geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: CommonCurt on Fri, 25 September 2015, 21:17:56
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These look pretty nice from the pictures. I really like the shape.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/royal-glam-60-wood-keyboard-case?mode=guest_open (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/royal-glam-60-wood-keyboard-case?mode=guest_open)
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I know that this is probably going to come off as self serving since I make cases and wrist rests out of wood (including Cherry, Black Walnut and Padauk), but I recall several people complaining about the finish or lack thereof that they put on the wrist rests. Maybe they do better for the cases. The pictures do make it seem like they are properly finished.
I am not particularly impressed with Oak as an option - I find that is feels less-than-good even properly finished, and it is less expensive wood than the price would make you believe. But the Cherry, Black Walnut and Padauk are nice options. Those are good woods to work with, and usually have some very nice grain.
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I know that this is probably going to come off as self serving since I make cases and wrist rests out of wood (including Cherry, Black Walnut and Padauk), but I recall several people complaining about the finish or lack thereof that they put on the wrist rests. Maybe they do better for the cases. The pictures do make it seem like they are properly finished.
I am not particularly impressed with Oak as an option - I find that is feels less-than-good even properly finished, and it is less expensive wood than the price would make you believe. But the Cherry, Black Walnut and Padauk are nice options. Those are good woods to work with, and usually have some very nice grain.
I'm still on the fence about ordering one. I really like the shape, and the fact that they're not low-profile. The complaints about the finish on their wrist rests is the only thing making me hesitant. If I do I will probably put some kind of finish on it.
I agree that the Oak is the least attractive looking out of the bunch.
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These look nice, but seems expensive.
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These look nice, but seems expensive.
Indeed, even at their lowest price, these seem a bit high to me. These are also CNC'd which means the amount of labor is minimal, obviously the cost of the CNC is something, but the amount of time isn't all that much. I'm sure they are spraying on a coat of poly via some mechanical means and then calling it a day. The thing about wood is that what makes it look good is the finish, so if it is half assed then it doesn't matter what wood is used, or how pricey it is, it will not look it's best.
FWIW, I think this is better priced than the Oak Datamancer case they had on previously. That was $120 and sold out almost instantly. I know that there was a oak cover included for the cost, but Oak is just terrible (in my opinion), and I don't think finishes they choose made it any better. I wouldn't have payed anywhere close to $120 for that.
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Well, they're mass produced, that means CNC. But I wouldn't buy a mass produced wooden case in any case(!)...
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Royal glam's quality control is poor in my opinion and smelly.
I participated in their 1st wooden wrist rest drop and the wrist rest I received had excessive machining marks and some where I suspect their machining bit heated up and started snaring the material as it cut.
In addition, mine reeked of formaldehyde because of whatever they treated the wood with.
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Is there any concern of wood warping or shifting in a way that could damage the other components of the keyboard?
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Royal glam's quality control is poor in my opinion and smelly.
I participated in their 1st wooden wrist rest drop and the wrist rest I received had excessive machining marks and some where I suspect their machining bit heated up and started snaring the material as it cut.
In addition, mine reeked of formaldehyde because of whatever they treated the wood with.
Yikes! So perhaps they did not sand it down enough after shaping it out. That won't help the finish either. :rolleyes:
However, most finishes do have some smell to them, so if package it up soon after finishing it, that might amplify the smell. I don't use poly finishes or stains (which can be quite smelly), I use oils and waxes and even those have a smell to them once it is done. I have to let them air out for a bit before I put it in a box or enclosure. Still, they shouldn't have been sending them smelling like that. It is kinda off putting as a first impression.
Is there any concern of wood warping or shifting in a way that could damage the other components of the keyboard?
If you take it from one extreme climate to the next (Hot to cold, cold to hot) the wood can expand and contract. Typically if it expands due to heat, it will contract back to it's normal state. If this happens over and over again, it could cause cracking, but I'm talking extreme climate changes.There should be enough room in the case to allow for this so it doesn't cause problems. When I say enough room, I mean like a few mm of space, similar to how most cases are. Basically you just need to make sure you don't have to jam the board in there and you should be good.
Think of it this way, people have wood floors in their houses that last for hundreds of years (my floors are 110 year old maple). As long as you don't, say leave it in your car, under direct sunlight on a hot summer day, or let it freeze out in the snow you are probably going to be fine. That also assumes that they have some kind of metal spacer, riser, or whatever to screw the plate into. You don't want to be screwing directly into the wood, that would not stand the test of time.
Some woods hold up better to this than others, but for the most part if you treat it reasonably you shouldn't have any trouble. This also assumes that they have properly dried the wood and finished it, to protect it.
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Is there any concern of wood warping or shifting in a way that could damage the other components of the keyboard?
If you take it from one extreme climate to the next (Hot to cold, cold to hot) the wood can expand and contract. Typically if it expands due to heat, it will contract back to it's normal state. If this happens over and over again, it could cause cracking, but I'm talking extreme climate changes.There should be enough room in the case to allow for this so it doesn't cause problems. When I say enough room, I mean like a few mm of space, similar to how most cases are. Basically you just need to make sure you don't have to jam the board in there and you should be good.
Think of it this way, people have wood floors in their houses that last for hundreds of years (my floors are 110 year old maple). As long as you don't, say leave it in your car, under direct sunlight on a hot summer day, or let it freeze out in the snow you are probably going to be fine. That also assumes that they have some kind of metal spacer, riser, or whatever to screw the plate into. You don't want to be screwing directly into the wood, that would not stand the test of time.
Some woods hold up better to this than others, but for the most part if you treat it reasonably you shouldn't have any trouble. This also assumes that they have properly dried the wood and finished it, to protect it.
Thanks for the detailed response. Very good information to know.
PS - I took a look at your store and your products look amazing! My wallet may be getting even thinner.
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This is back up ;D
I am really bummed out that they don't offer a flat one. I really wanted one that isn't elevated.
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This is back up ;D
I am really bummed out that they don't offer a flat one. I really wanted one that isn't elevated.
After trying elevated over time, I find I prefer it rather than flat. And I thought I was in love with flat for years.
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I know that this is probably going to come off as self serving since I make cases and wrist rests out of wood (including Cherry, Black Walnut and Padauk), but I recall several people complaining about the finish or lack thereof that they put on the wrist rests. Maybe they do better for the cases. The pictures do make it seem like they are properly finished.
I am not particularly impressed with Oak as an option - I find that is feels less-than-good even properly finished, and it is less expensive wood than the price would make you believe. But the Cherry, Black Walnut and Padauk are nice options. Those are good woods to work with, and usually have some very nice grain.
Thanks for your input- self-serving or no.