[GB] F104+SSK+122+62+77+50+Ergo orders now open! Kishsaver+Industrial Model F

[megahertzcoil]

Today I tested the very first sample keys from the brand new molds but they are not accurate enough to my CAD files, so they have all been rejected.  The factory will adjust the molds and send updated samples in the coming weeks.

Oh bummer to hear.  Can we get pictures anyway???

[Ellipse]

sure

[megahertzcoil]

Wow, that's so great to see!  This is such a tease.

I can see why you rejected them. 

[PancakeMSTR]

Wow, that's so great to see!  This is such a tease.

I can see why you rejected them.

You can? What's wrong with them?

Ellipse I thought you were getting the caps from Unicomp. What happened there?

[megahertzcoil]

You can? What's wrong with them?

There appears to be flash on the edges and the features on the stem don't seem all the detailed, kind of rounded.  I can't speak to other measurements, but given those, I can see why Ellipse was concerned about matching the CAD.

[Ellipse]

Whenever I receive samples I compare the CAD file measurements against the samples using my micrometer/digital caliper.  I only approve samples that match the CAD files, allowing for a small amount of agreed upon tolerance such as +/- 0.2mm for critical dimensions.

Yes I'm not sure why they didn't remove the flash but it won't pass muster on the production units.  The features are fully detailed, probably hard to see in my photo and with white PBT, just some measurements are not within tolerance.

[ApocalypseMaow]

thank you so much for your attention to detail Ellipse.

[tron]

Is the future repair kit recommended? Thinking I should have added it to my order if parts will be hard to source.

[Ellipse]

We have passed $195,000 in orders!

Yes I am trying to get as many of those first aid kits in production as possible so they will be around after production ends this year.

Everyone feel free to place a separate order and choose free/other shipping and I will combine orders.

[Ellipse]

As requested, I have started allowing down payments - $100 or more reserves your spot in line from this point onwards, instead of the end of the line a couple months from now. There's no extra cost as you just need to cover the balance when you are ready. Anyone who wants to do the down payment can order 100 units of the store item "other customizations in $1 increments" from www.modelfkeyboards.com/shop

[PancakeMSTR]

As requested, I have started allowing down payments - $100 or more reserves your spot in line from this point onwards, instead of the end of the line a couple months from now. There's no extra cost as you just need to cover the balance when you are ready. Anyone who wants to do the down payment can order 100 units of the store item "other customizations in $1 increments" from www.modelfkeyboards.com/shop

Wait, how does this work for those of us who have already made an order?

[atlas3686]

As requested, I have started allowing down payments - $100 or more reserves your spot in line from this point onwards, instead of the end of the line a couple months from now. There's no extra cost as you just need to cover the balance when you are ready. Anyone who wants to do the down payment can order 100 units of the store item "other customizations in $1 increments" from www.modelfkeyboards.com/shop

Wait, how does this work for those of us who have already made an order?

You are already in the queue since you have already ordered and paid

[Mr_BeastQuake]

Two questions from someone who hasn't been keeping up with this:

1. I'm primarily interested in an F77 and am just curious other people's thoughts on the ultra compact vs. the more traditional model.

2. If I'm putting in $100 for a "down-payment" do I need to specify the color, whether I'd like an F77 or F62, etc. in the comments when I do so?

Gracias

[Kavik]

Two questions from someone who hasn't been keeping up with this:

1. I'm primarily interested in an F77 and am just curious other people's thoughts on the ultra compact vs. the more traditional model.

2. If I'm putting in $100 for a "down-payment" do I need to specify the color, whether I'd like an F77 or F62, etc. in the comments when I do so?

Gracias

I couldn't make up my mind, so I ordered the original with a spare compact case so that I can swap between the two. If I had to choose just one, I'd get the original case for the following reasons:
-It's more like the original real deal, which has a cool factor to it.
-It's heavier (this thing is already going to be heavy, so why not add more weight?  ).
-I believe it's made of zinc instead of aluminum, so it's powder coated instead of anodized. I think the powder coated finish will likely look a bit nicer. This also means more colors are available (not sure if that's still the case though).
-Overall, I think the original case has more character and stands out from keyboards on the market.

That said, I still ordered a compact case also. I'm sure either one will be pretty nice.

Just my 2 cents.

[Ellipse]

I agree with Kavik.  Regarding the down payment, yes it would help if you added your choices in the notes when ordering.

[axtran]

Ellipse I thought you were getting the caps from Unicomp. What happened there?

I'm glad I'm not seeing Unicomp keycaps. They probably have the worst molds--they even use deformed keys on fulfilling their production orders. It's disheartening to get keycaps with base stems that aren't even molded completely, and I've had them on all of my Unicomp-ordered boards.

