geekhack

geekhack Marketplace => Vendor Forums => MechanicalKeyboards.com => Topic started by: ShakeR on Wed, 03 July 2013, 16:58:07

Title: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 03 July 2013, 16:58:07: I'd really like to add a 'Keyboard Kits' section to our site.

Please post any keyboard kits you would like to be more accessible (not have to depend on group buys, etc.) below.

As always, any information you can provide in terms of design files and contact info for the designers will make my life much easier in accomplishing this and making these kits more widely available.

-------

Running List of possible kits / pieces:

1) Ergodox
2) GH60 R2
3) Phantom
4) Poker PCBs (by KBC)
5) TKL ALPS Project
6) Switches
7) doxKB
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:03:35: GH60 R2? Ergodox?
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Dubsgalore on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:39:15: GH60 R2? o.O
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: linziyi on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:40:15: Ergodox would be very nice :)
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:40:40: Ergodox for sure. I've wanted one for a while but never had the money when they're available.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: UniClown on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:43:04: These would be great to bring these products to people outside of GH and make them available without waiting for a GB.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: The_Beast on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:43:43: I think KBC sells poker PCBs by themselves. You should also stock switches at a competitive price (No hate at WASD, but $1.75 a switch is nothing less than insane)
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Techno Trousers on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:47:26: The TKL Alps switch keyboard project (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44576.0) (when it's ready).
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Dubsgalore on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:50:44: Selling Switches at a better price would be a great idea
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ImperfectLink on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:52:29: If they were cost effective I'd definitely buy one. Building a keyboard would be pretty cool.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: kenmai9 on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:54:08: Quote from: Dubsgalore on Wed, 03 July 2013, 17:50:44
Selling Switches at a better price would be a great idea

Also rarer switches pl0x
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: asura on Wed, 03 July 2013, 18:16:57: All the information (excepting the stacked acrylic case that's "Lister"s [on GH] addaptition) including the licensence for the ErgoDox is at ergodox.org.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 03 July 2013, 18:36:39: How about some cases? Poker, phantom etc.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: mashby on Wed, 03 July 2013, 20:20:57: You have all the kits listed that I'd recommend. Would love to see this happen. :cool:
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: jabar on Wed, 03 July 2013, 20:43:53: How would you provide support for DYI kits?
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 04 July 2013, 11:40:27: The only other one I can think of is the doxKB, and it's somewhat of an amorphous project. One distinguishing feature is the platecase, where the two sides of the plate are bent over to make a very simple case. I've always been a fan of that design, and with direct-wiring, you can even forego a PCB for a nice and very cheap keyboard.

I think this is great for the community for you to carry DIY kits and I will almost certainly be buying some. I would rather DIY anyway.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Glod on Sat, 06 July 2013, 01:17:34: i apologize if i am just thinking out loud

Keyboard kits would be very cool, but the hard part for supplying kits would be the switch plates in my opinion for the geekhack/DT bred kits.

With the Poker im guessing vortex or whoever has the pcbs and/or the plates; the GH60 and doxKB doesnt require plates but most prefer having plate mounted switches, For the Phantom you would have to source plates and that may be a challenge keeping inventory as these are made by cutters as opposed to part suppliers and vendors--i don't know i may be wrong.

but hey if you start offering kits would that mean MK would start offering switches at a lower cost and possibly be the US source of switches we have been looking for? (no offense to 7-bit) ;D Right now you sell switches for $1.70 each, meaning at your current cost a TKL kit would cost around $150 just for the switches.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: linziyi on Sat, 06 July 2013, 07:18:31: Offering a discount for switches when purchased with keyboard kits would be one of the solution.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:34:08: Quote from: Glod on Sat, 06 July 2013, 01:17:34
but hey if you start offering kits would that mean MK would start offering switches at a lower cost and possibly be the US source of switches we have been looking for? (no offense to 7-bit) ;D Right now you sell switches for $1.70 each, meaning at your current cost a TKL kit would cost around $150 just for the switches.

We're working on finding a solution to this. I'm actually trying to build an ErgoDox right now and I cleared out over half our switch inventory. If we could get our hands on some switches (at a reasonable price), prices would be drastically different. We do have ample access to Matias ALPS style switches if someone wants to design a PCB to accommodate them :)
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:38:12: Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:34:08
Quote from: Glod on Sat, 06 July 2013, 01:17:34
but hey if you start offering kits would that mean MK would start offering switches at a lower cost and possibly be the US source of switches we have been looking for? (no offense to 7-bit) ;D Right now you sell switches for $1.70 each, meaning at your current cost a TKL kit would cost around $150 just for the switches.

