Author Topic: [Interest Check] Alucase for Phantom and Filco (Read 52148 times)

Kisakuku · « **Reply #50 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:31:13 »

Clearly, most prospective buyers want a thick sturdy case, so any size changes shouldn't be in the direction of making the case smaller.

mkawa · « **Reply #51 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:36:18 »

Quote from: Swede;543089

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.

understood. maybe we can do a second run of super minimalist cases for ourselves as an indulgence

(for curiosity's sake, did you try cutting material out of each surface without decreasing wall thickness? eg, a webbing type of pattern on top and sides. also obviously i'm fine with exposed screw/fasteners, etc.)

Swede · « **Reply #52 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:58:37 »

Quote from: mkawa;543104

understood. maybe we can do a second run of super minimalist cases for ourselves as an indulgence

(for curiosity's sake, did you try cutting material out of each surface without decreasing wall thickness? eg, a webbing type of pattern on top and sides. also obviously i'm fine with exposed screw/fasteners, etc.)

Hmmm, do you mean a patter that sort of locks the pieces together? Don't really understand how you mean.

mkawa · « **Reply #53 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 03:39:21 »

first, for weight savings, solid walls can have sections cut or scalloped out. the top panel, for example, could have a pattern machined into it.

second, to decrease overall dimensions, remove sections from the side. for example, instead of having solid edging all the way around, have the top panel only extend to the edge in the few places that it needs to be fastened (via screws) to the bottom panel, or barring that, cut some kind of honeycomb into the edging.

unfortunately, it doesn't sound like many other folks would be into this, but i'd be!

Swede · « **Reply #54 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 04:09:58 »

Quote from: mkawa;543139

first, for weight savings, solid walls can have sections cut or scalloped out. the top panel, for example, could have a pattern machined into it.

second, to decrease overall dimensions, remove sections from the side. for example, instead of having solid edging all the way around, have the top panel only extend to the edge in the few places that it needs to be fastened (via screws) to the bottom panel, or barring that, cut some kind of honeycomb into the edging.

unfortunately, it doesn't sound like many other folks would be into this, but i'd be!

Ah, ok. Well that's for another case then

litster · « **Reply #55 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 04:13:25 »

Guys, I have seen swede's most recent 3D drawings and have been giving him feedback based on my experience building my Phantom/Filco acrylic cases. He knows what he is doing and his design is very good.

I am not sure what the purpose would be to remove more material than necessary. The more you remove, the longer it is going to take to mill it, and it is going to cost more to make. More over, if you have seen pictures of some of those 356 cases, you'd see Korean folks mill out more aluminum material so they can install a big ass copper bar into the make it heavier. The heavier the better. You get an aluminum case not because it is a great case for a traveling keyboard. You want it because it is cool and it is sturdy like a rock.

WhiteFireDragon · « **Reply #56 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 04:31:01 »

Interested in both layouts! Do note that Vortex is also making a Filco aluminum case, so whichever metal case comes out first will get my money. I don't think I'm patient enough to wait for both to come out to decide :/

Swede · « **Reply #57 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 04:57:13 »

Update on the Feet!
Decided to ditch the last design and settled for making 3 feet with different heights.
You will have the option of 5, 10 or 15mm. All will be included!
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 43725[/ATTACH]
The 15mm looks a bit wonky, so that may change a bit.

Also the last changes for the design is soon to be complete thanks to litster

Swede · « **Reply #58 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 04:58:32 »

Quote from: WhiteFireDragon;543160

Interested in both layouts! Do note that Vortex is also making a Filco aluminum case, so whichever metal case comes out first will get my money. I don't think I'm patient enough to wait for both to come out to decide :/

The plan is to have this case out in about 3-4 weeks. So I bet this is out faster

Razer1987 · « **Reply #59 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 05:03:09 »

i am in too for a tkl filco ANSI one

demik · « **Reply #60 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 07:11:09 »

It would be pretty awesome if we could have a plate or something similar to OTD with "geekhack" engraved in it

But either way, excited for this to become a reality!!

mkawa · « **Reply #61 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 11:34:39 »

Quote from: litster;543151

Guys, I have seen swede's most recent 3D drawings and have been giving him feedback based on my experience building my Phantom/Filco acrylic cases. He knows what he is doing and his design is very good.

I am not sure what the purpose would be to remove more material than necessary. The more you remove, the longer it is going to take to mill it, and it is going to cost more to make. More over, if you have seen pictures of some of those 356 cases, you'd see Korean folks mill out more aluminum material so they can install a big ass copper bar into the make it heavier. The heavier the better. You get an aluminum case not because it is a great case for a traveling keyboard. You want it because it is cool and it is sturdy like a rock.

yah, it's really because i'm obsessed with things that are tiny and light. i'm totally fine with his current design and will be in for 2-3.

