Let's make a acrylic casing for the upcoming phantom *PROTOTYPE OUT*

[Acetrak]

If you are building a Phantom in hopes of it being cheaper than Filcos, I think you might be slightly ill informed

NO! That would be stupid of me. From 60 for the PCB/Teensy to 80 for the Keycaps (and a calculated 50 for the Cherry MX Green switches), there's no WAY I'll get a Phantom for less than a Filco. I'm hoping for a nice CASE that's cheaper than a full Filco keyboard.

Ah gotcha, that will be a tough goal. The aluminum Vortex cases (although they cannot house Phantoms) went for $148 which is pretty close to Filco's.

EDIT: Nevermind, boost estimates more than Filco

[jdcarpe]

The Vortex aluminum Filco case costs $150, and that is seen as inexpensive. The MKC case was $350, and while the build quality was better, it was still too expensive for most.

I would estimate $60-80 plus shipping for your switches. You want to buy around 100 switches, so you have a few extra "just in case."

If you just get the PCB, Teensy, diodes, stabilizers, plate, switches, and buy someone's stock Filco (or something) keycaps), you could probably come in around the same as a Filco. Make a cardboard case for it and there you have it. Otherwise, plan to spend serious money on this project.

[inteli722]

That's disappointing...but doesn't completely stop me...I can probably squeeze $200, but not a ton more...It also depends on when it's for sale...

[inteli722]

The Vortex aluminum Filco case costs $150, and that is seen as inexpensive. The MKC case was $350, and while the build quality was better, it was still too expensive for most.

I would estimate $60-80 plus shipping for your switches. You want to buy around 100 switches, so you have a few extra "just in case."

If you just get the PCB, Teensy, diodes, stabilizers, plate, switches, and buy someone's stock Filco (or something) keycaps), you could probably come in around the same as a Filco. Make a cardboard case for it and there you have it. Otherwise, plan to spend serious money on this project.

Yeah. This will be pricey (but totally worth it) I know about both the previous aluminum cases. The extra switches do make sense. Everything but the Plate, switches, stabilizers, and keycaps are in the kit, and I can't really do anything with this until the summer when I have time... I would hope the cardboard cases would be extremely temporary because I don't think Cardboard can handle the sheer awesomeness of the Phantom...I'm thinking for me, this project would last a good year, being finished around this same time 2014. And Filco caps won't work. 1.50x mods FTW

[reverkiller]

FWIW, I'm currently planning on building my case out of cardboard, coated in something to make it resist the sweat from my sweaty sweaty palms. It will be "free", especially if I can get my mom to pick up some boxes from Costco that weekend

[inteli722]

FWIW, I'm currently planning on building my case out of cardboard, coated in something to make it resist the sweat from my sweaty sweaty palms. It will be "free", especially if I can get my mom to pick up some boxes from Costco that weekend

Can you release the blueprints so I can use my Phantom before Christmas 2013? It's not going to be used before September 2013, but hopefully I can use it before 2013.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Best quote I got for the top half to be prototyped is $200ish. -_-. If someone know a CNC shop please with decent pricing, please let me know.

$200 for just the top cover... can't wait to pay for the whole case  .

And it looks like your plate is basically exactly like the original ANSI150 with a few additional tabs to mount it on the case? You should consider modifying the switches with stabilizers, and realign the bottom half of the holes again.

[llovro]

I'm also interested in a case like this. I hope it wont be too expensive ... Dang this phantoms are expensive ...

[Leewei]

I am guessing we are waiting on better quotes? I hope this all works out. Cheers!

[inteli722]

I'm also interested in a case like this. I hope it wont be too expensive ... Dang this phantoms are expensive ...

It's confirmed to be more than $150, likely $200-300. Yes, Phantoms are expensive. What, did you expect to make a custom programmable keyboard for cheap?

[SmallFry]

I got mine for about $100 total including a Graphite Set, Whiskerbox cable, 65g springs, lube and stickers. I'm still looking for a case however.

[jdcarpe]

SmallFry with the trades FTW!

[SmallFry]

Aye! Did have to shell out for the springs and Graphite Set shipping... ugh.

[llovro]

I'm also interested in a case like this. I hope it wont be too expensive ... Dang this phantoms are expensive ...

It's confirmed to be more than $150, likely $200-300. Yes, Phantoms are expensive. What, did you expect to make a custom programmable keyboard for cheap?

No, I certainly dont expect such a keyboard to be cheap. I expressed myself wrong. I was more reffering to the case...

[inteli722]

I'm also interested in a case like this. I hope it wont be too expensive ... Dang this phantoms are expensive ...

It's confirmed to be more than $150, likely $200-300. Yes, Phantoms are expensive. What, did you expect to make a custom programmable keyboard for cheap?

No, I certainly dont expect such a keyboard to be cheap. I expressed myself wrong. I was more reffering to the case...

I understood. An aluminum case would be $200-300. Expect the project to be closer to $500 if you want to go the metal case route.

tl;dr: I understood what you meant

[Acetrak]

SmallFry the trade magician

[esoomenona]

I don't think it counts if you don't count the value of the trades, SF.

[SmallFry]

I don't think it counts if you don't count the value of the trades, SF.

Well, true... but I liked the goal and the hunt for under $100 out of pocket. I have some case files that I'm going to get made to see if they'll fit, if not, I'll have to modify them.

[reverkiller]

I don't think it counts if you don't count the value of the trades, SF.

Well, true... but I liked the goal and the hunt for under $100 out of pocket. I have some case files that I'm going to get made to see if they'll fit, if not, I'll have to modify them.

I have no idea where to start in designing a case. Any tips for me? I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something I can get cut at my brothers school with their on hand acrylic. I'd like to design it myself, but I don't even know what software to pick up haha.

