Author Topic: [GB] FRΛGMENT TKL - Artisan Resin Accents, 11,000 Configurations  (Read 454 times)

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Offline ABunchOfNumbers

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[GB] FRΛGMENT TKL - Artisan Resin Accents, 11,000 Configurations
« on: Sun, 16 November 2025, 12:33:12 »
FRΛGMENT



FRΛGMENT is a highly customizable F13 TKL keyboard with over 11,000 possible case configurations.

Accent options include walnut, oak and brass, along with cast epoxy resin badges in the top case and inlays embedded within the backplate. Options to fully customise and commission specific resin colour schemes to match the aesthetic of your board is also available, with full details provided on the website.

The configurator displays the complete range of case options. It does not perfectly show the design and effect of the artisan resin components, as they are handmade and random by nature, it does however provide a reasonably accurate approximation of the overall aesthetic. Please refer to the images of actual cast resin parts for a true representation.



     

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Photos by Alexotos

     

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Photos by Scooped Bar

     

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Photos by Lightning



Specifications
8° typing angle
≈20mm Front Height (≈24mm EKH)
≈2.1 kg (≈4.6 lbs) - ≈3.1 kg (≈8.2 lbs) *(Depending on Configuration)

GB Details
• GB Date: 10th November 2025 – 10th December 2025
• Delivery Time: During Q2/Q3 2026 (Dependant on order quantity)

Pricing
$340 USD - $505 USD *(Depending on Configuration)



     

     



Configurations

Top Case Colour
Frost, Slate, Moss, Dune and Drift

Bottom Case Colour
Frost, Slate, Moss, Dune and Drift

Layout
WK and WKL

Accent Material
Walnut, Oak and Brass

Backplate Cutout
No Cutout, Rectangular and Cracked

Navigation Badge
No Badge, Split, Full Resin and Full Walnut/Oak

F13 Badge
No Badge, Split, Full Resin and Resin Keycap

Wood Finish
Matte and Gloss

Plate
Aluminium, Polypropylene, Carbon Fibre and Polycarbonate

PCB
Solder and Hotswap



Resin Customisation

There is also an add-on available for those who would like their resin parts customised to match a specific colour scheme or include additional visual effects such as metal leaf.

For full details and terms, please refer to the Resin Customisation page:




Example Configurations

The FRΛGMENT configurator updates to show the wide range of case options available. The renders provide an accurate representation of the overall case design and material selections, but do not accurately display the unique patterns or depth of the artisan resin components.

Due to the number of configurations, please see the configurator to see additional options:


          
Frost - Slate - WK - Walnut - None - None - None

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Dune - Dune - WK - Oak - None - Full - None


          
Moss - Dune - WK - Brass - Rectangular - Split - Full


          
Drift - Frost - WKL - Oak - Cracked - Split - Split


          
Slate - Drift - WK - Walnut - Rectangular - Walnut - Keycap



USA Tariff Information

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The current US tariff environment is highly changeable and remains difficult to predict. As of 15 November 2025, our understanding is as follows:

• UK-origin goods imported into the USA are generally subject to a 10% tariff.
• China-origin goods typically incur a 20% base tariff, with the possibility of additional product-specific tariffs.
•The de minimis exemption (previously allowing goods valued under $800 to enter duty-free) was removed on 29 August 2025, meaning all shipments may now incur duties regardless of value.

FRΛGMENT components are manufactured in both the UK and China. All resin parts are cast in the United Kingdom and the wooden components undergo their final machining and finishing processes here as well. Final assembly and fulfilment are also completed in the UK, resulting in a substantial transformation that is critical in determining the product’s country of origin. Therefore, many configurations - those including wood and/or resin components - are expected to meet the criteria for UK-origin, which should qualify them for the lower 10% tariff rate.

However, if extra parts (e.g., additional PCBs, plates, O-rings, resin/wood accent sets or keycaps) are purchased and shipped separately from the main keyboard, these items are more likely to classify as China-origin keyboard parts, and may therefore attract higher tariff rates.

It is essential to understand that the tariff situation remains fluid and uncertain. Our DHL representative has advised that even they are unable to provide definitive guidance beyond the use of their online tools, which currently estimate a tariff rate of around 35% for China-origin keyboards, significantly higher than the published base rate. This demonstrates how unclear current enforcement may be.

Given this, US customers are strongly encouraged to review the details before placing an order, as different configurations may result in different countries of origin depending on material selections and included parts. This will directly affect which tariff rate may apply upon import.

For full details and ongoing updates, please visit the USA Tariff Information page:




Colours

          

        



Resin Examples

Navigation Badge

     

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F13 Badge

     

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Previous Prototypes

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Prototype v0.2.3

     

     


Prototype v0.2.3 is near-final, with only minor refinements remaining. The case colours Moss and Dune are confirmed. The resin pattern and design are final, though colour matching and variation control are still being improved.

