[IC] Besides Studio Alu Metal Keycaps set - GB 23rd July 2021

[well_cooper]

Sound test is a lot better than I thought an all metal caps set would sound like!

Thanks Boba! Glad you like my potato sound recording setup

[well_cooper]

You will have something truly special if you can offer this at the price point you say you will

But it does lead to a lot of questions on my end on what "the catch" is in how you will be achieving this price point. Will you be machining the keycaps or through metal injection molding/casting? What bead blasting level will you be using? How are you doing the anodization? What's the tolerance level you will be achievement? What does "easily adjustable stem" mean (from the look of your stems, they don't seem that much different from typical alu keycap stems). I'm going to guess you mean that typical house tools will allow one to tighten or loosen the stem to fit different stems.

I realize the questions I ask may seem slightly conflict of interest-y but as someone in the same space, that price point seems too good to be true other than if you:
1. Own the CNC machines + anodization (which seems possible considering
2. Literally just paying for material cost
3. Operating in a crazy high volume (which doing the math at 100 sets, doesn't seem super high)
4. You're running your own fulfillment and logistics
5. Not using vendors to help you sell
 
Anyways. You don't need to answer my questions if you feel you're revealing too much.

Again, if you can pull this off at the price point, I would be incredibly impressed. And I root for you the entire way.

 

I would be incredibly impressed if you can maintain the alpha sets at $200 dollars. Manufacturing quality metal keycaps is not cheap, especially in high tolerances. I am curious how you're able to maintain such a low price point?

Accounting for machining, sandblasting (which I believe you have), anodizing, and other treatments, that's quite low of a cost per keycap.

I am guessing you are doing all of this in house, which can keep costs low.

Appericate your support on our project! Since I saw that video on Linus Tech Tips showing a full metal caps board really made me wanted one, I mean who wouldn't if the price is reasonable. That has been the starting point for this project. Discussing with multiple manufactures and optimzing the machining process started at the start of this year, the whole process was long and frustrating. Some designs seen on other metal novelty caps have to be left out to control cost (engraving on the inside) although I'm hoping to include in the future group buys.


To shed some light in your questions:

• We are planning to run fulfillment and logistics by ourselves, keep marketing to the minimum and overheads to the lowest possible
• Hight volume does allow us to have more leverage with manu to ensure adequate production time frame
• No vendors for this project since we cannot afford vendor commission at this price point
• ALL caps regardless its size will be CNC machined, sand blasted then anodized
• We are thinking about tweaking sand blasting level to give it a slight rougher surface texture but I'm very happy with the proto set I'm currently typing on
• Stems are easily adjustable with house tools (I've been using small piler and flat head screw driver), we are designing a specialized tool (optional purchase) to be released during GB phase to tighten and loosen stems
• Anodizing colours are chosen to show off its metallic property hence no E-white or other crazy colours available at this point (will be offered in the future)

[well_cooper]

I must succeed with the heaviest board in existence. GIMME GIMMEEee

Super keen to see your proto!

[Cubic // esc lab]

You will have something truly special if you can offer this at the price point you say you will

But it does lead to a lot of questions on my end on what "the catch" is in how you will be achieving this price point. Will you be machining the keycaps or through metal injection molding/casting? What bead blasting level will you be using? How are you doing the anodization? What's the tolerance level you will be achievement? What does "easily adjustable stem" mean (from the look of your stems, they don't seem that much different from typical alu keycap stems). I'm going to guess you mean that typical house tools will allow one to tighten or loosen the stem to fit different stems.

I realize the questions I ask may seem slightly conflict of interest-y but as someone in the same space, that price point seems too good to be true other than if you:
1. Own the CNC machines + anodization (which seems possible considering
2. Literally just paying for material cost
3. Operating in a crazy high volume (which doing the math at 100 sets, doesn't seem super high)
4. You're running your own fulfillment and logistics
5. Not using vendors to help you sell
 
Anyways. You don't need to answer my questions if you feel you're revealing too much.

Again, if you can pull this off at the price point, I would be incredibly impressed. And I root for you the entire way.

 

I would be incredibly impressed if you can maintain the alpha sets at $200 dollars. Manufacturing quality metal keycaps is not cheap, especially in high tolerances. I am curious how you're able to maintain such a low price point?

Accounting for machining, sandblasting (which I believe you have), anodizing, and other treatments, that's quite low of a cost per keycap.

I am guessing you are doing all of this in house, which can keep costs low.

