[IC] 6.25U and 7U SPACEBARs - CNC Machined Bronze & Aluminum. Group Buy NOW Live

[MattMTB]

Hello Everybody.

We are so excited to announce that our Group Buy is now live. Join Us here: mtbkeys.com

Hello Again!

Thankyou to everyone who filled out our IC form. Here is an update on how things are progressing.

We will be offering:

Two profiles, Cherry & OEM.


6.25u & 7u

Anodized Aluminum Polished
 

Anodized Aluminum Brushed (Sample Colors for reference same)

Polished Raw Aluminum - Cerakote

Brushed Raw Aluminum - Cerakote

Polished Raw Bronze - Cerakote (mandatory due to lead content in material) .
 

Packaging: The spacebars will come in a sealed plastic sleeve in a black Cigar style box.


Springs: We will be including 3 different weight springs (74g, 89g, & 98g) so you can test what you like.

Sound Test: A Lot of you are asking for sound test. We are working on it.

Date for the Group Buy:

October 9th to the 23rd 2020

First 100 orders - delivery for November 23rd.

The next 100 pieces order would deliver December 23rd ect.

Please join our discord for updates.

Thanks!





Hello Everyone! This is our official IC for our 6.25U CNC machined spacebars.


Here is our first spacebar IC on Aug\27\2020 at
   https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/iht6hv/ic_625u_spacebar_just_finished_the_prototypes/ for reference.


You can also find this IC here:
   https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/ipk7r1/ic_625u_spacebar_cnc_machined_bronze_aluminum/


Two profiles to choose from: OEM or Cherry

Materials: C954 Bronze or 6061 Aluminum raw polished or polished anodized / brushed anodized.

Estimated price:

Anodized Aluminum - $55.00 usd (shipping not included)

Polished Bronze - $110.00 usd (shipping not included)

If you're interested, please fill out our IC FORM at
   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelvWTd4eU2KayIlaRJsUEkF-zlkDRC6GGozXyB8O2kYvLBLw/viewform?usp=sf_link


Please follow us on Facebook at
   https://www.facebook.com/MTBkeys/ or join our Discord at https://discord.gg/fUyWvek for updates.

Please note that due to the nature of anodizing process, colors may differ a little bit from what is shown in the pictures. However, our anodizers try their best to mach the color swatches they have on hand. For more information you can visit https://www.saf.com/faq/how-do-you-color-aluminum/




Thanks so much and looking forward to your response!

Matt

[Pylon]

Looks good!

My one concern is with the bronze - C932 has a pretty high lead content (6-8%), likely higher at the surface since the machining cutter smears the lead when cutting and leaves more of it on the surface - this is a known issue with leaded brass alloys . Would a lead-free alloy be possible? (though as far as I know, lead-free bronze and brass tend to be much more difficult to machine)

[MattMTB]

Thank you very much for your comment. Very Observant. Actually we are going to use C954 alloy in our products.

[KFMan]

Nice job. 

[MattMTB]

►Thank you very much. Please visit our website for more coming products.

[mr.squishy]

I know everything is subjective, but are there any plans for a sound test to show off the different sound profiles of the different materials? I vaguely remember past fullmetal spacebars having unusual sound profiles. Other than that, sounds right up my alley.

[GrimmOmen]

B R O N Z E

Would love to get a sound test as well, but that may not matter if I can get my hands on best metal.

Any plans to do other bronze components?

[Disintro]

I like this a lot and if I have the money there's a good chance I'll buy this, but I was wondering how much the spacebars weigh since I can imagine if it's too heavy it could possibly make lightweight switches actuate (correct me if I'm wrong, I'm no science guy).

[Anthixious]

Really looking forward to this, loving the concept of Aluminum and bronze spacebars, also yes I'm loving to know the weight as well. Hoping it's hefty because we can always spring swap switches later. Really specific, but I requested 2 shades of green in the IC I sent, one of them it'd be amazing to have a shade between the Jade and dark green bow ties in this pic, not sure if it's possible but hey, whatever  .

[MIXO Cables]

i like the golden one

[MattMTB]

I know everything is subjective, but are there any plans for a sound test to show off the different sound profiles of the different materials? I vaguely remember past fullmetal spacebars having unusual sound profiles. Other than that, sounds right up my alley.

