[IC] Handmade neoprene keyboard carrying sleeves

[sth]

TL;DR: Making neoprene keyboard cases. Probably starting with Poker size. Waiting to see how much labor is involved in the production before we price them, likely under $30.
If you are interested, let me know what size you want. See below for discussion and ideas.

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So... my friend can sew, and is willing to put together some neoprene sleeves. We sketched it out last night, and it looks like about 15-20 poker/hhkb-sized sleeves can be cut from one sheet of neoprene.
I'm planning on just buying the materials since I want this for myself, but since there is plenty left over, I figured I'd check to see if anybody else would be interested.

I haven't settled on the colors. I think black with a bright inside color would be nice, but all suggestions are welcome. I haven't settled on a source for the neoprene, but here are some common colors: http://www.foamorder.com/neoprene.html#colors Note that colored neoprene will be black on one side.

Shipping should be very cheap since they can be rolled up and they don't require any padding. Please note that we have not settled on a price -- figure 25-30 per sleeve depending on how many people are interested. If we find a cheaper place to get neoprene they will go down; however, I want to have a fair price for labor. My own interest in this is limited to making back what I invest in materials, getting a nice final product and hopefully being able to share with the community for a good price while helping my friend make a little extra cash in exchange for her expertise..

We haven't quite settled on a design.Perhaps a pocket for a USB cable. Any insight into accommodating non-removable USB cables would be appreciated, since the current design would sorta leave Filco owners in the cold.

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CONSIDERATIONS (most things are up for discussion!):
-Colors - current suggestions: black, dark red/burgundy, dark green
-Fastener/closure: Snaps/buttons, or hook+loop (velcro). Zippers are not possible, unfortunately.
-Pocket for USB cable
-Accomodations for non-detachable cables

-Have a flap that goes over the end with either 1-2 click-fastener straps or a sewn-in magnetic bar to which it attaches if zippers won't work.
-Burgundy, black, and a darker red/forest green would be my preferred colors.
-male and female plastic clip ends on each corner so they can be conjoined together and rolled up

[demik]

If the poker sleeve could have a small pocket for the USB cable, that'd be great.

Either way, color me interested.

[boost]

If the poker sleeve could have a small pocket for the USB cable, that'd be great.

Either way, color me interested.

X2. Put me down for 1

Sent from a phone...

[sth]

I was considering a pocket as well... I just don't know if it's necessary or if it will throw off the look. Part of the reason I want a custom sleeve is that current kb carriers are butt-ugly.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 45801[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 45802[/ATTACH]

I'll ask her if she has any suggestions but my first thought is that it would be too bulky with an extra pocket on the outside.

[i3oilermaker]

I don't carry my keyboard with me often, but I take my iPad every day.  The old netbook case I have been using is pretty ugly.

If you made a version for the iPad I would be down, and I would imagine there would be others....Ripster?

[sth]

Well... there are already neoprene sleeves out there for the iPad that cost about the same or less.

[demik]

I was considering a pocket as well... I just don't know if it's necessary or if it will throw off the look. Part of the reason I want a custom sleeve is that current kb carriers are butt-ugly.
(Attachment Link) 45801[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 45802[/ATTACH]

I'll ask her if she has any suggestions but my first thought is that it would be too bulky with an extra pocket on the outside.

What about the inside? A small pocket so it won't get tangled up with the keyboard.

[sth]

Good call, I will make a note of that

[elton5354]

Not sure if her labour worth that much.

[i3oilermaker]

Nice HP netbook Ripster :boink:

[sth]

Prices aren't final as we haven't even made the first prototype, but understand that this is a niche product, and it's a pretty small run done by one person. Also, neoprene isn't cheap if you're not a large company.

[captain]

My iPad cover is much like ripster's, but with a fleece lining inside.

I have been thinking that once I convert my HHKB to bluetooth (or figure out ripster's secret to Keyboard-Camera Connector Kit nirvana) I would like an attachable keyboard case. Maybe one side of each covered in alternating strips of Velcro would work. I would want a zipper on my HHKB cover though. A flap doesn't seem secure enough.

This would actually be best as a single zipper opening, with a dual, fur lined, compartment for iPad and HHKB (and small pouch for USB cable).

