Hey it's me again 8)
So since the posting of the original thread in 'keyboards' subforum, I got a lot of questions regarding open a group buy for the keyboard, and now the IC is here :p
For those who still haven't caught up with my last thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72699.msg1773916#msg1773916) yet
So some of you guys will feel familiar with these photos I posted days ago
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(http://i.imgur.com/iLgqh4s.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/rfbU09S.jpg)
And yes, some of you ask about the board but it's not until today that I can show the rest of the project to you, don't know what to call it just yet so I'll leave the code name Weaven there.
So the idea behinds this small guy is I want a keyboard that is convenient enough to be my daily driver, but not at home. Yeah, I want to bring my keyboard to college everyday. Y U NO BRING YOUR VIPER (or LZ CE, Duck Eagle, Hammer case or whatever) ??? ?? It's too heavy. Admit it. I know you feel it too.
Then first what we have to deal with is the weight. And what do we say when it comes to heavy problem? CARBON.
Yes we'll have carbon then.
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(http://i.imgur.com/sL5PW9O.jpg)
(Also the board I'm using is BeastMask's SPRiT edition of FaceU, thanks, Sprit)
While we're at it, we were thinking getting the back plate made also from carbon fiber, then what? I'll tell you that way we just came up to a regular simple 2 layer case which has open side, mounted screws everywhere, and a feeling of an unfinished product left every time you look at it.
Why don't we do some thing that add the final missing piece to that?
And that was when these guys come in:
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(http://i.imgur.com/dRiD1TA.jpg)
Matcha KitKat anyone? :p
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(http://i.imgur.com/MLmTm8d.jpg)
You can now get an idea of how these connected to each other
Break time: LEDs installing
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(http://i.imgur.com/bxb4FLV.jpg)
Now let's get them together.
So the idea is now you have 3 layers case and a stunning case to compliment the design. What make them interesting then is to make them friendly and easier, the aim is to make assembling process as simple as possible. You just have to slide it in 8)
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(http://i.imgur.com/oCILVd9.jpg)
I can tell you that the assembling is where it cost me most, I already finished the whole bag of KitKat :-[
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(http://i.imgur.com/MqS7QUC.jpg)
Getting it done
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(http://i.imgur.com/eCFH2do.jpg)
Give me some light
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(http://i.imgur.com/wZ9tiR7.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/qAbBPoB.jpg)
Now that's it, what I've been working on lately. It still just a flat board for now. I'm putting it on a carbon fiber tube to have an slight angle. Maybe I'll make it into the board's feet too, but that still there to consider.
So what about the feeling with the CF plate? I can tell you that it's the best plate I've ever typed on. The feeling is much like a mix between aluminium and steel one. It does indeed have the firmness on par with a SS plate, but behave in a way very different that bring it a bit of feel from alu. Those in result make a plate that is so unique and packed in a very light form.
Bare in mind that this is a personal project and still in a developing state. I'm working on a feet and will be updating here when it comes. Also it still have some flaw that I'm still not very satisfied of, but worry not, the 2nd case with fixture are in the made and will be updated in this topic too :thumb:
So what's your thought?
July 21 Update:
Hey I'm back :p
Thank you people for the award KotM, that was really a surprised to me ;D I've been wandering around some last days, since you guys seem to love the keyboard very much, I'm doing a second prototype to fix some design flaws on the original one posted here, this might be the final one to go if a group buy may ever happen in a short time, I may soon open an IC but that'll be later, and now, here is the new CF plate for the proto2 :thumb:
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(http://i.imgur.com/i5nI83G.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/gdGBHP3.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/pehwfnu.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/8xnwAvl.jpg)
As you may notice the cut outs for switch are kind of weird, this is what we come up with after the experience with the first plate, the common square cut or openable cut with squared side is actually not suitable to machine on carbon fiber. This is due to the fiber character of the material, any small corner would easily get broken. This in fact cause little to no affects to the typing experience or assembling but make the plate appear very much like an unfinished, flawed piece of work so, you know what I meant :D
Also, here is a traditional stainless steel plate being laser cut, I made this one to have an idea of how it would be different between using SS plate and CF plate in the Weaven, well, SS as you can easily guess, is much heavier, and not as sturdy as CF though, but you can have a shiny surface to compliment the LEDs in the other hand :))
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(http://i.imgur.com/n8DQLJZ.jpg)
That's it at the moment, I also had a new 4-piece frame made to come with this, I'll get back with it hopefully another couples of days, so stay tune :thumb:
So now what is this IC thread doing here?