Yes, we are planning a sound check.

[MattMTB]

I like this a lot and if I have the money there's a good chance I'll buy this, but I was wondering how much the spacebars weigh since I can imagine if it's too heavy it could possibly make lightweight switches actuate (correct me if I'm wrong, I'm no science guy).

Aluminum space bars weigh around 20gr and Bronze ones around 60gr. There is no need to replace switch spring for the aluminum space bar. Bronze space bars need stronger spring and we are  planning to supply them with the proper spring.

[SlipperyPeteED]

why no orange? i want it for my garfy keeb

[MattMTB]

Really looking forward to this, loving the concept of Aluminum and bronze spacebars, also yes I'm loving to know the weight as well. Hoping it's hefty because we can always spring swap switches later. Really specific, but I requested 2 shades of green in the IC I sent, one of them it'd be amazing to have a shade between the Jade and dark green bow ties in this pic, not sure if it's possible but hey, whatever  .

Hi .We have updated our post. You can see the colors available now. We hope you like them.

[KFMan]

 Does the color for both polished and brushed spacebars comes out the same!?

[Anthixious]

Awesome, the colors look nice! Interested in getting maybe 3 or 4. Do both bronze and aluminum have the option to be raw or unpolished? Also, are the bronze bars limited in color choices from what we see here? Looking at potentially the light green, dark green, sand and gold colors.

[MattMTB]

Awesome, the colors look nice! Interested in getting maybe 3 or 4. Do both bronze and aluminum have the option to be raw or unpolished? Also, are the bronze bars limited in color choices from what we see here? Looking at potentially the light green, dark green, sand and gold colors.

Spacebars that come out the CNC machine have  poor surface finish( machining marks),thus, we either brush or polish them. With Aluminum, you can choose polished or brushed finish with no further process. With bronze however, every piece will be Cerakoted due to lead content. But the good news is that it's a clear coat.

[Anthixious]

If you're able to show a raw bronze spacebar alongside a cerakoted one, that'd be amazing. Looking forward to the GB  , what are the weights for these bars also?

[Anthixious]

Alright so colors 1-14 are all brushed raw anode'd aluminum, and we have yet to see a brushed cerakoted bronze bar right? Just checking.

[lush_bunny]

yo. Yo. YO, this is amazing what the actual fu-

I need to know the exact color of red that will be used. There seems to be two in the photos presented? Anyway If I ever buy this (most likely), I will be placing this alongside GMK Classic Red on a Royal Red Pandora, so the color matching here will be crucial. Looking forward to the sound test as well.

Also, will it matter what springs I use for this long metal bar? Do I need heavier (70+ g?) springs to compensate for the weight?

[nathanchere]

Shipping from where?

[MattMTB]

Does the color for both polished and brushed spacebars comes out the same!?

The colors with polished spacebars will be glossy whereas with brushed spacebar they would be matt. The colors shown in the swatch are matt. You can see the the spacebar pictures to see how the glossy colors would come out.

[MattMTB]

why no orange? i want it for my garfy keeb

Orange color is available. Please check out the color swatch.

[MattMTB]

If you're able to show a raw bronze spacebar alongside a cerakoted one, that'd be amazing. Looking forward to the GB  , what are the weights for these bars also?

The weights are (approximately):

Cherry 7 U Aluminum: 18 gr
Cherry 6.25 U Aluminum: 16 gr
Cherry 7 U Bronze: 51 gr
Cherry 6.25 U Bronze: 46 gr

OEM 7 U Aluminum: 21 gr
OEM 6.25 U Aluminum: 19 gr
OEM 7 U Bronze: 64 gr
OEM 6.25 U Bronze: 57 gr

[MattMTB]

Alright so colors 1-14 are all brushed raw anode'd aluminum, and we have yet to see a brushed cerakoted bronze bar right? Just checking.

We normally polish bronze spacebars. But it is possible to brush them upon request. At the moment we do not have a brushed bronze sample.

[Muiju]

wow i'm interested

[Anthixious]

If you're able to show a raw bronze spacebar alongside a cerakoted one, that'd be amazing. Looking forward to the GB  , what are the weights for these bars also?