[PancakeMSTR]

Ellipse I thought you were getting the caps from Unicomp. What happened there?

I'm glad I'm not seeing Unicomp keycaps. They probably have the worst molds--they even use deformed keys on fulfilling their production orders. It's disheartening to get keycaps with base stems that aren't even molded completely, and I've had them on all of my Unicomp-ordered boards.

Fair enough. Just thought I'd heard that Ellipse was getting unicomp caps.

[Ellipse]

Yes the Unicomp caps were the original plan as I was expecting about 50-100 orders, too low for molds to be feasible. 

Now that we are up to 422 keyboards ordered (over $195,000!) I was able to order the construction of brand new key molds which are currently being re-tooled to meet the key specifications from the CAD files.

[Ellipse]

We passed $200,000 in orders today - a major milestone!

We are still waiting on the first run prototype parts to be made and then hopefully approved. I was hoping to get these earlier but the factory has been slow to get things going after the Chinese New Year holiday. Production of all parts can start after these first-run parts are approved.

[Kavik]

Thank you for these continual updates, Ellipse. It stinks that the factory has been slow and you've had to return parts because they aren't in spec, but I really appreciate being in the loop with all the detail, no matter how small.

[Ellipse]

The factory is expecting to ship the first run prototype parts by month end.

It seems like the factory may have not used the latest CAD files by mistake for the previous prototyping round, on at least some of the parts like the top inner assembly and inner foam.  To be safe I re-sent them all the latest STP files and they confirmed they will be working from those. 

[Pete]

Hi, I'm a bit late to this. Are orders placed now still part of the early bird round due for mid-year completion and delivery?

[Ellipse]

Yes they are, though you will probably get it by the end of year - there are over 400 keyboards in front of you on line right now

[Pete]

...there are over 400 keyboards in front of you on line right now

Woah, that's a lot of keyboards! I feel almost guilty to be adding to your workload by placing an order... but I will. Thanks, 

[Ellipse]

Ha, no worries, I want to give the factory as many orders as possible before production wraps up later this year!

[kmba]

Considering you're using new molds and making caps specific to this build, any thoughts about making black caps with legends instead of just blanks?  I've always lusted after a black model m/f with black caps, and jumped at the opportunity, but I will always prefer legends to blanks.

[Ellipse]

Nope I won't be doing black caps with legends.

[cjhard]

Is it too late to change from blanks to w/ legends, and would it affect my placement in queue?

Receipt tells me I opted for "Keys: Regular color blank keys (no lettering/legends) - Layout/Flipper Placement: ISO Ente", but I ordered thinking I'd get Unicomp keys and just wanted some caps to keep springs in place during shipment, and planned to swap in my Model M caps.

[sundin]

Yes they are, though you will probably get it by the end of year - there are over 400 keyboards in front of you on line right now

I paid mine the 28/01/16
Ellipse=Gon?
Seriously, a refund is possible?

[cjhard]

Yes they are, though you will probably get it by the end of year - there are over 400 keyboards in front of you on line right now

I paid mine the 28/01/16
Ellipse=Gon?

Nah, he's right there.

[Ellipse]

sure cjhard, just pay the difference using the store item "$1 increments" and choose free shipping.  Your place would not change.

sundin I noted that there have been significant production delays.  Many of the parts finished production (barrels, flippers, original cases, capacitive PCBs, ribbon cables, controllers, etc.) but the factory is working on the keys, stryofoam, boxes, ultra compact cases, and inner assembly parts after the samples were not to spec.  Please be patient!  I will not accept subpar parts from the factory to ship anything early.

[iamtootallforthis]

Yes they are, though you will probably get it by the end of year - there are over 400 keyboards in front of you on line right now

I paid mine the 28/01/16
Ellipse=Gon?
Seriously, a refund is possible?

Ellipse has been in constant contact with us and has been providing concrete updates on the status of the buy.

[sundin]

Ellipse has been in constant contact with us and has been providing concrete updates on the status of the buy.

I know I know, i'm just kid, but two years, i find that a little bit too long...

[iamtootallforthis]

Ellipse has been in constant contact with us and has been providing concrete updates on the status of the buy.

I know I know, i'm just kid, but two years, i find that a little bit too long...

Considering he is building a keyboard from scratch and having to test everything himself, I don't think two years is too long.

[cjhard]

sure cjhard, just pay the difference using the store item "$1 increments" and choose free shipping.  Your place would not change.

Dumb inquiry: The form mentions which international layout I need (because I like ISO Enter). Is US ISO acceptable, or is there a bulk pricing that I'd be screwing up for not choosing an actual international layout?

