[IC] budget96 PCB and Case - mmm, QMK?

[donutcat]

Good news mad lads, got the quotes back on the PCBs and it's even better than anticipated. Previously I had estimated PCB cost at $35 apiece, but now even with the "fancy" soldermask colors we're looking at only $30 apiece at 50 units MOQ each for both the Matte Black and Purple. Not much of a drop at higher units, $28 at 100 units each, but that's fine with me since the starting price is so low. This also means that the total price of the kit will be lower, so I'll work on finalizing that next.

[Tree_]

[UsualSuspectXXX]

[BlindAssassin111]

Sweet, can't wait to get one!

[donutcat]

Alright, so JOlimon is touching base with his supplier to get detailed quotes for the frosted acrylic pieces for the middle and hipro layers. Additionally, I have the pricing for the plates of the case. As mentioned, we're gonna allow ordering the plates in each color, so they'll each have their own MOQs, which are as follows:

10 sets(bottom+top) - $25 each
25 sets - $20
50 sets - $17
75 sets - $14
100 sets - $13.5

I'll be putting an option on the order form that will give you a backup in the case that your first color doesn't hit MOQ, most likely one of the two "main" color plates, black or white.

[BlindAssassin111]

Alright, so JOlimon is touching base with his supplier to get detailed quotes for the frosted acrylic pieces for the middle and hipro layers. Additionally, I have the pricing for the plates of the case. As mentioned, we're gonna allow ordering the plates in each color, so they'll each have their own MOQs, which are as follows:

10 sets(bottom+top) - $25 each
25 sets - $20
50 sets - $17
75 sets - $14
100 sets - $13.5

I'll be putting an option on the order form that will give you a backup in the case that your first color doesn't hit MOQ, most likely one of the two "main" color plates, black or white.

This pricing is looking nice!!! Hopefully all can be had for under $75.

[HotRoderX]

this is kinda cool and I want one to give to a friend... 75 bucks it wouldn't be bad hooking him up with his first mech for so cheap. Its still be far superior to the standard issue HP rubber dome that came with his computer.

[donutcat]

Something else cool, I'm looking into having GMK stabs available as part of the GB, for everyone that doesn't just have a bucket of stabs sitting around :3

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Something else cool, I'm looking into having GMK stabs available as part of the GB, for everyone that doesn't just have a bucket of stabs sitting around :3

Sweet. I'd definitely pick up a few sets of em

[MatchstickMan]

Something else cool, I'm looking into having GMK stabs available as part of the GB, for everyone that doesn't just have a bucket of stabs sitting around :3

I can't wait!

[amcat]

okay i'm totally new to this but i really want/need a 96key and this seems like a perfect opportunity to get one and learn about building it in the process. my friend has access to soldering equipment but my main question is what else do i need after getting the kit from this gb? and about how much money will i be spending in total?

[BobCarltheThird]

okay i'm totally new to this but i really want/need a 96key and this seems like a perfect opportunity to get one and learn about building it in the process. my friend has access to soldering equipment but my main question is what else do i need after getting the kit from this gb? and about how much money will i be spending in total?

You're going to need switches, caps, and some stabilizers at the very least. The final cost of the build is going to vary greatly depending on how much you feel like spending.

[donutcat]

okay i'm totally new to this but i really want/need a 96key and this seems like a perfect opportunity to get one and learn about building it in the process. my friend has access to soldering equipment but my main question is what else do i need after getting the kit from this gb? and about how much money will i be spending in total?

You'll need your choice of switches, stabilizers, and keycaps. I'll be running a mini-GB for stablizers alongside the boards, switches you can get from somewhere like https://novelkeys.xyz/ , and keycaps can be had from a bunch of different places. Depending on what you're looking for in switches and keycaps, it should definitely be possible to get this completed board for less than $200.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

okay i'm totally new to this but i really want/need a 96key and this seems like a perfect opportunity to get one and learn about building it in the process. my friend has access to soldering equipment but my main question is what else do i need after getting the kit from this gb? and about how much money will i be spending in total?

You're going to need switches, caps, and some stabilizers at the very least. The final cost of the build is going to vary greatly depending on how much you feel like spending.

For example, you could buy Gateron switches for $0.20 ea
Or Zealios switches for $0.85 ea

And you can get a keyset pretty cheap or very pricy. It's all up to how you want to build it.

[amcat]

okay i'm totally new to this but i really want/need a 96key and this seems like a perfect opportunity to get one and learn about building it in the process. my friend has access to soldering equipment but my main question is what else do i need after getting the kit from this gb? and about how much money will i be spending in total?

You're going to need switches, caps, and some stabilizers at the very least. The final cost of the build is going to vary greatly depending on how much you feel like spending.

