Author Topic: [IC] Stainless steel / galvanized / damascus steel sandwich cases (Read 39279 times)

voight-kampff · « **on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 07:51:36 »

Dear geekhackers

This is practically a Pre IC.

I always wanted some more robust material for keeb cases. Reason for this is that I think a small dent or a few scratches and blemished anodized surface is so sad, specifically if we speak of a real expensive keyboard.

This is why I am planning a GB for my sandwich cases, made from stainless steel and carbon steel. You can hardly damage the surface of these cases.
For the first time I am planning sandwich cases with 3 mm thickness for the plate and the bottom piece.

Surface options can be, mirror, beadblasted, brushed, galvanised. For the damascus steel the surface will be acid etched, to make the pattern more visible.

Price will depend on the quantity, but for example stainless steel sandwich case for a 60% keeb will be around 180-200 USD. Damascus steel will be more expensive.

Edit:
The layouts will be fixed layouts but there will be more to choose from: iso, ansi, hhkb, tsangan, katana60 layouts, and others if there are demand for it.
And for the damascus steel this is a must: katana60 PCB layouts will be supported.

I would like to know what you guys think about this?

About myself: I am a graphic designer with quite a few years experience in design, DTP, packaging design, and web. I studied fine and applied arts, and specifically graphic design. I brought my first keeb last year, which was grerat but I selled it. Now I own a Chiwi60 stainless steel version which I like very much. But now I would like to do make some keyboards based on my ideas.
This is my first IC which hopefully will be a GB. I am living in the EU.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 07:51:57 »

reserved

consumer · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 07:53:51 »

pictures? or renders?

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voight-kampff · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 08:00:24 »

I will be uploading pics in the evening.

mydens · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 08:04:33 »

yes for stainless steel

IndyBuck · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 08:06:44 »

Would love to see a Damascus steel render! I’m a big knife guy so you’re speaking my language. Great idea!

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Techno Trousers · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 08:11:05 »

Wow, a Damascus steel case would look amazing. Looking forward to prototypes.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 08:26:59 »

Damascus steel will be awesome.
I will etch the surface, and I it will be waxed carnuba wax.

Koojahyung · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 09:33:02 »

interesting.

The Equals D · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 10:41:37 »

What kind of prices do you expect these things to be at? The all stainless steel nobraforce is around $1300

edit: just saw that you said $180-200, my mistake. If you can actually accomplish that I think this would be interesting.

lolafineday · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 10:43:50 »

Ooo renders?

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caronte0 · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 12:21:50 »

i'm interested, but i think is gonna be impossible. 1 because of the price and 2 (pls correct me if i'm wrong) but most of the damascus stuff that i have seen on the internet is made by hand, nothing similar to cnc. But lets see, i would like to see some renders

voight-kampff · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 15:00:37 »

The Norbaforce a high profile case made with CNC, this case is a sandwich case and will be lasercutted. Therefore it will not be expensive.

Quote from: The Equals D on Wed, 02 October 2019, 10:41:37

What kind of prices do you expect these things to be at? The all stainless steel nobraforce is around $1300

edit: just saw that you said $180-200, my mistake. If you can actually accomplish that I think this would be interesting.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 15:02:18 »

I ordered some damascus steel billets already, and I am working on the cad file sfor the prototypes. Also I made a quick render / mockup.

Quote from: caronte0 on Wed, 02 October 2019, 12:21:50

i'm interested, but i think is gonna be impossible. 1 because of the price and 2 (pls correct me if i'm wrong) but most of the damascus stuff that i have seen on the internet is made by hand, nothing similar to cnc. But lets see, i would like to see some renders

FredBananaz · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 17:11:44 »

I'm totally in for the open case, tbh. And Damascus steel sounds like an awesome looking keyboard. I'm really interesting to see how the renders and your first prototypes will turn out

hottrout · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 17:17:15 »

Very interesting. This would be a great design for my dream of full keyboard with functions on left side .