Swede · « **Reply #62 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 13:22:11 »

Quote from: mkawa;543335

yah, it's really because i'm obsessed with things that are tiny and light. i'm totally fine with his current design and will be in for 2-3.

Current weight is 1.4kg after some design changes, so it is quite "heavy".

But for many people weight and stiffness are related to quality, I myself dislike things that are far lighter than they seem. The Maltron are one of them.
It is a great keyboard but is absurdly light for it's size and quite flimsy feeling. For me that made it not worth it's price.

mkawa · « **Reply #63 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 20:05:59 »

that is quite heavy.

demik · « **Reply #64 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 20:10:50 »

the heavier the better. 90% of us aren't moving our keyboards from desk to desk

mkawa · « **Reply #65 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 20:13:19 »

i'm guessing i can find the inflection point at which you don't think that heavier is better

Creizai · « **Reply #66 on:** Mon, 12 March 2012, 21:50:24 »

I'd be down for one

gimpster · « **Reply #67 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 01:03:04 »

Quote from: mkawa;543948

i'm guessing i can find the inflection point at which you don't think that heavier is better

That point would be when the shipping charges exceed the cost of the case.

Swede · « **Reply #68 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 01:13:44 »

Quote from: mkawa;543937

that is quite heavy.

If you really want me to I can hollow out the bottom piece more. For a fee ofc

mkawa · « **Reply #69 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 01:40:27 »

omggg i might ask you to do one like that

calavera · « **Reply #70 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 03:34:55 »

I'm interested in one for sure. I'd like to see a sample or prototype of some sort though.

TheProfosist · « **Reply #71 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 04:08:11 »

Looks. God and would be a great uprade for my 7bit phantom.

Amr0d · « **Reply #72 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 08:46:56 »

How many colors will be available and is it compatible to ISO DE Filcos?

Swede · « **Reply #73 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 09:13:18 »

Quote from: Amr0d;544414

How many colors will be available and is it compatible to ISO DE Filcos?

Will be one colour avaliable.
You can order a different colour for $120 if you want to, natural anodizing costs $60. Yes I know it's expensive, but if you want to I can send you a non treated case.

And yes it will fit as ISO is no different than ANSI when it comes to size and PCB.

seferphier · « **Reply #74 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 09:45:27 »

damn. i would love to have one but the price is above my price range..

Swede · « **Reply #75 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 09:51:01 »

Quote from: seferphier;544446

damn. i would love to have one but the price is above my price range..

Price is not set. I am nearing $150 per case if everyone who have shown interests orders. More orders will get them even cheaper

i3oilermaker · « **Reply #76 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 09:54:53 »

I think once there is a prototype to show, there will be a lot more interest - especially for all those Filco TKL owners!

chel- · « **Reply #77 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 09:57:22 »

This is probably a noob question, but would this fit a cm storm quickfire?

Swede · « **Reply #78 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 10:02:27 »

Quote from: i3oilermaker;544455

I think once there is a prototype to show, there will be a lot more interest - especially for all those Filco TKL owners!

I would imagine that

I hope to have the prototypes done by friday.

Quote from: chel-;544459

This is probably a noob question, but would this fit a cm storm quickfire?

No idea. Have not seen any pictures fo the PCB and controller.
However it's possible for me to mount the Phantom and Filco in the same case due to the Phantom being made for the Filco case.

So if the Quickfire is different in any way from the Filco it may be hard to make that fit.

demik · « **Reply #79 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 10:17:04 »

Quote from: chel-;544459

This is probably a noob question, but would this fit a cm storm quickfire?

Doubt it due to where the USB is locate.

Swede · « **Reply #80 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 10:32:16 »

Found a big block of Bronze at school when I went home.
It's 305x80x23mm so it's nice and heavy

I think I'll make a Raffle for a single case that will have a bronze weight

fruktstund · « **Reply #81 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 10:37:28 »

I'd definitely be in for this if I could get my hands over a Phantom PCB and mount-plate. Hell am I angry with myself for only buying switches thinking the rest was too expensive (it's not). :c

Maybe I'll just buy it anyway. Worst case scenario I'll just put my Filco in it, which is not bad at all.

Zehkul · « **Reply #82 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:13:09 »

Quote from: Swede;544450

Price is not set. I am nearing $150 per case if everyone who have shown interests orders. More orders will get them even cheaper

Damn that’s sexy. For 120€ I’m quite tempted as well, lol.

CanadaRox · « **Reply #83 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:41:47 »

Definitely down for one!

seferphier · « **Reply #84 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 13:20:15 »

Quote from: Swede;544450

Price is not set. I am nearing $150 per case if everyone who have shown interests orders. More orders will get them even cheaper

150 is a bit of a stretch but i guess pics of the prototype might seduce me...

demik · « **Reply #85 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 13:41:00 »

Bit of a stretch of what?

Swede · « **Reply #86 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 14:00:41 »

Quote from: demik;544666

Bit of a stretch of what?

His money?

