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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 16:52:18

Title: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 16:52:18
9/18 Update:

This project is still in progress, but there won't be any updates until I can sort out proper requirements with this local shop. There's some weird back and forth going on with them so I'm not going to commit until I can figure out if they're even reasonable.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: pasph on Wed, 11 September 2013, 17:23:47
Have you made the CAD drawings of those?
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 17:49:12
Have you made the CAD drawings of those?

I'm bringing the physical case to their shop. This is a small town place so I really need to get an idea of cost before I do anything else.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 11 September 2013, 17:53:12
Have you made the CAD drawings of those?

I'm bringing the physical case to their shop. This is a small town place so I really need to get an idea of cost before I do anything else.
Which physical case? You can't just make an alu copy of the filco case, and you can't easily do a similar one either.. doing a standoff design like the stock case will be a PITA.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 18:06:01
Have you made the CAD drawings of those?

I'm bringing the physical case to their shop. This is a small town place so I really need to get an idea of cost before I do anything else.
Which physical case? You can't just make an alu copy of the filco case, and you can't easily do a similar one either.. doing a standoff design like the stock case will be a PITA.

I'm not just having them copy the stock case. I'm going in to find out if they have the ability/tools to manufacture something similar in size and shape, I don't think they've done something like this before. After I meet up with them I'll sketch out the design I have in mind with them and go from there. Like I said the shop could go either way in terms of cost so I'm not making any commitments until after the meeting. The only real requirements I'm thinking of for the design is to make the bottom a bit deeper than stock. Not sure which way to go yet. I'll post an update tomorrow after the meeting. :)
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 September 2013, 18:08:39
Where are you at btw? I'm interested in this.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 18:11:43
Where are you at btw? I'm interested in this.

California.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Tarzan on Wed, 11 September 2013, 18:13:27
Interested.

May be worth actually buying a Filco, if this goes through.

Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Elrick on Wed, 11 September 2013, 19:35:26
Would love to see this take off.

Definitely would be interested in a HEAVY-ASS case design that looks cool on the table.

I hope you'll provide pics of this including the actual design of the keyboard itself.  Hoping your US Manufacture picks this up and makes some real fine cases for the Filco lovers out there.

Remember it only needs to hold the pcb and switches of a Filco.  Don't make a case that will take the whole keyboard, like what some other Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturers have done in the past.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 11 September 2013, 19:37:17
Would love to see this take off finally.

Definitely would be interested in a HEAVY-ASS case design that looks cool on the table.

I hope you'll provide pics of this including the actual design of the keyboard itself.  Hoping your US Manufacture picks this up and makes some real fine cases for the Filco lovers out there.
If you want something truly heavy you'll either have to make it massive (5cm at the front or something ridiculous) or add brass/steel weights.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Elrick on Wed, 11 September 2013, 19:40:34
If you want something truly heavy you'll either have to make it massive (5cm at the front or something ridiculous) or add brass/steel weights.

Now you're talking  8) .  Nice to have something coming in at 5kgs minimum weight.  It has to be strong enough not to twist or strain under that weight but look menacingly vicious, sitting there on the table top.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 11 September 2013, 19:41:56
If you want something truly heavy you'll either have to make it massive (5cm at the front or something ridiculous) or add brass/steel weights.

Now you're talking  8) .  Nice to have something coming in at 5kgs minimum weight.  It has to be strong enough not to twist or strain under the weight but look menacingly vicious sitting there on the table top.
5kg.. You'd need to go absolute crazy with the size of the brass/steel weight man.. I think it's a bit too high.

See the TEK-80 in my sig, 2.7cm at the front with a fairly large brass weight. Still doesn't reach 3.4kg.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Elrick on Wed, 11 September 2013, 19:46:23
5kg.. You'd need to go absolute crazy with the size of the brass/steel weight man.. I think it's a bit too high.

Not really considering it will absorb all the most furious typing without buckling or moving around the table top.  Most full-size keyboards are built like cheap toys now, and have almost no weight to them.  Plus they creak and twist when used.

Just want something that supports the internal pcb of a Filco but will not move or deform when used.  Wouldn't move even when you stand on the keyboard and type with your toes  :thumb: .
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 20:14:29
I'm really wanting to make the case a decent weight but not to the point of being ridiculous.

Edit: I'll look into possibly incorporating designed weights. No promises on that one but it seems like a good option.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: pasph on Wed, 11 September 2013, 20:49:22
5kg.. You'd need to go absolute crazy with the size of the brass/steel weight man.. I think it's a bit too high.

Not really considering it will absorb all the most furious typing without buckling or moving around the table top.  Most full-size keyboards are built like cheap toys now, and have almost no weight to them.  Plus they creak and twist when used.

Just want something that supports the internal pcb of a Filco but will not move or deform when used.  Wouldn't move even when you stand on the keyboard and type with your toes  :thumb: .

It seems you want something like that
http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-g81-with-aritifical-stone-case-t6475.html (http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-g81-with-aritifical-stone-case-t6475.html)
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: kwago on Wed, 11 September 2013, 23:21:01
Remember it only needs to hold the pcb and switches of a Filco.  Don't make a case that will take the whole keyboard, like what some other Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturers have done in the past.

this
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Wed, 11 September 2013, 23:28:46
Remember it only needs to hold the pcb and switches of a Filco.  Don't make a case that will take the whole keyboard, like what some other Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturers have done in the past.

this

So you two are looking to get something that is just a base rather than a full enclosure?
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Elrick on Wed, 11 September 2013, 23:37:12
So you two are looking to get something that is just a base rather than a full enclosure?

