray it's just for the sake of simplicity

[cookie]

Alright alright 

[00zeRO]

Definitely down for trying Topre full keysets but that will be another IC, sho

[_PixelNinja]

If you guys are able to make a spacebar that matches the color of the FC660C "black" blank caps I will certainly consider purchasing.

[btctopre]

Would be interested in a four PBT spacebars that match the white 87u color. Would probably be interested in some colored ones as well if they were available.

[sundin]

I'm very interested for my hhkb!
Pink (if possible) and black!

[00zeRO]

If you guys are able to make a spacebar that matches the color of the FC660C "black" blank caps I will certainly consider purchasing.

All options on the table...

[Hypersphere]

I am in for "white" (to match "white" HHKB Pro 2 or "white" RF 87uw) and/or "black" (to match "black" (or "dark gray") HHKB Pro 2 or RF 87ub). Could also be interested in blue to match the Topre blue sets that are being sold by Leopold. I could use at least 3 of each color of PBT spacebars.

[radio_killah]

If it is a pack of say 7 spacebars what kind of price are we looking at? Or is that yet to be discussed with the vendor?

[00zeRO]

If it is a pack of say 7 spacebars what kind of price are we looking at? Or is that yet to be discussed with the vendor?

See the following post for now to gauge pricing, but more to follow once this shapes up.

okay. it can be done.

I need to make A LOT of them. In the 2500-3000 range and they would cost around €9-10 each (but they could go as low a €4 based on quantity).

With those figures it would be mandatory to have the support of some vendors. If there's a real interest I can get this party started.

Important: I need to send one sample to the manufacturer. I can buy some from EK, but it would take time to ship from EK to me and then from me to the manufacturer. Does anyone in EU has one spare to speed things up? Thanks!

Believe me there will be vendor involvement, so this will happen no matter what.

[CPTBadAss]

Believe me there will be vendor involvement, so this will happen no matter what.

So is this going to be like Matias' 60% GB where it's still a GB or is this an IC for stock you're going to be carrying on MK.com?

[00zeRO]

Believe me there will be vendor involvement, so this will happen no matter what.

So is this going to be like Matias' 60% GB where it's still a GB or is this an IC for stock you're going to be carrying on MK.com?

This is an IC for a GB on GH. MK will be involved to create stock for us, but it will be a GB that I, and Matt3o, am handling personally. MK has no official involvement past being receipients of stock once this GB is over. Let's just say that MK has a vested interest in carrying these spacebars and would like to cause this endeavor to succeed.

I am not operating on MK's behalf while organizing this GB. The end result will be beneficial for the entire mechanical keyboards community and MK will maintain their own stock outside of this GB. I hope I have not hyperexplained my personal position on this. I may represent MK, but I am not the owner or sole proprietor.

To put it simply, Matt3o and I are doing a Group Buy, and MK will be one of the many customers it appears we have attracted.

[radio_killah]

If it is a pack of say 7 spacebars what kind of price are we looking at? Or is that yet to be discussed with the vendor?

See the following post for now to gauge pricing, but more to follow once this shapes up.

okay. it can be done.

I need to make A LOT of them. In the 2500-3000 range and they would cost around €9-10 each (but they could go as low a €4 based on quantity).

With those figures it would be mandatory to have the support of some vendors. If there's a real interest I can get this party started.

Important: I need to send one sample to the manufacturer. I can buy some from EK, but it would take time to ship from EK to me and then from me to the manufacturer. Does anyone in EU has one spare to speed things up? Thanks!

Believe me there will be vendor involvement, so this will happen no matter what.

Awesome thanks for the reply. The price seems reasonable as well.

[xqz]

Definitely interested in a couple for my FC660C that I am currently covering up the spacebar so that it won't shine

[Sygaldry]

This is quickly becoming one of the most popular interest checks on GH!

 

[Matt3o]

I don't mean to low-ball you, guys... but we are still in a very preliminary phase.

problem 1: I have to get actual feasibility from the manufacturer. From a preliminary review they said that it could be done, but I still have to send them a sample.

problem 2: there's no way on Earth we could sell 2500-3000 spacebars, not even with vendors support (unless MK is willing to buy like 1500-2000 of them...). So we need to lower the MOQ.

I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'm doing my best, if there's a small chance I'll get it, but we are far from saying that this will 100% happen.