This version tested a high-gloss resin-coated finish for the wooden components, but due to the difficulty and high failure rate of the process, production units will instead feature a matte wood finish. The internal mounting system is also being slightly revised, along with small changes to reduce manufacturing costs. The brass finish will be updated as the current clear coat wears too quickly.

Prototype v0.1.5

     

Prototype v0.1.5 serves as a proof of concept for FRΛGMENT. The top case features the final Frost colourway, while the bottom case uses an early Slate variant that won’t be offered. The resin accents were made using an older casting method, which has since been refined for improved depth and consistency in production. The resin in this unit also doesn’t perfectly match the case colour—this will be adjusted in future versions.

This prototype helped identify and resolve several issues, including case bowing, PCB alignment, and sound inconsistency from the backplate design. Further details and ongoing updates are available on the website.



Mounting Systems

          

Plateless Gummy O-Ring

FRΛGMENT utilizes an improved version of the gummy O-ring system used in the QUΛNTUM60. Previously, metal standoffs were used to hold the O-ring in place but if pressed hard on the assembly, they could contact the bottom case, potentially causing metallic sounds or harsh points.

The new design features a fully custom semi-circular O-ring with molded-in standoffs that clip into the corners of the PCB. The half-moon shaped O-ring maintains more contact with the bottom of the PCB and allows for a reduced assembly height. The O-ring then rests on gasket standoffs to further isolate the PCB.

Top Mount


For those who prefer a firmer, more traditional typing experience, FRΛGMENT also supports a top-mount configuration. However, since the plate is isolated and not touching the top case in its resting position, plate contacts are required to bridge the gap.



Internal Screws


FRΛGMENT utilizes seven magnetic screws positioned above the plate at a 45° angle. Unlike conventional hidden screw designs, which can be difficult to reach internally, this system keeps everything easily accessible from above making assembly and disassembly quicker and easier.



PCB Layouts

     



Important Notes on Configurations & Fulfilment

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FRΛGMENT offers over 11,000 possible configurations, however the majority of this variation comes from the artisan resin accent options rather than the core case design. When looking only at the case itself, the number of combinations is far more manageable:

• Case material options: 5
• Case colour options: 5
• Layout options (WKL / WK): 2
• Accent material options: 3
• Wood Finishes: 2

This results in:
5 × 5 × 2 × 3 × 2 = 300 case configurations

If wood finishes are excluded, which are applied by us in the UK, this total reduces by half, leaving approximately 150 core case configurations. This is one of the reasons the fulfilment process is not as daunting as the full configuration count might suggest, since the case is the key factor in terms of lead time and manufacturing complexity.

The artisan resin components are handmade in the United Kingdom. After producing hundreds of samples, the process is now consistent and repeatable. The process to produce the various resin badges/backplate vary only in the mould used and a small number of post-processing and bonding steps. From a fulfilment perspective, the resin options simply mean a slightly longer and more detailed packing and QC list rather than a fundamentally more difficult production task.

It is completely reasonable for people to be cautious about a project with this level of customisation. Many group buys with far fewer options have failed in the past, and we understand why potential buyers may have concerns. To address this, the overall production approach has been structured to reduce risk wherever possible:

• Production is split across several factories to spread risk rather than relying on a single supplier.
• A number of parts are made or finished in the UK, which reduces freight and scheduling uncertainty.
• I will be visiting the factories in person throughout production to approve parts before final payment.
• Payments to manufacturers go through an escrow service, so funds are protected until parts are inspected and approved.
• If a small component has an issue, remaking that part is a contained cost, rather than a full production restart.

These measures cannot remove all risk - no group buy can promise that - but they are intended to keep the process transparent and manageable. If issues do arise, we will fund whatever is required to put them right. A similar approach was used for the Quantum60 project, which we funded and delivered in-stock so it could move forward. It was originally planned as a group buy, but due to understandable hesitation around our lack of prior track record, we chose to fund production ourselves and release it in-stock instead.

Group buys always involve a degree of trust, since the product does not exist until after payment is made, and it is entirely up to each person to decide whether they are comfortable with that. All we can do is be as open as possible about the process and the steps in place to protect customer orders.



Reviews & Sound Tests

Alexotos' Hyperlapse

Keybored's Review

Lightning's VOD & Sound Test

Clackbait's VOD

Prototype v0.2.3 Sound Test



Links

Offline ABunchOfNumbers

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 29
Re: [GB] FRΛGMENT TKL - Artisan Resin Accents, 11,000 Configurations
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 16 November 2025, 12:42:41 »
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