Custom 60% case

[nubbinator]

So a while back I came up with an idea for a 60% case I wanted to see done...well two, but one that is actively being worked on.

It was an Art Deco inspired case, kind of like some of the designs you would see in Bioshock.  This was the original drawing:



Since I'm CAD retarded and wouldn't know how to start on any of the open source platforms, I enlisted Photekq's help.  While it's been slow due to applying for university, the results have been awesome.  He's almost done with the design and I will be thanking him profusely and in the best ways I can for being integral in making my vision come true.  The design should be done in the near future, but this is the work he's done so far and I'm absolutely loving it.  As such, I had to ask if he minded me showing off the work he's done so far.

Without further ado, here's what he's done so far in making my vision a reality:

[HPE1000]

I really like it 

[0100010]

Nice!  It reminds me of the Pan Pacific Theater.

[The_Beast]

Looks expensive to machine... but really nice

[nubbinator]

Nice!  It reminds me of the Pan Pacific Theater.

TIL about Streamline Modern architecture.  I was thinking it was between art deco and modern, but that really is a better definition of the style it falls under.  It's almost like some of the old sci fi that I loved as a kid (who am I kidding, I still love it).

Looks expensive to machine... but really nice

If my cousin can do it it won't be so bad.  I just have to see when they have time on the machines and make sure the machines they have can do it. If they have some decent aluminum lying around, it will be even cheaper, otherwise I'll have to buy some from IMS and ship it to him.

Thanks, I really like the design.  Then again, I drew it up, so I would hope I do.  There's a simpler design with inlays I want to see if it's possible to do.  It will likely be stupid expensive, but will look fancy as hell.

[dorkvader]

Oh wow, I love art deco! Have you played the game "transistor" ? I haven't given bioshock a try yet, but I hear it's good. System shock was too scary for me, so I've been holding off.

Anyway, I love the case, it's sort-of like the lightsaver cases with the cutout in the side, but I really like the art deco accents. I just need some copper to put in there.

I also like the hole on the bottom. Without it, most flatbottomed cases without feet get the "vacuum" effect from air friction and "suck" to the desk making them hard to pick up.

Some issues: since it will need machining on all sides, I predict is will be really expensive to produce. Remember the prices for the skeldon? Still, we'll see.

[nubbinator]

I haven't tried transistor.  I haven't even heard of it.

I didn't even think about the Lightsaver until after I made it.  Then I uttered a silent ****, but liked the design too much to not try and do it.  And that would be awesome to see if some copper could be milled and fitted into the case like that.  It would be expensive to do though.

The bottom cutout is the part I felt the most passionate about.  I know it makes it harder to mill, but it just changes the feel of the case so much.

The only reason I'm attempting this design is because my cousin told me he could mill stuff for cheap or free for me in the down time for the machine.  If he can do this, I'll be beyond stoked.  Otherwise I'll have to see how much it will cost locally and bite the bullet on an expensive one off.

[DrHubblePhD]

I would buy one. *"group buy" chant starts

[dorkvader]

I haven't tried transistor.  I haven't even heard of it.

I didn't even think about the Lightsaver until after I made it.  Then I uttered a silent ****, but liked the design too much to not try and do it.  And that would be awesome to see if some copper could be milled and fitted into the case like that.  It would be expensive to do though.

The bottom cutout is the part I felt the most passionate about.  I know it makes it harder to mill, but it just changes the feel of the case so much.

The only reason I'm attempting this design is because my cousin told me he could mill stuff for cheap or free for me in the down time for the machine.  If he can do this, I'll be beyond stoked.  Otherwise I'll have to see how much it will cost locally and bite the bullet on an expensive one off.

If your cousin wanted to make a second one....

If not, you'd better take really good photos of yours!

anyway, lots of keyboards have that cutout on the sides, though they vary. The KMAC 2 is a lot smaller. The 360 corsa is different shaped. Lightsaver/orion/viper/eagle/octagon(?) are deeper for lighting, AT&T KB305B run to the edge of the case, etc.

copper or brass inlay would be awesome, but I think just polishing through the anodization in the channels would also look great. It'd take a lot of effort though. Maybe they can cut the channels after anodyzation and not mess up the rest of the finish. I dunno.

[nubbinator]

Some updates from Photeqk. Soon it will be ready for me to try and get it milled.

Issues with USB hole resolved and now looking good:



And since I wanted Photeqk to have some credit on the case for all the design work he did, TEK on the bottom:



It should be ready to try and make soon.  All of this is making me realize how much I need to learn some CAD software, but I have no clue where to start and what's a good and easy one to pick up.

copper or brass inlay would be awesome, but I think just polishing through the anodization in the channels would also look great. It'd take a lot of effort though. Maybe they can cut the channels after anodyzation and not mess up the rest of the finish. I dunno.

Just noticed the edit.  The sanding down the channels was something I originally had planned...but in a different way, if you couldn't tell by the pics.  I was thinking a sand then bead blast of them after the first anodization and then doing a clear or grey hard anodization.  It would be a lot of work, expensive, and have the potential for mistakes though.  The inserts is something that is more feasible.

Since you brought it up, it's something I wanted to try with a second case:

 

I was thinking the wood would either be held in with post screws, make the case thicker and drill and tap the walls and screw the wood into place, or have brass inserts and epoxy similar to what you have with knife and tool handles.  It's one where I'm still trying to figure out the optimal way to do it, especially if I did a more modular setup where you could swap in and out different wood panels to better go with different cap sets.  And, of course, the wood inserts would have to be laser cut. 

[bueller]

All of this is making me realize how much I need to learn some CAD software, but I have no clue where to start and what's a good and easy one to pick up.

Start playing around with TinkerCad man, it's online and free and once you've got the hang of things there you can move to a full fledged CAD program. It's what I did at first and I found it much easier than just jumping straight into a complicated CAD program.

[nubbinator]

Oh, TinkerCAD is awesome. Nice and intuitive (unlike most the free CAD software I've used), but sadly limited in what it can do.  I did create a less awesome Deckerson in it just to mess around and sent it off to Shapeways to see what can be done.  I'm trying to mash up some of the stuff I've made in Sculptify (which is kick ass), but the Sculptify file sizes are too big...both for TinkerCAD and Shapeways.

[Puddsy]

This case is awesome.

[Gujustud]

Did you ever end up machining this?

[nubbinator]

Not yet.

[retrochick]

this is very exciting indeed. I'll have to watch this thread to see what progress you've made. awesome!

[njbair]

This is cool. I don't know how you would achieve the sharp angles on the ends of the grooves, but it would look cool if you could.

[ideus]

Make it acrylic and I may be in for one.