PM me if you get that working!

[sth]

My iPad cover is much like ripster's, but with a fleece lining inside.

I have been thinking that once I convert my HHKB to bluetooth (or figure out ripster's secret to Keyboard-Camera Connector Kit nirvana) I would like an attachable keyboard case. Maybe one side of each covered in alternating strips of Velcro would work. I would want a zipper on my HHKB cover though. A flap doesn't seem secure enough.

This would actually be best as a single zipper opening, with a dual, fur lined, compartment for iPad and HHKB (and small pouch for USB cable).

PM me if you get that working!

Zippers + neoprene = nightmare, apparently, to make by hand (usually done on industrial equipment). I wanted this too but I don't think it can happen easily. Updated OP with some discussion criteria.

[Typhaeon]

Have a flap that goes over the end with either 1-2 click-fastener straps or a sewn-in magnetic bar to which it attaches if zippers won't work.

Burgundy, black, and a darker red/forest green would be my preferred colors.  I would definitely be in for at least one.  

No chance of male and female plastic clip ends on each corner so they can be conjoined together and rolled up (i.e., if looking at the case lengthwise, have two male connectors on top and two female on the bottom)?  I'm an insane person who frequently transports 3-4 keyboards at a time, and only 2 numpadless models currently fit in my messenger bag at once.

[sth]

No chance of male and female plastic clip ends on each corner so they can be conjoined together and rolled up (i.e., if looking at the case lengthwise, have two male connectors on top and two female on the bottom)?  I'm an insane person who frequently transports 3-4 keyboards at a time, and only 2 numpadless models currently fit in my messenger bag at once.

This is definitely possible as a custom option, or perhaps if others are interested we'd consider it on all of them. Accessory loops wouldn't be a bad idea, to which you could attach your own clips to hold them together. I put some of your suggestions in the OP.

[Zifle]

I own neither a poker, nor hhkb, but I would be interested in one for standard TKL, and one for full length. I'll see if I can come up with a solution to the cable (My main board is a filco), but at the moment i have none.

Any chance we could see pics of what you have sketched thus far?

[sth]

I can try to sketch some cleaner examples -- the paper we have is pretty chicken-scratchy.

[hazeluff]

Interested in one, but I want to see the design first.

[mkawa]

is there a reason to do this over having waterfield do a run of custom-sized slips? see: http://www.sfbags.com/products/keyboard-cases/keyboard-socket.php

i've talked to waterfield's owner a number of times and he's super friendly.

[sth]

is there a reason to do this over having waterfield do a run of custom-sized slips?

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Yeah. For the money, we're not going to get a sleeve customized to our exact specifications made by any company. It looks like the one you linked to has no closing mechanism either, and the next step up price-wise looks like something we could do for slightly less (25-ish per sleeve I'm thinking at this point).

Also, that would probably require a minimum order of a specific size, and I am trying to accommodate more than just one size here.

The upside of doing it this way is that there is FAR less overhead. Once we work out how long it takes her to make one sleeve (which I'm sure is less than an hour) we can come up with more solid pricing. Like I mentioned, I'm not looking for anything more than compensation for the materials, and the person making these is not greedy but obviously should be compensated for her time and expertise...

If it comes to it, she might just make these CTO...

[flags]

Interested. Depends on the price, of course.

[Ovoxo]

Interested in a poke one depending on price as well.

[mkawa]

i think CTO makes more sense

eg, i want one that will fit a poker with nothing but a metal plate on the bottom of the pcb lol

[sth]

Mkawa- that would be cool but what about the solder spikes on the underside? do you have the PCB lifted at all?

[mkawa]

have you  been following oneproduct's metal poker case thread? there will be a polymer layer between the pcb and the metal

[DanGWanG]

Red and Black!

I'm in.

[sth]

No I lost interest. I'm not a big fan of the bent + welded aluminum compared to the billet machined cases... but a plate would be cool.
The sleeve would probably be a very close fit  though. I imagine these will depress the keys, which is fine because springs work that way. The extra half inch would be in the stretch anyway.

[mkawa]

my poker has clear springs right now. pretty sure they can take it

[sth]

mkawa - went through the order thread a bit but didn't see anything about ordering just the bottom plate. What's the deal with that?