[Ellipse]

Yes I can have the factory make a one off US ISO layout - please add 10 units of the $1 increments for this option and for the key and make a note of this.

[cjhard]

Follow up: Would it be easier for everyone involved if instead of special one-offs, I opted into an already established or popular ISO/international layout? I don't want to go too far against the grain...

I am a touch typist, so the actual legends don't mean anything to me. I just like the aesthetic of the legends.

[hashbaz]

So not to stir up discontent, but the original estimate for this group buy was that people would have their keyboards by spring 2016. Ellipse, what is the current estimate for when you will mail out the first finished keyboard to a group buy participant?

[Ellipse]

We are looking at mid- to late 2017.  Sorry again for the factory delays.  As noted before they needed to re-make some of the samples that were not to spec.  I would not want to proceed with these out of spec parts in order to meet any original estimated deadlines.

They expect to finish all remaining sample re-makes by the end of March.  Then hopefully if everything is approved they can finish up production in the coming few months.  Then they need to do the assembly and ship to me.  Then I will be testing each keyboard one by one and shipping them. 

[Ellipse]

The factory has completed the inner foam and spring first runs.  Now we are just waiting on the top inner assembly, bottom inner assembly, and key first runs!  Then they will mail everything to me by month end for inspection.   Then once it is all approved, production will be able to start!  Thanks again to everyone for hanging in there as the factory produces the best possible parts for the project.

The spring gauges also arrived at the factory to make sure all springs are all within the inner diameter tolerance specified.

[ApocalypseMaow]

praise the sun!!!

[Elrick]

We are looking at mid- to late 2017.  Then I will be testing each keyboard one by one and shipping them.

Still salivating for this, one and only keyboard design  .

Even if it rolls round to 2018, still willing to wait for this no matter the consequences.......

[dante]

So not to stir up discontent, but the original estimate for this group buy was that people would have their keyboards by spring 2016. Ellipse, what is the current estimate for when you will mail out the first finished keyboard to a group buy participant?

If you are looking for a legitimate concern and have time to kill head on over to this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=74678.0

[busgamer7394]

I could also make resin cast mods, for this board. If there is an intrest I could ship you some samples.

[busgamer7394]

If I made some resin cast model F caps, how many would I have to send you to get a board for myself?

Samples of my work
https://goo.gl/photos/1fbVnjAYczqmRJRW7

[PancakeMSTR]

So not to stir up discontent, but the original estimate for this group buy was that people would have their keyboards by spring 2016. Ellipse, what is the current estimate for when you will mail out the first finished keyboard to a group buy participant?

If you are looking for a legitimate concern and have time to kill head on over to this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=74678.0

Could you explain that? I don't understand.

[busgamer7394]

So not to stir up discontent, but the original estimate for this group buy was that people would have their keyboards by spring 2016. Ellipse, what is the current estimate for when you will mail out the first finished keyboard to a group buy participant?

If you are looking for a legitimate concern and have time to kill head on over to this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=74678.0

Could you explain that? I don't understand.

People in that group buy didn't get their orders and never received a refund. The same guy is now running a new group buy and just kinda ignores questions not related to the new one.

[ApocalypseMaow]

Yo this isn't the place for all that. Sucks it's happening but make a thread for that.

[PancakeMSTR]

So not to stir up discontent, but the original estimate for this group buy was that people would have their keyboards by spring 2016. Ellipse, what is the current estimate for when you will mail out the first finished keyboard to a group buy participant?

If you are looking for a legitimate concern and have time to kill head on over to this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=74678.0

Could you explain that? I don't understand.

People in that group buy didn't get their orders and never received a refund. The same guy is now running a new group buy and just kinda ignores questions not related to the new one.

Ya what feng is doing is absolutely not right but your linking his thread put at least me under the impression that group buy was associated with Ellipse, which doesn't seem to be the case, so I really think it's completely irrelevant. Stick to what's going on with this project and what Ellipse is doing. I really don't care about anything else.

[Elrick]

Stick to what's going on with this project and what Ellipse is doing. I really don't care about anything else.

Makes perfect sense.  I know other Group Buys will go pear-shaped but that is not our concern here for this Model-F keyboard.

Thus far Ellipse has ALWAYS provided on going reporting, unlike some other people here on Geekhack that say nothing when running a Group Buy.  Part of joining any GB some times you get LUCKY and actually receive something, other times you get your wallet gang-raped by certain scum-bags and receive only contempt and lies.

Just be glad thus far, we all haven't been gaped by anyone here in this F62+F77 section  .