Author Topic: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards  (Read 19916 times)

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Offline pexon

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[IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 09:49:55 »
I have the oppertunity to get some ally cases for TKL and fullsize boards. These are from Vortex.

All cases are anodized and colours available are; red, blue, black and natural and gun-metal.

Waiting to hear back on pricing.

This is not set in stone, just want some feedback about what price you would like to see and any feedback is always appreciated.

TKL pics











Fullsize pics












Offline oTurtlez

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 09:56:17 »
Interested pending price :)
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 09:57:11 »
Is the anodization fixed this time? They look nice but I'm wary of Vortex cases from their previous issues.

Also what boards will these fit? I know TKLs will differ in mounting points. Not 100% sure about the Full Size stuff.

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 09:58:31 »
I concur with these other two guys! ;)

Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 09:58:39 »
Is the anodization fixed this time? They look nice but I'm wary of Vortex cases from their previous issues.

Also what boards will these fit? I know TKLs will differ in mounting points. Not 100% sure about the Full Size stuff.

As I said, waiting to hear more.

Offline tns

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 10:11:38 »
Also got another question, which looks like CPTBadAss one,
has that TKL evolved or is it the same TKL we heard about?

Offline Photoelectric

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 10:13:24 »
Yes please!!!  Especially if you can get more of a cyan-aqua color for that blue! (interested in a TKL size).  And pending on price.  And maybe with improvements in quality control.
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Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 10:19:59 »
Well, I'll be seeing if I can get one in to judge the build quality, if its no good, I wont be getting them in.

Offline Photoelectric

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 10:21:57 »
For reference, they are available in the U.S. from MechanicalKeyboards.com for $150-ish shipped (only TKL sizes).  Red color's been out of stock.  I've been considering a blue one for a while, but various QC issues have stopped me (plus, still, $150 for just a case has also stopped me, and I've elected to paint my cases instead).
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 10:22:23 »

Offline BimboBB

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 10:31:51 »
Didnt know Vortex is doing fullsize alu cases as well. My stock case looks quite used already and could need some upgrade.  :)

Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 11:05:23 »


I cant tell if thats bad or good lol

Offline Photoelectric

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 11:07:30 »
Ambiguous gif is ambiguous.  Which is a perfect example why replying only with gifs is bad.
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Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 11:08:26 »
It is pretty nonchalant

Offline jameslr

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 11:28:29 »
It looks like filco style case with the LEDs above the navigation bank. What would it take to make this work for a QFR? I wouldn't be willing to spend more than $100 on something like this. Although I think I've learned my lesson with aluminum cases. They're for rich people.
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Offline Xenderwind

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 11:33:44 »
I wouldn't be willing to spend more than $100 on something like this.

Good luck with that. 
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Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 11:45:00 »
Yea, I doubt I'll be able to get hold of them for less than 100 bucks

Offline Latin00032

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 12:08:08 »
My only concerns are quality control and proper compatibility.

Getting an aluminum tkl case in the previous batch was hit or miss. Sometimes the parts didn't fit right. Sometimes it didn't come with all the parts.

I think allot of people would look for qfr versions as well.

I'd be happy if this newer version fixed or alleviated some of these concerns.
« Last Edit: Tue, 06 August 2013, 12:52:57 by Latin00032 »

Offline Tarzan

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 12:10:37 »
Ambiguous gif is ambiguous.  Which is a perfect example why replying only with gifs is bad.

It's a beautiful case, and depending on price, I would be interested in a full-size case.

 ;D

Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 12:39:14 »
I'll wait to hear back from my contact with some more info  :thumb:

Offline BunnyLake

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 13:26:19 »
as above, id be interested in a tenkeyless one if the price is fair
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Offline Photoelectric

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 13:31:27 »
By the way, whoever sees the blue one in person first, could you describe the color, please?  In some photos I've seen, it looks like the color is more cyan (greenish), and in other photos, it's more of a pure light blue.  I know anodized aluminum color changes depending on lighting, but still, it'd be good to know what it's like on average.
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Offline lcs

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #22 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 13:32:54 »
Interested in one.

Offline Latin00032

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 15:51:40 »
Would their be an option for hard anodizing?

Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 15:52:56 »
No, I doubt it

Offline pasph

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:25:03 »
interested in full size
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Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #26 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:28:04 »
and 666 posts too  >:D :p

Offline Neal

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #27 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:31:13 »
These do not work with Phantom and custom controllers, correct?

Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #28 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:35:15 »
I am waiting for more news mate, so I cannot say yes or no.

Offline Photoelectric

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #29 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:38:46 »
These do not work with Phantom and custom controllers, correct?

They do, but you will need extra spacers to make the flat plate fit well, because this case relies on the curved plate like Filco's.  See a long discussion thread with all the negative and positives here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37801.0

And Leslieann recently did an interest check for custom spacers for Phantom and Universal plates:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45739
« Last Edit: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:40:43 by Photoelectric »
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Offline pasph

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #30 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 16:58:44 »
"There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life"

Offline WhiteFireDragon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #31 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 18:55:59 »
There's little point in doing this if price is not lower than $159 SHIPPED, because that's how much mechanicalkeyboards has them for. Although, I'm not sure if MK.com ships international.

I bought the first batch that came out last year (my review below). I gave it a neutral review because most people are not as picky as I am, but personally I think the quality is pretty bad. Some things are just unexcusable though: missing feet, some screws, and does not fit Filco cable properly unless you smash the ferrite bead. Yes, the feet was finally shipped separately half a year later, but this should have been included from the very start. Things that can be overlooked are cosmetic scratches, dents, or random unnecessary holes, but these things still point to lower quality. Users reported that later batches were a little better.

It seems like the batch I got were prototypes that Vortex passed on as the final product. That tells you a little something about the company.




Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #32 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 19:03:49 »
Thanks for the feedback dude, I will wait for more info from the contact. I will also see if I can get a sample before going any further. IF I can get something like that sorted, I will be more inclined to go ahead, but only with a small batch. If the initial batch is OK, we will go further.

Again, need to wait to hear more back.

Offline Neal

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #33 on: Tue, 06 August 2013, 22:19:55 »
These do not work with Phantom and custom controllers, correct?

They do, but you will need extra spacers to make the flat plate fit well, because this case relies on the curved plate like Filco's.  See a long discussion thread with all the negative and positives here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37801.0

And Leslieann recently did an interest check for custom spacers for Phantom and Universal plates:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45739
Thank you! Good info.

Offline HendyZone

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #34 on: Wed, 07 August 2013, 08:45:59 »
interested with the full size  :p

Offline Smeagol_RP

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #35 on: Wed, 07 August 2013, 11:46:28 »
Any chance to get a cheaper non anodized TKL case?
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Offline Vintage

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #36 on: Fri, 09 August 2013, 20:28:02 »
Very interested. Waiting to hear the price first though.
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Offline Latin00032

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #37 on: Sun, 11 August 2013, 06:22:13 »
Is it possible for green to be a color choice?

Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #38 on: Sun, 11 August 2013, 06:53:48 »
Is it possible for green to be a color choice?

I dont think so dude.

Offline BliTzKiN

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #39 on: Sun, 11 August 2013, 10:00:20 »
I'm interested as well depending on the price :)

Offline Photoelectric

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #40 on: Wed, 14 August 2013, 11:30:16 »
Any word from Vortex regarding pricing?
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Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #41 on: Wed, 14 August 2013, 11:34:53 »
No man, they are painfully slow.

Offline SeriouSSpotS

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #42 on: Wed, 14 August 2013, 12:10:38 »
I am interested, depending on price...
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Offline pasph

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #43 on: Tue, 27 August 2013, 07:56:51 »
Updates?
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Offline pexon

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #44 on: Tue, 27 August 2013, 08:01:08 »
STILL nothing back from them  :( :-[

Offline Moosecraft

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #45 on: Tue, 27 August 2013, 08:16:05 »
Probably interested in a black TKL one
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Offline GeeNDL82

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #46 on: Tue, 27 August 2013, 11:42:39 »
waiting price list
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Offline aj-kun

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #47 on: Tue, 27 August 2013, 11:43:39 »
I'd be in for a TKL if the build quality improved.

Offline AlexJP

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #48 on: Wed, 28 August 2013, 02:33:26 »
interested... will it fit Ducky's?

Offline LechnerDE

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Re: [IC] Aluminium cases for TKL and Fullsize boards
« Reply #49 on: Wed, 28 August 2013, 05:22:34 »
Just saw this thread. I'd be interested in a TKL case, BUT ONLY if all the quality issues WFD mentioned in his post have been resolved.

Right now my favorite color is light blue, but that may change over time ;)
« Last Edit: Wed, 28 August 2013, 05:40:04 by LechnerDE »