GH60 Group Buy (Salvage Mode: Enabled - Update in OP)

[WhiteFireDragon]

NON-CONUS GB Participants, please read this update from BunnyLake: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41464.msg2323159#msg2323159


== == == == ==
Current status of the Group Buy (2017/06/05)

Any updates for the CONUS folks?

On the SMD parts @samwisekoi was supposed to be trying to work something out. He is still packing and moving he posted elsewhere he would try to be back online around July.

I'm on hold for the rest of my orders due to not having those SMD parts and waiting on fulfilling a couple big orders to see what is left to fulfill with and honestly quite a few people just never responded to being contacted a second time.

I got in touch with @mashby the other week and he said he is going to do his best to get back in the game sometime this month (June).

@hoffmanmyster is slowly shipping things out AFAIK, he also moved and got a new job and I'm pretty sure got a gf or wife because he sold a bunch of stuff the other day and I don't know why else anyone would do that


so tl;dr as is typical with this buy....things are happening in spurts....we have not given up.....

 

Current status of the Group Buy (2016/03/01)

Hey guys! Before we dig into the details of this update, I first want to thank everyone for being patient while we worked on putting together a plan of action and nail down the details of how we're going to drag this group buy across the finish line. Rest assured that those volunteering and in the same boat as you. We're all waiting for our own orders as well and we want to wrap this up as fast as possible.

TL;DR
Three proxies are handling the shipment of the US and Canadian orders and you're going to have to pay for shipping again. Shipping will be a flat-rate of $15 and sent via USPS Priority Mail for US customers. Canadian order will be shipped via First-Class.


GH60 Group Buy Status
In case you haven't been keeping up with this thread, this group buy was started three years ago and it unfortunately fell apart. Details can be found within this thread, but the important point is that many volunteers have been working behind the scenes to repair this buy as much as possible and fulfill everyone's order. It's far from perfect, but we're doing our best with what we have left.

Proxy Shipping
Three volunteers are handling the shipment of the US and Candian orders. They are: mashby, HoffmanMyster and SpAmRaY. Our jobs are to handle the shipping of your order, as complete as we can make it, and to collect the funds for postage.

I Have To Pay For Shipping Again?
Yes. We would prefer that this wasn't the case, but given the status of this group buy we have no other option.

How Much Is Shipping?
$15 for US orders, which includes shipping, PayPal fees and handling charge. Canadian Customers will be sent First-Class for the exact postage + $2 handling fee.  In order to expedite your order we are shipping all US orders via USPS and using a Medium Flat-Rate box. In addition, we are including a $2 handling fee.

Why A Handling Fee?
We're trying to run this as lean as possible, but the handling fee is to offset the PayPal fees as well as incidental costs for packaging and shipping. Thankfully the boxes are free, but there are other costs to get your order to you and we don't want the proxies to lose money handling everyone's orders.

All of us will be keeping detailed records to account for all monies collected for shipping and although we don't expect their to be any, all profits will be donated to GeekHack for the operation of the forum.  For more details regarding on why GeekHack is accepting donations can be found here.

When Do I Have To Pay For Shipping?
After the proxy has your order ready to ship. We first need to receive the goods from Samwisekoi and sort them into individual orders. This will ensure that your order is as complete as possible and that we have the goods in hand first. Once that is complete, we'll invoice you via PayPal for the shipping costs.

What About Assembly?
Assembly was being coordinated by the original leader of the group buy -- WhiteFireDragon. His abandonment of the group buy is what put us in the position that we're in now.  All of the volunteers involved in this salvage process have attempted to recover what we could, but assembly is no longer available.

Your Options
1. You can choose to solder the keyboard yourself (link)
2. Hire a professional (link)
3. Ask someone to volunteer here in the thread.

What's The Plan?
Below is an outline of how we plan to process everyone's order. The good news is that some of these items are already completed, so we're already making progress.

