[IC] MX Winkeyless and HHKB top plates(colors, materials)

[LeandreN]

GB thread here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79315.0

More

7u spacebars, stepped caps lock support.
ANSI only for HHKB and ISO/ANSI for Winkeyless.







If we have 2 different options, we can get the price as low as 30$ per. Let me know what you want to see, or how many you would personally buy.

LeandreN

[Latin00032]

It looks good.

Is there a possibility for a caps lock offset?

I wouldn't mind a 6u spacebar but aren't they hard to come by? It might have to support 6.25 or 7.

[Latin00032]

I had this made for me a year ago.



Silver anodized aluminum.
7u spacebar.

[LeandreN]

I had this made for me a year ago.

Show Image

Silver anodized aluminum.
7u spacebar.

Yeah i think i will change the design too 6.25 now that you say it. I will try to add support for an offset caps lock.

EDIT: seems like PCBs out there only support HHKB layout with a 7u or 6u spacebar. It will deifnetily be a 7u then. Also, stabilisers are easier to come by...

[LeandreN]

Updated the OP with new pictures.

[RoastPotatoes]

   Interested

[TalkingTree]

HHKB layout

To be honest I don't see any particular reason to have a Cherry MX replica of a Topre based board.
HHKB is not just a layout, and it's widely appreciated for a different number of reasons (which are not me to list).
I don't mean to be disruptive, you know me, I've supported all your three GBs so far, and those are the things you should focus on.
Your GBs have constantly improved because you didn't just offer plates; you gave people the possibility to make their own 60% Cherry MX boards, and that was great. I made myself two of these and you're the one to thank.
You should really focus on 60% board, perhaps by selling cases or keycaps.

My two cents.

[jdcarpe]

Some people just like having open space in the bottom corners.




I like it because it reminds me that Control is next to A, not on the bottom corners.   You see, I like the HHKB layout, and use it on all my 60% keyboards. I care nothing about the Topre switch, and the HHKB being the perfect keyboard has little to do with the switches, and everything to do with the layout.

[Latin00032]

I had this made for me a year ago.

Show Image

Silver anodized aluminum.
7u spacebar.

Yeah i think i will change the design too 6.25 now that you say it. I will try to add support for an offset caps lock.

EDIT: seems like PCBs out there only support HHKB layout with a 7u or 6u spacebar. It will deifnetily be a 7u then. Also, stabilisers are easier to come by...

Part of me says it would be great to support 6u but I havent found a way to get any becuase they arent supported on many gbs. Also, I think the stabs for it are only costar and are hard to come by

I think gateron sold cherry profile 6u pbt keys.

SP has a 6u dsa and dcs. Not sure if SP has a 6u sa key.

I was asking about the off set caps but it doesnt mean it should be included.

If you want "authentic" hhkb style then the first draft you created was closer to that.

If you change the plate to support a 6.25u spacebar, can it still support 1.5 and 1u mods?

[LeandreN]

HHKB layout

To be honest I don't see any particular reason to have a Cherry MX replica of a Topre based board.
HHKB is not just a layout, and it's widely appreciated for a different number of reasons (which are not me to list).
I don't mean to be disruptive, you know me, I've supported all your three GBs so far, and those are the things you should focus on.
Your GBs have constantly improved because you didn't just offer plates; you gave people the possibility to make their own 60% Cherry MX boards, and that was great. I made myself two of these and you're the one to thank.
You should really focus on 60% board, perhaps by selling cases or keycaps.

My two cents.

I understand your concerns, and i agree. The plate, if enough support is going to be made for those that have ordered, or will order from my GB to cover up the holes on the side they won't use. It isn't anything that will delay the other GBs, it will just be a mini-GB that will run along the current, or next GB. It isn't something i am going to put a lot off time and effort into.

I am actually working on cases with Vortex, so that is definetily exciting.

Again, just a small "side option" for those interested in making a Topre style board, this plate won't get it's own "round".

This IC is made because numerous people have shared their interest for it.


Thanks for your interest.

LeandreN

[RoastPotatoes]

I agree wholeheartedly, the layout was no accident. I think it is a brilliant layout and it is not exclusive to topre. The Pro 2 is an excellent keyboard for the combination of switch and layout, but the switch is all about the feel and is of course subjective. Dr. Wada seemed to know what he was doing and the layout was created out of experience. If you are interested on the concept the deskthority wiki is fairly good.

[TalkingTree]

I am actually working on cases with Vortex, so that is definetily exciting.

Definetely exciting indeed, share some progress as soon as possible please.

a small "side option" for those interested in making a Topre style board, this plate won't get it's own "round".
This IC is made because numerous people have shared their interest for it.

Then I will support it with suggestions. If you're going for Cherry only stabilizers, make the plate universal.