ALSO please note that at the moment I got no official commitment from MK and they are in NO WAY involved in the process.

[Sygaldry]

I don't mean to low-ball you, guys... but we are still in a very preliminary phase.

problem 1: I have to get actual feasibility from the manufacturer. From a preliminary review they said that it could be done, but I still have to send them a sample.

problem 2: there's no way on Earth we could sell 2500-3000 spacebars, not even with vendors support (unless MK is willing to buy like 1500-2000 of them...). So we need to lower the MOQ.

I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'm doing my best, if there's a small chance I'll get it, but we are far from saying that this will 100% happen.

Have you tried cross-posting to the Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Japanese forums?

I'm sure there are other places to gather interest from too (Is there an RU forum?)

Would be much more feasible if this was a worldwide effort rather than just EU and USA.

[byker]

What about massdrop? They are good for reaching a large amount of people.

[AKIMbO]

I would buy 5 hands down

[Hypersphere]

I don't mean to low-ball you, guys... but we are still in a very preliminary phase.

problem 1: I have to get actual feasibility from the manufacturer. From a preliminary review they said that it could be done, but I still have to send them a sample.

problem 2: there's no way on Earth we could sell 2500-3000 spacebars, not even with vendors support (unless MK is willing to buy like 1500-2000 of them...). So we need to lower the MOQ.

I'm not saying that it's impossible, I'm doing my best, if there's a small chance I'll get it, but we are far from saying that this will 100% happen.
I am certainly willing to send you a spacebar or purchase one from EK and have it sent to you or the manufacturer. We are talking about 4.50 USD plus shipping; let's not get held up by such a small thing. Thanks.

ALSO please note that at the moment I got no official commitment from MK and they are in NO WAY involved in the process.

[Matt3o]

the spacebar is already sorted out. I should get it next week,

[Hypersphere]

Excellent! Thanks for your devotion to this project (as well as many others)!

[00zeRO]

This is quickly becoming one of the most popular interest checks on GH!

 

I am glad for it. 

[Matt3o]

I contacted Topre (actually asked 002 to, since he knows an insider) to have the color codes but they won't give it to us. So (like I said) the color choice will be a guesstimate.

[intelli78]

I contacted Topre (actually asked 002 to, since he knows an insider) to have the color codes but they won't give it to us. So (like I said) the color choice will be a guesstimate.

Surely there is a way to reverse-engineer the color of a plastic? Perhaps one can send samples directly to Pantone to have the colors read?

[honoka]

I contacted Topre (actually asked 002 to, since he knows an insider) to have the color codes but they won't give it to us. So (like I said) the color choice will be a guesstimate.

I'd say guesstimates are good enough. I don't worry too much about color codes since the overall look actually can benefit from having a sightly off color central keycap like the spacebar.

[_PixelNinja]

I'd say guesstimates are good enough. I don't worry too much about color codes since the overall look actually can benefit from having a sightly off color central keycap like the spacebar.

My CDO would like to have a word with you. è_é

[FrostyToast]

I'd say guesstimates are good enough. I don't worry too much about color codes since the overall look actually can benefit from having a sightly off color central keycap like the spacebar.

My CDO would like to have a word with you. è_é

My OCD thinks that something in your statement is ironic. 

[_PixelNinja]

My OCD thinks that something in your statement is ironic. 

Not really. While I have no doubt that Matt3o will do his best to color match the space bars, if the difference is perceivable enough, it would indeed get that voice in my head to start reminding me the color differs from the rest of the set.

[00zeRO]

My OCD thinks that something in your statement is ironic. 

Not really. While I have no doubt that Matt3o will do his best to color match the space bars, if the difference is perceivable enough, it would indeed get that voice in my head to start reminding me the colors differs from the rest of the set.

Yes, but then your mind will reassure you that you are now striking a PBT spacebar on your Topre...that has to count for something.

[Vizir]

or better yet (for the OCD afflicted of us) let us go for non-standard color so we KNOW we aren't going for a matching color.

[00zeRO]

or better yet (for the OCD afflicted of us) let us go for non-standard color so we KNOW we aren't going for a matching color.

Matt3o brought up matching colors...I just want to see them made...

[FrostyToast]

My OCD thinks that something in your statement is ironic. 

