Muramasa - The Longestboi - Prototypes made!!



Since getting into prebuilt mechanical keyboards, I have always had a fondness for big boi keyboards - such as full sizes or TKLs.

Coming into the hobby, I have had my fair share of big boards - tons of TKLs - but I always thought: Can I go even bigger?

Introducing the Muramasa - a XT-FRL + numpad longboi.
^{(PS this is also part of an attempt to get my colleague into mech keyboards, since he won't shut up about how he "needs a numpad".)}

DISCORD LINK
IC FORM

Specs
- 9 degree angle
- Adjusted front height of 17.8mm
- Materials: 6063 Aluminum (top&bottom case), Brass (weight)
- Top mount, two piece plate (considering 5052 Aluminum / PP / FR4)
- Three piece brass weight (also considering weight-less option)
- 2505g unbuilt
- Bezels: 8mm(top/down), 5mm(left/right)

PCB Support
- Supports: full/split backspace, full/split right shift, full/split left shift, ISO, ANSI, 10u/7u/6.25u bottom row, F107 layout, and different numpads




Gallery
- These are renders, see below for prototype photos!












Mounting method
- Top mount with separate plates for the 60%+XT area and nav cluster+numpad.
- I wanted a softer typing experience & inspired by the glare, I thought this would be an interesting mounting method.
- Plate options are as follows: ANSI full / ANSI half / ISO full / ISO half, in 5052 Aluminum / FR4 / PP







Layout options
- I'm considering offering the top case in two different layout options - "Vintage" & "New-Age"
- Vintage will be a F107-style layout, with winkey & the nav cluster all cut out (as pictured on the left)
- New-age will be standard WKL (as pictured on the right)





Prototypes
- Yes, I suck at taking photos.
- Engravings are only on my personal unit, though i will consider other themed engravings for the production version.
- As you can see, keebmat doesn't fit kekw
- Pictured with WOB & GMK Handarbeit
- Waffle towels FTW
- These are test fit units, still missing PCBs...

Issues that are being fixed:
- type-c port is widened just a bit to maximize compatibility
- changed depth of screw points
- added ribs to promote stability in the bottom case (weight section)
- plates are being fixed (minor incorrect measurements)











What's next?
- This post is used to gauge the interest of the community, but either way I will be getting prototypes made. Expect updates to come in the future.
- I plan to open source this project at some point, after I make the prototype and make sure I iron out the details.
- Going forward, a GB maybe possible, or even an internals(PCB+plate) GB (for people who want to machine their own)
- I've done some preliminary budgeting for this project. If there is a GB, I'm aiming for something like $480 @ 100MOQ / $650 @ 25MOQ.

Thank you!


Update
- Thanks for all the kind words, including keyboard friends who have filled out the IC form.
- When I open source the project, I will also include version with no weights to hopefully help with cost saving.


Here's a (hopefully)cool signature:
[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=120482][img width=210 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/Y6aw3ZY.png[/img][/url]

Very cool! Have you considered making the board longer?

Fantastic! I was curious what could become longer than my W1 or Calliope, and now I finally have an answer! Lovely design

For some reason, I have an intense urge to join this when it goes to GB ^^

cool! why?

What a happy ending and fitting for pride month. 

Very cool! Have you considered making the board longer?

Yes

This board is a perfect excuse to get a bigger desk. I cannot wait to see the protos!

I’m hyped as well!!! Thinking of ways to bring cost down atm, for the benefit of people who might wanna machine themselves as well.

Now this is what I call long boi, interesting project.
GLWIC

This project is so good, especially open sourcing the project, very cool GLWIC!

It's been a while since a new board IC has drawn my attention, WELL DONE! 
PS: Please consider long spacebar support (10u) for this long boi

Now this is what I call long boi, interesting project.
GLWIC

oh this is incredible, 10/10 for l o n g b o i

This project is so good, especially open sourcing the project, very cool GLWIC!

This is freaking awesome

It's been a while since a new board IC has drawn my attention, WELL DONE! 
PS: Please consider long spacebar support (10u) for this long boi

This looks awesome! WKL would seal the deal for me! GLWIC 

Thanks for all the kind words! BTW, WKL is coming……

this brings all the big pp's to the yard. i'm in. wkl a must. you're a wizard.

EDIT: Sorry posted in the wrong thread

There are no compromises here. Looks like an interesting project and concept. Looking forward to seeing the first prototypes.
The lower MOQ makes more sense as well. GLWIC and have fun!

I don't think it's long enough, what else can we add besides the macro and the numpad?

chonky board is good board. look forward for build streams

I'm still debating whether I am buying this or not. On one hand, I never knew how much I much I loved a full keyboard with the FR chopped off. On the other, I am looking for a productivity board with a southpaw numpad. Whatever happens, this is legitimately the most interesting looking FRL board IC I've seen, so godspeed OP.

looks like Aeon. Even the colors are 1:1

Quote from: Nonnegaard on Thu, 17 August 2023, 03:47:19

looks like Aeon. Even the colors are 1:1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=116335.0

This?

Yes and no, Aeon was a more limited run that ran a while ago in Quests Discord. This is Aeon:

As someone who has a prototype and types on it (and will type on it for forever), I desperately want this in everyone's hands that are able to get one. You have huge support for this, and we're cheering you on! I hope a GB happens in the future, but if not, you are awesome for the plan to make it open-sourced

I don't need any other boards, long you say hmmmmm.