More

[Latin00032]

HHKB layout

To be honest I don't see any particular reason to have a Cherry MX replica of a Topre based board.
HHKB is not just a layout, and it's widely appreciated for a different number of reasons (which are not me to list).
I don't mean to be disruptive, you know me, I've supported all your three GBs so far, and those are the things you should focus on.
Your GBs have constantly improved because you didn't just offer plates; you gave people the possibility to make their own 60% Cherry MX boards, and that was great. I made myself two of these and you're the one to thank.
You should really focus on 60% board, perhaps by selling cases or keycaps.

My two cents.

I understand your concerns, and i agree. The plate, if enough support is going to be made for those that have ordered, or will order from my GB to cover up the holes on the side they won't use. It isn't anything that will delay the other GBs, it will just be a mini-GB that will run along the current, or next GB. It isn't something i am going to put a lot off time and effort into.

I am actually working on cases with Vortex, so that is definetily exciting.

Again, just a small "side option" for those interested in making a Topre style board, this plate won't get it's own "round".

This IC is made because numerous people have shared their interest for it.


Thanks for your interest.

LeandreN

What's funny is I didnt show interest in this style on the forums for a year even though I did want another hhkb style plate.

I didnt know other people were as interested in this as I was.

I'm actually very excited for this possible gb to get another hhkb style plate in another color.

I'd want another low profile case to go with it though.

Truthfully, I'd want a Viper case. The problem is the angle on the vipers are too steep. I think the Viper's angle is around 11 degrees.

[jdcarpe]

I think you want something like my "jdcarpe" plate, only with the bottom corner switch holes eliminated:

[absyrd]

Misleading thread.

I thought you came up with a plate for AN ACTUAL HHKB that wasn't a big red lego block.

[Latin00032]

I think you want something like my "jdcarpe" plate, only with the bottom corner switch holes eliminated:

Show Image

I should have joined that gb. I didnt. :(

I will say, I like the idea of having a strictly hhkb type plate.

Split backspace for two units.
Split riggt shift for a function key.
7u spacebar with two 1.5 mods and two 1u mods.
Centered capslock key.

The reason I like it is becuase its (arguably) the truest hhkb layout you can get. Also, you arent going to have as many gaps in the plate between keycaps like other universal plates.

[LeandreN]

I think you want something like my "jdcarpe" plate, only with the bottom corner switch holes eliminated:

Show Image

Everytime i try to design something on my own, you come and beat me with your great designs. You have also but A LOT more effort into it. If you design it, i will take it. Even laser etch your logo into the plate.

[jdcarpe]

I think you want something like my "jdcarpe" plate, only with the bottom corner switch holes eliminated:

Show Image

Everytime i try to design something on my own, you come and beat me with your great designs. You have also but A LOT more effort into it. If you design it, i will take it. Even laser etch your logo into the plate.

Hahaha. Sorry, bro. I don't mean to step on your toes here. But as you might guess, I've spent A LOT of time thinking about plate designs. :D

[TalkingTree]

Name it JDKB and engrave it on the bottom right corner.

[LeandreN]

I think you want something like my "jdcarpe" plate, only with the bottom corner switch holes eliminated:

Show Image

Everytime i try to design something on my own, you come and beat me with your great designs. You have also but A LOT more effort into it. If you design it, i will take it. Even laser etch your logo into the plate.

Hahaha. Sorry, bro. I don't mean to step on your toes here. But as you might guess, I've spent A LOT of time thinking about plate designs. :D

No problem. It is much more fair to release a polished design for a GB. Send it over when you are ready. :D

[Vaun]

I don't think this should stop at plates. We need a whole case with high edges for the HHKB layout. Basically a Duck Viper case that supports the standard custom 60% pcb and plate.

[LeandreN]

Updated again !

[jdcarpe]

Plate mockup:

[LeandreN]

Plate mockup:

Show Image

Thanks !

[jdcarpe]

Any Alps folks interested in HHKB-layout Alps plates, with Costar stab cutouts (only)? I designed this plate using a standard ANSI bottom row, so that I can use my Tai Hao double shots with 6.25u spacebar. Could also remove the corner switches.

[LeandreN]

Any Alps folks interested in HHKB-layout Alps plates, with Costar stab cutouts (only)? I designed this plate using a standard ANSI bottom row, so that I can use my Tai Hao double shots with 6.25u spacebar. Could also remove the corner switches.

Show Image

Show Image

Thanks. I will add these too!

[Greatfirewall]

I want to post my hhkb layout keyboard

[keshley]

So, a 1x-1.5x-7x-1.5x-1x bottom row?

I'd be interested in one. I decided a while ago to swap out my Pok3r pcb with something, and I do prefer the HHKB layout.

I'm guessing the 7u space bar is to make the bottom symmetrical.

[TalkingTree]

I'm guessing the 7u space bar is to make the bottom symmetrical.