For example, you could buy Gateron switches for $0.20 ea
Or Zealios switches for $0.85 ea

And you can get a keyset pretty cheap or very pricy. It's all up to how you want to build it.

thanks for the info! i was hesitant in asking but glad i did. I knew I'd need switches and caps but I had no idea what stabs were. looking forward to see this gb happen!

one more question, how easy is it to screw up and ruin your everything? or is there some room for error?

[stryker09]

cant wait for this to drop!

my plan is:
frosted top and clear all the way down
or
black fr4 top and clear all the way down for that underglow magic

[azachhh]

When is this going to GB?!? Can’t wait to grab a few.

[donutcat]

Looking to start soon, waiting on a couple of things to finalize the case design and cost.

[azachhh]

Looking to start soon, waiting on a couple of things to finalize the case design and cost.

Woot woot! Can’t wait.

[MatchstickMan]

Looking to start soon, waiting on a couple of things to finalize the case design and cost.

Yesssss

[att1cus]

definitely hyped for this PCB!  the stabs would also be awesome, as id need to buy them anyways

[donutcat]

Good news for everyone looking for photogenic PCBs, as well as those that just like a little more bling in their life: both our PCB colors are now coming with gold immersion finish for no additional costs! Now we're just waiting on confirmed pricing for the acrylic bits and we're good to get this show on the road!

[MatchstickMan]

...gold immersion finish...

The opulence of this board won't even be rivaled by RAMA!

[donutcat]

Just another small update while we're still working on this, we're still waiting to hear back on frosted acrylic pricing to finalize case pricing. Additionally, after finding out that QMK support is possible on ps2avrgb boards, I'll be working along with the wonderful mr mechmerlin in order to try and get QMK working on here. I figure that there's really no harm in getting it QMK functional and can only help to get more people interested in the board.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Just another small update while we're still working on this, we're still waiting to hear back on frosted acrylic pricing to finalize case pricing. Additionally, after finding out that QMK support is possible on ps2avrgb boards, I'll be working along with the wonderful mr mechmerlin in order to try and get QMK working on here. I figure that there's really no harm in getting it QMK functional and can only help to get more people interested in the board.

QMK =D

I was definitely going to buy one already, but now I'm super stoked for this!

[lollipoplouie]

Wow qmk support too! I am even more stoked for this now, can't wait to see the case options and for everything to make it into the groupbuy phase!!

[donutcat]

Alright, so we've hit a "good news, bad news" situation here.

I'll start with the good news:
 - QMK support is on its way, I worked with the lovely mechmerlin last night to get the matrix and pinout of the PCB all traced out, so now he's working on getting that plugged in where it goes before I'll be test-shoving it onto one of the protos.

 - JOlimon finally got numbers back on the frosted acrylic mid and hipro sections, which leads us to

Bad news:
 - The acrylic bits are pricier than I wanted them to be, especially the hipro sections. Frosted 9mm is so pricey that it's actually cheaper to get frosted 3mm and put the time into cutting 3 slices of it to use, which brings us to the current discussion point: single 9mm slices or triple 3mm slices.

While it would be more inline with the budget-oriented nature of this build to go with the cheaper 3mm slices, I know that I personally would be willing to pay the small bit extra for the appearance of the single 9mm slice,though others may prefer the small cost savings of the 3mm slices. Additionally, the hipro layer may not be viable with the 3mm slices. The cost difference between the options would be less that $5 per case.

I've got this poll here https://www.strawpoll.me/15578311 to see what the general consensus is going to look like for this.

[ShrimplyPibbles69]

I think it depends on how much more the single middle piece would be compared to the three stacked pieces. If it's not that much more, I would 100% be willing to pay that extra for the single piece of acrylic.

[azachhh]

I think it depends on how much more the single middle piece would be compared to the three stacked pieces. If it's not that much more, I would 100% be willing to pay that extra for the single piece of acrylic.

Yeah, can we get the actual estimated price? If it’s really only a $5 difference - I would totally rather have the single piece.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

I think it depends on how much more the single middle piece would be compared to the three stacked pieces. If it's not that much more, I would 100% be willing to pay that extra for the single piece of acrylic.

Yeah, can we get the actual estimated price? If it’s really only a $5 difference - I would totally rather have the single piece.

Same question here. $5 isn't a problem but I'm curious to see where the final total is atm.

[donutcat]

For rough pricing, since it's not quite finalized yet, we'd be looking at ~$37 per 9mm middle and ~$33 per 3mm middles, both at 15 moq.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Honestly, I'd pay the extra ~$4 for the 9mm piece. It's such a small difference.

[azachhh]

Honestly, I'd pay the extra ~$4 for the 9mm piece. It's such a small difference.

Same. Sounds like it would save on production time as well? Not having to cut the individual 3mm pieces.

[rockydbull]

A similar 4 dollar or so increase for the hi pro ones as well?

[donutcat]

A similar 4 dollar or so increase for the hi pro ones as well?

