[IC] Planck PCBs & Atomic Keyboard hand-wiring kits are now for sale!

[Skuloth]

Do you have any ETA on the PCB for Planck? And does someone have a tip to mod it to Bluetooth?

I'm working on that right now. I should be able to try out something with the Bluefruit module. I'll post results.

I'd be interested in hearing what you find as well. I was considering adding Bluetooth to  my JD40 when I get it.

[jackhumbert]

Do you have any ETA on the PCB for Planck? And does someone have a tip to mod it to Bluetooth?

Copying from DT for GH:

The PCB is still in planning, and is being coordinated with the design of better (CNC'd) bottoms. The main hurdle here is the assembling (pick-n-placing) of the PCB, and ensuring that the schematic is going to work, etc. This is also the area I have the least amount of experience in (so far), so I'm taking my time with the designing portion, and not rushing into things.

Do you have any ETA on the PCB for Planck? And does someone have a tip to mod it to Bluetooth?

I'm working on that right now. I should be able to try out something with the Bluefruit module. I'll post results.

I don't have any wireless experience, but an entirely metal case would prevent Bluetooth communication, wouldn't it? I believe some of the modules I've seen have SMT antenna as well, which eliminates the possibility of mounting one externally (right?).

But there is hope! I am planning on having an acrylic case, and you could always leave the sides open.

[nathanrosspowell]

I think bluetooth will work, but the metal will definitely reduce the range/strength. I guess it depends if you want to just have no wires on your desk or if you want to be able to take it to the couch. Another thread asking about it: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63718.0

Also.... my grid top plate and formed bottom plate came in! Hopefully get the build done this Sunday if family doesn't take up too much of my time. Thankyou, Jack 

[Data]

Darn, I was hoping the PCB would work with the simpler, formed metal bottom plates.  I like them! 

CNC = expensive

[jackhumbert]

Darn, I was hoping the PCB would work with the simpler, formed metal bottom plates.  I like them! 

CNC = expensive

It'll work with both/all! The holes are in the same place and everything. I'm trying my best to make sure everything stays compatible with each other.

The CNC quote I got isn't that expensive ($30 for a Planck bottom - not sure about the Atomic yet), but maybe I'm not charging enough!

[Data]

Darn, I was hoping the PCB would work with the simpler, formed metal bottom plates.  I like them! 

CNC = expensive

It'll work with both/all! The holes are in the same place and everything. I'm trying my best to make sure everything stays compatible with each other.

The CNC quote I got isn't that expensive ($30 for a Planck bottom - not sure about the Atomic yet), but maybe I'm not charging enough!

That's awesome!

And yeah, $30 sounds like an absolute steal.

[nathanrosspowell]

Just wanted to put up a quick snap of my grid kit with the formed bottom 

[RED-404]

I have-not soldered in years. This is how far I have gotten.

After getting to this point I realize I don't actually own a pair of wire strippers.  I don't know how I have managed that. 

[digi]

I have-not soldered in years. This is how far I have gotten.

Show Image

Show Image

After getting to this point I realize I don't actually own a pair of wire strippers.  I don't know how I have managed that. 

nice work dude =)

[Data]

PCB!  PCB!   

[jackhumbert]

PCB!  PCB!   

Getting quotes and ready to order some prototypes!

[Data]

PCB!  PCB!   

Getting quotes and ready to order some prototypes!

Huzzah! 

[jackhumbert]

Renders featuring the Planck Milled Bottoms! This is the slim, PCB case that's 2.5mm shorter than the PCB/hand-wire counterpart.

The images are also featuring some WW (off-white) SA row 3 keycaps that I have on order for Plancks. I'll have 2-3-4-3 profiled and row 3 keysets available on the store for ~$40 in 6 weeks or so. Hoping to have keysets for the Atomics in the coming months, too.

Formed Planck bottoms and some of the top plates should be done by the end of this week, and I'll be shipping them out shortly after that. The milled bottoms will be done sometime the following week, along with more top plates.

Black anodised aluminium case:


Frosted acrylic lit with a simulated red LED:


Party-ready:

[Data]

OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS - OOONTSS

I can't believe you shaved 2.5mm off the case.  It was already so small!  HOW U DO DIS???