Basically what I am saying is that the actual Filco keyboard comes with it's own cheap plastic case.  We (you) need to remove the pcb/switches (it's guts) from that original case and replace it into your NEWLY designed Case.

YES, we need to have a full enclosure but I wouldn't mind a flat case similar in design to one of GON's beauties.  But please don't rip off his exact design, because it wouldn't be fair on him.

Also look into other metals like normal carbon steel or stainless steel that can be successfully milled/lazercut.  Also how you would finish the final case either by powder coating it or anodizing.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Thu, 12 September 2013, 00:05:52
So you two are looking to get something that is just a base rather than a full enclosure?

Basically what I am saying is that the actual Filco keyboard comes with it's own cheap plastic case.  We (you) need to remove the pcb/switches (it's guts) from that original case and replace it into your NEWLY designed Case.

YES, we need to have a full enclosure but I wouldn't mind a flat case similar in design to one of GON's beauties.  But please don't rip off his exact design, because it wouldn't be fair on him.

Also look into other metals like normal carbon steel or stainless steel that can be successfully milled/lazercut.  Also how you would finish the final case either by powder coating it or anodizing.

I'll take a look at the cases GON has made and see what you're talking about exactly. I'm pretty sure I understand but I'm interested and obviously I'm not going to just rip off his work. Secondly,  i'm actually already planning to ask about their in house options for finishes and they do offer stainless steel fabrication. I'll be asking about pricing for the different options tomorrow and I'll do an edit to the OP with the info.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Elrick on Thu, 12 September 2013, 01:20:50
Secondly,  i'm actually already planning to ask about their in house options for finishes and they do offer stainless steel fabrication.

The good thing about GON is that he already told me he will never make a full-size keyboard.  Hence the road is open for you, due to no one offering a full size keyboard casing for Filco's.  You will be the only one offering that here on Geekhack.

The STAINLESS STEEL is God's material.  Forget about Resins, Plastics and Aluminum this is the metal to make a very special keyboard.  It's the only material that never needs paint or any finish because it's PERFECT.  All you need is to rub it from time to time to remove any dust particles/stains.

Although the cost might be high it doesn't need any finishing other than to sand off any rough edges.  If you could design an all Stainless Steel Case, I'll hand you the money straight away.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Thu, 12 September 2013, 03:00:48
Secondly,  i'm actually already planning to ask about their in house options for finishes and they do offer stainless steel fabrication.

The good thing about GON is that he already told me he will never make a full-size keyboard.  Hence the road is open for you, due to no one offering a full size keyboard casing for Filco's.  You will be the only one offering that here on Geekhack.

The STAINLESS STEEL is God's material.  Forget about Resins, Plastics and Aluminum this is the metal to make a very special keyboard.  It's the only material that never needs paint or any finish because it's PERFECT.  All you need is to rub it from time to time to remove any dust particles/stains.

Although the cost might be high it doesn't need any finishing other than to sand off any rough edges.  If you could design an all Stainless Steel Case, I'll hand you the money straight away.

As much as I would love to give you a stainless steel case considering your enthusiasm I'm not really sure that everyone in the GH community shares the sentiment. I'll look into just providing a single design and possibly offer different material options at varying costs.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: kwago on Thu, 12 September 2013, 07:55:36
GON's case design is what I had in mind as well : )
That guy's stuff is too good

(http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=43894.0;attach=23265;image)

(http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=43894.0;attach=23170;image)
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ___q on Thu, 12 September 2013, 10:22:58
Wouldn't a GON-style board be a huge pain to put on a filco? The plate that the switches are held in in one of GON's boards is the top of the case, so you would either (1) make it somehow fit the stock filco plate or (2) desolder all of the switches, at which point you're basically making a custom keyboard, except reusing the filco PCB (and you cant program it etc.)

Also, a fully-SS case would be amazing.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Hellmark on Thu, 12 September 2013, 11:30:17
Stainless steel case would be cool.

Not so hot on the GON lefty style. Although the bottom case/plate that kwago posted looks gorgeous.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Thu, 12 September 2013, 14:18:43
Visited the shop. Edited the OP with info.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Hellmark on Fri, 13 September 2013, 09:11:58
Layers would be cool with me. Also, raw aluminum is cool. I like the machined look, and wouldn't mind polishing up one either.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: grave00 on Thu, 19 September 2013, 22:58:25
Sounds good to me.  I only use full size.  Stainless doesn't kill it for me.  I'm open minded either way although if aluminum is the way to get color...put me down for red.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: cirrus82 on Thu, 26 September 2013, 19:48:45
Interested in full size!
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: Hyde on Sat, 28 September 2013, 16:59:55
Interested !

If you can post some kind of design renders that would be cool.  :)
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 28 September 2013, 18:19:09
vortex has one made. it's in their caps photos.

we just don't know if they'll sell it since the demand isn't as high as tkl.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: ohgodpleaseno on Sat, 28 September 2013, 19:47:21
vortex has one made. it's in their caps photos.

we just don't know if they'll sell it since the demand isn't as high as tkl.

This is actually something I hope goes through so that I don't have to try and haggle with the shop I've been talking with.
Title: Re: [IC] Aluminum Fullsized Filco Cases
Post by: norbauer on Sat, 28 September 2013, 22:00:15
I'm entirely in favor of this.