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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Leslieann on Sat, 13 July 2013, 06:22:30

Title: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Sat, 13 July 2013, 06:22:30
These would allow you to run flat/universal plates in the Vortex Filco case.
If you already have a QFR in a Vortex case, this should work with it as well.

Currently I'm testing and revising, I made small samples to get the right measurements and they seem to fit good. I'll be desoldering the switches on mine this weekend to change the plate and make sure everything fits how I want. Unfortunately, you will still have to desolder all your switches to swap the plate, there's nothing I can do about that.

I have no idea what they are worth to people, but I think I can get the adapters made and shipped (to the US and EU) for about $15 or less. This won't be a group buy as I can simply make them on an as needed basis, I'm just trying to see if there's any interest before I get too crazy into making them easy to use, and how precision they are.


Update: They work.
Looks stock from the outside. (Note: Case is being stripped for paint)

Please note that these are not just flat strips, they have a (.5mm) lip on them and are designed to hold themselves in place (yes, they need to be that precise).
They are made in multiple parts for several reasons, but trust me, it makes sense from a design and shipping standpoint. You need 9 parts, but I would include 10 to cover bad parts, breakage, etc..
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal plate adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: BliTzKiN on Sat, 13 July 2013, 11:12:41
Let me get this straight. So you're making a backplate for Filco, Vortex and maybe QFR cases? If so I might be interested.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal plate adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Photoelectric on Sat, 13 July 2013, 11:15:12
Let me get this straight. So you're making a backplate for Filco, Vortex and maybe QFR cases? If so I might be interested.

She is gathering interest for plate support / plate adapters for Vortex-made aluminum cases, which are made to fit Filcos and QFRs and similar.  Not for backplates for proprietary cases.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal plate adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Sat, 13 July 2013, 16:04:49
Photoelectric is correct.

Universal plate group buys are common, the problem is that they cannot be used with the Vortex case.

Here is WhiteFireDragon's picture showing the problem...
The bottom plate is the stock Filco, you can clearly see the bent edges, the Vortex case uses those edges to clamp the plate in place.
The top plate shown is a flat universal plate, which lacks the bent edges, and therefore unusable in the Vortex case without some sort of adapter. It's for the adapter that I'm trying to gauge interest.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/WhiteFireDragon/keyboard/IMG_1844.jpg)
Photo by WhiteFireDragon, from here (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37801.msg724583#msg724583).
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal plate adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: pasph on Sat, 13 July 2013, 16:29:44
Great idea to adapt also the Phantom to Vortex case
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal plate adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Sat, 13 July 2013, 19:36:06
Updated first post.
They work, and pics included.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Sat, 13 July 2013, 19:58:19
So you got your 3d printer working now. I'll grab a set of these when you make them available.

I don't see a huge interest on these though. It eliminates everyone that doesn't have a Vortex case AND custom plate.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: mashby on Sat, 13 July 2013, 20:35:55
Interested.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 14 July 2013, 04:49:38
So you got your 3d printer working now. I'll grab a set of these when you make them available.

I don't see a huge interest on these though. It eliminates everyone that doesn't have a Vortex case AND custom plate.

I didn't expect a lot, which is why I went with an interest check first, however, this may spur some fresh interest in the case and plates.


The plastic shrank a bit when making these, I didn't compensate on purpose, as such, they fit a tad loose but worked great regardless. I want to run a second set with compensation for shrinkage before I call them done. I should have some ready to ship early or later this week.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: SeriouSSpotS on Sun, 14 July 2013, 06:56:54
Looks very interesting
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 14 July 2013, 09:26:45
I wish I had a blue or red Vortex case to fit these into =/
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: t2russo on Sun, 14 July 2013, 15:19:15
In for two sets if you do it.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: ___q on Sun, 14 July 2013, 15:26:13
I thought the stock QFR plate already had the right angles on the edges like the Filco does?
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 14 July 2013, 15:40:06
I thought the stock QFR plate already had the right angles on the edges like the Filco does?
I think it does, but this is about NOT using the stock plate. So a QFR owner could use these and a universal plate to mount a QFR into the Vortex case.


Theoretically, this opens up a bunch of boards to be used.
Since it no longer relies on the plate for mounting, any other TKL board with the right measurements could now be used. For example, if a Ducky TKL PCB was similar in size to the Filco PCB, a universal plate and adapters would allow for a Ducky to fit the Vortex. This could get interesting.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: ___q on Sun, 14 July 2013, 15:56:49
I thought the stock QFR plate already had the right angles on the edges like the Filco does?
I think it does, but this is about NOT using the stock plate. So a QFR owner could use these and a universal plate to mount a QFR into the Vortex case.


Theoretically, this opens up a bunch of boards to be used.
Since it no longer relies on the plate for mounting, any other TKL board with the right measurements could now be used. For example, if a Ducky TKL PCB was similar in size to the Filco PCB, a universal plate and adapters would allow for a Ducky to fit the Vortex. This could get interesting.

Ahh, ok.  I misread the original comment as "this will work if you use a filco with a custom plate, as well as if you use a (stock) QFR", hence the confusion.

Thanks for the clarification!
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: meiosis on Mon, 15 July 2013, 04:25:50
Will this keep out humidity from reaching the pcb? (airtight)?
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Mon, 15 July 2013, 04:46:11
You can't make it airtight as your keys would create pressure when you pressed them, also, there's no way to realistically make it airtight even if you wanted to. The sides of the case would bow under any sort of serious sealing, then there is the fact that the cord exits out the back is through a gaping hole, and of course you have the keys themselves which have to move.

Is there a reason you want it sealed?



Mmmmm fresh paint... (Evo potato cam)
Oh, and while the block off plate (awesomely) snaps into place and looks okay from this angle, it's not quite ready for prime time.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Mon, 22 July 2013, 17:00:59
Closed
Moving to production soon.
Title: Re: [IC] Vortex Filco Case Universal/Phantom Plate Adapters (should fit QFR too)
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 11 August 2013, 17:09:25
Parts are now available.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46827.0