First thing first, I need to check the interest (obviously) for the group buy to come. But form to fill is too much for lazy people like me to check the result sheet, so just write it here that you want it.
Basically, the plan for the group buy is like this:
- The more people to join, the cheaper it gets (yay, I miss this kind of GB)
- With the attending of like 20 people, the price is expected to be no greater than $200. REMEMBER this is an rough ESTIMATION, the real price comes with the finalizing state done, but I try my best to keep it at it or the difference to be minimal.
- The basic price comes with mono-tone colored case, the case can be modified up to 4-way colored (for 4 pieces separately), of course there'll be small amount to be spent to get more color. Besides, what you get is 2 carbon fiber (CF) plate, one switch plate and one back case plate. A stand which create 7° slope is also included.
Not to mention, I also run separately a buy for CF UNIVERSAL 60% PLATE
Here's the surprise
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/575/20637584322_faf7941c5b_k.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5794/20620478246_952cd483ed_k.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/626/20637581722_53ddeebe9e_k.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5746/20458726820_f77e5f21c7_k.jpg)
About the CF plates I uses: What I use is 1.5mm CF plate, CNC'd to make the final MX switch plate like the photos you see here. This kind of CF is also a mix of carbon fiber and fiber glass, I called it carbon mix. So why mix? I chose them mainly because of the more unique characteristic of the final plate and that's what give a so much better feeling when typing compared to alu or SS. I don't know much about the CF but I think the mix type give the plate more flexibility in use, which makes a firm-like-SS plate but also have nice feedback. The feels is good, I just don't know how to word it. But if you go like WHY WOULD I WANT A MIX CARBON FIBER PLATE? worry not, I also have CF 3K (which is fully carbon) here, it has a nice matte look and I tell you what, it's rock solid 8) I can make plate from either, so just come up with the one you like and I'll make it to the buy.
Also, worth noticing that the buy for CF universal 60% plate will most likely to go first. Why?
- the Weaven is still have issue to finalize before it goes fully confident.
- I want to run a buy for CF plate to have a test with the manufacturer about how they works under pressure of (not so) mass order. I want to make sure no big issue happened to the manufacturing process when the Weaven are made.
- The buy for CF plate can go online in just 1 week from this IC, of course if the interest is enough.
- The price is around $50-70 or maybe cheaper, depending on how many people joint.
So now you get an idea of what next, feel free to have opinion and show your interest to help this baby to go live :p
I read the OP, but I'm not sure exactly which case design you are offering at this point (sorry!). Is it the top and bottom style plate (the one you mentioned looks not so great), or this one below?
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(http://i.imgur.com/oCILVd9.jpg)
I would be very interested if it's the case style shown above. :thumb:
Sorry for not clarifying this, the case is exactly like the one in the picture, which means has 4 pieces of aluminum bar and 2 CF plate and a stand :thumb:
The plate pictures I posted are just for those who want a normal universal 60% plate to use with standard poker, or other 60% case :D
I'm interested CF 60% plates for my Poker. But I have a questions:
CF 60% plate 'll support Cherry PCB mounted stabilizers?
I got SS 60% plate but it only support costar & Cherry MX Plate mounted stabilizers. So I 'm interested this.
More
P/s: I can't see specific plates anywhere :(
Hey, as many of you guys asked for photos of the fully carbon plate, I'm having a new plated cut with that type of carbon fiber right now, but here's another project I'm working with it and you guys can have a clue how it's looked.
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/20/0a05c207724e2e9c94ab3d6c2c6a78f0.jpg)
Looks nice indeed!