1. Receive the most current spreadsheet available from Matt3o

2. Sort through the spreadsheet and send back totals for each order

3. Order Shipping Materials

4. Send Confirmation E-mail To Order Holders

5. Receive Goods From Samwisekoi & Confirm Numbers

6. Send Invoices via PayPal

7. Receive Payment & Ship

8. Wrap Up Exceptions / Problems


Next Steps
As you can see from the outline above, our next step is to send out confirmation e-mails. The purpose of this e-mail is to verify your current address and provide you with what we have as your order. We'll update the thread when these go out.

Once the confirmation phase is complete, we'll be waiting for the order to arrive from Samwisekoi. We'll keep everyone posted along the way and if you have any questions, please post them in the thread so that we can all keep track.

PAYMENT DEADLINE: 06/30/13  >countdown<


What this is about

GH60 is a community-developed keyboard designed by komar007, with the original idea by jdcarpe. This keyboard's form factor is the same size as the KBC Poker or Pure (60% size of a full keyboard, hence the name). Main feature is that it uses the ATmega32u4 controller, which allows for every key to be programmable and a possibility for a custom secondary function layer as well. This single PCB will support many variants of ANSI, ISO, and other custom layouts detailed below.







Plate

Plates will make your keyboard will feel more solid overall and help disperse some of the typing stress. They’re optional, but most people do prefer it. Each layout will require a different plate. HHKB and winkeyless layouts can use any ANSI or ISO plate with 1.5x modifiers. I designed these so the top switch housing is removable without desoldering, which helps with swapping switches, springs, stems, lubing, or stickering later on. All the plates offered in here are stainless steel. They can be directly dropped in to existing cases. More details on this in the next post.
 
 compatibility:

• Costar stabilizer
• PCB-mounted cherry stabilizer
• Plate-mounted cherry stabilizer
• Any existing and upcoming 60% case
• Poker and Pure (must be plates with 1.25x modifier)

 

 Cases
 - Plastic Poker case
 - Plastic Pure case
 - Imsto aluminum tray
 - Oneproduct aluminum case
 - Treble aluminum tray
 - Pure’s aluminum CNC
 - WhiteFireDragon’s design
 - The_Beast’s design
 - alixinhzai's acrylic case
 
 
 
 Assembly
 The PCBs will come with all SMD preassembled, including diodes. Switches and LEDs will require your own soldering. If you’re brave and want to do the SMD soldering yourself, PCB and a bag of SMT components will be cheaper. There will be options for assembly service if you cannot build it yourself.
 
 If you’re assembling it yourself, the minimum equipment you’ll need is a Weller WLC-100 soldering station/iron and Rosin-core solder (smaller than 0.04" diameter). Although it is doable with cheap $15 irons, that’s not recommended. In addition to the PCB, you will need the following to complete the build:

• Switches
• Stabilizers
• Case
• Keycaps
• Plate (optional)
• mini-B USB cable.

   
 
 
 Costs
PCB (SMD presoldered) - $28
PCB (DIY, includes SMT components) - $15
bare PCB (no components) - $6
Plate - $16
Switches - $0.63
cherry stabilizers - $9
Costar stabilizers - $7
Assembly - $25


The prices listed above is a ballpark now final. PCBs could be a tad lower, depending on quantity at the end, or possibly be a few dollars higher to account for import/VAT taxes or any other unforeseen fees. Same goes with plates and switches, it really depends on how many of each are ordered.
 
 
 
 Ordering
 Deadline to submit order is Monday, 04/22/13, payment deadline is 06/30/13. You’ve been given the payment date almost 2 months in advance, so start planning your budget accordingly! ETA for all parts will be around September if there are no major delays. Switches might take a little longer if you ordered them.
 
 >ORDER FORM [CLOSED]<

Order confirmation

>POLL<
poll results could affect the final PCB, plate, or features. So please vote!

