Obtaining Phantom plates

[sgf]

Hello everyone!

I'm a n00b. An impatient n00b, but perhaps it's better written as 'enthusiastic n00b'.

I'm interested in getting some more mileage out of my mid-90s Cherry by reusing the caps and switches for a DIY keyboard. The Phantom looks perfect for this, since the design-work's done, leaving the assembly work which I optimistically reckon I can manage. The hurdle is... getting the parts.

The show-stopper looks like the plate. I'd be after an ISO plate, but my limited search skills don't show any group buys or anything going on right now. Am I missing anything? Is there any other way of getting the pieces? If I wanted to arrange a group buy, odds it'd go badly wrong?

Thanks.

[ekx]

I had my plate individually lasered which isn't as expensive as you'd think (For reference: I paid 36€). CAD Resources can be found here

[sgf]

Oh, brilliant! I did get a quote, but it was a minimum spend of 150 GBP (admittedly, that would have got me 10+ plates), which kinda put me off going it alone. I'll take a look for a company willing to do a smaller job. Thanks!

[Muirium]

I've heard good things about these guys:

http://www.yorkshireprofiles.co.uk/

Photekq swears by them, and he knows fine work.

[sgf]

Thanks, I've sent off for a quote and I'll see what they can do...

[photekq]

Yorkshireprofiles are great. They offer an incredibly professional service and the laser cutting is high quality. Get it cut from 1.5mm thick metal of your choice. They can give you the plate as raw laser cut metal, or I think they can do surface finishes for an extra cost. My plates were raw metal so I can't comment on the finishes.

[sgf]

I've now got my quotes back. It's fifty pounds minimum + VAT + shipping, so one plate is a little steep. However, the price for multiple plates is much lower per item (surprise!). So, it looks like I'll be getting a couple of plates, and if anyone else wants a Phantom plate RSN, see my post in the Marketplace.

[Muirium]

Hmm, quite steep for a low volume. If you have patience, a group of us are already up to something here:

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/grou ... t7474.html

I paid only a little more than that for 7 layers if I remember last year. Volume talks.

[sgf]

Yes, not terribly cheap. Sadly, I'm somewhat impatient - I've got a couple of ideas I'd like to try, but I think I better complete something simple first before I try my hand at something terribly custom.

If I really rush on this one, I could even join the other GB for the next keyboard!

[damorgue]

I'll post it here as well. GBs for plates happen every now and then. This seems like the most recent which isn't closed yet: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=537 ... msg1232147

[sgf]

Another thumbs up for Yorkshire Profiles!

The world's smallest group buy has completed, and I think we're both happy with our plates.

[photekq]

Another thumbs up for Yorkshire Profiles!

The world's smallest group buy has completed, and I think we're both happy with our plates.

Any pics?

[damorgue]

I absolutely forgot. I have some old quotes for Phantom plates in brushed stainless steel at $35 ex.tax/ea when ordering 20pcs. I found it to be too expensive but I just came across it when I had to send them another quote for something else and thought I should mention it here.

[sgf]

Any pics?

All in good time.

I'm planning on sticking some stuff in the Workshop area when it's all done. It's going to be a fairly boring Phantom-based design, but it'd be nice to document it nonetheless. And I'm too lazy to do any photos until then!