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

[Spaceman1200]

That's unfortunate, I don't have a problem with waiting, just hope to see it before the new year

[Ludovician]

This will be a good Christmas present to myself (hopefully). No worries, should be worth the wait.

The compact cases are still round 2 only, right?

[lsfxz]

Would any of the ultra-compact case fans be interested in ordering a heavier zinc ultra-compact case of the same dimensions and design? Everyone's ultra compact case will still be aluminum - this is not changing. Just if anyone was interested in an even more solid keyboard case and prefers the ultra compact case design.

That would be awesome (well, unless it raised shipping costs to Europe too much…).

[Ellipse]

It would be the same shipping cost.

[Hypersphere]

Production and shipping delays are par for the course, especially considering the novelty and complexity of this project.

I look forward to receiving the Round 1 keyboards. If all checks out well and we have some compact cases to look at, I will probably order 1-2 compact cases and/or possibly 1-2 entire keyboards in compact cases in Round 2.

Thanks for keeping us undated on progress and setbacks.

[modology]

For compact F62/F77 Round 2, may I suggest that we use "NeXT Cube dark gray" paint instead of BLACK color as described on the website? The NeXT Gray is very nice as it's not too glossy nor it's too dark, it's just perfect tone. Storywise, steve job did indeed delayed the production of NeXT as he was picking the perfect shade of grey for the paint, ya know Steve Job is perfectionist and I do agree that he did choose a very good grey paint.

[Ellipse]

Modology I expect the ultra compact cases to be hard anodized and not powdercoated. Powdercoating a custom color on the compact cases will add about a $300-$500 tooling cost plus a per unit cost. If anyone is interested in powdercoating ultra compact cases please let me know.

[modology]

Why that cost so much for powder coating for Compact version? I've thought the "Classic" version have Powdercoat paint and relatively the same price with compact version anodised?

[Virtureal]

Super excited that I didn't miss this! I am in for a standard F62. I've never tried cork feet on anything before and my current table is tilted at an angle, with such a heavy keyboard do you think that they could keep it in one position or would I need rubber?

[Phenix]

how many ordered an Scumy layout?

[LewisR]

Why that cost so much for powder coating for Compact version? I've thought the "Classic" version have Powdercoat paint and relatively the same price with compact version anodised?

I would think cork is more for padding than grip. The keyboard is so heavy, it should stay still on a flat surface, but I would worry about it sliding on cork if tilted too much.

You may want to try something like rubber non-slip padding like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221310033971

[Ellipse]

modology there is a tooling charge for custom colors. Phenix there are a few orders but I am limiting production of that layout to about 10 keyboards total and no extras being made for the final round.

Here are the color offerings:

No extra charge: Industrial Gray, Off White/Beige, Black (original cases); Hard Anodized or Black (ultra compact cases)

Limited edition colors only for the original style cases ($75/case extra; only a few produced of each color and only during the early bird round: will be “while supplies last” for the final round): Pantone True Red, Pantone TPX Silver

Other custom colors – $300/color for tooling and you can order as many extra cases or keyboards with that case color as you want for the standard $100 each – for this option, please suggest a Pantone color for powdercoating.

[Ellipse]

A production update:

The PCBs are going into production this week or next week.

I am also ordering custom made ribbon cables for this project - two 15 position cables like IBM's originals but with the more standard 0.1" pitch of the compact xwhatsit controllers. The factory will solder and assemble everything so it arrives ready to use for everyone of course.

The original style cases are continuing to be a bottleneck. I recently rejected the factory's powdercoating samples airmailed from China as not being in line with my standards and in the original Model F style. I know everyone is eager to get their shipments delivered but I won't sacrifice my quality standards to get these out a month or two earlier - we are only doing these once and I want them done right!

Here are photos of the very first powdercoated zinc Model F cases. Please disregard the colors of the photos and the powdercoating textured finish as they are not accurate. I expect to be getting more samples in hand later this month.

And in case you haven't been following the thread in recent months, the barrels and flippers finished production about a month or so ago.

Gray - Copy.jpg (240.38 KiB) Viewed 7448 times

Off-WhiteBeige - Copy.jpg (152.5 KiB) Viewed 7448 times

[Elrick]

A production update:

I know everyone is eager to get their shipments delivered but I won't sacrifice my quality standards to get these out a month or two earlier - we are only doing these once and I want them done right!

Here are photos of the very first powdercoated zinc Model F cases. Please disregard the colors of the photos and the powdercoating textured finish as they are not accurate. I expect to be getting more samples in hand later this month.

Gray - Copy.jpg

Off-WhiteBeige - Copy.jpg

Too right.

