[GB] Ergodox PCB in Europe - 25€ each [Complete]

[elllit]

ErgoDox PCB in Europe? Yes, please!

If I don't have to get them made on my own takes some time to read more in the forum -- still so much stuff to read for a newbie!

[czarek]

Yes we will be offering fully assembled Ergodoxes. Plug and play

[Codas1989]

Fully assembled ErgoDox in Europe, shipped from within the EU, without all the delays and annoyances of the massdrop GB? You really got my attention xD
Where can I give you money? Do you want to marry me?

Honestly though, as soon as you have them ready, I'd be in for 1-3

[czarek]

Fully assembled ErgoDox in Europe, shipped from within the EU, without all the delays and annoyances of the massdrop GB? You really got my attention xD
Where can I give you money? Do you want to marry me?

Honestly though, as soon as you have them ready, I'd be in for 1-3

That's the plan. Although I'm still organising supply chain for all the parts. I have no idea where to get keycaps from as I'm not fully satisfied with signature plastics DSA PBT keycaps, they're OK but nothing mind blowing.

[jdcarpe]

You could order SA-profile thick spherical keycaps from Round 5 on Deskthority.

HONEY/ERGO is currently $59, with blank alphas. Or you could order HONEY/ERGOBASE ($29) or HONEY/ERGOBASE/RED ($29) with HONEY/ALPHA ($39) or HONEY/ALPHA/RED ($37).

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Round_5#HONEY.2FERGO_.28ErgoDox_kit_.7C_.2459.29

[czarek]

You could order SA-profile thick spherical keycaps from Round 5 on Deskthority.

HONEY/ERGO is currently $59, with blank alphas. Or you could order HONEY/ERGOBASE ($29) or HONEY/ERGOBASE/RED ($29) with HONEY/ALPHA ($39) or HONEY/ALPHA/RED ($37).

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Round_5#HONEY.2FERGO_.28ErgoDox_kit_.7C_.2459.29

I did that but you know they're not cheap and I don't want to order a batch of lets say 100 sets not knowing they're good. But I could always sell fully assembled keyboards without keycaps, then people could either use whatever they have or get some nice sets from those group buys.

[elllit]

+1 for the "without key caps" option!

I think a lot of people would change the caps anyway. So, having an opt-in (or opt-out, depending on view ) for the caps would be appreciated.

[wasabah]

Hey czarek,
I wish you had started this earlier!
I'm quite interested in the case though and got a question:
does your version of the case support putting the teensy controller in the left side of the keyboard?

Might also be interested in one set of PCBs, can't say for sure at the moment though.

[czarek]

Hey czarek,
I wish you had started this earlier!
I'm quite interested in the case though and got a question:
does your version of the case support putting the teensy controller in the left side of the keyboard?

Might also be interested in one set of PCBs, can't say for sure at the moment though.

Hard to say, I haven't seen whole electronics fit in this case yet. As for left case I simply mirrored right case so it should fit just fine.
I may need to tweak the case once I get the electronics, but the left side will always be just a mirror of the right side.

[wasabah]

Okay, sounds good, might work. Please keep us updated!

[czarek]

I will. So far I'm waiting for PCBs production to finish, then I pick them up and try to fit whole keyboard. Once that's done I'll take orders for PCBs and cases

[wasabah]

Perfect!
I'll be waiting.

[nanofortnight]

Sounds lovely, I'm up for a kit.

I would also be wiling to do a group buy for blank DSA keycaps from Signature Plastics, which I propose would be, per set (suggestions welcome):

Key	Colour	Quantity
1.0	TBN	52
1.0 deep dish	TBN	2
1.0	RBC	14
1.5	RBC	12
2.0 vertical	RBC	4

If enough people are interested look at having legends on the keys; or perhaps just sell a couple of modifiers with legends if folks are interested in that. If there is interest I'll get a quote from Signature Plastics for 20 or so sets, and update on prices. (I'm thinking the above should probably amount to about EUR 40 + shipping or less per set, but no promises.)

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a keycap manufacturer within Europe that does orders to individuals, I would be willing to use them instead to reduce shipping fees and possible customs complications.

Edit: Looks like you're intending to eventually sell an entire kit yourself, not just the PCBs, my apology for intruding!

[czarek]

Yes that's what I'm going to do actually - until I find a good supplier for keycaps, I will be recommending people to use Signature Plastics keycaps. They're not bad although not the quality I'd like to use on my keyboard or the keyboards I would make and sell to people.

[kzhk]

Massdrop group buy has open (order open in the next 9 days)...