[jackhumbert]

I can't believe you shaved 2.5mm off the case.  It was already so small!  HOW U DO DIS???

I cheated! Cutout for the USB port for the PCB. This won't work with any of the hand-wired boards, though.



You can also see the hole for the RST switch here.

[Data]

[Skuloth]

Now find me a way to fit a battery and the hardware necessary for a bluetooth module.

[Tiramisuu]

so interesting...  Does anyone have comments on productivity/typing on this little beast?

[jackhumbert]

Now find me a way to fit a battery and the hardware necessary for a bluetooth module.

If we find a standard way to hook-up bluetooth to it, I can probably carve out a section of the case to fit the module and the battery.

I'm kind of throwing around another slim case design that would have room for bluetooth. If anyone has dimensions for the components they wanna use, email them to me!

[Skuloth]

Now find me a way to fit a battery and the hardware necessary for a bluetooth module.

If we find a standard way to hook-up bluetooth to it, I can probably carve out a section of the case to fit the module and the battery.

I'm kind of throwing around another slim case design that would have room for bluetooth. If anyone has dimensions for the components they wanna use, email them to me!

I'm not entirely certain what all is necessary.
Obviously bluetooth and battery, but then a power switcher so it draws from usb instead of battery when plugged in and something else iirc. I still need to do some research.

[Data]

Keep in mind that the metal case will reduce your Bluetooth range significantly.

[Data]

Jack, one thing I'm noticing with the Atomic plates is that the cutouts are a tiny bit "loose" with Cherry stabs.  Have you heard of anyone else having an issue?

I have mine assembled and even put key caps on it.  Just waiting on that PCB! 

[jackhumbert]

Jack, one thing I'm noticing with the Atomic plates is that the cutouts are a tiny bit "loose" with Cherry stabs.  Have you heard of anyone else having an issue?

I have mine assembled and even put key caps on it.  Just waiting on that PCB! 

Nice! I've noticed they sometimes don't "click" into place - I think this has to do with the cut-out for costar stabilisers. Does anyone know what's up with the Cherry stabiliser cut-out design? From my measurements and observations, the plate-mounted stabiliser could fit in a 14mm gap that's aligned with the cut-out for the keyswitch. This means a basic 2u x 1u wide cut-out would work fine. The costar stabiliser seems to be designed in a similar fashion.

[FireInc]

Just got my plate and case for an Atomic the other day.


And I've noticed the stabilizer issue, too. And I think I figured out why they're not working for Cherry stabilizers.


Backside of a standard plate with a cherry stabilizer:



Fuzzy backside of the Atomic plate with a cherry stabilizer:



Standard plate stabilizer cut-out:



Only image I have of my plate's cutout without being filled:





Anyway, the Cherry stabilizers have a little clip at the top that clip into the plate. The problem with the Atomic's cutouts is that there's a little notch taken out at the top, which is exactly where that clip would be holding onto.
Which since I've realized this, I might end up having to do some light modification and see if I can't just solder something in to fill in/provide support for the clip.

[jacobolus]

Anyway, the Cherry stabilizers have a little clip at the top that clip into the plate. The problem with the Atomic's cutouts is that there's a little notch taken out at the top, which is exactly where that clip would be holding onto.

I believe these cutout shapes are designed to support both plate-mounted Costar stabilizers and PCB-mounted Cherry stabilizers. As far as I know it’s not possible to simultaneously support both Costar stabs and plate-mounted Cherry stabs.

[Data]

Anyway, the Cherry stabilizers have a little clip at the top that clip into the plate. The problem with the Atomic's cutouts is that there's a little notch taken out at the top, which is exactly where that clip would be holding onto.

I believe these cutout shapes are designed to support both plate-mounted Costar stabilizers and PCB-mounted Cherry stabilizers. As far as I know it’s not possible to simultaneously support both Costar stabs and plate-mounted Cherry stabs.

Well that would explain it.

[Wilba]

SOON...

[Sygaldry]

SOON...

Jaw dropped. Can't wait!

[Eiji]

Hyped for the PCB, but are there any pics of the milled bottoms IRL?

