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Freebird60/FB60 60% Budget Aluminum Case Kit (Updates and 2nd IC）

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Description

Hi everyone, this is Jerry from KeebsForAll. I'm super excited to be announcing the FB60/Freebird60 project to the keyboard community. We have been working on this internally at KeebsForAll for the last few months and we hope you guys enjoy what we've come up with!

FB60/Freebird60, the ultimate entry-level custom keyboard kit.

Tentative GB Date: August 2nd, 2021

Kit Summary

Update May 13, 2021

- We have removed one of the center posts near the space bar based on feedback. We're running another IC to see how the community wants us to deal with the remaining center post. We can either remove it completely or make it a removable stand-off. Please fill out the new IC HERE

- We have finalized the other plate options based on feedback. You can see them HERE

- The color options are finalized. Every color will be E-coated. You can see the options HERE

- We have confirmed vendors for US, Canada, and all of Asia. UK and EU are still TBD, please fill out the IC to let us know.

Case kit with the following:

- 60% tray-mounted aluminum case with the option to use o-rings for a simulated gasket mounted feel for a bouncier typing feel.
- 60% hot-swap PCB with an optional arrow key layout. VIA compatible
- Silicon dampener and silicon bump-on strips
- 60% Aluminum universal ANSI-layout plate
- Modular components, so everything can work with a Tofu60 or another standard 60% case, PCB etc.
- All for an affordable price of $130.00 USD or less depending on your configuration!

Concept Background

I first joined the community at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic, because I was looking for new hobbies to keep myself busy. The keyboard community fascinated me and I was shocked to discover all the different layouts, materials, and mounting styles of different custom boards. I was instantly hooked! However, I noticed that at the time, pretty much everything keyboard-related, especially entry-level items, were all out of stock. I checked out a few group buys and was shocked to learn that I would have to wait up to a year if not more to actually receive the products. When I asked a few questions on the different subreddits about why components were always out of stock; why group buys took so long to complete; and why prices were so high, I was told "that's just how this hobby is" and "if I don't like it, I should just go find another hobby".

Well, I'm a super stubborn person, so when people told me to just accept what I thought were some deficiencies in the hobby, I decided to try and fix those deficiencies myself. As a result, I started KeebsForAll, so that I can start supplying the community with more in-stock products, faster group buy timeframes, and most important of all, high-quality products at more affordable prices.

The FB60/Freebird60 was the first project concept I thought of when I started the company. I reached out to some designers and ultimately collaborated with Dingus (Case designer) and Taylor (PCB designer), who are both members of the community who share the same vision that I have--to provide more high-quality community-driven designs at affordable prices. This is how the project was born.

Project Name Background

This project is dedicated to my partner, who is also my co-founder at KeebsForAll. She used to always say "I'm a free bird and I can do whatever I want" whenever I told her we shouldn't eat something unhealthy or do something silly etc. Without her, I'd be a boring robot, so the case and PCB are dedicated to her free spirit and her unwavering support when I make risky life decisions like starting my own companies.

Project Goals

- Make an affordable entry-level 60% kit that allows for an arrow cluster layout, but keeping the PCB hot-swap and the case metal.
- Keep the pricing at a maximum of $130 USD including higher-end Durock screw-in stabilizers and silicone dampeners.
- Keep each component modular, so that users of Tofu60 and other default 60% cases or PCBs can still use many of this kit's components.

Case Renders