The weights are (approximately):

Cherry 7 U Aluminum: 18 gr
Cherry 6.25 U Aluminum: 16 gr
Cherry 7 U Bronze: 51 gr
Cherry 6.25 U Bronze: 46 gr

OEM 7 U Aluminum: 21 gr
OEM 6.25 U Aluminum: 19 gr
OEM 7 U Bronze: 64 gr
OEM 6.25 U Bronze: 57 gr

Dear lord these are monsters  , but beautifully heavy ones 

[Anthixious]

why no orange? i want it for my garfy keeb

Orange color is available. Please check out the color swatch.

Is the orange color #3 or #4? 3 looks like gold.

[MattMTB]

why no orange? i want it for my garfy keeb

Orange color is available. Please check out the color swatch.

Is the orange color #3 or #4? 3 looks like gold.

The orange color is #4. Yes #3 is the gold color

[Anthixious]

What color is represented with the spacebar that is in the packaging picture? Looks like #4 also.

[nathanchere]

Shipping from where?

[shadowcelery]

Hmm do you think a 100g spring would be enough to hold up this spacebar.

[MattMTB]

Shipping from where?

All products are made in and shipped from British Colombia, CANADA.

[MattMTB]

yo. Yo. YO, this is amazing what the actual fu-

I need to know the exact color of red that will be used. There seems to be two in the photos presented? Anyway If I ever buy this (most likely), I will be placing this alongside GMK Classic Red on a Royal Red Pandora, so the color matching here will be crucial. Looking forward to the sound test as well.

Also, will it matter what springs I use for this long metal bar? Do I need heavier (70+ g?) springs to compensate for the weight?

Due to our experience, putting a certain name on colors can lead to different interpretations. Thus, we decided to assign numbers to our colors. The different red colors seen in the picture are actually the same. However, one is applied on brushed aluminum(matt)  and the other on polished aluminum (Glossy). We will be sending three stronger springs( 74g, 89g and 98g) along with each spacebar.

[Anthixious]

Hmm do you think a 100g spring would be enough to hold up this spacebar.

I'm gonna go off of LinusTechTips' YouTube video from when they built their all-metal keyboard. IMO, yes and no. Linus said that the spacebar they had that was brass from Salviun weighed 40g, and they were using 80g Cherry MX Blacks. It was basically little to no effort to triggure and response time for the switch pull-up was lacking. If these bars weigh 50-60, we'd probably see the same result or a little worse because the math equals out. Gonna see what my 150g springs do because I have those lying around 

[MattMTB]

Hmm do you think a 100g spring would be enough to hold up this spacebar.

For cherry and OEM aluminum spacebars as well as cherry bronze spacebars, that is enough. For aluminum ones actually you can use lighter springs. For OEM bronze spacebars  we will be providing heavier springs. 

[mr.squishy]

Stupid question, but do these fit Kailh's box switches? Those can sometimes have tighter stems. Also, if you are providing cherry springs, box users will have to find their own solution if they want a heavier spring to compensate for the weight.

[MattMTB]

Stupid question, but do these fit Kailh's box switches? Those can sometimes have tighter stems. Also, if you are providing cherry springs, box users will have to find their own solution if they want a heavier spring to compensate for the weight.

No, these spacebars do not fit Kailh switches.

[mr.squishy]

Stupid question, but do these fit Kailh's box switches? Those can sometimes have tighter stems. Also, if you are providing cherry springs, box users will have to find their own solution if they want a heavier spring to compensate for the weight.

No, these spacebars do not fit Kailh switches.

That's a shame, but I understand. Is it due to machining tolerances or because of the springs?

[MattMTB]

Stupid question, but do these fit Kailh's box switches? Those can sometimes have tighter stems. Also, if you are providing cherry springs, box users will have to find their own solution if they want a heavier spring to compensate for the weight.

No, these spacebars do not fit Kailh switches.

That's a shame, but I understand. Is it due to machining tolerances or because of the springs?

The diameter of the boss with cross slots ( on spacebar's bottom side) wherein switch sits is 5.5 mm. You should check if the boss can go inside your switch's box or not by measuring the box inner size. However, it is up to you to conclude if it works or not.

[KFMan]

  The cherry is nice.

[MattMTB]

The cherry is nice.

Thanks! so far lots of good response!