F104+SSK+122+62+77+50+Ergo orders now open! New Kishsaver+Industrial Model F Keyboards

[Ellipse]

Here's a size comparison of the ultra compact and original cases:

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[lot_lizard]

Here's a size comparison of the ultra compact and original cases

Do you have a mockup of the F77 compact? Really nice work btw

[alh84001]

I guess minimalists will frown, but a bit of bezel is nice to see.

[Ellipse]

Yes the bezel is due to IBM's original capacitive design requiring wide traces on the side and top of the PCB. thanks lot_lizard - I do not yet have the F77 mockup.

[shreebles]

Looks great! Getting used to 60% keyboards makes this look all the more attractive each time I see an update...

[Elrick]

I guess minimalists will frown, but a bit of bezel is nice to see.

You always need a lot of Bezel around the keys, helps to keep them safe from the nasty world outside their domain .

[lot_lizard]

thanks lot_lizard - I do not yet have the F77 mockup.

No problem, look forward to it. Do you have profile view of the 62?

[Ellipse]

Nope not an updated version just yet lot_lizard.

I am thinking of making the ultra compact keyboard available before the prototype is ordered (currently I have the renderings that I posted on reddit) so that people can get their keyboard earlier - any thoughts?

[Hypersphere]

Nope not an updated version just yet lot_lizard.

I am thinking of making the ultra compact keyboard available before the prototype is ordered (currently I have the renderings that I posted on reddit) so that people can get their keyboard earlier - any thoughts?

I think that at least some people would prefer to see how the ultra compact boards work out in practice before ordering. It is always possible that there would be some glitches. In addition, the ultra compact boards might sound and feel significantly different from the standard models and some folks might not like the modified characteristics (or they might prefer it to the standard models).

[Ellipse]

The factory sent me photos of the production barrels and flippers! Currently they are going into storage until the factory gets the other parts of the inner assembly made.

I thought it was a nice touch to label each box professionally with the barrel and flipper image (I guess that's the best way to keep track of small production runs like this one) - I'm hoping they send me the empty boxes (maybe fill it with some finished keyboards or other accessories of course)

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[lot_lizard]

The factory sent me photos of the production barrels and flippers!

Spoiler:

6.jpg

The opened bulk flippers are such a lovely image. Awesome job. She really is coming to life!

[alh84001]

Keyboard pr0n

[andrewjoy]

[Ellipse]

The factory is great to send these production photos over. They have been so patient with me throughout the process. I don't think it's a normal request they usually receive!

[mana]

For us buyers in Australia... would shipping possibly be any cheaper if a) we order the F62 in the small bezel aluminium case and b) if you bubble wrap it instead of shipping in the polystyrene foam and box? Just that a) the conversion to AUD turns out to be around $600 AUD shipped (!) and b) obviously the small bezel would reduce both weight and dimensions.

[Ellipse]

Yes mana - your cost would be $75 for shipping an ultra compact F62 instead of $90 for one keyboard, and $109 total for shipping 2 of them.

For anyone in Australia who wants to do that, you can add the appropriate shipping option by ordering 75 or 109 units of "other customizations in $1 increments" and then choose free local pickup.

[Phenix]

Would local pickup in October be ok? (im in NewYork then.)

writing on Android is pain

[Ellipse]

yes phenix that would be ok

[Phenix]

Nice. But I will wait for the first round to see the results. After that I place an order.

writing on Android is pain

[mana]

Would that be $15 less because of both reasons (lighter keyboard and packing in bubble wrap pack instead of with foam) or just that the keyboard is lighter?

Additional question to check my options - how heavy approximately would it (a repackaged thin bezel f62) be? This way I could maybe use the Australia Post mail forwarding service (ShopMate) and calculate postage that way as another option, as while this is an amazing project and an amazing opportunity I'm struggling to find the cash for this (student doctor about to finish so loads of debt and part time work heh).

Cheers for that response, really want this though.

[Ellipse]

mana yes for both those reasons. In general the compact case keyboards will not have styrofoam packaging (packaging TBD at this point). I'm expecting about 7-8 pounds for the shipping weight. The innards of the keyboard are still heavy as they are solid steel.