If hipro tops could be done with the 3mm slices, which I'm not certain they could, the price difference would be less, closer to $2-$3, due to not being able to nest them like the middle slices can be. Right now the pricing for the hipro tops is around $47 for 9mm, unfortunately higher than I was expecting due to higher material usage from being unable to nest and the costs of the frost material.

[azachhh]

A similar 4 dollar or so increase for the hi pro ones as well?

If hipro tops could be done with the 3mm slices, which I'm not certain they could, the price difference would be less, closer to $2-$3, due to not being able to nest them like the middle slices can be. Right now the pricing for the hipro tops is around $47 for 9mm, unfortunately higher than I was expecting due to higher material usage from being unable to nest and the costs of the frost material.

So using the highest estimates right now, what’s the cost of a full board looking like? I assume it’s still under $150.....maybe still under $100?

[donutcat]

So at 15MOQ for the middles, which uses the 10MOQ price point for the plates, we're looking at:

PCB - $30
Plates - $25/set
Middle - $37
Hipro - $47
GMK Screw-in stabs - $10/set

So you're looking at $92 base, $139 with hipro, $149 with hipro and stabs, all at the lowest MOQ. And all things considered, this is pretty much ready to move forward. We've got all our pricing and some last details can be worked out during the buy period.

[runsamok]

How thick is the middle chunk? Is it the same frosted as the hipro section?

[rockydbull]

So at 15MOQ for the middles, which uses the 10MOQ price point for the plates, we're looking at:

PCB - $30
Plates - $25/set
Middle - $37
Hipro - $47
GMK Screw-in stabs - $10/set

So you're looking at $92 base, $139 with hipro, $149 with hipro and stabs, all at the lowest MOQ. And all things considered, this is pretty much ready to move forward. We've got all our pricing and some last details can be worked out during the buy period.

I know MOQ was discussed for the plates, anything for the acrylic? Also is there a possibility to buy just plates and pcb (no acrylic) and run naked?

[donutcat]

Both middle and hipro are the 9mm frost. MOQ points for the middle and hipros will be 15, 30, and 60 units each. Depending on how our hardware situation turns out defines if the middle will be optional for the build.

[azachhh]

So at 15MOQ for the middles, which uses the 10MOQ price point for the plates, we're looking at:

PCB - $30
Plates - $25/set
Middle - $37
Hipro - $47
GMK Screw-in stabs - $10/set

So you're looking at $92 base, $139 with hipro, $149 with hipro and stabs, all at the lowest MOQ. And all things considered, this is pretty much ready to move forward. We've got all our pricing and some last details can be worked out during the buy period.

That's still a beautiful price to me.
I will definitely be in for 2 or 3 of these.

[HotRoderX]

So at 15MOQ for the middles, which uses the 10MOQ price point for the plates, we're looking at:

PCB - $30
Plates - $25/set
Middle - $37
Hipro - $47
GMK Screw-in stabs - $10/set

So you're looking at $92 base, $139 with hipro, $149 with hipro and stabs, all at the lowest MOQ. And all things considered, this is pretty much ready to move forward. We've got all our pricing and some last details can be worked out during the buy period.

102 + cost of switches.. you can get a complete non Hipro set.. which is a insanely good deal.. if nothing more it be fun to practice with. I know you most likely answered this before does the board have RGB glow under it? and is the middle/plates going to be frosted I guess Middle will for sure be some type of plastic.. not sure what you worked out with the plates. Either way really interested cause it just seems like a cheap fun way to try out some new switches and practice soldering.

[donutcat]

Middle will be frost acrylic for the built in underglow, FR4 with several color options for cheaper and more durable plates.

[HotRoderX]

o sweet so we get our choice of colors! very very nice! I am even more excited I kinda wanting to build a UV board.. use purple underglow! Purple LED's then pair it with some type of nice purple keycap

[Tree_]

Donut, can be get photos to show the height difference of the case between hipro and base?

Sorry if there's older photos that already show this.

[donutcat]

This was just using another mid section as a hipro layer, but aside from the holes it's the same shape and still 9mm.

[vicot]

how well would the underglow LEDs light up the hipro layer? or not at all?

[donutcat]

how well would the underglow LEDs light up the hipro layer? or not at all?

Probably not any substantial amount, which is one downside of the FR4 plate. Backlighting should light it up well though.

[rockydbull]

how well would the underglow LEDs light up the hipro layer? or not at all?

Probably not any substantial amount, which is one downside of the FR4 plate. Backlighting should light it up well though.

Is there a possibility of buying a kit without any acrylic? Just pcb and fr4 plates?

[donutcat]

That depends on which hardware we're able to use. We have 2 different standoffs that should be available to us, a skinnier one and a wider one. The wider one is the one we need due to the wider holes in the FR4 to accommodate the countersinking screws, but the shipment of those wider ones has been delayed so far. If we have to end up using the skinnier standoffs, they won't be able to be used without the middle section. I'm hoping we're able to use the wider ones since I like the extra durability from them as well.