I have received an XTant prototype kit in the mail today. I'll be posting updates here as I progress.
Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dork_vader/sets/72157650892000845/
Show Image
Show Image
Note: will be taking better photos at a later date.
That is some sexy **** there.
How long until we have a buckling spring ergo dox?
Theoretically possible to make one tomorrow
I think the first thing is to get a decent layout down. This means getting readily available keys from unicomp with the added possibility of using "code" keys from wheelwriters (they are convex like an IBM spacebar and shouldn't "bite" your thumb like a SP spacebar) Then, with some changes to the fingers and thumb area (look at the keyboardio as an example) it would fit more people I think. Once that's decided on, we can get PCBs made. I think the ideal method is to get the controller onboard the matrix PCB (ironically one of the downfalls of the XT keyboard: the idea saves a lot of time and money here). With a relatively large order (50+ at least!) you can get them made and soldered with a pick&place machine, then some poor guy can program them all before mailing.
I think the bent over plate-case could work. Have a radiused bend for the pcb area, and some 90 degree bends to make the upper and lower "feet". Cut some angles in it to screw the controller down and it'd look pretty slick.
All of the above is being pioneered by this project. The hope is that we'll work out the bugs and find out what the limitations of the hardware and controller are. This paves the way for more complex projects down the road, and is a necessary "first step" in making a full model F "from scratch". The supply of XTs won't last forever you know and prices have risen significantly since I joined GH.
I am getting a plate (or a few, depending on pricing) made, and I already have a short list of HVAC / metalworking shops nearby that I can check on plate bending. After that, I'll be able to update more frequently.