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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: chicagoboss25 on Mon, 01 March 2021, 20:19:18

Title: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: chicagoboss25 on Mon, 01 March 2021, 20:19:18
Aluminum Case for Contra (meme-laden 40% ortholinear keyboard)

High/low of keyboard world: cheap keyboard with expensive(ish) case

[attach=1]

Hey folks, this is a design I worked on a while ago - my first prototype had some fitment issues making it unusable for day to day but I've recently been playing with my Contra and wishing again it had a nice case instead of the exposed FR4 layers look :)

Contra is pretty much old news and Cartel is defunct, although maybe Hiney or ai03 is down to do another run to go with this case if folks are interested? The case design can probably be adapted to support other 40% ortholinear (not Planck though as it is 19mm spacing and Contra is 19.05mm).

Details
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: keebnewb on Mon, 01 March 2021, 23:00:07
Ooooo! I have a Contra PCB and I'd definitely be interested in an alu case if it's sub $100
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: hineybush on Tue, 02 March 2021, 14:21:40
yes
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: parablol on Tue, 02 March 2021, 22:22:11
Ok great but what if it had an angle? ;)
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: chicagoboss25 on Tue, 02 March 2021, 22:36:56
Quote from: parablol on Tue, 02 March 2021, 22:22:11
Ok great but what if it had an angle? ;)

Definitely an idea! Would make cost slightly higher most likely. It's hard to tell from back but the whole design of this case is to minimize machining time and keep costs low (after all, it's a case for a $30 keyboard). Current design has minimal tool changes and other rotations.

If there is serious interest, I could run a quick form but coming off my last GB experience, I prefer to keep options extremely limited and simple. Probably only 1 configuration (non-angled), only 1 finishing type (anodizing), and 2 colors (silver and black). Contact your local powder coat / Cerakote shop for crazy colors as the slightly looser tolerances (as to allow angling in the board that has the micro USB sticking out wayyy below the PCB) will make it easy to do aftermarket coatings yourself.
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: Remsy on Fri, 05 March 2021, 06:18:17
yes please
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: harlekein on Fri, 05 March 2021, 06:23:18
edit double post
Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: harlekein on Fri, 05 March 2021, 06:24:18
Well, I'm interested. Especially with that price. If there's an EU vendor that would be nice.

Wish list:

- PCB
- Foam
- Cerakoted/ewhite options

Title: Re: [IC] Contra Aluminum Case
Post by: Remsy on Fri, 05 March 2021, 06:32:54
Quote from: harlekein on Fri, 05 March 2021, 06:24:18
Well, I'm interested. Especially with that price. If there's an EU vendor that would be nice.

Wish list:

- PCB
- Foam
- Cerakoted/ewhite options


agree, especially with the white option