[IC] Gerald65 – Alice-Style 65% Gasket-Mounted Keyboard

[aidan.smith]

Gerald65 – Alice-Style 65% keyboard
Introducing the Gerald65, a 65% Alice-style keyboard. Right above the arrow keys, this keyboard features a full 4 keys maintaining a consistent border around the top of the arrow keys. The Gerald65 will be built out of stacked acrylic layers and will have a variety of plate options. Similar to the Arisu, there is not an additional key on the right-hand side. However, unlike the Arisu, this keyboard has the ‘P’ in the horizontal position, to make it easier for your pinky to find.

Picture gallery: https://imgur.com/a/CDK5Rlh

Interest Check Form: https://forms.gle/iqRuaKkyAhg7maEv5

Discord server: https://discord.gg/grqYTzUSNa

Features:
•   Hotswap
•   Multiple plate materials (POM, FR4, Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Acrylic)
•   Plate foam & case foam
•   Acrylic sandwich mounted, currently experimenting with gasket mounting it
•   PCB with QMK and VIA support
•   Adjustable typing angle (0 or 6 degrees)


Timeline:
GB going live today (May 9th 2021). Currently live in EU/UK and Asia. Will be live for NA at 1pm PST

Pricing:
$150 for the base kit (slight cost increase for different colors)
Extra plates will also be sold, each plate will come with an extra gasket kit.

Vendors:
NA: Paper Crane Keyboards (Our own storefront) https://papercranekeyboards.com/
Asia/SEA: Zion Studios https://zionstudios.ph/product/groupbuy-gerald-65-alice-keyboard/
EU/UK: Prototypist https://prototypist.net/collections/live-group-buys/products/group-buy-gerald65







Update:

4/5/2021
-Updated pictures to the current prototype

2/24/2021
-The corners are now slightly rounded, making it much nicer to handle, and making it look a bit nicer
-Gasket has been redesigned. The plate no longer goes all the way to the side of the keyboard and is instead hidden by an additional acrylic layer. This makes the side look much cleaner, and also gives us more flexibility with the gasket. I don't have pictures of this new system yet, but once I receive the new switch plates, I will update with some pictures.
-Added approximate timelines and price to this thread


If you would like to stay up to date on this project, you should consider joining our Discord server: https://discord.gg/grqYTzUSNa

[AspiringMechKeebFan]

Questions:

• I assume there is encoder left of the arrows? Is this final? Because it isn't mentioned in the post. Is it optional?
• Typing angle?

[aidan.smith]

Yes, currently there is no encoder next to the arrows. The hole you see there is actually to see the silkscreen logo that will be on the PCB. If you select a solid colored case for the top, you won't be able to see it though.

[aidan.smith]

[size=78%]Typing angle?[/size]

The typing angle of this currently is 0 degrees since it is an acrylic sandwich case, but I am working on different ways of propping it up.

[xanserkx]

Gasket mounted? Very nice. Good luck with the IC

[Ireris]

Is it tented

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[holer]

Is there any chance you will make this support split left shift? (2.25u --> 1.25u + 1.0u)

I'm willing to give up my ISO enter, but I love my extra by the left shift.

Regardless, good luck with the IC 

[Kacperoni]

KB looks sexy!
I wanted to try an ergo keyboard, but none of them looked interesting lately. This one tops all of them!
I'd love some future renders with black polycarb on top and maybe a brass plate to see how it looks like.

[aidan.smith]

Gasket mounted? Very nice. Good luck with the IC

Yep! I am currently experimenting with various ways of gasket mounting to figure out which one will be the best.

[aidan.smith]

Is it tented

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

No, this keyboard is not tented. It is just the outwards tilt of the keys.

[aidan.smith]

Is there any chance you will make this support split left shift? (2.25u --> 1.25u + 1.0u)

I'm willing to give up my ISO enter, but I love my extra by the left shift.

Regardless, good luck with the IC 

Yup, I am working on increasing options for the solder PCB! Currently, that plate was made for just the one layout, but I am working on a new plate that will have both options for split backspace and split left shift.

[aidan.smith]

KB looks sexy!
I wanted to try an ergo keyboard, but none of them looked interesting lately. This one tops all of them!
I'd love some future renders with black polycarb on top and maybe a brass plate to see how it looks like.

Thank you! Yeah, I have been working on some renders, but I decided to just include pictures for this IC. I will make sure to include some cool combinations like that when they are ready! Thank you!

[diymkb]

I'm interested in your project. Do you have a target price/price range at the moment? What's your current planned timeline?

[Freeaboo]

gib nao

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[aidan.smith]

I'm interested in your project. Do you have a target price/price range at the moment? What's your current planned timeline?

Both of these things are very approximate right now, that's why I haven't listed them in the post. I am hoping to be done in about December or January, so the group buy would happen after then.

For price, I am aiming for somewhere in the range of $150, but that is very approximate too and may not be final.

Thank you so much for your interest!

[afynyth]

Is there a way to have the screws screw in from the bottom of the case instead? Very nice looking board, the Alice + arrow key layout is great. Also, depending on the gasket mounting method, it might be good to have translucent gaskets.