Steezus · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 17:23:12 »

The damascus steel is very interesting. It would definitely make an awesome looking travel board with a 60% layout. Curious to see what price point you will be able to get it down too. I've always been a fan of exotic metals for my EDC gear. Damascus titanium would look amazing but would definitely be too damn expensive. I'm typically not a fan of 60% boards but if you can get the price down enough then I may be convinced to enter the group buy. I'm still unsure whether or not I want a board to carry in my backpack.

growler · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 02 October 2019, 17:38:20 »

Damn!
Damascus it is.... looking forward to renders/pics

growler

voight-kampff · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 03 October 2019, 04:53:08 »

some case variations

hottrout · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 03 October 2019, 07:43:02 »

Just for me, do a 100% version.

consumer · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 03 October 2019, 08:10:34 »

Quote from: hottrout on Wed, 02 October 2019, 17:17:15

Very interesting. This would be a great design for my dream of full keyboard with functions on left side .

Same here.

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mydens · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 03 October 2019, 08:15:30 »

..........awfully quiet here after the renders. Not what i was expecting but good luck.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 03 October 2019, 08:38:44 »

Can be done if there is more interest in full size.

Quote from: hottrout on Thu, 03 October 2019, 07:43:02

Just for me, do a 100% version.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 04 October 2019, 05:42:41 »

there will be a 2-3 bottom plates to choose from, and quite a few layouts also.

You can mix the bottom and upper plates.

Draxion · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 05 October 2019, 16:09:35 »

Oh **** damascus steel

elDuderino · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 05 October 2019, 19:47:50 »

Really cool idea. I wonder how a three layer case would look, like to make it high profile. Might highlight the material a little more, especially in the hhkb layout

hottrout · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 06 October 2019, 06:03:50 »

100% Please please please. Break the trend for 60% and get a fully operational Damascus steel mother of all keyboards on the agenda. Like a samurai sword, blood would have to be drawn every time it is used, either that of the enemy or the user if no enemy was slain......

KaosJ · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 06 October 2019, 06:36:56 »

The switches won't clip on a 3mm plate if you don't make the holes for the clip (which you didn't from the renders), also Stabs wire will hit the bottom surface of the top plate and the housing of the stab will not fit unless it's a huge hole. By using a 3mm plate you must edit the current design to make it work, so not sure what is happening here, but the current render misses a lot of features OP.

Also, might be unpopular opinion, but $200 is kinda expensive for two SS 60% plates, one with switch holes, and the other one is just a rectangular on a 3mm plate with 8 screw holes (unless you include some particular coating, e.g. pvd, chrome etc..)

ideus · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 06 October 2019, 08:27:45 »

Quote from: KaosJ on Sun, 06 October 2019, 06:36:56

The switches won't clip on a 3mm plate if you don't make the holes for the clip (which you didn't from the renders), also Stabs wire will hit the bottom surface of the top plate and the housing of the stab will not fit unless it's a huge hole. By using a 3mm plate you must edit the current design to make it work, so not sure what is happening here, but the current render misses a lot of features OP.

Also, might be unpopular opinion, but $200 is kinda expensive for two SS 60% plates, one with switch holes, and the other one is just a rectangular on a 3mm plate with 8 screw holes (unless you include some particular coating, e.g. pvd, chrome etc..)

You can get whatever plate you imagine from laser cutters at cheaper prices. This idea is insane.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 08 October 2019, 00:55:21 »

The price is an estimate, and is currently for 1 board.
Sure you can buy 1.5 mm thick alu brass and steel plates for less money.
But I don;t think you can cut a 3 mm stainless steel case and the cutouts for the switch clips and the stab wires really cheaper.

Quote from: ideus on Sun, 06 October 2019, 08:27:45

Quote from: KaosJ on Sun, 06 October 2019, 06:36:56
The switches won't clip on a 3mm plate if you don't make the holes for the clip (which you didn't from the renders), also Stabs wire will hit the bottom surface of the top plate and the housing of the stab will not fit unless it's a huge hole. By using a 3mm plate you must edit the current design to make it work, so not sure what is happening here, but the current render misses a lot of features OP.

Also, might be unpopular opinion, but $200 is kinda expensive for two SS 60% plates, one with switch holes, and the other one is just a rectangular on a 3mm plate with 8 screw holes (unless you include some particular coating, e.g. pvd, chrome etc..)

You can get whatever plate you imagine from laser cutters at cheaper prices. This idea is insane.

