Filco Aluminum Cases?

[Keytrun]

Can someone tell me a little bit about these? In what way do they change the feel of the keyboard? Do they have retractable feet to keep the board up at an angle while typing, but able to be brought in while traveling so they don't stick out? How hard is it to change the plastic case out with an aluminum one? Does anyone know where I can get a really good one? How much do they cost?

I'm so excited about getting my Filco and keycaps this week. This forum is making me go crazy! I just want to customize the board and make it so much better! I'm getting a full thick pbt keycap set, a few sc2 / wow novelty pbt keycaps (I just wish they were cherry profile so they'd match, but since they're top row it shouldn't look too different) and now I'm about to order a new cable - either a detachable one or a static one, still trying to determine whether or not I like that little thing sticking out or if it would look cleaner just having the whole cable out there.

I saw this : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34606.0 and that black aluminum case looks amazing! The only concern I have is it looks like it sits flat, and I really like my board to be raised up while typing.

Any info you guys can give me would be great! Thanks!

Edit: OUCH! I just saw that the case in the post I linked is $325!!! Are they all that much? If not, what makes this one so special?

[dorkvader]

Well, CNC'ing a large block of aluminium is very expensive. The MKC cases are also a very complex design, which adds to the cost. I believe you could also pick what anodization colour you wanted, out of all RAL.

For a cheaper (but less awesome) alternative, look at this other case (I think it's from Vortex):
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=280

[Keytrun]

Can you tell me what makes that first case so much better than the vortex one? How hard is it to replace the case? Do the feet on the vortex case retract or something? They look like they just stay on permanently.

[AKmalamute]

If it's relevant to your interests, in Great Finds somebody points out (under "filco cases" I think) that a friend is coming in from China and can just walk over to the store and buy an aluminum case for something like $75 australian ... you'd have to pay for shipping but a nice, and official Filco aluminum case could be had for a lot less than some of the custom cases.

 Their pictures present those cases to be very shiny and nice.

I hope to get one that way but it'll be a near thing. So many things to hack my wallet with just now!

[noisyturtle]

Can you tell me what makes that first case so much better than the vortex one? How hard is it to replace the case? Do the feet on the vortex case retract or something? They look like they just stay on permanently.

The feet on the Vortex don't retract, but some people have had issues with the Vortex cases not fitting together properly. IE noticeable gaps where the top and bottom portions of the case fit together. Every time you hear about this problem it's the more recent ones made in the last year that tend to sometimes be irregular. Their original run of aluminum cases fit together much more reliably, and are quality cases.

[Keytrun]

Can you tell me what makes that first case so much better than the vortex one? How hard is it to replace the case? Do the feet on the vortex case retract or something? They look like they just stay on permanently.

The feet on the Vortex don't retract, but some people have had issues with the Vortex cases not fitting together properly. IE noticeable gaps where the top and bottom portions of the case fit together. Every time you hear about this problem it's the more recent ones made in the last year that tend to sometimes be irregular. Their original run of aluminum cases fit together much more reliably, and are quality cases.

That makes me very nervous!

[noisyturtle]

Can you tell me what makes that first case so much better than the vortex one? How hard is it to replace the case? Do the feet on the vortex case retract or something? They look like they just stay on permanently.

The feet on the Vortex don't retract, but some people have had issues with the Vortex cases not fitting together properly. IE noticeable gaps where the top and bottom portions of the case fit together. Every time you hear about this problem it's the more recent ones made in the last year that tend to sometimes be irregular. Their original run of aluminum cases fit together much more reliably, and are quality cases.

That makes me very nervous!

It's a gamble I suppose. Like 1 in 4 your case will be weird, but you can always exchange it(unless it's the last one.) Vortex's generally are nice cases, really thick and heavy.

[Keytrun]

Is it too heavy to transport around frequently? I'd be going to the lan center frequently with it.

Also, I'm really interested to know how difficult it is to switch the case! Mechanicalkeyboards.com is out of stock on the black aluminum. Anywhere else to buy it?

[noisyturtle]

Is it too heavy to transport around frequently? I'd be going to the lan center frequently with it.

Also, I'm really interested to know how difficult it is to switch the case! Mechanicalkeyboards.com is out of stock on the black aluminum. Anywhere else to buy it?

Oh yeah, the thing is heavy as ****. My keyboard weighs like 11lbs. edit: just weighed it. it actually weighs 6.6lbs
Mechanicalkeyboards.com is where I got mine. Maybe it's a good thing and they will get some fresh stock from Vortex soon having fixed their fitting problems.

[Keytrun]

I just say this video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=woEWMwLu10I#t=1156 and (where I linked the video) he says he has issues with the cable fitting inside the case. Do any of you guys have that issue? He also says his case doesn't have feet on it - is that also an issue? Is there another aluminum (black) filco case that's out there for a reasonable price that I can purchase? Any clue where I can purchase the vortex besides mechanicalkeyboards.com since they're out?

[MKULTRA]

Isn't sherry running a GB for these?

[gameaholic]

I'm pretty sure the GB just done by Sherry is not for the Vortex Aluminum cases. 

[Keytrun]

Sherry? Which one is that?

Also, any ideas on that video I linked and the cord fitting properly? Is the vertex considered a really good case (assuming I get one that has both parts fit together properly).

Is there a mainstream case that's better?

What can you all tell me about acrylic cases?

[MKULTRA]

I'm pretty sure the GB just done by Sherry is not for the Vortex Aluminum cases.

He's asking about Filco aluminum cases, not Vortex cases specifically.

[Saviant]

Coming from owning one of the MKC Filco Aluminium cases, and awaiting Sherry's case, I can say I have been happy with the Aluminium cases, sure they are expensive but worth every dollar to me as they are exceptionally well made and easy to work with and feel a lot heavier in general to the plastic case. I do a lot of data entry and server work so I love my keyboard just sitting there like a tank and not moving, and not getting hot in the typical Australian weather. Like everything with keyboards it is a matter of what you want and can afford it.

[fuzzyx3000]

If it's relevant to your interests, in Great Finds somebody points out (under "filco cases" I think) that a friend is coming in from China and can just walk over to the store and buy an aluminum case for something like $75 australian ... you'd have to pay for shipping but a nice, and official Filco aluminum case could be had for a lot less than some of the custom cases.

 Their pictures present those cases to be very shiny and nice.

I hope to get one that way but it'll be a near thing. So many things to hack my wallet with just now!

Those cases are plastic, and are just colored that way. I have one from keyboardco

[dorkvader]

Sherry? Which one is that?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48669.0