Author Topic: [Interest Check] Alucase for Phantom and Filco (Read 52187 times)

Swede · « **on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 02:47:05 »

Hello there!

When I bought the Phantom I knew that I wanted to do my own case for it. And since I have access to a CNC Mill and Lathe I decided to make it in Aluminum.

And seeing that it is hard to get a aluminium case outside the Korean forums made me think (with a bit of persuation) that someone else might want one.

The case is tenkeyless and I will also make a 7bit version of the case!

As of yet the case is not fully complete in the design phase. Are a few things left to do. Have yet decided on feet, the plan is to have multiple heights of the feet.
A prototype for the case is planned to be made sometime next week unless there is a delay in material shipping.

I know that Renderings means almost nothing. But you have to see the looks atleast

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 43379[/ATTACH]
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 43380[/ATTACH]

Estimated Price is €170. Depending on how many orders i get price will go down and from the response I've gotten at Deskthority it seems that the price will be quite a bit lower

Shipping is about 20-25 Euro depending on where you live.

Edit:
Right now if everyone who as shown interest orders one, price will be close to $150. If I get more orders maybe price will drop below that!

Edit2: Price will stay at $180. School wants a fee due to the amount of cases. I'm sorry for this!
I was expecting that this would happen eventually... But not this soon. Still $180 is cheap for a case like this. But I fully understand those who cannot afford this.

I will make about $5 per case, so I am not raising the price to make money, far from it. I was making $30 before my school wanted a cut.

mkawa · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 03:18:13 »

might be interested. would like something a bit more minimalist though

Wraul · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 04:30:53 »

This is exactly what I'm looking for.

Will they be anodized? Or at least in a aluminum compound that is suitable for anodizing.
I'm definitely interested in one tenkeyless an one 7bit version. Maybe 2 tenkeyless if the price gets lower.

Swede · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 04:58:39 »

They will be anodized yes. And probably in a colour similar to the one in the renders.

I will also make a Winkeyless version and a version without LED holes.

I am trying to reach down to $150 but that will be very hard to reach. Will most likely be between $220 and $150

zzspectrez · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 06:37:41 »

This would be great, I would be interested.

Swede · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 07:48:46 »

Made a Render with a winkeyless and LEDless topcover. Looks good

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 43393[/ATTACH]

demik · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 08:32:19 »

Im interest!

Nighted · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 08:34:49 »

It's going to be tough the beat the original case as is. It's got clean lines and is built solid. Is there much motivation to upgrade other than just to say it's aluminum?

I'm possibly interested, but it would have to be almost identical to the Filco design, a real eye catcher.

Nice avatar btw.

jrockroll · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 08:36:30 »

interested

demik · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 09:55:07 »

Quote from: Nighted;541002

It's going to be tough the beat the original case as is. It's got clean lines and is built solid. Is there much motivation to upgrade other than just to say it's aluminum?

I'm possibly interested, but it would have to be almost identical to the Filco design, a real eye catcher.

Nice avatar btw.

No need to beat the filco case, it's just good to have options. And this will help making the phantom 100% custom instead of 90% since you have to reuse the filco case.

dirge · « **Reply #10 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 09:57:53 »

Every phantom deserves a litster or Swede case. Yes you could use a filco case, but where's the fun in that?

Swede · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 11:14:04 »

Quote from: Nighted;541002

It's going to be tough the beat the original case as is. It's got clean lines and is built solid. Is there much motivation to upgrade other than just to say it's aluminum?

I'm possibly interested, but it would have to be almost identical to the Filco design, a real eye catcher.

Nice avatar btw.

Was made to the Phantom in the beginning. And since the Phantom is made to fit the Filco I decided to make it so that it could fit a Filco.

And if a lot of Filco users buy this it can bring down the price!

mkawa · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 11:16:16 »

is there any way to make it basically the same width and height as the pcb? (ie as little surrounding frame as humanly possible?

Nighted · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 11:52:47 »

Swede, have you made others before? If so are there photos?

Swede · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 12:06:20 »

Quote from: Nighted;541167

Swede, have you made others before? If so are there photos?

I have not. This was an idea I got a long time ago. But got the chance to finalise it when I bought the Phantom

Quote from: mkawa;541140

is there any way to make it basically the same width and height as the pcb? (ie as little surrounding frame as humanly possible?

Nope. To make it fit the Phantom that uses a mountingplate bigger than the PCB this is not possible.
Will also be hard to mount the top and bottom pieces together with a case that small. Screws are not possible.

Size for this is 358x141 so it is quite small for a metal case!

kaen · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 15:04:14 »

interested!

keyboardlover · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 15:14:07 »

Interested.

Sojik · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 16:24:54 »

I'm interested in the 7bit case.

ReAzem · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 16:25:47 »

I'm interested, will depend on the final price tho.

jinzo.pk3 · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 16:59:36 »

Interested in getting a couple of these

Laggy-gaga · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 17:46:49 »

looks awesome,
defintely in for same

dorkvader · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 19:45:56 »

Yep.

I'm definitely in for one, maybe two. Looks excellent. Since there will likely be enough interest, The price will be right.

How much more for a burning wallet on the back? (I'm kidding).

Also, if you individually number them, and post it on the korean forums, there'll probably be even more interest

telepete · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 20:51:34 »

I want one. Hopefully a big load of orders come in (this translates to $255 where I come from).

Sent from my TF101 using Tapatalk

reaper · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 21:31:34 »

Quote from: ReAzem;541481

I'm interested, will depend on the final price tho.

