Hi everyone,after
a long IC phase I'm finally starting the GroupBuy for my custom case. I don't want to write a lot about concept, construction, design and features, since I already did this quite extensively in the IC opening post and throughout the discussion there. I'll summarize, do some c&p and add what's necessary.
2020.04.03: Final post
2019.12.30: SKB GB feedback form answers
2019.12.30: SKB plate isolation mounting option
2019.11.01: UPDATE, SKB-GB feedback form
2019.09.28: Update regarding the remaining cases (less than 5%)
2019.08.08: tracking numbers sent out via email
2019.08.07: shipping started
2019.05.09: about address change
2019.05.03: remaining stock available
2019.05.03: proceed as planned - sorting, packing, shipping
2019.05.01: Quality control
2019.04.19: PARTS ARRIVED!
2019.02.20: another delay
2018.10.22: Looking good, three little updates here
2018.10.13: making up for the missing ones on reddit
2018.10.08: 60WKL & 75 samples arrived, see teaser pics here and boardwalk version support announced
2018.09.11: payment phase extended until beginning of Oktober in order to to give more to compensate for those who don't pay. Awaiting 60WKL & 75 samples, they should help to convince a few more to join and get to the expected number.
2018.09.06: payment status update, many still missing, link to post.
2018.08.07: participants should check their spam folder. info email was sent out a few days ago. Invoices are out now. Orders are still accepted until the end of payment phase, beginning of September.TL;DRThis is a GB for a high profile, top-mount, custom keyboard case. It is made of thick, bent aluminium. The surface is bead blasted and black anodized. The plate is black galvanized steel. You can choose between different 60% versions (Standard, Winkeyless, HHKB and YAS) as well as a 65% and a 75% version. You just get the case, plate and accessories like screws but no PCB (except for the YAS version, there you can order the case with the PCB if you like). All popular 60%, 65% and 75% PCBs are supported. It is made in Germany. Shipping world wide.
Features:- 75%, 65% and 60% (Standard, Winkeyless, HHKB, YAS and Ortholinear)
- high-profile (3mm above lower edge of caps)
- top-mount
- height adjustability (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 degrees)
- case material: 3 mm 2 mm thick aluminium
- case finish: bead blasted and anodized, black
- plate material: 1.5 mm steel
- plate finish: black galvanized
- supports most PCBs and fancy layouts like split spacebar
SKBXX GB ORDER FORM
More pictures and video:1st sample build log at Imgur2nd sample build log at Imgur3rd sample build log at ImgurSKB indoorsSKB outdoorsSKB typing demonstration on youtubeillustrations of the different versionsrenderings of the SKB familyrenderings and illustrations of the updated versionpictures of the SKB60-YAS samplepictures of the final samplesAbout this caseMore
You can find a lot of custom keyboard cases here. They are CNC milled, which is awesome but quite expensive as well. I wanted to provide an alternative that gives you all the benefits of a solid aluminium keyboard but for a considerably lower price. So instead of milling the parts of the keyboard from a block, I decided to go for laser cutting and bending thick sheets.
The design is simple. The decision for a material thickness of 3mm 2mm in combination with the plate mounting method and the bolts piercing through the frame lead to a pretty wide frame. The sides overlapping at the edges is a deliberate choice which should emphasize on the method of folding, rather then trying to hide it. It also exposes the thickness of the material. Some of you described it as "brutalist", "utilitarian" or "industrial" - all undeniable true in some way.
I like to view it as a robust and reliable, everyday tool with a focus on typing experience and ergonomics.
I want to point out a few things I had in mind when designing this case:
- At first, I wanted it to be a simple implementation of a top-mount case, cause IMHO top-mount is best-mount :)
- Secondly, the first and lowest or "initial" key row should be as low as possible. This is illustrated in one of the pictures down below.
- Thirdly, height adjustability. We prefer our keyboard at a certain angle but not everybody likes the same. So I wanted height adjustability to be an integral part of the design. You can choose between different angles: 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 degrees.
- Though the first prototype wasn't a high profile case, the initial feedback I got, plus the IC made it obvious, that it would have to be a high profile case. After making that decision, I wanted it to be a "really" high profile case, much like old keyboards. This means the bezel doesn't level with the lower edge of a cherry-profile keycap, instead it exceeds it by roughly 2mm (1,9mm measured in CAD). In other words, keycaps sink 3 mm deep into the frame.
- No branding, nowhere, nothing.
You can find much more information about the whole process and how we got here,
by taking a look at the IC thread.
Any of the popular PCBs with the USB port on the left side will fit. Don't bother about screw-hole positions on the PCB, this is totally irrelevant in
this case because it is a top-mount construction, not a tray-mount.
For the 60% there is plate A that supports most popular layouts including split spacebar. The YAS PCB gets its own plate. 65% 75% each have one plate, both support split spacebar as well.
Especially providing an option for the
YAS62 - a project that I really like - was important to me. I have two of these PCBs and can't wait to finally put them to use. Silentreader still has some PCBs left that you can get, just PM him. The YAS PCBs will be sent to me. In the order form you have the option to add the YAS PCB to your order to get it from me together with the case. Price is 37€.
