[SOLD] Novatouch aluminum case, powder-coated CNC

[norbauer]

This listing is for a custom CNC-milled aluminum CM Novatouch keyboard case/housing, powder coated in a soft mint green color. This is a design of my own creation, and the first ever custom aluminum case to be offered for the Novatouch to my knowledge.

















Cost is SOLD, which was my actual cost to get it made. I'll throw in CONUS shipping. Given the costs involved, I may or may not ever offer any others of this. And in any case this is the only one that will ever be offered in this awesome obscure color (which reminds me of Vintage Soviet electronics enclosures)—you and I will be the only ones to have it.

Even though this is a late-stage prototype, it is of commercial quality and works very well. It has been assembled and test-fit with a Novatouch plate and board and works great. The only design improvement I'm likely to make in future is to add a few more screws around the perimeter to cinch down the top and bottom parts to each other a bit more snugly. There is currently a a very tiny amount of uneven gap between the top and bottom parts as a result of this in the current version, but this is only visible if you get down and view the seam up close from the side. I took several up-close shots to show this, above.

Note that this listing doesn't include the keycaps or Novatouch keyboard. Also note that in order to install your Novatouch plate into this, you'll need to void your warranty. I can provide you help with this by email, but assume no liability if something goes wrong.

Mod Edit: removed moderation note prior to approval.

[madhias]

Great work! Are you going to make more cases or other versions? Also nice pictures!

[dgneo]

Wow, this is beautifully made!

[SpAmRaY]

Perhaps you could partner with massdrop to sell these?

[norbauer]

Wow, this is beautifully made!

I do a lot of machining and CAD design as a result of my other hobby (making replicas of Star Trek props), and I designed the Galaxy Class key cap set, but this is my first foray into aluminum housings. The main problem is that prototyping for these things is so expensive, so I don't think I'll be making a habit of doing lots of aluminum case designs for other keyboards in the short term. But who knows. I have done crazier things. The main reason I made this is because I'm a huge Topre fan and have been very excited to be able to fit my Galaxy Class set on a Topre board, but I didn't want to give up my aluminum case (I currently use an awesome Kbdmod Korean custom case on a hacked Realforce) to switch to Novatouch.

[norbauer]

Perhaps you could partner with massdrop to sell these?

I've actually already been talking with them about it, and they seem quite keen. But it's a big leap from a prototype to a big production run (IIRC, I think it took us a year to get the first Galaxy Class set made), so it's going to take me some time to figure those details out—and whether I want to take on the risk/responsibility.

[Bromono]

I would take this over a custom Korean board. Had I not already had a digilog real force, I would be on this.

[nocturalowl]

That is a beautiful novatouch. Gonna start a cnc aluminium case project for novatouch pcb too. Could you tell me what type of aluminium you use for your case?

[Bromono]

How hard would it be to re powder-coat?

[norbauer]

How hard would it be to re powder-coat?

It's certainly possible. You would need to take it to a powder coating place and have them sand blast off the old finish first and apply a new one. It's really mostly just a question of cost. I would expect to pay $100 or more for something like that.

[breitling]

Beautiful. I like this a lot. Is there any angle on the case or is it flat?

[keshley]

This is cool. What's the thickness?

[hoggy]

Sorry, but I can't see the pictures.

[Vittra]

They were working earlier today. Something must have happened to them recently.

[Bevo]

I can't see the pics

[norbauer]

I can't see the pics

Sorry about that, guys. OneDrive flaked out on me; it was working earlier today. I moved the images over to Azure, so you should be able to see them now. I updated the opening post.

[norbauer]

This is cool. What's the thickness?

26.4mm.

[norbauer]

Beautiful. I like this a lot. Is there any angle on the case or is it flat?

The case is flat, which I find to be much easier on my wrists (and I believe aligns with more scientific ergonomic advice). However, you can add higher rounded bumpons to the back if you want to add an angle from back to front.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

wow. This looks awesome! GLWS!

[1deeg]

Any audio/video?

Does the aluminum case actually make the sound and feel of it that much better?

[norbauer]

Any audio/video?

Does the aluminum case actually make the sound and feel of it that much better?

I'm sure there are folks who would claim it makes a difference to the feel of typing, but my interest is mainly visual aesthetics and the fun of lavishly tricking out my board.

[ramnes]

This is awesome, great job! Could you upload a typing video, and could you show the differents parts alone?

Do you plan to do a GB some day?

[norbauer]

This is awesome, great job! Could you upload a typing video, and could you show the differents parts alone?

Not very easily at the moment, as my DSLR doesn't have audio gear. If you were thinking of buying it and that's the final thing that would sway you, let me know and I'll figure out a way to do something--maybe with my phone, but it wouldn't be good quality, unfortunately.

The inside parts aren't very interesting--basically just a well with a shelf and some tapped holes for the USB bracket--but they have the same nice finish and powder coating as the outside.

Do you plan to do a GB some day?

My idea was to see if there was interest in this one-off before exploring that in too much detail.

I know this one is expensive, but it would be pretty pricey even in a group buy. We'd have to sell hundreds—enough to move from a prototyping shop to working with a production facility—to bring the price down significantly. When it comes to stuff like this, it's all about volume, and even for popular GBs, we're in a pretty obscure hobby.

[ramnes]

I'm not saying that I will buy it, but adding a typing video and showing inside parts could definitely make me buy impulsively!

[DukeMugen]

Will this fit a qfr rapid?

[norbauer]

I'm not saying that I will buy it, but adding a typing video and showing inside parts could definitely make me buy impulsively!

OK, I'm working on it.

Will this fit a qfr rapid?

Sadly, no. It's specific to the Novatouch's idiosyncratic plate and board.

[norbauer]

As promised, here is a typing video.

And some internal pics:

[keshley]

Did you have to modify the plate at all to fit?

[norbauer]

Did you have to modify the plate at all to fit?

Nope. You just have to remove the plate from the plastic housing, drop it in place, and screw the plastic USB connector into the threaded holes using the provided hex-head screws.

[norbauer]

Major price drop from $390 to $320--well below what it cost me to get it made. If no takers within a day or so at that price, I'll just take this to my workshop and use it on my computer there.

[norbauer]

Sale pending. Thanks for your interest everyone.

[norbauer]

Keyboard has sold. Thanks again everyone.

[axtran]

This thing is absolutely awesome--I feel terrible for not seeing it earlier! If you ever produce more, I'd get one.