Appericate your support on our project! Since I saw that video on Linus Tech Tips showing a full metal caps board really made me wanted one, I mean who wouldn't if the price is reasonable. That has been the starting point for this project. Discussing with multiple manufactures and optimzing the machining process started at the start of this year, the whole process was long and frustrating. Some designs seen on other metal novelty caps have to be left out to control cost (engraving on the inside) although I'm hoping to include in the future group buys.


To shed some light in your questions:

• We are planning to run fulfillment and logistics by ourselves, keep marketing to the minimum and overheads to the lowest possible
• Hight volume does allow us to have more leverage with manu to ensure adequate production time frame
• No vendors for this project since we cannot afford vendor commission at this price point
• ALL caps regardless its size will be CNC machined, sand blasted then anodized
• We are thinking about tweaking sand blasting level to give it a slight rougher surface texture but I'm very happy with the proto set I'm currently typing on
• Stems are easily adjustable with house tools (I've been using small piler and flat head screw driver), we are designing a specialized tool (optional purchase) to be released during GB phase to tighten and loosen stems
• Anodizing colours are chosen to show off its metallic property hence no E-white or other crazy colours available at this point (will be offered in the future)

 

[yukitoki]

just need to add a in a series-00 shiny esc keycap 

[Cubic // esc lab]

just need to add a in a series-00 shiny esc keycap 

Coming Soon ™ 

[titanium]

If you find a way to mimic the scoop/curved F&J home row I will definitely be in. Not a fan of the nub/bar homing unfortunately

[well_cooper]

My good friend and the all around super nice and fun streamer JPermz will stream tomorrow with a prototype set of full metal caps tomorrow at 7PM AEST 22nd Dec (or 3AM EST on  Dec 22nd).  Hope to see you there!

https://www.twitch.tv/jpermz

[SaraZera]

These will be perfect for my next build. Now we play the waiting game.

[snail_typist]

the mods are looking real nice, might get the mods and function keys

[well_cooper]

These will be perfect for my next build. Now we play the waiting game.

The perfect banner combo does exist

the mods are looking real nice, might get the mods and function keys

Same colour or mix & match?

[hottrout]

On the right egro board these could really pop.  Have you tested how tight they will fit.  The reason I ask is because sometimes RAMA caps are a little loose on the fit.

[well_cooper]

On the right egro board these could really pop.  Have you tested how tight they will fit.  The reason I ask is because sometimes RAMA caps are a little loose on the fit.

Cap stem tightness on our one can be easily adjusted. Tho I do notice some switches fits tighter (gat yellows, reds and black, ink series) and some fit slightly less tight (switches made by JWK in general)

[well_cooper]

Second last update before GB! Lets go

[yukitoki]

LETS GOOO 

[well_cooper]

[Bantalope]

Getting more tempting with every update.

[hottrout]

Starting to look better and better.

[Hellenic94]

Navy looks amazing. Making me second guess getting striker.

[twohands]

Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be 

[well_cooper]

Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be 

ergo dox?

[Rx003]

Interesting sound test! I would be in if there is an option for frow set only!!! Glwic and wish you all the best for this!

[well_cooper]

F-Row set is available 

[twohands]

Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be 

ergo dox?

Yes Ergo Dox please.

[well_cooper]

Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be 

ergo dox?

Yes Ergo Dox please.

Haven't seen Ergo Dox request coming up in the IC so far, perhaps in the future runs we will attempt to introduce that layout

[KaosJ]

Oh gosh cherry profile full alu is happening, i'm totally, definetely, absolutely in on this with legends (on a side note, the legends looks good!)
Just not sure if black or blue so i hope to see more photos. 

Will you give us all the info pre-gb so we can rush buy when it starts? 

[kapowaz]

Since the legends are being laser etched, and the price point is so premium, would you consider supporting ISO-UK as an option for legends (i.e. perhaps take a small number of orders and have ISO-UK legends instead of ANSI)? It’s looking awesome and I’d love to be able to use these on my daily driver!

[Rayndalf]

No homing on numpad 5 key?

[HelloThisIsDog]

So down for this, can't wait to see more content when these get sent out to creators!

[well_cooper]

No homing on numpad 5 key?

There is a homing dot on num 5, just not shown in the new render, this will also apply to blank sets as well

[well_cooper]

Since the legends are being laser etched, and the price point is so premium, would you consider supporting ISO-UK as an option for legends (i.e. perhaps take a small number of orders and have ISO-UK legends instead of ANSI)? It’s looking awesome and I’d love to be able to use these on my daily driver!