>Order Changes<

 

Order example from this GB:
-1x GH60 PCB $30
-1x poker plate $16
-1x cherry (plate-mounted) stabilizer set, 6.25x spacbar wire $9
-63x MX red switches $38 (2 extra switch for defectives or broken pins)
-assembly service $25
 total $113

You'll still need to source the following for a complete keyboard:
-1x case
-1x USB cable
-1x keycap set

 
Logistics
 Komar designed and will have the PCBs made, I designed and will have the plates made. Jdcarpe and I will manage orders, but all of us will have access to the spreadsheets. Jdcarpe and I tjcaustin will handle US and Canada assembly and distributions, komar will assemble and distribute for EU and the rest of the world (unless you have a personal request or already have prior arrangements). Main reason is because it’s no longer cheap to ship international from the US. Switches are from 7bit. Tjcaustin will collect money and invoice.

 Misc links
 IC thread
 Prototyping
 Further feature development
 
 

[WhiteFireDragon]

Layouts and plates
 

• Bottom row - 1.5x (4) and 1x (2) modifier size with 7x spacebar, or all 1.25x (7) modifier size with 6.25x spacebar. Some non-standard spacing or hybrids are also possible
• Enter - standard 2.25x size or split up to 1.25x + 1x for ANSI, or the ISO-Enter that spans 2 rows
• Capslock - centered or off-centered stem, standard 1.75x size
• L-shift – standard 2.25x size (ANSI) or 1.25x + 1x (ISO).
• R-shift – standard 2.75x size (poker), or 1.75x + 1x (Pure)
• Backspace – standard 2x, or split up to two 1x
• 10x spacebar - all 1.5x plates has optional mounts for 10x size spacebars.

 Here are some possible layouts, rendered with my case design and toxic green caps theme:
 
 ANSI 1.25x - Poker



 
 ANSI 1.25x with short R-Shift - Pure



 
 ANSI 1.5x - full 1.5x mod, WKL, or HHKB




ANSI 1.5x with short R-shift - full 1.5x mod, WKL, or "true" HHKB


 

 ANSI 1.5x with short R-shift and split backspace - full 1.5x mod, WKL, or "true" HHKB



 
 ISO 1.25x



 
 ISO 1.5x - full 1.5x mod, WKL, or HHKB



ISO 1.5x with short R-shift - full 1.5x mod, WKL, or HHKB



 
 IvanIvanovich (CANCELED)
 

 
 Samwisekoi

 

 
 GH60 (max keys)

 
 


Each of the layouts above will have their own plates (except WKL and HHKB, these just use any 1.5x plate), compatible with all 3 types of stabilizers. In addition, there will be 2 more “universal” plates available. These plates’ main feature is the support for any possible hybrid layout from above. You’ll also be able to completely change layout using the same plate, by desoldering only a few switches and shifting them over (or adding/subtracting switches) rather than desoldering all switches and installing a new plate. You’ll still be able to open up switch top covers like all the other plates. The drawback is that you must use PCB-mounted cherry stabilizers, no other stabilizers option. And although plate-mounted cherry switches should be sufficient, it’s recommended you use PCB-mounted switches for the ones that go in the larger cutout holes.
 
Universal ANSI


Universal ISO


Universal 10x spacebar (special order)

[WhiteFireDragon]

Assembly

PCB ($30) – You’ll only need to solder switches, a single LED (included) for the capslock, and a resistor (included). Everything you need to solder is through-hole. All SMD parts are pre-soldered at the factory by a pick-and-place machine.

DIY PCB ($15) – You’ll need to solder EVERYTHING, including all SMD and through-hole components. The SMD components are provided (controller, few capacitors, resistors, single crystal, switch, USB, and roughly 65 diodes).

Disclaimer: Make sure you know exactly what you're getting into when getting a bare DIY kit. There is no point in saving $15 when you can’t get the board working. This is not your typical soldering of large through-hole switch pins. Parts are very small, so it's not recommended if you've never done SMD soldering before. The crystal was near impossible to do with a fine iron tip, I used hot air to solder up all the prototype boards. If you mess up, it's very hard to desolder these parts because both ends of the pads must be desoldered at the same time. You'll either need 2 irons, hot air, chipquik, or desoldering tweezers to remove the components. Wick braid could work, but I wouldn't bank on it. So with that many components you'll have to solder, don't plan on messing up.

