IC: metal HHKB case?

[Elocutive]

Disclaimer: I cannot complete this group buy! I do not have the time nor the skill! I know this is something that I want, and think many others would be also, so I am starting an IC so someone who could complete the GB can hopefully start one up.




Now that that is spelled out, let me propose my idea. I, and I think/ hope many others, are interested in an aluminum case. I know it is very difficult and would be rather expensive to make, but I would be in for one no matter what. I am really hoping we can get a whole bunch of people saying they are interested and would buy one, and drum up interest so we can get someone with the know-how to make one for us. Anyway, lets throw some ideas around and see if we can't get some things going! If not, then hey, no harm done.

Another question I would like answered: can we get an estimate on approximately how much one of these would actually cost? I have checked a lot of threads where this idea has been tossed around, and everyone has just said "a lot". If we could get a real number, then hopefully we could start start a google form, and see how much interest there really is, and go from there.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gdeF8uUX-X3Tow_NgsLVx6YMwS-4aHnL32mhcFKVGqY/viewform?usp=send_form

Interest check google form ^^^

I know this is very different than a normal IC, but I am really not sure where else it could go. Mods, if I have this in the wrong place or did anything against the rules, feel free to lock it up.

[FrostyToast]

I don't even own an hhkb and I am interested.
Definitely would hesitate if it was over $200 however.

[Elocutive]

I don't even own an hhkb and I am interested.
Definitely would hesitate if it was over $200 however.

I don't either, but I would buy one ASAP if there was a metal case option, because I am mostly using korean customs. They have such a nice feel that I am hesitating to use anything else, but I also love topre switches.

[Lurch]

would be interested if under $250

[HoffmanMyster]

I'm interested to see how a metal case would feel with an HHKB.

[Hypersphere]

Interested. However, whenever I have made inquiries about a metal case for a HHKB Pro 2, people tell me that there are some difficult technical issues that make such an undertaking much less feasible and much more expensive than producing metal cases for something like the Poker II. Nevertheless, I would be interested.

[exitfire401]

I'm interested as long as we can keep it under $400

[admiralvorian]

Interested. However, whenever I have made inquiries about a metal case of a HHKB Pro 2, people tell me that there are some difficult technical issues that make such an undertaking much less feasible and much more expensive than producing metal cases for something like the Poker II. Nevertheless, I would be interested.

A less daunting idea may be to create a BOTTOM HALF ONLY case for the HHKB from aluminum. Sure, the controller would have to be insulated somehow but that's not much of a challenge.

[FrostyToast]

Interested. However, whenever I have made inquiries about a metal case of a HHKB Pro 2, people tell me that there are some difficult technical issues that make such an undertaking much less feasible and much more expensive than producing metal cases for something like the Poker II. Nevertheless, I would be interested.

A less daunting idea may be to create a BOTTOM HALF ONLY case for the HHKB from aluminum. Sure, the controller would have to be insulated somehow but that's not much of a challenge.

Why would it have to be insulated? Anodizing should be fine enough, yes?

[Vintage]

I think he's saying that the controller would be exposed in a bottom-half only style case.

[ComradeSniper]

Totally in. I wonder if a brass insert could fit in the bottom if the bottom half of the case was thickened a bit

I imagine that despite the obvious complexity of it, this must be possible, the only problem is that the price would probably be really high. I'd be interested to see if any machining shops could give us a quote if someone worked up a CAD drawing though.

[Elocutive]

Totally in. I wonder if a brass insert could fit in the bottom if the bottom half of the case was thickened a bit

I imagine that despite the obvious complexity of it, this must be possible, the only problem is that the price would probably be really high. I'd be interested to see if any machining shops could give us a quote if someone worked up a CAD drawing though.

This is exactly what I was hoping with this. If we could get a legitimate quote, then we could get some people guaranteeing themselves to the buy. I do not know any CAD, but would anyone have enough knowledge to construct a case on CAD that would actually fit the HHKB. 

[radio_killah]

I'm unsure how I feel about this because changing the case would definitely change the feel of the board. The added weight would definitely be nice but I would want to know how a metal case might affect the overall feel of the switches.

[Photekq]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64348.msg1508647#msg1508647

[intelli78]

Am interested as well as long as it's in $200 range.

[Elocutive]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64348.msg1508647#msg1508647

I do not have an HHKB  Only a realforce. Otherwise I would love to send you one. Anyone in the UK interested in this project that could lend Mr. Photekq an HHKB?

[byker]

Interested and voted!  Every IC on this subject seems to die out as no one takes the initiative.