[Ellipse]

An update: After much waiting you can now order your ultra compact, modern design Kishsaver and/or F77! As I mentioned before, the small cases are shipping with the final round, not the early bird round, most likely.

However I request that you please do not change cases as I have already paid for your case and powdercoating the case for everyone who placed an order (if you feel strongly you want to switch your order to the "small case" camp please PM me). And you'd probably have a delay of a few months in receiving your F62/F77 if you make the switch since the compact cases are likely not part of the early round.

You can also order a spare ultra compact case (just pick the case in the dropdown menu of the F77/F62 case store item) and it will include the bottom inner assembly part.

Full disclosure, there are only renderings at this point of the case design and the design and colors are subject to change, but the innards will be exactly the same as the original cases, except the bottom inner assembly will be less wide to fit inside the smaller case. The inner assembly will not be red as pictured in the renderings; it will be black. The colors and finish shown in the rendering are not accurate. The design is expected to look like a standard high-end custom keyboard project case.

F62 compact case expected dimensions: 31 x 14.5 x 2.5 cm (12.2 x 5.7 x 0.8 in.)

F62 original case approximate dimensions: 36 x 18 x 3 cm (14.2 x 7.1 x 1.2 in.)

The ultra compact case version of the F62 Kishsaver and F77 will have an aluminum case (likely anodized or bead-blasted or the like, not powdercoated) and the USB cable will be removable from the back without requiring you to open up the case.

However please note that this version of the case is secondary priority for me compared to getting out the original style case keyboards to everyone who ordered one. So please expect to get yours with the final round orders, but possibly with the early round orders. Lead time is at least several months.

It is OK if you’d prefer to see the prototype of the case before ordering but I am being asked all the time to get the ultra compact case versions available for order

Colors are also not finalized but I expect to have a standard gray (not industrial gray) and black, and possibly other colors like red or blue if anyone’s interested (not confirmed yet). Any suggestions or requests, please let me know.

Also a note that you do not receive the original-style styrofoam packaging with any compact keyboard – the keyboards will be securely packed another way TBD.

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[Phenix]

So to conclude: If i get an normal case and an slim compact case I can swap them without problems? (Im having problems understanding the part with the assembly)

writing on Android is pain

[Ellipse]

Yes that is the expectation Phenix, but full disclosure there are some issues with the ultra compact xwhatsit prototype that are being worked out, so I can't guarantee it (I posted about this over in the "smaller xwhatsit" thread in the Workshop - any extra help is appreciated!.). At the very worst you'd probably need to buy a separate PCB as well (about $30 or so).

[Phenix]

.. Or get 2 boards

[sean4star]

I just got an email saying it's not too late to join the early bird production run. Is this only for the compact case design or can I order other items as well? Sorry, I've been out of the loop for a while. I assumed I completely missed the first run, so I haven't been checking the forum lately.

[Ellipse]

No worries sean4star - you can order either original or small case keyboards and still be part of the early bird round. I decided to make extra parts and keyboards as part of the early bird round. My feeling is that there will be some latecomers and I don't want them to have to wait until the regular round.

However, I need to put the small case keyboards at a lower priority and focus on fulfilling orders for the original case keyboards first.

[shreebles]

So what's the real skinny now, Ellipse?

For people who buy an ultra compact F62 NOW:
Do they ship with the early bird or with the final round (as you said two days ago)?

[Ellipse]

Ultra compacts are expected to ship with the final round, but possibly earlier shreebles. If you want a new Model F as soon as possible I suggest going with the original cases - otherwise it may be a couple months later to get your Ultra compact case keyboard.

[shreebles]

Nah, it's cool. I wanted to wait for initial impressions anyway and I don't see the point of a 60% keyboard the size of a Kishy

I bought a controller and flippers from you also, can I expect any of these things to ship early?

Also interesting for me, HHKB style right shift would actually be 1.75u shift first and 1u FN on the right?
Or IBM-JIS-Style 1u + 1.75u on the right?
And can I combine this in an order with otherwise standard ISO layout?