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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Alchemist Keyboards on Fri, 18 April 2025, 10:57:35
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(https://i.imgur.com/MP4Hl2y.png)
Links:
INTEREST CHECK FORM HERE (https://forms.gle/U55darx39WEKApdQ9)
AKB Website (https://www.alchemistkeyboards.com)
AKB Discord (https://discord.gg/yPkfGGC)
AKB Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alchemist_keyboards/)
About the board:
It's an old story now. The OGR was originally designed as an entry for the OG Summer competition on r/customkeyboards in 2019. When it won the top spot my chosen prize was a fully-funded prototype, and Simon's wallet has quietly resented me ever since.
During the obsessive research phase before landing on the final layout and design I grew a real attachment to keyboard/computer design of the 80s and early 90s. I cherry-picked some features from my favourite boards as inspiration (G80-0832, G81-3077 & G80-0530), and combined them in a way that eventually become the OGR. I self-ran the group buy in 2022, for better or worse, and I'm grateful that the feedback from people who use them regularly since they shipped in 2023 has been wholly positive, so I've planned to run this again for quite some time.
I'm terrible at leaving things as they are, and it wouldn't feel right to just milk one design until it's dry, so I've made some minor adjustments this time round.
Specs and features:
- Inspired by vintage Cherry design
- 10° typing angle
- Full 6063 aluminium construction
- 65% and FRL TKL modules, both compatible within the same case
- Sandwiched + top mounted leaf-spring plate (MX)
- 21.5mm effective front height (with bumpons)
- QMK and VIA USB-C PCBs by Martin (MX) and Cipulot (EC)
- Choice of using "integrated" cable connection or daughterboard
- Period-authentic product sticker
- CF plate by default (MX)
- Is still an absolute unit
- 2.9kg (6.5lbs) unbuilt
Changes from R1:
Added the option to use a fly daughterboard rather than be forced to use the "integrated" cable:
(https://i.imgur.com/OvLdy5Q.png)
Added an extra internal engraving. I'm not above vanity:
(https://i.imgur.com/cVXDmWj.png)
A new prototype is currently on order to reflect these changes.
Other key features:
The aforementioned "integrated" cable plugs directly into the PCB via your chosen USB-C cable, and is held firmly in place by a bespoke split cable grommet that slots into both the top & bottom case parts. As I also mentioned above, if this isn't your thing you can instead connect via more convenient means by way of the fly daughterboard on the other side.
(https://i.imgur.com/hLTk0hi.png)
The plate is designed in such a way that it is technically top-mount due to the direction of the screw fastenings, but the border of the plate is sandwiched between the mid-piece and the bottom case. This helps keep the plate itself firmly held in place and allows the leaf-spring design to shine without any concern for vibration occurring where it shouldn't be.
(https://i.imgur.com/RK6Mjke.png)
Worked with Cipulot to add clearance for EC parts for both the 65% and FRL variants of the keyboard. Parts are designed but as yet untested (more EC details coming later).
(https://i.imgur.com/7GGSv7N.png)
The beauty of this modular design is that you can change layouts at your leisure. When assembled, the mid-piece, plate and PCB are all together as one unit, so if you had multiple you can swap them out of the same case at your leisure. Couple this with the hotswap PCBs that will be available you would only need to switch mid-pieces if you want to shift from WK to WKL, or vice versa.
I sold a handful of FRL conversion kits but this time it will be a fully-fledged option in GB (ty Dyno). For those who missed out last time, they'll be able to purchase an FRL kit on its own when the GB runs (or any other layout for that matter).
(https://i.imgur.com/TPN01vE.png)
Now imagine this render but with all four layouts instead of just three.
Prototype photos:
(https://i.imgur.com/hLO32ko.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8QY6lVg.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UPyv4Fw.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MFmelfS.jpeg)
More photos to come when the new prototype lands
Plate compatibility:
MX - 65%
(https://i.imgur.com/u80v3dr.png)
MX - FRL TKL
(https://i.imgur.com/djrWp2U.png)
Colour and layout options:
In order to keep the MSRP of this board within reasonable parameters (due to the currently international economic ****ery) I've carefully chosen colourways that share as many colours as possible to keep costs down and to keep the factory happy, while also staying true to my own tastes, and also the design language of the board. Dolch has returned, which seems to be a given now that it's slowly becoming something of a signature colourway for me, but I've also used the Dolch layout insert and badge on the other two colourways which will keep those costs down and also will keep things simple for those of you who want to purchase additional layout parts as add-ons too :thumb:
Additionally, given that the IC results seemed to show that people really wanted WK FRL TKL this approach has allowed me to offer all four possible layout inserts so you can choose whichever you prefer at the point of purchase.
It should go without saying now, but these renders are approximations so the colours may vary slightly in production.