NotYeMK · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 08 October 2019, 01:04:13 »

I'll take your entire stock.

happycamper87 · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 09 October 2019, 12:35:45 »

would be cool to see a special edition of this that's high profile and without visible standoffs. I think both can be achieved by adding a few more layers no? Would be nice and hefty too.

Edit: HHKB please.

liangalv · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 13 October 2019, 15:30:00 »

WOW this is dank, have you guys considered running aftermarket plates?

voight-kampff · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 14 October 2019, 04:34:29 »

I am thinking about aftermarket plates. What kind of plate do you need? Drop me a pm.

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lush_bunny · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 14 October 2019, 10:04:10 »

Watching this closely. What PCB would be compatible with a TKL layout?

nathanchere · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 15 October 2019, 07:02:29 »

Some pics of actual metal samples (even just swatches) instead of keyboard renders would be great

voight-kampff · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 15 October 2019, 11:00:34 »

Sorry these pics are made with my mobile

This is stainless steel mirror polished on one side, the plate is made for my chiwi60

For damascus steel I have to wait for the raw materials, so the damascus steel is only a sample for now.

Quote from: nathanchere on Tue, 15 October 2019, 07:02:29

Some pics of actual metal samples (even just swatches) instead of keyboard renders would be great

nuclear_wizard · « **Reply #37 on:** Tue, 15 October 2019, 13:28:40 »

Can I get three plates for my 15x15 scrabblepads?

voight-kampff · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 16 October 2019, 10:50:31 »

Quote from: nuclear_wizard on Tue, 15 October 2019, 13:28:40

Can I get three plates for my 15x15 scrabblepads?

I am considering to take orders for different sizes of boards. Pm me about the details.

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hottrout · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 21 October 2019, 05:29:05 »

100% all the way with this design.

cosmo10292 · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 11 November 2019, 16:25:39 »

Holy hell damascus would be insane!!! Id love one for my Melody96

PocketAces · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 12 November 2019, 06:37:52 »

Wow, this is beautiful. Any plans for a higher profile option, or would that not be possible with the material you’d be using here?

Also, any plans for sizes other than just 60%?

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FZ · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 12 November 2019, 22:52:10 »

One more vote for 100%.

voight-kampff · « **Reply #43 on:** Wed, 13 November 2019, 04:34:49 »

I am sorry, but 60-66- maybe 80% is the biggest keyboard one can make from damascus steel. It is a limitation of the damascus steel billets one can make. Also a hight profile keyboard is not possible only from damascus steel. As this would be really expensive.

I can imagine two layers on damascus steel and the inner layer of wood. Just like the knive handles, wood-steel-wood only here steel-wood-steel.

FredBananaz · « **Reply #44 on:** Sat, 30 November 2019, 05:29:06 »

Any news/updates about this project?

nathanchere · « **Reply #45 on:** Sat, 30 November 2019, 06:48:53 »

Quote from: voight-kampff on Wed, 13 November 2019, 04:34:49

I am sorry, but 60-66- maybe 80% is the biggest keyboard one can make from damascus steel. It is a limitation of the damascus steel billets one can make. Also a hight profile keyboard is not possible only from damascus steel. As this would be really expensive.

I can imagine two layers on damascus steel and the inner layer of wood. Just like the knive handles, wood-steel-wood only here steel-wood-steel.

If you're layering wood/steel one approach for 100% might be to have a 100% wood case with separate steel plates for the 60%, TKL cluster and numpad, intentionally leaving a gap between the three plate sections for a pretty unique aesthetic (especially combined with the damascus steel).

voight-kampff · « **Reply #46 on:** Sun, 01 December 2019, 06:08:03 »

great idea, will look into that

voight-kampff · « **Reply #47 on:** Sun, 01 December 2019, 06:12:06 »

Update: currently I am still waiting for some damascus steel materials, and also searching for other sources. So hopefully I have some news for you in jan-febr.

Beerbezerker · « **Reply #48 on:** Sun, 01 December 2019, 19:46:34 »

Holding out for real-world results of the damascus material!

bigapplepietart · « **Reply #49 on:** Sat, 25 January 2020, 17:54:06 »

In for an HHKB!

News:

Author Topic: [IC] Stainless steel / galvanized / damascus steel sandwich cases (Read 39279 times)