[IC] COPPERHEAD by DeepKeys - 65% Keyboard

[DeepKeys]

EDIT: Many people seem to associate this keyboard with a KC 1/65. I am currently making some major modifications to the design and will update this post accordingly. Thanks for all the feedback!

Hello everyone! I am very excited to share my first keyboard design!
I am an electrical engineer based in Belgium and recently I had a bunch of great ideas for keyboards, so I decided to design a couple, and here is the first one!

The inspiration for this 65% keyboard is the infamous copperhead snake:

First Renders

Here are the first renders. This is still a design in progress, so bear in mind that they do not show the final product! I also designed a matching keycap set (cherry profile) so let me know what you think about those too!
(If both the case and keycaps go into the group buy stage, they will definitely be sold separately)

I am looking to manufacture the keyboard out of real copper.

Features

• 7° Typing Angle
• Top Mount
• Centered USB-C Daughterboard
• PCB: not yet designed, but I probably will be looking for a soldered RGB-less design

Updates & Feedback
I am in the middle of the design process, so it is very easy for me to make changes to the project. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear them on Discord!
Discord: https://discord.gg/7HnbsdP45x
If you would like to see some more renders, discord is also the place to be!

Final Word
I will be coming out with future updates as quickly as possible.
I would love to hear what you think about the project! Cheers

[Demagine]

Looks great! Manufacturing out of real copper is gonna cost a pretty penny though...

[cijanzen]

Apart from the colour, what does this board have to do with a snake?
Not trying to say it’s a bad design, it looks nice and all, just trying to see what design elements were inspired by the snake. 

[homerowco]

the inner shells thin bottom might be a problem - PC at that thickness will start moving/vibrating when milled - you either want to remove that inner area or make it thicker and go into the bottom alu shell but it might be easier to just cut it out. you also want to add some extra material along the edges and the corners so they rim doesnt break off during machining. for measures also add stabs with screws so you can see how far they would go down

[Anthixious]

A whole copper board? Not really interested in 65 or less boards anymore, but I might be thinking of attempting to grab this one just for the materials  , never even seen a copper board yet 

[juaninamilli]

This seems a bit too similar to the 1/65 IMO. From the top and sides, all you see different is the lack of a blocker. Too many boards have been ripped on for doing something similar. Seems like a nice work, but would love to see something a bit more original. Good luck w future designs.

[DeepKeys]

Looks great! Manufacturing out of real copper is gonna cost a pretty penny though...

Yep indeed. I have experience in manufacturing other products made of copper though, so that will definitely help! Thanks for the reply

[DeepKeys]

the inner shells thin bottom might be a problem - PC at that thickness will start moving/vibrating when milled - you either want to remove that inner area or make it thicker and go into the bottom alu shell but it might be easier to just cut it out. you also want to add some extra material along the edges and the corners so they rim doesnt break off during machining. for measures also add stabs with screws so you can see how far they would go down

Very nice spot! While 3D printing, I also noticed the midpiece to be quite thin... It's 2mm. Not sure if this is thick enough for machining. I'll definitely add stabs and screws as quickly as possible!

[DeepKeys]

A whole copper board? Not really interested in 65 or less boards anymore, but I might be thinking of attempting to grab this one just for the materials  , never even seen a copper board yet 

We're trying to stand out here @Anthixious

[DeepKeys]

This seems a bit too similar to the 1/65 IMO. From the top and sides, all you see different is the lack of a blocker. Too many boards have been ripped on for doing something similar. Seems like a nice work, but would love to see something a bit more original. Good luck w future designs.

I definitely see what you mean! It's most likely because of the white accent on the side. I'll try to change that up a bit! Thanks for letting me know

[treeleaf64]

Reserve

[sup3r170va]

Can u consider including a blocker? Otherwise I’ve been looking for a copper 65% board wonder how copper would hold up on oxidation etc though.

[GMK83]

Just don’t touch the keyboard and it won’t patina

A full copper board would be cool even if a bit unpractical.  Coating it will still wear off but will be cool regardless.

[clonetropboi]

Direct Keycult copy.

[jm8080]

Looks a bit too much like Keycult 1/65 don't you think?

[DeepKeys]

Looks a bit too much like Keycult 1/65 don't you think?

Yep, many people have said that here on this post. But I think it's pretty weird. I had never seen a KC 1/65 when designing this. I got my inspiration from a constellation by AEboards. So yeah, I'm kind of confused how no one seems to associate that keyboard with a KC 1/65, but they do on here. But either way, I am making some major modifications to the design right now

[Mekuno]

Looks a bit too much like Keycult 1/65 don't you think?

Yep, many people have said that here on this post. But I think it's pretty weird. I had never seen a KC 1/65 when designing this. I got my inspiration from a constellation by AEboards. So yeah, I'm kind of confused how no one seems to associate that keyboard with a KC 1/65, but they do on here. But either way, I am making some major modifications to the design right now

Huh, are you saying that you never ever seen/heard of keycult before? because it's not just the 1/65 that shares this design. I'm surprised you know about AEboards and not Keycult, especially for someone who is understandably knowledgeable with keyboard design, aesthetics, and how our hobby operates in the sense of putting up a decent IC post. Nice board though, and good effort. Good luck with your project!

[DeepKeys]

Looks a bit too much like Keycult 1/65 don't you think?

Yep, many people have said that here on this post. But I think it's pretty weird. I had never seen a KC 1/65 when designing this. I got my inspiration from a constellation by AEboards. So yeah, I'm kind of confused how no one seems to associate that keyboard with a KC 1/65, but they do on here. But either way, I am making some major modifications to the design right now

Huh, are you saying that you never ever seen/heard of keycult before? because it's not just the 1/65 that shares this design. I'm surprised you know about AEboards and not Keycult, especially for someone who is understandably knowledgeable with keyboard design, aesthetics, and how our hobby operates in the sense of putting up a decent IC post. Nice board though, and good effort. Good luck with your project!

Yep exactly haha. I got into the hobby because a video of the constellation got in my recommended on youtube. So I checked it out and wanted to buy one, but then it was clear that you just can't buy these mechanical keyboards. That's when I learned what a groupbuy and IC was and everything. And so I started to design my own using tutorials on youtube. Only in this hobby for a month indeed, so I'm pretty new ! I am still learning a lot every day and browsing geekhack and reddit now to see what's already on the market!

[paperassgasket]

Are there more renders that I'm not seeing or a joke I missed? What's with everyone saying "keycult copy" without even having a picture of the underside of this board?
This design is top mount and there's no blocker so from the top down I don't see the resemblance.

e: okay maybe the weight design in the exploded view render?

[DeepKeys]

Are there more renders that I'm not seeing or a joke I missed? What's with everyone saying "keycult copy" without even having a picture of the underside of this board?
This design is top mount and there's no blocker so from the top down I don't see the resemblance.

Yeah, almost everything is different indeed! The bottom is also completely different, but I am still in the process of designing it. Taking some advice from people in the discord. I guess most people just think of it as a keycult copy because it has the sandwich accent on the side! But either way, I listen to the community, so currently I am redesigning heavily
edit: Ah yes, good spot with the weight! I have already made a new part for this. So this resemblance is already gone!

[sup3r170va]

That said, would love a blocker and WKL. One keyboard layout that I think works quite well is Bauer 2 by DixieMech. Can also match the bezel width. Heh.