Make sure you're absolutely clear on what you're doing. If getting the DIY kit, here is the SMD you'll need to do before starting on the switches:

If you have a hot air station:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z7nCAxS2Rg#t=9m37s


Komar's instructions for DIY HERE




Stabilizers

Costar (Filco, CM, WASDkeyboards, DAS, etc)
Cherry plate-mounted (Ducky, Leopold, etc)
Cherry PCB-mounted (Poker, Korean customs, etc)




 
Programming custom layouts
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37570.msg717519#msg717519


Programming the firmware (Windows)
1. download and install FLIP (http://www.atmel.com/tools/FLIP.aspx)
2. connect the keyboard, press the program button (S1) and wait until it enumerates
3. go to device manager, find the atmega32u4 chip and click "update driver"
4. choose location manually: folder named "usb" inside the installation directory of FLIP
5. once the driver is installed, run flip
6. Device -> Select: choose ATMega32U4
7. Settings -> Communication -> USB, FLIP should show the signature at this point (58 1E 95 87)
8. File -> Load HEX file: choose the hex firmware: ukbdc_gh60-0.1.hex
9. click "Run"
10. after programming is done, disconnect the device from USB and connect again.


Programming the firmware (Linux)
Download and install/compile/unpack dfu-programmer from http://dfu-programmer.sourceforge.net/.
Issue the following commands in the command prompt after connecting the device and pressing the programming button (S1). You may need root permissions or udev rules to do that.
sudo dfu-programmer atmega32u4 erase
sudo dfu-programmer atmega32u4 flash ukbdc_gh60-0.1.hex
sudo dfu-programmer atmega32u4 start
where ukbdc_gh60-0.1.hex is the firmware file.
The keyboard should start working. If it doesn't, reconnect the cable.

[calavera]

Now I know why you're so busy

[L4yercake]

HHKB ANSI 1.5 possible? 1.5 / 1.5 / 6.25 / 1.5 / 1.5 ?

[komar007]

Assembly service
If you want your GH60 assembled, please make sure to order all the switches you want on your board.
When we're ready to assemble we will ask you for a specification which defines which switches you want on your keyboard.
The specification can be as simple as "reds with a black under spacebar" or as complicated as a list or picture which shows which switch goes where.
Please note, that we may source the switches a bit later than we have have the boards ready, so ordering switches (no matter with or without assembly) may delay your shipment.


Building the prototype (SMD)
Please see the prototype soldering guide here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37570.msg717519#msg717519
I'll also post an updated version when I get my hands on the first final boards.


Current status
Here's how the board looks now (July 9th 2013):
Top:

Bottom:


And here's the bug tracker: https://github.com/komar007/ghkb/issues?milestone=1&state=open

Status updates
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34959.msg879125#msg879125 (June 4th 2013)
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34959.msg943761#msg943761 (June 27th 2013)
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34959.msg954327#msg954327 (July 9th 2013)


How to order switches
We have changed the "official" way of ordering switches.
The switches will be handled by 7bit @ deskthority.
In order to order your switches, register an account on the deskthority forum and go to http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/cherry-mx-taking-pre-orders-t2760.html to see what's available and how to write messages to the bot. Please remember that the PCB-mounted switches have names ending with "/NW". For plate-mounted GH60 you need the standard switches, without that suffix.
Please take the switches available in preorder. Their prices are lower, and they will be available in September/October.
In the end of your message to the bot please include a single line containing the text: "GH60" (without the apostrophes). This will mean your switches will be sent to one of the distributors of GH60, which will allow to save on shipping. Alternatively, you can order switches in the same thread on your own, and not have them sent to us. Please remember, that you need to add GH60 if you have checked the "Assembly" option in the GH60 form, unless you want to send the switches to us on your own.


