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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: cdutoit on Fri, 02 March 2018, 14:11:45

Title: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: cdutoit on Fri, 02 March 2018, 14:11:45
Ok, maybe not 'metal' but...

I've recently acquired a number of MK's, partly to find one I like as well as to do reviews of the keyboards. The one I'm enjoying most is actually my DAS professional 4 with Cherry Blues. Now, switch aside, I really like the actual keyboard because of it's heft. Nothing rattles...no pings...no moving around on my desk. And it doesn't look like a piece of plastic. All thanks to that aluminum plate on top of the keyboard.

Now, I need to get a quieter keyboard for the office. I'd like to get one with Cherry Red Silents. Ideally, I'd have bought another DAS but they don't make them with those switches.

So my question is which of the "off-the-shelf" keyboards have a good, almost steel/metal, feeling? I don't want something "plasticy"...either in appearance or feel if that makes sense. If nothing "off the shelf" meets those criteria, which custom kits should I perhaps look at?

If I get some recommendations I can go look to see if they come with silent reds.

Thanks for any suggestions
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: dubious on Fri, 02 March 2018, 14:31:13
pokers come with a metal tray style case, if you like 60%'s

CODE/WASD are plastic keyboards, but they feel well made and solid. Same with filco/leopold

Some TEX keyboards are aluminum, and some have aluminum top housings

Magicforce has an alloy case, but feels pretty cheap IMO

etc..
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Techno Trousers on Fri, 02 March 2018, 14:46:50
IKBC MF87 and MF108. I think you want to get the "version 2" one.
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: JP on Fri, 02 March 2018, 15:11:34
Metal keyboards you say  :cool:

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 02 March 2018, 15:59:08
If you like the DAS so much just swap silent reds into one.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Entropia on Sat, 03 March 2018, 10:05:33
Metal keyboards you say  :cool:

(Attachment Link)

This one is even more impressive:

Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 03 March 2018, 11:01:43
no one has done full metal switches yet..

it would be tremendously wasteful and decadent..
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 03 March 2018, 11:45:45
IKBC MF87 and MF108. I think you want to get the "version 2" one.

this
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: buckyballs on Wed, 07 March 2018, 06:25:57
You're just talking about the casing, right? Aren't these still fairly common? I think it just makes a keyboard too heavy to move around.
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: rich1051414 on Wed, 07 March 2018, 14:11:36
Ok, maybe not 'metal' but...

I've recently acquired a number of MK's, partly to find one I like as well as to do reviews of the keyboards. The one I'm enjoying most is actually my DAS professional 4 with Cherry Blues. Now, switch aside, I really like the actual keyboard because of it's heft. Nothing rattles...no pings...no moving around on my desk. And it doesn't look like a piece of plastic. All thanks to that aluminum plate on top of the keyboard.

Now, I need to get a quieter keyboard for the office. I'd like to get one with Cherry Red Silents. Ideally, I'd have bought another DAS but they don't make them with those switches.

So my question is which of the "off-the-shelf" keyboards have a good, almost steel/metal, feeling? I don't want something "plasticy"...either in appearance or feel if that makes sense. If nothing "off the shelf" meets those criteria, which custom kits should I perhaps look at?

If I get some recommendations I can go look to see if they come with silent reds.

Thanks for any suggestions
Nothing will feel quite as 'solid' as a good custom, but there's a lot of options without needing to do a complete custom job, like getting a filco(or CM quick fire rapid) and replacing the body with one of milled aluminum. You could use one of these as a murder weapon.

Theres a drop for such a case right now: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/lambo-80-anodized-aluminum-case-for-filco-87-tkl

I built a KBFans75 a while ago, and I was shocked at how solid a keyboard could be. I really notice it when a keyboard feels flimsy now.
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 07 March 2018, 14:51:41
https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/products/gbkbdfans-8x-mechanical-keyboard-kit

this is good ****
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: buckyballs on Thu, 08 March 2018, 02:51:01
Even at $165 is too much for me poor old pocket  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: nogoodnames444 on Thu, 08 March 2018, 20:44:03
LEOPOLD
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: ppp on Mon, 12 March 2018, 09:10:53
https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/products/gbkbdfans-8x-mechanical-keyboard-kit

this is good ****

I have a question about kbdfans stuff. It always seems like all their stuff is suggested after the post says the "group buy" is over. Is this extras or do they just keep producing them with the machinery they configured for it?
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: rich1051414 on Mon, 12 March 2018, 20:14:09
https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/products/gbkbdfans-8x-mechanical-keyboard-kit

this is good ****

I have a question about kbdfans stuff. It always seems like all their stuff is suggested after the post says the "group buy" is over. Is this extras or do they just keep producing them with the machinery they configured for it?
The thing is, by the time people get their stuff and know whether to recommend it or not, the group buy is over. Group buys are to help fund the initial run of a product. The profits of that run are then used to fund additional runs at the full retail price. At least, this is the idea. Sometimes the group buy actually costs more than the eventual actual release, it depends on interest.
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: ppp on Mon, 12 March 2018, 21:01:38
The thing is, by the time people get their stuff and know whether to recommend it or not, the group buy is over. Group buys are to help fund the initial run of a product. The profits of that run are then used to fund additional runs at the full retail price. At least, this is the idea. Sometimes the group buy actually costs more than the eventual actual release, it depends on interest.

Ah. So the listed price on kbd is the retail price. Got it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: rich1051414 on Mon, 12 March 2018, 23:35:36
The thing is, by the time people get their stuff and know whether to recommend it or not, the group buy is over. Group buys are to help fund the initial run of a product. The profits of that run are then used to fund additional runs at the full retail price. At least, this is the idea. Sometimes the group buy actually costs more than the eventual actual release, it depends on interest.

Ah. So the listed price on kbd is the retail price. Got it. Thanks!
Probably not, going off the price of other similar products. I think that was the group buy price. I assume that if/when this product is kept in stock, it will actually be $25-50 cheaper. Group buys aren't always cheaper, and many times the cost will decrease the more people who pledge to buy it. If there aren't a lot of pledges, then the group buy is likely to cost even more instead.

Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: xueyao on Mon, 12 March 2018, 23:48:47
The OG metal keyboard: Beamsprings
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Blaise170 on Tue, 13 March 2018, 07:35:39
The OG metal keyboard: Beamsprings

(https://i.imgur.com/QntyHlf.jpg)
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: rich1051414 on Tue, 13 March 2018, 15:04:12
The OG metal keyboard: Beamsprings

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/QntyHlf.jpg)

What's that? Looks like the numpad on ATM machines, but a whole keyboard...
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Kyi195 on Tue, 13 March 2018, 15:10:39
The OG metal keyboard: Beamsprings

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/QntyHlf.jpg)

What's that? Looks like the numpad on ATM machines, but a whole keyboard...
Some old kiosks will use that keyboard along with a trackball for mouse support.  There were some burried in closets where I work that we just had to surplus.
Title: Re: Metal Keyboards?
Post by: Blaise170 on Tue, 13 March 2018, 15:14:48
Usually public kiosks that may be subject to vandalism.

(https://i.imgur.com/9CKNc1V.jpg)