I wonder how many realise what they are paying for?
For those who don't know Dox has to pay $570 for 1 piece of his split ergonomic when he is making 50 of them. And his design is smaller and takes shorter time to make.
That means about $1500 for 1, ONE, case!

The reason I can keep it so cheap is due to me not paying manufacturing. True price for one of these would be about $500, and that is still cheap.

And then you wonder, how the hell can the chinese cases be so cheap? Well China is one of a kind.

dirge · « **Reply #87 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 14:15:54 »

Erm expensive? This has to be the best bargain I've had for ages!

Custom alu case for phantom or filco tkl for less than a tank of fuel?

demik · « **Reply #88 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 14:20:14 »

Oh I thought he meant getting at that price. I figured with all the interested it shouldn't be hard

Ovoxo · « **Reply #89 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 14:50:28 »

Definitely interested. Can't wait to see the prototype pics.

boost · « **Reply #90 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 15:12:55 »

I'll be Down for 2

Sent from a phone...

Swede · « **Reply #91 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 15:20:21 »

Quote from: harrison;544757

when it comes down to it, the potential price for what's being offered here... the value, it's incredible. anyone balking at that needs to get slapped around.

the problem that -i- face is that i embarked on a project without a defined budget, a huge desire and vision, and limited funding. there are many guys here who clearly do not have the restriction of the 3rd item... but that's simply not a reality for me. there's also some of us that are unwilling to spend money we don't have for 'nice to have' items.

however, i WILL find the funds.

one question though, and this might be addressed in a prototype. in the acrylic cases, the thickness of the top plate allows the bottom of the keys to be exposed (since it's only 1/4" thick). will the wall height above the plate be greater, so that the bottom edge of the keycap is not exposed? the OTD cases all have a slightly higher lip/wall, and i think it results in a nice aesthetic, and mirrors the design of the filco case much more closely in that regard.

on the other hand, i appreciate the size and proportions of the rendering, and wouldn't want to see it be any smaller. these are not minimalist boards, that's what pokers/pure/hhkb/choc mini are for.

The walls are 6.8mm thick

Keys are not exposed.

Also that thickness means that it will reach the Mountingplate, I hope that this will stiffen the feel a bit.

mkawa · « **Reply #92 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 19:02:22 »

hmm, it looks like i'll be building a few phantoms at least. i may open a late phantom build service using these cases depending on what availability of additional pcbs and plates looks like.

Autolyze · « **Reply #93 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 19:20:06 »

I probably shouldn't, but... put me down for one! I think I'm going to need to get more Filcos...

lootbag · « **Reply #94 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 20:29:45 »

I am in for (1) 7BIT case!

Nalif · « **Reply #95 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 20:32:33 »

Would it be possible to break the case up into three pieces, a top, middle, and bottom plate? Doing something like that would allow for some awesome color combinations, similar to litster's acrylic cases. Even if you're doing a single color run, having the middle plate anodized "nude" would look spiffy in contrast to a different colored top and bottom plate.

gimpster · « **Reply #96 on:** Wed, 14 March 2012, 01:03:47 »

Quote from: Swede;544782

The walls are 6.8mm thick

Damn that's beefy.

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 44045[/ATTACH]

gimpster · « **Reply #97 on:** Wed, 14 March 2012, 01:04:49 »

Quote from: Nalif;545134

Would it be possible to break the case up into three pieces, a top, middle, and bottom plate? Doing something like that would allow for some awesome color combinations, similar to litster's acrylic cases. Even if you're doing a single color run, having the middle plate anodized "nude" would look spiffy in contrast to a different colored top and bottom plate.

That could be quite attractive. Another bonus is that doing so would hide any slight differences in the final color of the anodizing between the top/bottom case.

demik · « **Reply #98 on:** Wed, 14 March 2012, 01:06:04 »

Quote from: Nalif;545134

Would it be possible to break the case up into three pieces, a top, middle, and bottom plate? Doing something like that would allow for some awesome color combinations, similar to litster's acrylic cases. Even if you're doing a single color run, having the middle plate anodized "nude" would look spiffy in contrast to a different colored top and bottom plate.

possibly.

but im guessing it would cost more money. and some people are already iffy about the (IMO) very cheap 150 it'll probably cost.

Swede · « **Reply #99 on:** Wed, 14 March 2012, 01:27:27 »

Quote from: Nalif;545134

Would it be possible to break the case up into three pieces, a top, middle, and bottom plate? Doing something like that would allow for some awesome color combinations, similar to litster's acrylic cases. Even if you're doing a single color run, having the middle plate anodized "nude" would look spiffy in contrast to a different colored top and bottom plate.

I will not do this. It's way to late to change the design, and even if it was possible I would not do it.

And concerning the differences in colour between the halves; This will most likely not happen.
Everything will get lowered into the same tub at the same time.

News:

Author Topic: [Interest Check] Alucase for Phantom and Filco (Read 52148 times)