Dolch - 65% - WK (6.25u)
(https://i.imgur.com/TPQDRgn.jpeg)
Dolch - 65% - WKL (7u)
(https://i.imgur.com/qU9oaKX.jpeg)
Dolch - FRL TKL - WK
(https://i.imgur.com/NHk8z2W.jpeg)
Dolch - FRL TKL - WKL
(https://i.imgur.com/KcnQbxB.jpeg)
Beige - 65% - WK (6.25u)
(https://i.imgur.com/Nmjcmlt.jpeg)
Beige - 65% - WKL (7u)
(https://i.imgur.com/7qhfLlh.jpeg)
Beige - FRL TKL - WK
(https://i.imgur.com/oWtbzL5.jpeg)
Beige - FRL TKL - WKL
(https://i.imgur.com/2PIeIFd.jpeg)
Fool's Dolch - 65% - WK (6.25u)
(https://i.imgur.com/AyDPUon.jpeg)
Fool's Dolch - 65% - WKL (7u)
(https://i.imgur.com/0jVcpHL.jpeg)
Fool's Dolch - FRL TKL - WK
(https://i.imgur.com/ZtrFQjW.jpeg)
Fool's Dolch - FRL TKL - WKL
(https://i.imgur.com/mWg8km2.jpeg)
GB plans:
- Targeting a sub-$500 MSRP, tariff bs notwithstanding
- Targeting a GB for July 2025
- Colourways now confirmed.
- Vendors, SKUs and other details (ie EC) to follow soon.
INTEREST CHECK FORM HERE (https://forms.gle/U55darx39WEKApdQ9)
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classy
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Hey girl heyyyyy :p GLWIC, def in for one!
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Pog
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Very cool, would be interesting to see it in a completely new color :thumb:
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I like the rendered color!
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It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?
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It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?
Fair question, I should probably poll this
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happy to see this board getting a second round!
as a proud R1 owner, I’ll gladly pick up a FRL upgrade.
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Added an interest check form this time, it's like a real IC now!
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great board from a great guy, what's not to like? :thumb:
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Will the EC parts be backwards compatible with R1 or R2 only?
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Will the EC parts be backwards compatible with R1 or R2 only?
R2 only. I did try to make R1 compatible with EC but that was ready before the more readily-available aftermarket parts were available.
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It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?
Fair question, I should probably poll this
FRL WK please. Love the keyboard, but need the wk for hyper/meta shortcuts (emacs says hi). :)
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Rush rush
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This is the board that got away. Hoping to join for this round!
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This is the board that got away. Hoping to join for this round!
Same here, I was so disappointed my finances couldn't squeeze one in during the first sale. Hoping I'll be able to snag one this time around too!
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I have one from the first run and it's great. I hope it goes well
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It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?
+1 for WK FRL TKL
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Absolutely love my OGR, it's a board I will never sell if I can help it. More people should experience this bad boy.
GLWIC!
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This is looking niiiiiice. +1 for a WK FRLTKL please.
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Will the EC parts be backwards compatible with R1 or R2 only?
R2 only. I did try to make R1 compatible with EC but that was ready before the more readily-available aftermarket parts were available.
Understandable!
Maybe I need a second OGR...
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Hello I would like one WKL 65 XT pls and thank you.
FREAKING IM IN.
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Yes!!
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UGH, love the 6head and penrail on this board, and FRL TKL MY BELOVED! GLWIC
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Yes, yes, yes... a million times yes. Love this board. Not even read the IC yet, but ..... yes LOL
Any chance of Prototypist as a UK vendor?
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Yes please! I always wanted the OGR but with a DB option so this absolutely perfect. Id be in for a kit and an FRL kit!
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oh it's back, very cool!
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Update time:
- The IC poll showed that roughly 25% of you wanted the option for WK FRL TKL so that will now be an option when you buy your board (which now totals 4 possible layouts for 1 board).
- Colourways are now decided! See detailed explanation above in the post for how I landed on these.
Dolch:
(https://i.imgur.com/KcnQbxB.jpeg)
Beige:
(https://i.imgur.com/2PIeIFd.jpeg)
Fool's Dolch:
(https://i.imgur.com/mWg8km2.jpeg)
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will there be protos shown in anyway before GB?
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Do we get the option to apply the sticker ourselves in case we want to Cerakote the board a different colour?
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will there be protos shown in anyway before GB?
Yep! There's one on the way now. There are also photos above of a prototype from last time which is visually the same.
Do we get the option to apply the sticker ourselves in case we want to Cerakote the board a different colour?
Yeah they'll be included separately in the box. The Petrichor mistake will not happen again let me assure you :thumb:
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oooh, yup I’m going to need a Fool's Dolch - 65% - WK or WKL thank you very much
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I will definitely consider buying one
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Yeah they'll be included separately in the box. The Petrichor mistake will not happen again let me assure you :thumb:
Woohooo.... definitely in for this.