Example switch order for a GH60 poker layout with cherry mx blue on a plate to be sent to user CherryMX @ deskthority:
MXBLUEP 61
GH60
your@email_address.com


If you have ordered switches in the GH60 order form, please transfer your order to 7bit and remove your switch order from the form, using the "order changes" form.
If you leave switches in your GH60 order form, we will try to get the switches for you at the end of money collection, but we can't guarantee prices or delivery term, so your GH60 order may be prolonged.
We're sorry for the inconvenience, but it appeared that handling switches doesn't make much sense, since 7bit already has a very good system to do that, and we don't need additional overhead, having enough problems getting GH60s done.

[TDub]

Finally the GB arrives!! Really nice mock-ups of the layout options!!! Now comes the part where I want to order way more of them then I need....

[Loligagger]

Order submitted. Now to wait for the ghpad & WFD's combined case.

[Sai]

I'll submit my order later depending on WFD's case progress.
I am waiting for your HHKB aluminium case, bro. 

[codyeatworld]

I ordered two for now!

[viasacra89]

Ordered two DIY and two universal ansi plates. ^_^

[Glod]

holy ****, its here

yayyyyyy

The price i think is fair and the universal plates are cool

ill be signing up soon! for more than one

[esoomenona]

Could you make a Pure 1.5x plate? Or would you say the Universal plates would be just as sturdy? And in that case, why not just offer those plates to help increase orders and decrease costs? (And yes, I understand the stab dilemma between the two)

[esoomenona]

Question that may solve my own above: for the ISO and ANSI HHKB layouts, is there a space available for the outside 1.5x key?

[Broadmonkey]

Just to clear it up. All EU orders will be shipped from Komar (Poland) including plates?

[remedyhalopc]

plates are ~$35 or what?

[Glissant]

I think it's $16
Plate - $16(taken from first post)

I'll order when I get back from work. I really need to think about which plates I want to get.

[Tym]

Lookign forward! Would like to see shipping price before i commit!

[jdcarpe]

Told you guys it would be soon....

[komar007]

Lookign forward! Would liek to see shipping price before i commit!

Shipping to EU will be from EU, most probably from me. Depending on the country and availability of tracking it will be between $8 and $18 (assuming < 1kg per package)

[CPTBadAss]

Just to double check, the switches are going to be included in this GB? So I don't have to look for switches outside of the buy right?

[jdcarpe]

Correct. Just go ahead and order whatever amount and type of switches you want. The more the better. We will source them for you from where we can. No guarantees AT ALL for delivery schedule, though.

[metalliqaz]

Nice job guys, looks great!

[CPTBadAss]

Awww man, there goes my mental image of you, jdcarpe. I always imagined you as Spock, in a purple uniform, surrounded by mountains of boards and switches 

[pasph]

Please add LEDs along with switches and stabilizers

[The_Beast]

What switches and in what layout need to be rotated?

[pasph]

What are the options for assembly service?

[jcrouse]

In post #2, reply#1, in the first sentence below the nice pics of all the keyboards with black and lime green caps you state that "each layout above will have its own plate". What am I missing? Don't the ANSI 1.5x, ANSI WKL and HHKB ANSI layouts use the same plate?

Thanks,
John

[The_Beast]

What are the options for assembly service?

Depends on the ship date, but I could assemble some GH60's

[SmallFry]

Wheee!

[komar007]

Please add LEDs along with switches and stabilizers

LEDs and resistors come in standard with the PCB, and their price is already included.
Maybe we should add that info...

What switches and in what layout need to be rotated?

We'll try to have no switches rotated at 90 degrees. Only 0 and 180.

[affect656]

On the order form the phrasing for switches/stabilizers was a bit odd (Switches and stabilizers (in sets, each set is enough for 1 whole keyboard)). So the way I took it to mean was you would order a set of switches and stabilizers not an exact number of them, if this is incorrect I'll submit a Order Change. Also would it be possible if we order assembly to just have you keep the assembled plate until a case is bought and also ship that to you then get a fully assembled keyboard at once? Doubt many would be interested but just thought I should ask.