We're working on finding a solution to this. I'm actually trying to build an ErgoDox right now and I cleared out over half our switch inventory. If we could get our hands on some switches (at a reasonable price), prices would be drastically different. We do have ample access to Matias ALPS style switches if someone wants to design a PCB to accommodate them :)
We are working on cases and a PCB for a TKL alps keyboard! http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44576.0
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Rendom on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:42:39: I prefer to see a lot more of cheaper switches instead of kits.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:48:38: Quote from: Photekq on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:38:12
Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 13:34:08
We do have ample access to Matias ALPS style switches if someone wants to design a PCB to accommodate them :)
We are working on cases and a PCB for a TKL alps keyboard! http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44576.0

Mine is going to have Matias Clicky Switches. Awww yeah
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 14:57:28: Photekq - are you the Phantom PCB lead I've been talking to by email for months now?
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 14:59:16: Can anyone clarify on the ErgoDox PCBs -- is it an identical PCB for both sides and one is just flipped over? This seems odd to me, but I have very limited technical PCB knowledge, so maybe it's normal. Any help / schooling is appreciated.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 10 July 2013, 14:59:57: Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 14:59:16
Can anyone clarify on the ErgoDox PCBs -- is it an identical PCB for both sides and one is just flipped over? This seems odd to me, but I have very limited technical PCB knowledge, so maybe it's normal. Any help / schooling is appreciated.

Yes both sides are the same, they are mirrored.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:00:27: The Phantom PCB was designed by bpiphany. I believe Litster and bavman are heavily involved in the project as well.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:00:41: Wow, thanks for the fast response Spam

& CPT... :)
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:01:08: Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 14:57:28
Photekq - are you the Phantom PCB lead I've been talking to by email for months now?
I am not :o
PM user bpiphany - he designed the Phantom.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:01:32: Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:00:41
Wow, thanks for the fast response Spam :)

You can call me ray! haha :p
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:02:26: Quote from: Photekq on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:01:08
Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 14:57:28
Photekq - are you the Phantom PCB lead I've been talking to by email for months now?
I am not :o
PM user bpiphany - he designed the Phantom.

Haha, OK. I think it was the UK location throwing me off as I believe he is also from Europe.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:03:45: Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:01:32
Quote from: ShakeR on Wed, 10 July 2013, 15:00:41
Wow, thanks for the fast response Spam :)

You can call me ray! haha :p

LOL!!!

I just reread that -- Ray is much better. I get in fast type modes sometimes and don't bother proof reading... Sorry about that ;)
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 10 July 2013, 23:52:05: I believe bpiphany (who did the phantom and ergoDOX pcb's) is in sweden? He's a cool guy.

Yep, the ergoDOX is just the one PCB for both sides. This means you have to be very careful about which side your diodes are soldered. I've built 3-4 or them now, and it's not too bad once you get the hang of it. If you are going surface mount, just remember the line is closest to the square pad.

The reason we could do the flipped PCB is because there are jumpers for some of the components. It's a clever design nonetheless!
---
I agree, a good source of switches, especially PCB-mount switches (which can be used for some plate-mount PCB kits, and if not, the pins can be clipped off easily) would be handy indeed. Springs, too.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: strafe on Tue, 30 July 2013, 22:33:28: I'd be interested in a phantom kit, especially if you can provide one with an ANS150 Plate.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: csmith1991 on Mon, 09 September 2013, 19:44:23: If you could get the GH60 kit up and going would you be able to carry all the different layouts? In particular, I'd be looking at the ANSI "pure" HHKB style.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Sifo on Mon, 09 September 2013, 19:44:48: Korean stuff hheheheheheh
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: TLSC.wipeOut on Mon, 09 September 2013, 21:55:38: Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 09 September 2013, 19:44:48
Korean stuff hheheheheheh

kmac 2 kits? xD
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Michael on Mon, 09 September 2013, 22:08:28: ShakeR - DIY Topre kits. Make it so.

(http://i.imgur.com/qQJXbgm.jpg)
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: The_Beast on Mon, 09 September 2013, 22:10:38: Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 09 September 2013, 22:08:28
ShakeR - DIY Topre kits. Make it so.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qQJXbgm.jpg)

This would be pretty damn cool!
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: pixel5 on Mon, 09 September 2013, 22:19:56: Sweet giblets get me a GH60 PCB and I'll buy em all. Well maybe just one but you see my point.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 10 September 2013, 00:56:34: I need me a GH60 PCB.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:19:20: Quote from: MOZ on Tue, 10 September 2013, 00:56:34
I need me a GH60 PCB.

This the most recent gerber? http://65.111.241.205/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34959.0;attach=27557

GNU license?

We're happy to make them with jdcarpe, etc. approval.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Moosecraft on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:21:08: I'd be up for GH60's and phantoms. Maybe even an Ergodox
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:21:59: Quote from: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:19:20
Quote from: MOZ on Tue, 10 September 2013, 00:56:34
I need me a GH60 PCB.

This the most recent gerber? http://65.111.241.205/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34959.0;attach=27557 (http://65.111.241.205/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34959.0;attach=27557)

GNU license?

We're happy to make them with jdcarpe, etc. approval.