[damorgue]

I have no idea where to start in designing a case. Any tips for me? I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something I can get cut at my brothers school with their on hand acrylic. I'd like to design it myself, but I don't even know what software to pick up haha.

Solidworks, Inventor, Catia, ProEngineer, Autocad

Pick one. Autocad is the most common when it comes to more 2D-oriented work.

[alaricljs]

^^hint - acrylic cases are basically 2D work.  Z axis is controlled by your material choices.

[SmallFry]

Still trying to figure out if I'm going to have to dremel in what I want indented(cut out into the case, but not a through hole) in the DXF files I got from LifeZone. Ugh, the choices, the choices.

[llovro]

Also what about wooden case? How hard would it be to make it? Would it be cheaper than alluminium?

[Acetrak]

Also what about wooden case? How hard would it be to make it? Would it be cheaper than alluminium?

Would be super cheap if you pick up some wood and carve it yourself lol

But to do it the proper way with everything flush and sanded and clear finish...it might be cheaper? But I'm not sure if it'll be easy.

[alaricljs]

Technically to do it right, it gets run on the same sort of CNC machine as metal, it would be less machine time since you can go faster.  The thing is, finding someone that'll do that sort of woodwork and getting a price.

[llovro]

http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/wooden-filco-mj2-tkl-case-maybe-custom-wood-stuff-t2627-90.html
I found this. Too bad the project got canceled. And one case was 140€ which is 182$...
I would definetly get something like this if it was cheaper ...

[Acetrak]

Unfortunately, most of the time custom made things aren't cheap

[llovro]

Unfortunately, most of the time custom made things aren't cheap

Yeah I realised that...

[takaki]

oo finally some pictures that are still available of that case.

Any idea what kind of wood is that ?

[The_Beast]

Also what about wooden case? How hard would it be to make it? Would it be cheaper than alluminium?

hmmmmmmmmm

[takaki]

hmmmmmmmmm

Any conclusions ?

[WRXChris]

oo finally some pictures that are still available of that case.

Any idea what kind of wood is that ?

it's oak.  I own that prototype

[nebo]

I really don't see the fascination with wood cases. Might just be me but I like my electronics cold, sharp, and hard. Much like a woman's love.

[inteli722]

I really don't see the fascination with wood cases. Might just be me but I like my electronics cold, sharp, and hard. Much like a woman's love.

They're unique. The only Wood mechanical keyboards I've seen consist of one Korean Mechanical keyboard on eBay, whereas I've seen plenty of Korean keyboards with aluminum cases. It's a matter of preference and if you want something REALLY unique. Also, the wood cases are maybe a hair easier because someone fairly prominent on these forums makes custom palmrests out of wood.

[The_Beast]

hmmmmmmmmm

Any conclusions ?

I was going to try over my winter break to make a wood poker case, but I've been pretty busy with other stuff. Plus, it would be pretty hard to make them one by one without a ton of templates or a CNC machine

I really don't see the fascination with wood cases. Might just be me but I like my electronics cold, sharp, and hard. Much like a woman's love.

They're unique. The only Wood mechanical keyboards I've seen consist of one Korean Mechanical keyboard on eBay, whereas I've seen plenty of Korean keyboards with aluminum cases. It's a matter of preference and if you want something REALLY unique. Also, the wood cases are maybe a hair easier because someone fairly prominent on these forums makes custom palmrests out of wood.

Who dat?

[inteli722]

I really don't see the fascination with wood cases. Might just be me but I like my electronics cold, sharp, and hard. Much like a woman's love.

They're unique. The only Wood mechanical keyboards I've seen consist of one Korean Mechanical keyboard on eBay, whereas I've seen plenty of Korean keyboards with aluminum cases. It's a matter of preference and if you want something REALLY unique. Also, the wood cases are maybe a hair easier because someone fairly prominent on these forums makes custom palmrests out of wood.

Who dat?

[takaki]

CPR with pictures.

[nebo]

This is actually happening?! If so then I need to go back to winkeyless if possible!

[Sai]

wo. the prototype looks nice. is it possible to have different colors combination like litster's case?

[takaki]

This is actually going to happen. Yes definitely can look into it.

[WhiteFireDragon]

I'm getting alzheimer. This thread has been out for a while, I even commented on it, yet I don't recall any of this :/

So the complete case is $50?

[Jocelyn]

I'm getting alzheimer. This thread has been out for a while, I even commented on it, yet I don't recall any of this :/

So the complete case is $50?

To be fair, there weren't any posts for over 100 days 

[takaki]

I'm getting alzheimer. This thread has been out for a while, I even commented on it, yet I don't recall any of this :/

So the complete case is $50?

It is just a ball park figure without shipping, waiting for your plate patiently bro.. cannot finalise yet without the plate.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Wait what plate lol. Picture shows Phantom ANSI125? I can send this one out right now, but other designs I'm waiting on Beast.

edit: spreadsheet says you ordered the ANS125 and ANS150, which I have right now. I'll send these out to you to get the ball rollin for this thread, but you gave 2 different addresses. I'll PM you about this.

[Rendom]

I would really love to have this happen. I will buy at least 1-2 : )

[takaki]

Settled the plates issue with WFD, now waiting for the plate to get finalize the final set.

[TheQsanity]

What if we got the PRF plate? It has extra keys on the function row.

[takaki]

A variant for the whole function row to be cut into a single long hole is possible as well.
Meaning to say the opening for the esc key to stretch all the way to F12 or the pause key?

[TheQsanity]

Something like that. .. I am on my phone right now, cant really check...

[takaki]

No worries, I'll check it out and confirm for you.