Does anybody do Race75%'s aluminum housing?

[stephenpark]

Around two months ago...
I got a new Vortex's Race 75%.

First of all, I don't like colour of LED because it was Blue.
Second, I don't like it because it does not have switch plate.
Third, I really don't like and disappointed because it's housing plastic is so jerk.
Finally, I've decided that I have to change the switch from Brown to White.

So...

I've made plate myself with 50 series 1.5T aluminum.
I've changed all switchs from Brown to White.
I've changed all springs from original White switch to Brown 48g spring. And, now it is fantastic.

And, now I am changing all blue single LED to Orange yellow Double LED (top and bottom, 2 LEDs, 2012 SMD type) because,
just single LED from top side does not lit perfectly all the special fonts and function legends.
It is really hard work because I have to change all registers and... wooo... you know, 2012 type SMD is so so so tiny!
Now I'm almost done all this.

But, still I really don't like it's plastic housing. It has real cheap toy quality.

Is there anybody so something about Race 75%'s housing?
With Aluminum or Metal like Pure's?
If anybody do this, I would like to buy one! Please!

[GeorgeStorm]

Wow you've basically made a whole new keyboard....
Would love some pics!

The limited edition Races come with alu cases I believe, you could buy one of them, swap the cases over then sell the Race you'd have left over in the plastic case?

[stephenpark]

Wow you've basically made a whole new keyboard....
Would love some pics!

The limited edition Races come with alu cases I believe, you could buy one of them, swap the cases over then sell the Race you'd have left over in the plastic case?

Huh, the limited version of Race only has white plastic housing and pink keycaps. Can you believe this?
I know in fact because I saw that from one of distributor's email which is came from Vortext itself.
And I was really suprised because, pink keycaps with white LED! Huh! No no no no no thanks.

Anyway, I don't know how can I upload the pictures. I think I have to save somewhere and put image link...?

[GeorgeStorm]

Oh that's a shame :/
Some people are trying to get enough interest for treble318 to make some:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?30423-IC-RACE-REPLACEMENT-CASES&highlight=race+alu
And upload them to imgur.com then just link them

[Cindori]

Huh, the limited version of Race only has white plastic housing and pink keycaps. Can you believe this?
I know in fact because I saw that from one of distributor's email which is came from Vortext itself.
And I was really suprised because, pink keycaps with white LED! Huh! No no no no no thanks.

Anyway, I don't know how can I upload the pictures. I think I have to save somewhere and put image link...?

Race LE will ship in
White case, white LED
Pink case, pink LED

u can see pics here: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?30643-Group-Buy-KBC-Poker-and-KBT-Race-Limited-Edition-Deadline-6-30

but LED on pink board is orange there because it's a build sample

[stephenpark]

All right this is some picture of my custom work for Race75%.

Plate


Plate with switchs (White)


Double LED (Red) for Esc and Caps Lock. (2012 Size SMD chip type)


Whole LED changed to Orange-Yellow colour Chip LED (Some double, some still single)


Zoom in double LED part


This is the part of bottom side, with 1mm flat copper line.


When I all done, I will post last pictures. Thanks GeorgeStorm!

[JoeC]

Wow, that looks great. Any particular reason not to use a different color on the WASD cluster?  Nice job.

[stephenpark]

Wow, that looks great. Any particular reason not to use a different color on the WASD cluster?  Nice job.

There is just simple reason that I like just as simple as original style but colour. And only Esc and Casp Lock! ;-)

[GeorgeStorm]

That looks incredible, any chance of seeing the back? You had to add quite a few resistors?

[net2522]

That's AWESOME!!

Can you teach me(us) how to make the plate thing?


Thank you in advance!!!

[stephenpark]

That looks incredible, any chance of seeing the back? You had to add quite a few resistors?

On the contrary, I had changed all R1 to R9 registers which was 100ohm originally to 56ohm because
LED part need more current because of double LED. Actually I will change this to 43ohm again because
all LEDs does not light as brightly as what I expected.

[stephenpark]

That's AWESOME!!

Can you teach me(us) how to make the plate thing?


Thank you in advance!!!

LOL first of all, you have to find a shop which must have Laser CNC cutting machine.
Of course you have to find material like 50 or 60 seriese 1.5T aluminum or statinless steel.
Second, you also have to find a factory which do the Sanding and Anodizing for aluminum.
It is not easy task to find all correct shop and factory for this, you can however, of course, if you really want!
If you have interest to make this plate for yourself, I can share the drawing which is AutoCAD file with you.

[stephenpark]

Oh that's a shame :/
Some people are trying to get enough interest for treble318 to make some:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?30423-IC-RACE-REPLACEMENT-CASES&highlight=race+alu
And upload them to imgur.com then just link them

Thanks a lot, it is very interesting project, however I think that I have to wait long time when buyers gather enough.
I would like to make myself