[badcop]

ordered pcb and plate

[tmk1207]

Great <3 . i'll order soon >:<

[Dubsgalore]

Is the HHKB ANSI not on the order form?

[ideus]

Are the components available to be purchased individually, or should be purchased in sets?

[danielucf]

Thanks for free Toxic advertising

Ordered three PCBs and three plates.

Will there be a stabilizers and wire group buy soon? My only worry is I don't have enough spacebar wires but I think I have enough plate mount cherry stabilizers after desoldering several WYSE boards, and will probably have one set of costar stabilizers after taking apart something else.

[ishumprod]

do the universal ansii plate fit the Ansii wkl layout ? if yes, what's the point of having a dedicated plate for WKL ansii layout ?

[inteli722]

do the universal ansii plate fit the Ansii wkl layout ? if yes, what's the point of having a dedicated plate for WKL ansii layout ?

Because stabilizer support.

I have absolutely no idea whether I'm ordering right now or not...I hope I do, but I want a really nice Phantom, so this might not be in the budget...

GLWGB (not that this needs it...It's already extremely well known throughout here.)

[ishumprod]

do the universal ansii plate fit the Ansii wkl layout ? if yes, what's the point of having a dedicated plate for WKL ansii layout ?

Because stabilizer support.

I have absolutely no idea whether I'm ordering right now or not...I hope I do, but I want a really nice Phantom, so this might not be in the budget...

GLWGB (not that this needs it...It's already extremely well known throughout here.)

ok, but will the unversal plate allow me to go WKL ? (1.5 mod?)

[boost]

Nice, ordered 3

[hoasican2004]

wow, it's attractive, i will buy one....future ^^

[inteli722]

do the universal ansii plate fit the Ansii wkl layout ? if yes, what's the point of having a dedicated plate for WKL ansii layout ?

Because stabilizer support.

I have absolutely no idea whether I'm ordering right now or not...I hope I do, but I want a really nice Phantom, so this might not be in the budget...

GLWGB (not that this needs it...It's already extremely well known throughout here.)

ok, but will the unversal plate allow me to go WKL ? (1.5 mod?)

I believe that's the point, to allow any ANSI layout with supported switch locations.

[jdcarpe]

do the universal ansii plate fit the Ansii wkl layout ? if yes, what's the point of having a dedicated plate for WKL ansii layout ?

Because stabilizer support.

I have absolutely no idea whether I'm ordering right now or not...I hope I do, but I want a really nice Phantom, so this might not be in the budget...

GLWGB (not that this needs it...It's already extremely well known throughout here.)

ok, but will the unversal plate allow me to go WKL ? (1.5 mod?)

I believe that's the point, to allow any ANSI layout with supported switch locations.

Yes, this is correct.

[ishumprod]

//blablabla

I believe that's the point, to allow any ANSI layout with supported switch locations.

so what's te pointop haveing dedicated ones if the universal fits them all ?

maybe i just didn't undersood anything

[cyberwave]

//blablabla

I believe that's the point, to allow any ANSI layout with supported switch locations.

so what's te pointop haveing dedicated ones if the universal fits them all ?

maybe i just didn't undersood anything

you cant use plate mounted stabilizers on the universal ones

[mashby]

Ordered.

[salmo]

Man, I've been gathering stuff up for this for what feels like forever.  I'm so happy to have an order in for the board.  Outside of that all I lack is a case, which I'm debating between splurging on, or trying to do something myself.

[ishumprod]

so can you guys  tell me what kind of stabs are tese ?

as i didn't desolder them i suppose they are plate-mounted but i'm not sure o the brand.

also wwill they fit a ansii layout ( WKL ) ?

[agor]

Ordered 2. Crossing fingers for Aluminum Case!