(https://i.imgur.com/1PYvjME.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/wwMNmWj.jpeg)
Hi everyone! My name is keekeen. I’m a fellow “Topre” / rubber dome enjoyer. For me, the journey began with the HHKB, which I consider my first "end game" keyboard. Today, I am thrilled to introduce a passion project that’s been in the works:
RF—8X by keyhub.design
This is a custom 80% electro-capacitive keyboard housing that merges the classic design of Topre's Realforce R1 with the aesthetic legacy of the XRF by the now-defunct Noxary. The motivation of the project is deeply personal: it started as a way to support friends who were unfortunately victims of the Noxary scam, combined with my own long-standing admiration for that minimalist elegant design.
Specification:
Typing angle: 7.45°
Front height: 17mm
Mounting style: Top mount
WK or WKL
Unified daughterboard with USB C port and custom JST cables
Compatible with Realforce R1 86/87/89u internals
Compatible with Realforce R2 internals if swapped with an additional custom plate (more details below)
Compatible with Cipulot’s RF_R1_8-9Xu PCB
Contents:
1 x Top & bottom housing
1 x USB-C Unified daughterboard PCB
3 x Custom JST cable
4 x M3 Hex screws
12 x M2 Hex screws
4 x Bumpons
Protective carrying case
Pricing:
Housing kit: $350 (50 MOQ for aluminium & polycarbonate respectively)
Plate: $40
Vendor:
SG: ktechs (lead) (https://ktechs.store/)
UK: prototypist (https://prototypist.net/)
AUS: toro studios (https://www.torokeeb.store/)
Others: to be updated
Feedback form (https://forms.gle/gHPNmD37HGnakWqg6)
Estimate GB Time: Jan 2026
Estimate Delivery Time: Q2 2026
Finishing Options:
Silver anodized aluminum
Frosted polycarbonate
Black anodized aluminum
Orange anodized aluminum (aka the colour of Max Verstappen or Mclaren?)
Renders:
(https://i.imgur.com/DHDzYVi.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/vPBpwdn.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/sKhpO30.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/orqx3Xe.jpeg)
Plate Options:
Stainless steel R1 86u
Stainless steel R1 87u
Stainless steel modified R2 US-ANSI
(https://i.imgur.com/mZburdX.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/azLDnIT.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/JXZfdki.jpeg)
Prototype Photos:
V1: Overall I am happy with the quality outcome from the manufacturer. Everything from the housing to the aftermarket R1 plate were made correctly to specifications. The fitments to OEM R1 internal and DB connection are spot on.
(https://i.imgur.com/mKb6YhT.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/vazW2ld.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/uuSP9ux.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/g7OvBMQ.jpeg)
V2: For the next stage, more prototypes are ordered to verify the custom plate for R2 PCB and the outcome of the colour anodization and WK layout. The second batch of prototype is expected to complete manufacturing by the end of Nov'25 and ship to me.
;) Thank you for your time, connect & chat with us at: :p
Instagram: @keyhub.design (https://www.instagram.com/keyhub.design/)
Discord: ktechs (https://discord.gg/ktechs)
Lastly, please fill out feedback form if haven't already (https://forms.gle/gHPNmD37HGnakWqg6)
Hey all, I’d like to share details on the current project status and our next steps.
The second batch of prototypes was overall satisfactory, but not without some hiccups. Mainly involving manufacturing defects and minor design improvements. We have aligned on the remedies with the manufacturer now that they have returned from their Chinese New Year break. So what has changed since the initial IC:
- Persistent anodization defects on the darker shades, specifically affecting our Graphite colorway. The manufacturer informed us that because of the board's size, achieving a perfect finish is difficult. As quality is our priority, we are dropping Graphite and replacing it with a Robin Egg Blue colorway.
- The clear PC was significantly more blue than our first prototype and other boards on the market. We have decided to standardize a set of dyed PC colorways (piss yellow, volcano orange, robin egg blue) that are complementary to their anodized aluminum counterparts.
- The Polycarbonate bottom option will be dropped for the GB due to added manufacturing complexity.
- Helical threaded inserts were missed in the second PC prototype. Fortunately, these were tested successfully in the first batch. The manufacturer has acknowledged the mistake, and we will provide QC documentation in Chinese to prevent this oversight in the future.
- Design improvement: a larger cutout at the DB will be implemented for easier JST cable access.
Next, discussions with potential vendors, a build steam planning, and more irl photos are ongoing. Stay tuned!!
Meanwhile, here are some renderings on the updated colorways :)
(https://i.imgur.com/u92zTnt.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/a9xb08M.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/joJ6gsG.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/hBeS7vL.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EKlGaJ0.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/xYCx2p3.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9jMM4r8.jpeg)