[aidan.smith]

Is there a way to have the screws screw in from the bottom of the case instead? Very nice looking board, the Alice + arrow key layout is great. Also, depending on the gasket mounting method, it might be good to have translucent gaskets.

Thank you! I currently have translucent gaskets, however, with the completely transparent top acrylic, you can still see them. There will be options for other tops when we have the group buy. I am also still experimenting with what kind of gaskets will work the best for this type of board.

For the screws, they screw in to the top and the bottom in order to bind the sandwich together. I plan on getting some lower-profile screws before the group buy though.

[Magnificent Bureaucrat]

Keeping an eye on this one. I've been tempted to try an alice-like for a while so something at a more reasonable price point is a tempter.

Also it has an old man's name.

[aidan.smith]

Keeping an eye on this one. I've been tempted to try an alice-like for a while so something at a more reasonable price point is a tempter.

Also it has an old man's name.

Sweet! I am glad to hear it! It is named after a little paper crane (that I named Gerald) that has been my good luck charm for many years now. Gerald the paper crane sits on my car dash and keeps me safe!

[hottrout]

Interesting and interested.

[r13lbag]

If you're wondering what's the status of this GB, you might want to consider joining the discord server. Very interesting.

[AspiringMechKeebFan]

No, I don't think I will join countless Discord servers to stay updated on project progress. Discord is suboptimal platform to do so.

[Livid]

No, I don't think I will join countless Discord servers to stay updated on project progress. Discord is suboptimal platform to do so.

ok

[aidan.smith]

No, I don't think I will join countless Discord servers to stay updated on project progress. Discord is suboptimal platform to do so.

That is totally ok! If you still want to be updated, you can add your email to the list (in the interest check). I am just going to send out an email once the keyboard is in GB. Otherwise, you can continue to find updates here!

[edawg]

Thoughts on metal vs acrylic? Would love to see this in some sleek gunmetal forms

[zionsped]

Love this!!

[Gaul]

that's a really beautiful keeb if i ever seen one, then for the price, 150 for gasket mount and alice style, sign me up

also, i've heard about an encoder on the bottom right, will there be one?

[aidan.smith]

that's a really beautiful keeb if i ever seen one, then for the price, 150 for gasket mount and alice style, sign me up

also, i've heard about an encoder on the bottom right, will there be one?

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

No, there will not be an encoder down there. Originally, the pictures that I had here had no pcb, so there was no logo in the circle cutout. This led people to think there was going to be an encoder down there .

Thanks so much for your interest and kind words!

[Chozo Ghost]

Been itching to try an Alice-style keyboard for so long now, and I'm thinking this is for sure going to be the one! If you can make that $150 price tag a reality, that's an instant buy for me!

[Puddsy]

this is an extremely cool project, but you chose gerald as the name for some reason

[aidan.smith]

this is an extremely cool project, but you chose gerald as the name for some reason

Thank you, I appreciate it! Gerald is the name of a paper crane that has been my good luck charm for several years now . Personally, I like the name a lot and it means something to me, but it's not visible anywhere on the keyboard after assembly if you're concerned about it.

[Puddsy]

this is an extremely cool project, but you chose gerald as the name for some reason

Thank you, I appreciate it! Gerald is the name of a paper crane that has been my good luck charm for several years now . Personally, I like the name a lot and it means something to me, but it's not visible anywhere on the keyboard after assembly if you're concerned about it.

ok that's actually kinda cool, you are excused, i might buy this

[LaserCrafter]

why must you keep making me light my wallet on fire

[aidan.smith]

why must you keep making me light my wallet on fire

haha oops! I am very glad you like it tho Thanks for the support!

[UGunaLOSE]

Oh this is def a beautiful board! GLWIC, might just join the discord for more updates <3

[aidan.smith]

Oh this is def a beautiful board! GLWIC, might just join the discord for more updates <3

Thank you! And yeah, the discord can definitely help answer any questions that you may have too!

[hottrout]

Can't wait to get my hands on one of these.

[aidan.smith]

Can't wait to get my hands on one of these.

Thank you! It will be going live very soon!

[Qwapa]

Love the silk screen!

[aidan.smith]

Love the silk screen!

Thank you! I appreciate it!!

[hottrout]

It arrived, I built it and it is beautiful, as follows

Specific 'Green Edge' Clear with Bespoke Carbon Fibre Plate
Custom Carbon Fibre Plate Wrist Rest with Personalised Design
Cerulean Tactile Switches with 65g Spring, Nylon Housing with POM Stem
GPL 105 on Springs, Factory Lube on Stems
Owlab Stabs with Silicone wire supports.










This is not only a good looking board, it has a really positive feeling and a great sound signature to boot.

[Timception]

No, I don't think I will join countless Discord servers to stay updated on project progress. Discord is suboptimal platform to do so.

You can unfollow or leave a discord server at the click of a mouse, can you not lift your fingers  ?
I assume finger lifting should be a pleasantry since you are into keyboards ya grumpy chap.

[Nonnegaard]

Is it tented

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

the top is a flat-ass plate of acrylic, what do you think