[500_pts]

also interested based on design and price

[MyNameIsFinn]

Im interested once I see pics

[mkawa]

mkawa - went through the order thread a bit but didn't see anything about ordering just the bottom plate. What's the deal with that?

PM oneproduct directly.

[sth]

Updating OP.

From now on, please let me know the size keyboard you need a sleeve for so I can plan on ordering the right amount of neoprene. I'll be ordering one sheet as soon as I get paid, from which the prototypes and probably first batch will be made.

[hashbaz]

I'm interested in HHKB and tenkeyless sizes.  Black or burgundy sound great, or some shade of dark blue.

[sth]

Hashbaz - I will let you know when I get the prototype made. Since you're close, we can see if the HHKB fits in the prototype poker-sized version.

[hashbaz]

Sounds good.

[Kisakuku]

I'm interested in HHKB and tenkeyless sizes.  Black or burgundy sound great, or some shade of dark blue.

Ditto. Also, would love to check how Imsto's Poker case fits the prototype sleeve.

[sth]

Ditto. Also, would love to check how Imsto's Poker case fits the prototype sleeve.

I don't think the aluminum poker case is really that different from the plastic case. The neoprene should stretch enough to cover a little bit more.

I'm starting to think it would be really nice to have an ABS cover for the poker. I know the springs can handle being compressed in the case but it would put my mind at easy knowing they're relatively more secure...

[Kisakuku]

I don't think the aluminum poker case is really that different from the plastic case. The neoprene should stretch enough to cover a little bit more.

It's the medium and large machined feet that concern me.

[sth]

Oh, good point. Let's try to get together with hashbaz and have a fitting party or something soonish. I'll bring a cloth measuring tape to take some stuff down.

[Index]

Interested in a HHKB and Poker Sized sleeves. Want to see some prototypes first though.

[sth]

Ordering the neoprene tonight, hopefully will have it by early next week to make poker + TKL prototypes, then will try to meet up with hashbaz and kisa to fit RF + HHKBs.

[hazeluff]

GLHF!

I am looking forward to what happens.

[sth]

Small update:

The site I linked to (foamorder.com) has not returned my initial request for information sent last week, so they can just keep jacking off or whatever it is they do in their offices instead of responding to potential customers. Does anybody have any good ideas for foam sources? 50-60 a sheet seems reasonable for 2-3mm fabric.

[Input Nirvana]

Good idea, I like!

I surf, so I like anything neoprene

[captain]

Dunno, but that sounds damn expensive, considering that you can buy a whole wetsuit, which contains that much neoprene, for <$100.

Btw, a Teflon needle will help, and should allow a good zipper to be installed too, making these the best keyboard carriers ever!

I want HHKB and Filco TKL size, with a divider for iPad.

Did we discuss handles?  Simple nylon webbing with foam cylinder inserts should be good.

[sth]

Dunno, but that sounds damn expensive, considering that you can buy a whole wetsuit, which contains that much neoprene, for <$100.

Btw, a Teflon needle will help, and should allow a good zipper to be installed too, making these the best keyboard carriers ever!

I want HHKB and Filco TKL size, with a divider for iPad.

Did we discuss handles?  Simple nylon webbing with foam cylinder inserts should be good.

No zippers. Sorry but it's incredibly hard to sew zippers without industrial equipment, and the difficulty is compounded with stretchy material like neoprene.

The reason those wetsuits are so cheap is because of volume. Also, a sheet of neoprene can make approx. 15-20 poker-sized cases.

As these are made to order, a handle is totally doable but it will cost more for materials and labor. This is a slow process, because in addition to  collecting interest, we also have to prototype these -- the first of their kind.
 
Did I mention ONE person is doing all of the real work here (not me, the seamstress)?

[demik]

Adding too many bells and whistles will kill this project. Zippers, handles, iPad compartments.

[Typhaeon]

Really, just one little patch with a male/female plastic clip on each end of a fold-in flap will be more than enough to secure the bag without being prohibitive to implement.  Or a wide magnet, or a leather strap, or a simple velcro strip (with or without clip, like this messenger bag).

[evolveS]

Definitely interested in a poker sized case, USB compartment or not. Will await prototypes