[Heliosphere]

I'm intrigued. I want to try out an Atomic with the 2U spacebar once the PCB and milled acrylic bottoms are available.

[Wilba]

This is my current planned layout for Atomic, which *may* be supported by the PCB...

[Ius]

PCB! Any chance of getting his hansdome mug printed on it?

More

[jackhumbert]

Here are some pics of the milled bottoms received on Friday:

http://imgur.com/a/CebPw

There are a few cosmetic issues with this batch (all of which are sold) that I'm hoping to work out in the next one.

[Data]

Here are some pics of the milled bottoms received on Friday:

http://imgur.com/a/CebPw

There are a few cosmetic issues with this batch (all of which are sold) that I'm hoping to work out in the next one.

Minor blemishes aside, those look great.

[sypl]

Man, how are you able to get the plates and cases made so cheap? 

I've so many questions!

- Is the case milled or are the sides just bent upwards?
- The screws on the bottom side of the bottom plate/case, they protrude out a bit I presume?
- Putting the screws in between the keys - do the keycaps touch the screws at all when they bottom out?

[nathanrosspowell]

Man, how are you able to get the plates and cases made so cheap? 

I've so many questions!

- Is the case milled or are the sides just bent upwards?
- The screws on the bottom side of the bottom plate/case, they protrude out a bit I presume?
- Putting the screws in between the keys - do the keycaps touch the screws at all when they bottom out?

There are three types of bottom case/plate:
1) the flat plate
2) the formed case, which is metal with the sides bent upwards leaving small gaps on the corners
3) the milled case, which I agree, is very well priced.

When a MX switch is pushed into the plate, the lip on bottom half of the switch casing shows a few mm above the plate. The screws in the top part of the plate do not go over that lip, so they is good clearance when your keycaps are depressed. I can't see it ever being an issue 

[mashby]

The 40% is too small for me, but I'm very much interested in the Atomic. Think I might wait for the PCB to be released instead of hand wiring, but this is a very interesting project! 

[Data]

Any updates you can share, Jack?

[jackhumbert]

Sure! The profiled SA keycaps will be here Monday, and I'll announce them as soon as I have pictures. They're on the site right now if anyone wants to jump on them before you see what they look like (they're all blank).

I'm switching to a different finish (#4 - brushed) for stainless steel parts on the next order - I'm excited to see how those will look.

We're arranging the prototype order for the PCB now - the Chinese New Year delayed getting that finalised.

I'm hoping to get the acrylic case quote figured out soon - it may end up being some besides acrylic.

There's been some interest in the Super Planck/Planck+ (name pending), so I'm gonna start getting a quote for that to begin sales.

I think that's all for now - I've been fulfilling a lot of orders and trying to catch back up from delays. I'm hoping to stick closer to the 3 week fulfillment gap in the future - there were some recently that got set back to 4/5 weeks.

[vivalarevolución]

Sure! The profiled SA keycaps will be here Monday, and I'll announce them as soon as I have pictures. They're on the site right now if anyone wants to jump on them before you see what they look like (they're all blank).

I'm switching to a different finish (#4 - brushed) for stainless steel parts on the next order - I'm excited to see how those will look.

We're arranging the prototype order for the PCB now - the Chinese New Year delayed getting that finalised.

I'm hoping to get the acrylic case quote figured out soon - it may end up being some besides acrylic.

There's been some interest in the Super Planck/Planck+ (name pending), so I'm gonna start getting a quote for that to begin sales.

I think that's all for now - I've been fulfilling a lot of orders and trying to catch back up from delays. I'm hoping to stick closer to the 3 week fulfillment gap in the future - there were some recently that got set back to 4/5 weeks.

Any teasers on this Super Planck/Planck+?

[jackhumbert]

Any teasers on this Super Planck/Planck+?

/u/loadaslife and I talked about it a bit, and he went ahead and prototyped it here: http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2x4h3g/custom_60_ortholinear_planck_build_log/

Imgur link: http://imgur.com/a/NJn4S

I'm thinking about only having one layout, and one case option (milled aluminum), but I haven't finalised anything yet. No PCB planned for this guy - might be hand-wire only for a while.