Quality has to always come first regardless, if it means more waiting for us.

Also the above picture has already moistened my loins, hate DT it's becoming more like a Pron Paradise for Keyboard Nerds .

[Wodan]

[Anderino]

What country of origin is the steel the keyboards are made of? I'm assuming China.

[Virtureal]

I'm pretty sure everything will be made in China.

Also the original style cases are zinc and the compact ones are aluminium I think.

EDIT: I misread the question, no idea of the origin of the materials.

[y11971alex]

What country of origin is the steel the keyboards are made of? I'm assuming China.

Steel is made up of iron and carbon atoms, which should be the same everywhere in the universe.

[Ellipse]

Not sure on the origin of the raw materials.

[Elrick]

Not sure on the origin of the raw materials.

Most likely from Australia, the largest sink hole on this planet and only getting bigger as the years pass by .

[Anderino]

What country of origin is the steel the keyboards are made of? I'm assuming China.

Steel is made up of iron and carbon atoms, which should be the same everywhere in the universe.

There are different qualities that steel from each country possesses because of the environments and the earth surrounding them. For example, while they are all steel, there is a slight difference in the chemical make up. American steel is different from German steel which is different from Chinese steel.

Not sure on the origin of the raw materials.

That's fine. Just curious.

[gianni]

For compact F62/F77 Round 2, may I suggest that we use "NeXT Cube dark gray" paint instead of BLACK color as described on the website? The NeXT Gray is very nice as it's not too glossy nor it's too dark, it's just perfect tone. Storywise, steve job did indeed delayed the production of NeXT as he was picking the perfect shade of grey for the paint, ya know Steve Job is perfectionist and I do agree that he did choose a very good grey paint.

How can we trust with a shade of gray a man who chose such a stupid layout for a keyboard? And let's not talk about some more private matters about his life and health.

[gianni]

What country of origin is the steel the keyboards are made of? I'm assuming China.

Steel is made up of iron and carbon atoms, which should be the same everywhere in the universe.

There are different qualities that steel from each country possesses because of the environments and the earth surrounding them. For example, while they are all steel, there is a slight difference in the chemical make up. American steel is different from German steel which is different from Chinese steel.

Not sure on the origin of the raw materials.

That's fine. Just curious.

Plus, if you want a radiation - free metal, you't better find some pre-1940 cast steel.

[y11971alex]

What country of origin is the steel the keyboards are made of? I'm assuming China.

Steel is made up of iron and carbon atoms, which should be the same everywhere in the universe.

There are different qualities that steel from each country possesses because of the environments and the earth surrounding them. For example, while they are all steel, there is a slight difference in the chemical make up. American steel is different from German steel which is different from Chinese steel.

I'm talking about the same alloy.

[Ellipse]

Here is a photo from the custom made ribbon cable production which should finish soon. Two 15 position ribbon cables attach the capacitive PCB to the controller PCB, just like the original but with the modern day 0.1" ribbon pitch.

custom made ribbon cable.jpg (59.88 KiB) Viewed 7121 times

[Ellipse]

And here is an update on the case molds. The factory has finally completed their draft powdercoating and color mixing of all color options and will be mailing me the sample case parts this week.

Please note that the colors below are not at all accurate and I hope to take better photos once the samples are in hand.

That being said, the True Red color looks really nice in these photos when powdercoated - this is an "early bird" only limited edition color offering and is an extra cost option (silver gray is the same thing).

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True Red - Copy.jpg (199.36 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

Black - Copy.jpg (364.34 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

Black1 - Copy.jpg (288.32 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

Industrial Gray - Copy.jpg (167.17 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

Industrial Gray1 - Copy.jpg (215.77 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

OFF-White Beige - Copy.jpg (175.39 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

OFF-White Beige1 - Copy.jpg (180.65 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

Silver Grey - Copy.jpg (266.59 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

Silver Grey1 - Copy.jpg (249.99 KiB) Viewed 7035 times

[alh84001]

It's happening. It really is.

@ellipse, I don't know if it has been answered, but are there physical differences between these and original IBM cases? For instance, could an original kishy be put inside?

[Virtureal]

Still happy with beige, but holy shit that red is beautiful

[Khers]

alh84001: Ellipse tried the prototype shells with original F62/77 internals, so they should be 100% compatible with the old stuff.

And these look awesome. There appears to be quite drastic structure differences between the different colors. Is it supposed to be like that or will you be choosing whichever surface structure is closest to the original, Ellipse?

[lot_lizard]

Assuming no one ordered this setup, but two-tone would be kinda funky