Aluminium Filco/Phantom Case - PROTOTYPE PICS IN!!!

[photekq]

Guys, could you share the CAD files maybe? I run a small machine shop as a hobby, mostly doing small model parts and engravings for my friends. I do have CNC Mill with 50x30 working area which is suitable for works in any material from wood up to steel. I also have a CNC laser which is better for plastics. Apart from those I am now converting manual lathe into full automatic and this should be ready in next couple of weeks.
I was thinking maybe I could help you out machining those cases? The only problem is I don't have any means to anodize aluminium in my workshop, but if we get couple of those cases I could use local company to do that for us.
Also, I'm based in Poland so it will be much cheaper to ship around Europe than from Asia or America.

I am not necessarily planning on making any more. I have done other case projects where the files have been released to the public and I will continue to do so, however please understand that the TEK cases are my own personal projects and I'm not really willing to release their files at this moment in time.

Do you have any examples of your work? If I do end up making more then I may contact you

[photekq]

First photo of the base. Note that the angle has not yet been added, and most of the machining you see here is the roughing passes. The final finish will be much tidier.

[photekq]

I can almost taste it now.. My machinist sent me these a little bit earlier. There are still a few things to be done, but it should be completed next weekend. Then it just needs to be anodised/finished.

[mashby]

Really nice Photeq.

I was thinking of selling my Phantom, but your case is making me rethink that. I may just have to build it just so I have something to put in such a nice case.

[photekq]

Really nice Photeq.

I was thinking of selling my Phantom, but your case is making me rethink that. I may just have to build it just so I have something to put in such a nice case.

Thanks very much for the compliments mashby. It means a lot

Bare in mind that I may never sell more of these.. and if I do they will be very low quantities (2-5) and the cost will be very, very high indeed (£400~)

[Daniel]

Looks good Which color did you choose for anodizing?

[photekq]

Looks good Which color did you choose for anodizing?

It will be anodised grey

[Muirium]

Gotta tell you, I think the bare metal looks better. I would seal it some way to keep its native look. The shine! But anodised metal is pretty trick, too.

Reassuringly heavy, I presume.

[photekq]

Gotta tell you, I think the bare metal looks better. I would seal it some way to keep its native look. The shine! But anodised metal is pretty trick, too.

Reassuringly heavy, I presume.

Silver ain't my thing. I love grey too much.

[pjmelon]

I can almost taste it now.. My machinist sent me these a little bit earlier. There are still a few things to be done, but it should be completed next weekend. Then it just needs to be anodised/finished.

*drool*
The images need to be censored, too much sexiness there

[photekq]

The case has now been finished!

I'll be picking it up next weekend and checking everything works OK.

Then it's just the anodising that needs to be done!

[Dubsgalore]

The case has now been finished!

I'll be picking it up next weekend and checking everything works OK.

Then it's just the anodising that needs to be done!

good work bro
almost at the finish line

[xbb]

I want it… good work!

[photekq]

Last photos before I go and pick it up this sunday


Anodising and bead blasting/polishing is the only thing left to be done

[photekq]

[Acanthophis]

The case is 3370 gr? That's hefty!

[photekq]

The case is 3370 gr? That's hefty!

Yeah The brass really does add some weight.

[mtl]

Wow.. *Very* nice work!

[rindorbrot]

Heavy case, light switches is how I like it.

[Muirium]

Those straits of case between the key islands are well worthy of their close ups. Heavy metal!

[photekq]

After hours and hours and hours and hours of phoning up about 25 anodising companies I have FINALLY got a reasonable quote. Should be sending the case off to them this week, so expect to see the finished TEK-80 some time soon!

Everything's being bead blasted/polished and the alu is being hard anodised grey.

Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement.

[phetto]

IMPRESSIVE! Must feel nice, knowing that you designed it yourself.

[photekq]

It does feel nice to know I designed it myself, but mainly it's just great to have something that I've made to my spec. In my eyes this will be the perfect board, alongside a red LZ-SE 84

[photekq]

It's been anodised. Just have to wait for it to be shipped to me now

[Acanthophis]

Pics, pics, pics!

[photekq]

Once it's here I'll bombard the site with pics

[photekq]

The white gunk on the screwhole is wax that was used to plug the hole during anodising.

Where the clamp failed during machining #1

Where the clamp failed during machining #2 - looks bad but is fully functional.








This shows how damn shiny this brass is. It's like a mirror!

[Acanthophis]

Nice.

[BimboBB]

great work sir!

curious to see that keyboard finalized in all his glory....

[mtl]

That is quite an amazing work of art you have there, photekq. Bravo!