Can you give us an update about your proposal ? I'm glad for what you are doing, but I really want to get an Ergodox kit as soon as possible, so I won't miss the Massdrop group buy unless I can be confident I can get a full kit from you in a comparable time frame.

[Coding]

I also would take 1x2 pcb.
If more people in germany want one I can forward to minimize deliverycosts

[Kouni]

This is very interesting, I might be in for one complete kit. I'd much rather join this GB than go with Massdrop, it seems more logical to source as much as we can in Europe to keep shipping prices low.

[elllit]

This is very interesting, I might be in for one complete kit. I'd much rather join this GB than go with Massdrop, it seems more logical to source as much as we can in Europe to keep shipping prices low.

^ that!

I was briefly considering to go with massdrop. But I was thinking the same. Also: i don't fancy the clear acryl cases (dont know if there are other options available on massdrop).

[czarek]

Well there is not that much of an update. PCBs are ordered, first batch will take a bit longer (about 4 weeks in total so still 2 weeks wait), next batches will come quicker.
I also have set of materials (PVC plates, screws and a lot of end bits for the CNC mill) ready to cut the cases.
The only thing I'm still organising is electronics (everything apart from teensy and MX switches) which I will also offer with my kits.
Later I'll also add MX switches and teensy but please understand this is a side project and totally non profit (with arguable "profit" on cases which I explained already) so I don't want to invest too much money in it. It's already quite an investment as I spent 2300 PLN (which is 548€ on PCBs, this means I'm actually paying more for them then I'll be selling them for!) for PCBs and even more (don't remember exactly as I don't have invoice for those) for PVC plates so please understand
Of course anyone could set up company, invest money in whole supply and distribution chain but this would need to generate profits and for us that would mean higher prices, so not cool

I'm attaching invoice from the PCB company so you can see I'm not making this up.

[kzhk]

Thanks for the update. I understand it is non profit and side-project, and I completely understand the investment it represent to create even a small stock for the different parts.

I think I will get one kit through Massdrop, so I will be able to assemble and use it right away when I get it. I'm still committed to get one of your PCBs, that I will use to make a second ergodox with deskthority round5 honeywell keycaps and the mx switches I ordered from 7bit... I still need to find a source for tensy... But I won't be too much in a hurry to get it. Later, I might sell one of the two ergodox if I don't use both...

[kzhk]

In case you might reconsider having a tensy option, there is an official distributor in Poland: http://nettigo.pl/products/503

[czarek]

Ooo that's cool kzhk! As long as people are ok paying 17€ for teensy I'm ok with adding an option for it

[Coding]

It sounds really nice that this is going to be a real alternative for massdrop!
Even cheaper I think...

[kzhk]

Quick estimate price calculation :
2 PCBs :            25€
Case :               50€
Electronics :      ~20€
Tensy :             17€
mx switch         55€ (78x0.65 + 4 through deskthority mx group buy)
trrs cable :       <5€
2 micro usb cables ~10€
keycaps:          ~50€ (one possibility in the next 8 days is massdrop group buy : https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox-keycap)

total: 237€ + Europe shipping

Massdrop with keycaps + shipping : 269$ = 200€ + import tax (that would be 20% in France if I understand correctly) 40€ = 240€

So, yes it is almost the same price, maybe even less but we will have to wait for czarek complete price list...

[czarek]

Remember the case is much better. I can laser cut the acrylic plates like Massdrop and it could be even cheaper, but I totally don't like this case, looks cheap and very DIY.
As for electronics I think it will be closer to 10€ (including cables) than 20€, although I haven't found a place to get it all (apart from DigiKey of course).
So yes about the same price as Massdrop, but with nicer case and without the ridiculous 2 months wait.
I don't remember how much Massdrop charged for soldering / assembly. I talked to my brother's boss and he said his company can do the soldering and assembly for 25€ - they're real PROs, making stuff for some big name companies. If there won't be too much interest in assembly, I will be doing it myself with my brother only.

[Neal]

Don't quote me on it, but I think Massdrop assembly was $30-$35

[czarek]

Then I'll have to negotiate slightly lower price for assembly

[Neal]

Then I'll have to negotiate slightly lower price for assembly

I was wrong, it seems to have been $45

[elllit]

25€ for assembly sounds good, imho.

Even though I would want to assemble it myself if I get the choice... I know how to handle a solder iron and I want it to be part of the ergodox experience

[kzhk]

Also Massdrop said they currently have a problem with the assembly service raising their price. This is why they are not offering assembly service in the current drop until it is resolved.