We might be looking at region support in R2 if our first GB goes smoothly, on the first set we only plan to support ANSI

[well_cooper]

So down for this, can't wait to see more content when these get sent out to creators!

TimKeyless have already show them on this stream with more to come

[phinix]

Those dark navy caps look phenomenal.
I would love to have a TKL set with dark navy alphas and gold mods, with legends of course.
But I guess price will be a killer...

[bert039]

Wow this is a game changer, I'm in

[Rumblethumps]

I'm in for sure! I've been waiting for a set like this!

[phinix]

If its like $300 for TKL set, I'm in

[KeyRelic]

Is this red render



is the same as red from here?

[Mwbowman]

Will there be any support in the future for ergodox layouts or something similar?

[pixelpusher]

any updates? 

[well_cooper]

any updates? 

Final production prototypes are on its way to me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[saam]

I saw another post that is similar to what I am about to say: It would  be nice if you could get this to a rather affordable price. At the end of the day it is metal, and machining and manufacturing will cost a bit more. I do appreciate the kitting and how you can choose what you need rather than making a huge base kit that would cost an arm and a leg. Thanks. Looking forward to see this project go further and further!

[nathanchere]

I'm curious about the reported weight of these. Looking at shift keys for example, other aluminum keys I have are 20-30% heavier. Given the nature of the CNC process it wouldn't be any cheaper to produce caps with thinner walls / less weight so I'm wondering why they are so much lighter than the two others I've tried.

[well_cooper]

I'm curious about the reported weight of these. Looking at shift keys for example, other aluminum keys I have are 20-30% heavier. Given the nature of the CNC process it wouldn't be any cheaper to produce caps with thinner walls / less weight so I'm wondering why they are so much lighter than the two others I've tried.

We try to have all the keys have a uniform typing feel and with less of a need to change to heavier springs on already building boards.  Desoldering isn't fun.
It is more expensive to produce caps with tinner walls but we are willing to put in the work and design optimization so that it is less work and concern for the end buyer.

[stomaha]

Do we have any idea as to the anticipated timing for the pre-order?

[TK0]

I know I've found this quite late, but hopefully this is very successful and we get a R2 with ergo kits. GL!

[Havattack]

I'm curious about the reported weight of these. Looking at shift keys for example, other aluminum keys I have are 20-30% heavier. Given the nature of the CNC process it wouldn't be any cheaper to produce caps with thinner walls / less weight so I'm wondering why they are so much lighter than the two others I've tried.

We try to have all the keys have a uniform typing feel and with less of a need to change to heavier springs on already building boards. Desoldering isn't fun.
It is more expensive to produce caps with tinner walls but we are willing to put in the work and design optimization so that it is less work and concern for the end buyer.

I'm not a big fan of soldering, but i fined de-soldering to be the funnest soldering i do. Popping that gun is therapeutic for me.

[achingfingers]

Just saw the video from TaehaKeyboards and this has really got my interest! 

[noirbizarre]

Wow, what an awesome keycaps set. 

Would it possible to have it for some less mainstream (that's an understatement, lets say exotic) layouts like:

• ISO-FR aka. azerty ?
• BEPO
• Ergo-L

Not related to these keycaps but since you are also presenting yourself, are you intending to do the same for other for other keycaps profiles (DSA...) ?

[Pach]

Just found out about this and this looks very neat. I saw the pictures of January samples and it seemed to have some alignment issues (backspace, enter, bottom row Control, alt, etc, shift/caps top left aligned instead of center left aligned, other spacing issues). I'm assuming these will be corrected and the current newest renders are what is going to be on the final product? Classic colors are a great choice, only thing I'm not a fan of is the diamond icon, it kinda disturbs the text-only consistency of the bottom row. I would much rather prefer Menu or Code or any other text alternative but that's just my opinion. I know it's probably too late to consider changing anything. The esc icon looks a bit large from the renders, but if I get the set I probably won't be using icon esc, so it doesn't bother me too much. There's also a few other wierd spacing issues in the renders that I hope isn't on the final product.

[pixelpusher]

Still following the IC with high hopes.  Just watched the TaeKeyboards video.  Most things look very good about this product.

Any thoughts on lowering the skirt so that the keycaps don't sit any higher than GMK?  The thing is, many keyboard designers use GMK as a guide when setting bezel height so that the caps sit just at or just slightly below the level of the bezel.  Your aluminum caps seem to sit at least 1mm higher than GMK, judging from the TaeKeyboards video.  Any chance on revisiting that aspect of the design?