The GH60 is not quite final yet, so you might want to wait on that. They are still waiting to test the final prototype.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: Photekq on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:23:40: Another thing. Let the GB actually finish before even thinking about selling them..

It's annoying to join a GB only to have a store sell them for a similar price before you actually receive yours.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:24:53: Thanks SpamRay. That's the impression I got.

I'll let jdcarpe know to contact us when it's ready if he would like us to make a run.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:27:34: Quote from: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:24:53
Thanks SpamRay. That's the impression I got.

I'll let jdcarpe know to contact us when it's ready if he would like us to make a run.

I will be sure to do that. Once the GB members start receiving them, MK.com can stock them for everyone who missed out. But it wouldn't be very fair to those who put their faith and money into the GB to get bypassed in the process.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:28:43: Quote from: Photekq on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:23:40
Another thing. Let the GB actually finish before even thinking about selling them..

It's annoying to join a GB only to have a store sell them for a similar price before you actually receive yours.

"Stop making things so accessible for reasonable prices." haha! :D

GBs are often inefficient. Not our fault.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:30:02: Quote from: jdcarpe on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:27:34
Quote from: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:24:53
Thanks SpamRay. That's the impression I got.

I'll let jdcarpe know to contact us when it's ready if he would like us to make a run.

I will be sure to do that. Once the GB members start receiving them, MK.com can stock them for everyone who missed out. But it wouldn't be very fair to those who put their faith and money into the GB to get bypassed in the process.

Fair enough. Just let me know.

FYI -- we're willing to put our up-front faith in a GH project as well :D
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 10 September 2013, 12:44:10: Yes, as much as I want a GH60 PCB, I'd not like it if I were to get if before anyone else, just because the project is open source.

I have PMed WFD if I can partially takeover someone else's position or if there are any extras.

Thank you for the offer MK, none-the-less, you shall forever be proclaimed the community's vendor!
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: pixel5 on Tue, 10 September 2013, 13:24:04: Also, the GH60 with and without SMD presoldered. So we can choose what level of difficulty we'd like to spend our money on :D
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 10 September 2013, 14:19:41: Quote from: pixel5 on Tue, 10 September 2013, 13:24:04
Also, the GH60 with and without SMD presoldered. So we can choose what level of difficulty we'd like to spend our money on :D

Awesome. Love this idea.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: bueller on Thu, 19 September 2013, 03:12:40: I would most definitely be in for a GH60 PCB. Want a programmable Pure layout!
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: pixel5 on Thu, 19 September 2013, 07:59:32: I saw someone mention that vortex sells the Poker PCB by itself. I'd like to know what kind of price you could give us on that, Shaker. Thanks.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: debt4lyfe on Thu, 19 September 2013, 10:20:26: Offer a gh60 kit. I'm afraid it's the only way I'll be able to get my hands on one!
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: debt4lyfe on Thu, 19 September 2013, 10:27:13: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40514.0

Also this. There are like zero wireless 60% boards anywhere, gh60 w/ wireless module is really the only option
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: concept73 on Thu, 19 September 2013, 10:33:37: TOPRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Thu, 19 September 2013, 17:01:48: I'm pretty interested in the Poker PCB as well. Hoping to see some updates on this.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: sth on Thu, 19 September 2013, 17:04:35: 40%
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: AKmalamute on Mon, 14 October 2013, 14:50:41: I think a kit would be cool. GH60 gets my vote along with ErgoDox & phantoms.

If a 40% board finalizes amidst all the other projects flying fast and furious I'm sure a few people would buy them ... I'd kinda like it for my netbook actually as it could probably fit in the carrying case (a real keyboard for your laptop, what a concept).

So, one way to manage Pixel's idea of a levels-of-difficulty kit could be a "also suggested" link on certain pages ... so if you're looking at the bare PCB, there's a page showing where to get the PCB with diodes, which page has your cases that will hold that PCB, and links to find switches.

Right now, it seems the only way to find the PCB page is by searching for "phantom PCB" so I'm not sure if your page is laid out they way you want and you're trying to discourage bare-PCB buyers (which I hope to buy one early next year but we'll see)

Actually while I'm moaning about your page ... the "warehouse finds" list is, bar one, out of stock. Is the irony intentional or do you just not update your "catalog" too often?
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:08:41: What's the latest on GH60? I would still love to get a couple hundred of these made if the creators are on board.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:10:15: Quote from: ShakeR on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:08:41
What's the latest on GH60? I would still love to get a couple hundred of these made if the creators are on board.

Final prototypes went out last week for final testing!!
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: csmith1991 on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:29:59: Quote from: ShakeR on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:08:41
What's the latest on GH60? I would still love to get a couple hundred of these made if the creators are on board.

I'd send you money.
Title: Re: Keyboard Kits
Post by: TLSC.wipeOut on Wed, 06 November 2013, 22:01:21: don't forget about them plates... I feel like there's always pcbs without plates going with it ;P for example, if you do buy a phantom pcb, its really hard to come by a plate to go with it