I can't be sure but, by the look of jdcarpe's plate, the spacebar is 6u.
I guess Greatfirewall used his own plate.

[LeandreN]

It is going to be 7u. JDcarpes plate has a 7u spacebar.

This is to make it easier to get keycaps and stabilisers for. Awesome keyboard pictures !

[swimmingbird]

I would be down for this

But yeah 7u spacebar for sure - get dat symmetry

[LeandreN]

I would be down for this

But yeah 7u spacebar for sure - get dat symmetry

Yup.

[wakko]

Any fans of split space bars here?

I don't get the massive bar. Why?

[zhihuichan]

I'm interested. But I want a HHKB layout keyboard case more.

[Pwner]

Definitely interested. 

What PCB does everyone recommend for this?

[iss]

The SPRiT 60% should work, given a 1-1.5-7-1.5-1 bottom row. NerD60 also looks good.

[Latin00032]

I'm interested. But I want a HHKB layout keyboard case more.

I want a hhkb case, too. Similar to the viper.

I'd want it to be compatible with existing 60 percent pcbs though.

The problem is it would have to be a two part design and the mounting holes would be far apart.

[mashby]

I want to post my hhkb layout keyboard

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Great looking blockers Greatfirewall!

[DavinDidIt]

In for 1 - assuming these get made, could we have them ship along with the round 3 groupbuy? 

[ziptyze]

I'm glad someone bumped this, because I didn't notice it before. I was already planning on making a two-part case that would compliment these, and cover up the open space at the edges. Looking forward to these!

[LeandreN]

Bumpety bump.

I will definetily run a GB for these. I will go with 3 colors/materials, do it super fast after my current GB is done. It will not be able to ship with the current GB, but shipping will be around 7$ for US customers for 1-2 plates. If we like only get US customers for this, i will use a proxy and it will be around 4-5$ shipping per, MAX.

[LeandreN]

I'm glad someone bumped this, because I didn't notice it before. I was already planning on making a two-part case that would compliment these, and cover up the open space at the edges. Looking forward to these!

That would be cool, your cases are great. Maybe great enough for me to use the HHKB layout? Probably not, but rock on! I am sure there are a lot of people interested.

[ziptyze]

I'm glad someone bumped this, because I didn't notice it before. I was already planning on making a two-part case that would compliment these, and cover up the open space at the edges. Looking forward to these!

That would be cool, your cases are great. Maybe great enough for me to use the HHKB layout? Probably not, but rock on! I am sure there are a lot of people interested.

I was already planning on doing this with one of the plates you sent me when I get my WKL stuff, because I have the right spacebar and mods for my jukebox set. Obviously, if I'm covering it up it doesn't matter, but for people that don't want the keys to depress down into the case, or don't want a dual-tone case, it would work great if they just used one of your plates with a reasonably matched case color of mine

[TalkingTree]

In for one plate, although I would hope for ISO left shift as well.

[E3E]

Hmm, I might get an Alps plate for a rainy day. Aluminum is the only material I have no real experience with typing on. Will Carbon Fiber Alps plates be available too for this design, Leandre?

[LeandreN]

Hmm, I might get an Alps plate for a rainy day. Aluminum is the only material I have no real experience with typing on. Will Carbon Fiber Alps plates be available too for this design, Leandre?

We can have that as an option. Would appericate if there was more than  1 order for it though

[Bromono]

If these do go for sale I would def grab one!

[E3E]

Hmm, I might get an Alps plate for a rainy day. Aluminum is the only material I have no real experience with typing on. Will Carbon Fiber Alps plates be available too for this design, Leandre?

We can have that as an option. Would appericate if there was more than  1 order for it though

You are right in the sense of waiting to see if there is enough interest for them. I spoke to someone who told me they ordered 5 universal CF plates from you in your most recent GB. If there's that same kind of interest, then I think we'd be good.

Any projection on when these will move into the ordering phase in general?

If there was a 7u HHKB layout for ALPS, that'd work nicely for my build, but I don't want to be the one guy who wants that layout where other Alps fans would want only the 6u (Even in the Alps world, 6u isn't very common. Only some vintage oddities and new cap sets + the Infinity keyboard have that size). 
   
As my builds are complete, having carbon fiber plates are not 100% necessary for me, so it's okay if there's not enough interest.

[jdcarpe]

E3E,

Those Alps plate designs in the OP have a 1.25/6.25 bottom row. Because 6.25 wires are the only ones I can get for Costar stabs. If there were a source for 7u Costar stab wires, I would love to redesign the plate for 1.5/7u.

Do you think there is any case for making the plate in 6u or 7u instead of 6.25u?

[Bromono]

I want to post my hhkb layout keyboard

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

I really like how this came out.

I am hoping these plates will be made soon!

 :thumb:

_{Hurry up JD}