Not really. While I have no doubt that Matt3o will do his best to color match the space bars, if the difference is perceivable enough, it would indeed get that voice in my head to start reminding me the color differs from the rest of the set.

What I was trying to get at was that you said "CDO" instead of "OCD" unless CDO stands for something I don't quite get.

[00zeRO]

My OCD thinks that something in your statement is ironic. 

Not really. While I have no doubt that Matt3o will do his best to color match the space bars, if the difference is perceivable enough, it would indeed get that voice in my head to start reminding me the color differs from the rest of the set.

What I was trying to get at was that you said "CDO" instead of "OCD" unless CDO stands for something I don't quite get.

I ain't pickin' just havin' a little funnin'  )

Oh how I wish I could stay at 777 posts...

[_PixelNinja]

What I was trying to get at was that you said "CDO" instead of "OCD" unless CDO stands for something I don't quite get.

That's because I write it properly with the letters in the correct order. 

[HoffmanMyster]

What I was trying to get at was that you said "CDO" instead of "OCD" unless CDO stands for something I don't quite get.

That's because I write it properly with the letters in the correct order.

Is your native language something other than English?

[esoomenona]

.

[00zeRO]

Way to stay on topic 

[Matt3o]

I finally got the sample spacebar and sent it to the manufacturer. By the end of next week we should be able to know costs and feasibility!

[00zeRO]

You don't need to measure it. Just look at a picture. Across the bottom row (and the whole 60% area, really) is 15 units. 1.5x, 1x, 1.5x (4x total) on one side of the spacebar, and on the other, 1.5x, 1x, 1x, 1.5x (5x total), for a total of 9x. 15-9=6.

Show Image

This keyboard has 87/104 keys. The 86/103 key Realforce boards that hasu mentioned are one key less, and that one key is on the right side of the spacebar. So to make up for it, the spacebar is one unit longer. (it should be noted these are much less common, and the 6x spacebar would serve more Topre users)

Show Image

Thanks for the post. I posed a rhetorical statement to end the debate, but you illustration has spoken volumes to educate as well as to quell uninformed opinions and conjectures. I just can't believe it was without your normal tinge of snarkasm. 

[Puddsy]

I figured I'd try and get some colors from Topre as well, since I think 002 and I have a different guy. Apparently they don't like to give out their colors unless they know you're a serious buyer. Probably why they don't want to give them to us, since they don't know how many people will flake out, while a corporation will stick with whatever they order.

Should get a response in the next few days.

I know it's kinda weird for me to do this now, but I forgot that the guy works for Topre. He was telling me about his new RF (he got a 91U) when I remembered.

[Matt3o]

I figured I'd try and get some colors from Topre as well, since I think 002 and I have a different guy. Apparently they don't like to give out their colors unless they know you're a serious buyer. Probably why they don't want to give them to us, since they don't know how many people will flake out, while a corporation will stick with whatever they order.

Should get a response in the next few days.

I know it's kinda weird for me to do this now, but I forgot that the guy works for Topre. He was telling me about his new RF (he got a 91U) when I remembered.

that would be great! thanks

I already have a couple of companies interested in participating, so it might work, but we definitely need to lower the MOQ.

[Puddsy]

I got an email just now (it's like 2AM over there, I'm confused).

They really don't like to give out their colors to just anyone, it seems. I asked him to get me a better explanation that what I got, but he says that it's probably unlikely since we're not a corporation/company.

[Matt3o]

They really don't like to give out their colors to just anyone, it seems. I asked him to get me a better explanation that what I got, but he says that it's probably unlikely since we're not a corporation/company.

I'll have a company contact them officially.

[do_Og@n]

Definitely in... For multiple colors.

[nubbinator]

Definitely in... For multiple colors.

As would I.

[00zeRO]

Still awaiting R&D from BSP...

[Matt3o]

they got my samples, next week I should get the final pricing

[00zeRO]

they got my samples, next week I should get the final pricing

Sweet! I was just giving updates to all my current threads to keep them up to date on what's and when's...

Thank you for your help Matt3o! You are truly a great asset to the community here. 

[Hypersphere]

they got my samples, next week I should get the final pricing

Sweet! I was just giving updates to all my current threads to keep them up to date on what's and when's...

Thank you for your help Matt3o! You are truly a great asset to the community here. 

Excellent! We wait for news with bated breath.