The plate does not support switch-top removal or alps switches. Yes, I probably could have convinced some more by offering those, but I made this decision because I wanted the plate to have as much mass as possible and the switches to fit tightly. Just lube your switches before you put them in ;)
All plates are ANSI/ISO unified and only support Cherry PCB mount stabilizers.
UPDATE:
I have added another plate option to choose from. Now SKB60 is available with an ortholinear plate, which support the
XD75 PCB for example.
UPDATE 2:
Small plate updates regarding
split spacebar support. SKB65 now available as well.
Dropped one layout -> YAS now has it's own, dedicated plate.
UPDATE 3:
BOARDWALK support added. Two different plates for Boardwalk, see pictures below and linked
album here. Boardwalk options added to the order form.
Dimensions and weightMore
SKB60:
Width: 313 mm
Depth: 123 mm
Height (center point of keycap top at lowest row): ~ 26 mm
Height (rear edge at 6 degree): 31 mm
Height (rear edge at 14 degree): 45 mm
Weight (complete build): 0.85 kg
SKB75:
Width: 332 mm
Depth: 142 mm
Height (center point of keycap top at lowest row): ~ 26 mm
Height (rear edge at 6 degree): 33 mm
Height (rear edge at 14 degree): 50 mm
Weight (complete build, estimate): ~ 1.2 kg
(all height values measured without rubber feet)
What you getMore
Top & Bottom:- 2 mm thick aluminium
- LASER cut and bent
- bead blasted and anodized, black
Plate:- 1.5 mm thick steel
- galvanized black
Accessories:- 12x button head screws (M3x12)
- 12x low head screws (M3x12)
- 12x nuts
- 8x standoffs
- 4x washers
- 4x rubber feet
[ Specified attachment is not available ]
Nit-pickingMore
I think most of the following is obvious, but I think it is important to be 100 percent honest about all details:
- Height adjustment is not quick like flipp out feet. You have to unscrew two and loosen two more screws on the sides in order to adjust the height.
- There are a few mini-USB cables that have a pretty bulky head. The top left screw is positioned right above the USB port and if you happen to have a bulky plug, then it might interfere slightly with the screw inside the case. Not a big deal, I just sliced a bit off the plug and then it did fit perfectly fine. I now this since the first prototype but I didn't want to change the screw position, since I think it's perfect and slicing isn't a big deal. Some cables fit right away, some need the slice.
- The position of the USB port differs slightly on some PCBs. Depending on your PCB, the plug might not be perfectly centered in the cutout, but of course it will always fit.
- There are PCBs like the EEPW84 which have a little controller board (Kimera core) soldered on in the lowest row. This component might touch the bottom of the case. Because of that a PCB like this might not work at the lowest 6 degree angle (probably works but I can't confirm). Angles above 6 degree won't be any problem.
More
I live in Germany and here we have plenty of companies that specialize in this kind of metalworking. I have designed parts which are laser cut and bent before and was always very satisfied with the result I got from the local companies.
I trust them, communication is smooth and they deliver quickly.
PricingMore
at 40+ units:- all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 148€
- the 75% (SKB75) version costs 168€
at 70+ units:- all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 136€
- the 75% (SKB75) version costs 154€
at 100+ units:- all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 128€
- the 65% (SKB65) version costs 136€
- the 75% (SKB75) version costs 145€
at 170+ units:- all 60% (SKB60) versions cost 115 Euro
- the 65% (SKB65) version costs 125 Euro
- the 75% (SKB75) version costs 135 Euro
PayPal fee and shipping will be added
MOQ = 40 (all versions have reached MOQ, they will all be made!)
ShippingMore
I will ship with DHL.
Here you can find a detailed price table for international shipping from Germany.
Destination Option 1 Option 2Germany 6€
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured up to 500€ 7€
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured up to 500€Europe
(including the UK) 15€
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured up to 500€ 17€
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured up to 500€International
(most countries including USA) 21€
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured up to 50€ 38€
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured up to 500€International
(some countries like Australia and Japan) 21€
tracking
weight up to 2kg
insured up to 50€ 47€
tracking
weight up to 5kg
insured up to 500€
UPDATE, added new shipping option:
15€ international shipping, fits up to one SKB, tracked, insured up to 100€
- GB start (2018.04.10)
- collecting orders via form (starting 2018.04.10)
- payment (2018.08.04 - 2018.11)
- placing the order (2018.10)
- production (~ 5 Months)
- packing and shipping ~ August 2019
- GB concluded
(
grey = past /
red = present /
blue = future)
UpdatesRenderingsMore
I want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting. Renderings can be misleading and I wanted you to be able to make a decision based on the real case. So I decided to get samples made. That pushed the GB back another two months but I thought it was worth it.
SKB60 standard and HHKB versions were made. Samples for all the different versions would have been too expensive for me. So there are renderings for some versions, but the impression you get from the samples translate to the rest.
You can finde much more renderings in the IC.
Sorry just lost my patience uploading pictures. I'll provide the renderings via external source link later. Most are shown in the IC already, just a few new ones.
Here you can find new renderings.