[Data]

Sure! The profiled SA keycaps will be here Monday, and I'll announce them as soon as I have pictures. They're on the site right now if anyone wants to jump on them before you see what they look like (they're all blank).

I'm switching to a different finish (#4 - brushed) for stainless steel parts on the next order - I'm excited to see how those will look.

We're arranging the prototype order for the PCB now - the Chinese New Year delayed getting that finalised.

I'm hoping to get the acrylic case quote figured out soon - it may end up being some besides acrylic.

There's been some interest in the Super Planck/Planck+ (name pending), so I'm gonna start getting a quote for that to begin sales.

I think that's all for now - I've been fulfilling a lot of orders and trying to catch back up from delays. I'm hoping to stick closer to the 3 week fulfillment gap in the future - there were some recently that got set back to 4/5 weeks.

Awesome!  Yay PCB!

[vivalarevolución]

Any teasers on this Super Planck/Planck+?

/u/loadaslife and I talked about it a bit, and he went ahead and prototyped it here: http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2x4h3g/custom_60_ortholinear_planck_build_log/

Imgur link: http://imgur.com/a/NJn4S

I'm thinking about only having one layout, and one case option (milled aluminum), but I haven't finalised anything yet. No PCB planned for this guy - might be hand-wire only for a while.

Okay thanks.  At that size, I would just get an Atomic.

[batfink]

Just came across the Planck and Atomic... the former is a little *too* small for me, but the Atomic is as close to a perfect keyboard design as I have even seen in a single board. The only problem with it is the giant spacebar - it would be such a waste to have a great keyboard like this but not have the thumbs able to do different things. Split spacebar version is the way forward!
If the atomic makes it to being purchasable as a complete product I would love to have one of those bad boys!

[suicidal_orange]

I was interested in an atomic plate and formed case until I saw that shipping to the UK costs nearly as much as the order.  On further experimentation it's no cheaper for just the Planck plate so I have to ask - is the website estimator accurate?

[Wilba]

Just came across the Planck and Atomic... the former is a little *too* small for me, but the Atomic is as close to a perfect keyboard design as I have even seen in a single board. The only problem with it is the giant spacebar - it would be such a waste to have a great keyboard like this but not have the thumbs able to do different things. Split spacebar version is the way forward!
If the atomic makes it to being purchasable as a complete product I would love to have one of those bad boys!

Didn't you see the "short space" layout for Atomic? That doesn't have a giant spacebar. Also, see my previous post in this thread - the PCB may support three 2U keys on the bottom row. Unfortunately, the Chinese Spring Festival got in the way of ordering Planck PCB prototypes, so Atomic PCB development has also been delayed, but it's coming!

[jackhumbert]

I was interested in an atomic plate and formed case until I saw that shipping to the UK costs nearly as much as the order.  On further experimentation it's no cheaper for just the Planck plate so I have to ask - is the website estimator accurate?

If you shoot me an email, I can drop the shipping a bit - it's so high to accommodate parts that make the envelope too thick. With the parts you listed, it'll likely be around $15.

Just came across the Planck and Atomic... the former is a little *too* small for me, but the Atomic is as close to a perfect keyboard design as I have even seen in a single board. The only problem with it is the giant spacebar - it would be such a waste to have a great keyboard like this but not have the thumbs able to do different things. Split spacebar version is the way forward!
If the atomic makes it to being purchasable as a complete product I would love to have one of those bad boys!

Cool! It's purchasable now as a kit, and with an assembly option. Like Wilba said, the PCB is coming!

[suicidal_orange]

I was interested in an atomic plate and formed case until I saw that shipping to the UK costs nearly as much as the order.  On further experimentation it's no cheaper for just the Planck plate so I have to ask - is the website estimator accurate?

If you shoot me an email, I can drop the shipping a bit - it's so high to accommodate parts that make the envelope too thick. With the parts you listed, it'll likely be around $15.

Thanks - the site said $28 which is quite a difference, especially as I'll get import taxed on it.  I'll need some stabs too but they aren't very thick... will send an e-mail tonight

[platypus]

any update on PCB progress?

[Data]

any update on PCB progress?

Look up 2 posts.