Same here.

slueth · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 21:34:32 »

Quote from: reaper;541899

Same here.

same

nolliepoper · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 21:55:32 »

Maybe interested, depending on price.

f4d3 · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 22:33:58 »

I may be interested if it doesn't cost more than a Filco MJ2 TKL.

biolaser · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 23:22:26 »

Count me in on this! 7bit layout

cloud_171 · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 10 March 2012, 23:25:03 »

Interested in 7bit

Swede · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 04:03:36 »

The interest is quite big I must say!
Was infact expecting a maximum of 10 cases. Now it's nearing 40

The price now is about $180 per case and for a more accurate number I need to get a quote from the watercutter.
Hopefully it will not be that hard to reach $150, atleast if the orders keep coming in like they are now

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 43523[/ATTACH]
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 43524[/ATTACH]

These are the first version of feet that I am thinking of doing. These will most likely change a bit until final design.
Essentially there will be two levels, first one at 5 or 10mm (not decided yet) and the second one will have two different heights, 5 and 10mm.
You will get 3 feet in order to get 3 different levels of height.

alaricljs · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 09:36:30 »

Mmmm, 1 or 2 depending on price.

Nalif · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 15:08:45 »

I'm interested in the Filco version. Any details on how the case will secure together? Also, what are the chances of offering multiple colors for the anodizing?

Swede · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 16:41:01 »

Quote from: Nalif;542479

I'm interested in the Filco version. Any details on how the case will secure together? Also, what are the chances of offering multiple colors for the anodizing?

The case will be screwed together. Feet will also be screwed into place.
Multiple colours will not be offered I am afraid. But I am willing to change the current colour if there is enough support for a single colour.

Nalif · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 16:46:07 »

If multiple colors aren't possible, is it possible to offer both anodized and un-anodized? That way people could potentially find someone locally that does anodizing to get whatever color they wanted.

Swede · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 16:48:21 »

Quote from: Nalif;542604

If multiple colors aren't possible, is it possible to offer both anodized and un-anodized? That way people could potentially find someone locally that does anodizing to get whatever color they wanted.

No problem at all. But price will be the same :/

MrPhil · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 17:14:48 »

Interested in 1 for Filco. Would you ship to New Zealand?

Swede · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 18:17:59 »

Quote from: MrPhil;542645

Interested in 1 for Filco. Would you ship to New Zealand?

Yes, I can ship to New Zealand. Shipping is about 50 NZD.

Elrick · « **Reply #37 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 18:34:09 »

Quote from: Swede;542597

The case will be screwed together. Feet will also be screwed into place.
Multiple colours will not be offered I am afraid. But I am willing to change the current colour if there is enough support for a single colour.

PLEASE out me down for one as well. I have a spare Filco just screaming for your keyboard case........ is that what it's called?

Regardless, I'm in.

Just give us the Paypal address for payment and we'll be in it.

Elrick · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 18:35:13 »

Quote from: Swede;542686

Yes, I can ship to New Zealand. Shipping is about 50 NZD.

Brilliant, then shipping to Australia won't cost that much more, will it?

Swede · « **Reply #39 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 18:43:59 »

Quote from: Elrick;542692

PLEASE out me down for one as well. I have a spare Filco just screaming for your keyboard case........ is that what it's called?

Regardless, I'm in.

Just give us the Paypal address for payment and we'll be in it.

Got no name for it. Honestly I don't know what to call it either

And shipping to Australia should be the same, as the price to NZ is the same as to the US.

MrPhil · « **Reply #40 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 19:40:12 »

Quote from: Swede;542686

Yes, I can ship to New Zealand. Shipping is about 50 NZD.

Thanks for letting me know. This will cost quite a bit but it looks awesome!

cix · « **Reply #41 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 21:30:08 »

Interested, mosdef if the price is right.

litster · « **Reply #42 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 21:34:51 »

mosdef? waUtalkin'bout?

i3oilermaker · « **Reply #43 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 22:16:48 »

Keeping an eye on this thread - could be interested if the price gets in the ballpark of $100

dorkvader · « **Reply #44 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 23:07:49 »

Quote from: litster;542828

mosdef? waUtalkin'bout?

I read it as "most-definitely", but I've had a few drinks, so I don't know how much you should trust my perception.

litster · « **Reply #45 on:** Sun, 11 March 2012, 23:12:46 »

I thought he meant Moses Defiant.

mkawa · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 01:55:51 »

otoh i insist that this case can be made smaller and still secured.

otoh it's your design. i'm interested to see what the final design is and may very well be in for a couple.

demik · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:01:00 »

The size is fine. Don't see a point of making it a few mm smaller.

feng · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:16:56 »

I'm so interested! I've been looking for these kinds of metal case for such a long time since I saw them on OTD.

Swede · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:21:02 »

Quote from: mkawa;543061

otoh i insist that this case can be made smaller and still secured.

otoh it's your design. i'm interested to see what the final design is and may very well be in for a couple.

I can decrease length with about 4mm but then the walls will be very thin and will be hard to machine without warping. Tolerances will be really bad if I decrease length.
I can decrease width with 2mm but then I can't use countersunk screws. More than that and screws will peek out and you will see them from the front of the case.

I have to keep it this size for ease of manufacturing and looks. Any smaller and I will have problems.

I know this since the size I started with was 355x137. It has grown over time and I was reluctant to do these changes. I was even thinking of using angled screws and alternate (damn expensive and hard to make) ways of securing the halves together.

News:

Author Topic: [Interest Check] Alucase for Phantom and Filco (Read 52187 times)