[Tensor]

Oh, I would like to sign up for a pair of PCBs!  Need to build a third Ergodox

Edit:
If you will also provide teensies, do tell. Ran out

[Neal]

am 100% in btw

[czarek]

I'll do teensies too, although the price will be higher than the producer's shop. I can only get them for 17€ if you're interested.

[czarek]

A little update with a great news. Our PCBs are ready! They have been tested today and are going to be shipped to me tomorrow so I will be getting them on Monday. This means next week I'm going to make a final version of the case and start shipping them out
Happy?

[Kouni]

Holy crap that was fast. Hope they turn out ok !

[komar007]

Happy!
How do I place an order? Take my money!

[dgalan]

Hope I'm still on time to lay my hands on one pair of PCBs.

Is it still possible?

Would it help if y say PLEEEEAAAASE 

I'd be in for a Teensy too.

By the way big thanks for all your work!!

[Tensor]

I'll do teensies too, although the price will be higher than the producer's shop. I can only get them for 17€ if you're interested.

I think its the same once you count in the producers shipping .

Yea, I'm totally in for one teensy and a pair of PCBs. 

[czarek]

I have a question for you guys... Where to get proper TRRS sockets? Digikey doesn't have it and all Polish wholesalers stock sockets with different pin layout. That's not end of the world and I can design and order pin adapters or modify PCB to fit different layout(s) but the ones that are already done are up to original design...
As for the rest of the electronics I found them all and it turns out to be 15€ for the whole set (without TRRS) with cables.

[AKmalamute]

I just bought metal connectors for not too bad a price from Newark Electronics ... I'll edit this with a link in a minute.

Edit: http://www.newark.com that was hard. 

They're a US based company, at least halfway. They have some products that are in the UK ... and for me, it'd be an extra $20/order to ship them to the US to ship them to me. I assume in your case if they only have it here, there'd be a 1x/order charge of 15EUR or whatever to ship it back to their center over there.

[tER299]

I would like to get a PCB + Teensy + electronics, if it's still possible to get in. (Keep us up to date on the aluminium case  )

[elllit]

I have a question for you guys... Where to get proper TRRS sockets? Digikey doesn't have it and all Polish wholesalers stock sockets with different pin layout. That's not end of the world and I can design and order pin adapters or modify PCB to fit different layout(s) but the ones that are already done are up to original design...
As for the rest of the electronics I found them all and it turns out to be 15€ for the whole set (without TRRS) with cables.

 just be sure... you already looked around the internet at rs-components, reichelt and others?

[czarek]

I checked up Polish wholesalers, digikey and conrad electronics so far. I've found everything (including teensy) in Poland, just can't find TRRS socket with a proper pinout.

[dgalan]

In Spain I might use mouser:
es.mouser.com

Actually I checked and they also sell in Poland:
pl.mouser.com

[Tisca]

Ofc I find this just after I order one from MD. I see the price estimate isn't much cheaper so no big regrets =). Still going to follow this project and how it turns out.

Might as well throw this Q in here: I see stl, step and dxf files on ergodox.org. I want to take the switch mounting plate part and modify it for a project. What software should I use? 2D is enough for now and I have some  Autocad beginner knowledge.

[czarek]

Ok here they are:

[elllit]

Ok here they are:
(Attachment Link)

yaay!

[czarek]

They look great, I'm going to make a better pics after work.
Unfortunately though my cases need a redesign... Nothing fits unfortunately. I will be doing new designs and prototypes over this week.

[Tensor]

I have a question for you guys... Where to get proper TRRS sockets? Digikey doesn't have it and all Polish wholesalers stock sockets with different pin layout. That's not end of the world and I can design and order pin adapters or modify PCB to fit different layout(s) but the ones that are already done are up to original design...
As for the rest of the electronics I found them all and it turns out to be 15€ for the whole set (without TRRS) with cables.

I got mine from digikey. Here is the link:
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?WT.z_header=search_go&lang=en&site=us&keywords=CP-43514-ND&x=16&y=15&formaction=on

Not on the cheap end

[czarek]

It's not feasible for me to get them from there if I only order 20 pieces or so. Shipping is 60 dollars and I will most likely have to pay import duties, I'll rather buy them for twice that price somewhere in Europe.
I currently found similar connector in Poland. It has the same pin layout but different signals. This is easy to overcome with crossed over wires connecting two sides of the keyboard, but would make keyboards assembled by us incompatible with standard cables. Still we would of course share the guides how to make or modify cables for them to work.