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

[Phenix]

Can you upload an picture of which keys will be included in an keycap set?

[mana]

Eh, what - standard ANSI with split right shift is an option?!

Basically what I'm looking for is the standard Model M-like layout but with the split right shift...

Can I change my order to that please?

(edit: is this the same considering I ordered blank black keycaps?)

[Ellipse]

Please note that HHKB split shift only (otherwise standard layout) is a custom request (no extra charge) so you will need to let me know if you'd like this option. By default the HHKB layout is the full HHKB layout.

Yes mana I can make changes - please take a look at the below links and description and let me know what you decide. If anyone else wants to make changes please let me know ASAP as the factory is still in production with parts for everyone's keyboards.

This is what the HHKB with split backspace will look like: https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/questio ... kb-layout/

Here are the other various layout options: https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/questio ... s-options/

The HHKB split shift only option keeps everything the same as the standard Model M layout, except the right shift key is split. The other HHKB options all switch around the ctrl and caps lock keys. In addition, the HHKB with split backspace option moves around the | \, Backspace, and `~ keys as shown in the first link in this post.

Here is a description of the specific differences with HHKB layout: "For HHKB/split right shift with split backspace printed key sets, custom printed keys will be included: Delete key the size of | \, 1U size | \, stepped Ctrl/Ctrl-style Caps Lock, Caps-Lock style Shift, and 1U Fn. For the HHKB set with the non-split backspace, you will not receive the 1U | \ key and the | \-sized backspace key."

Phenix I expect the keys to reflect that of a standard 104 key Model M - I don't have photos yet as the keys are not yet in production.

[mana]

Right. I think I got a surprise when you listed that ANSI with split right shift (which one person ordered) as separate from the orders for HHKB split shift and standard 2u backspace. Obviously as I'm ordering blanks these will be the same in the end for me. No changes required, thanks!

[Ellipse]

ok sounds good, thanks.

[Phenix]

Ok, nevertheless I hoped you would include all/many options in the set (similar to an e.g. GMK cap set with a few more keys to cover even some more layouts

[Ellipse]

The factory is still working on the key molds and production first-runs for some remaining parts which I need to approve before everything goes into production. And if the first-run samples are not good, I would rather hold up production until they pass my quality standards even if it causes further delay in the project.

According to the factory's most recent project management report, they now expect to finish first-runs next week and they expect to finish the molds by mid-December. Once the first-runs are in hand and fully inspected, I will post more photos and will hopefully be able to approve production to continue.

[ohaimark]

Unfortunate. Then again, I'd rather have quality than a Christmas keyboard.

[Orpheo]

I Guess for the keyboards ordered without keycaps cannot be shipped earlier?

[wobbled]

Why are there so many delays?

[Ellipse]

We passed $165,000 in orders!

Production has taken longer than expected wobbled. The factory says a mold will take two months but it takes four months, etc. I also rejected many of the die cast case samples due to the powdercoating texture and colors being below my quality standards and that added at least a month's delay to production. I don't want these keyboards to have any cut corners to save production time or cost.

Now I see why many Kickstarter-type projects with intricate parts take a year or longer for production!

Orpheo I offer the option for early shipping for a completed keyboard or one without keys (DHL Express) but it costs $75. If anyone without keys wants theirs earlier I can ship them when they are ready.

[BeeSawd]

So if you were to give a rough ETA what would it be? Not trying to rush you, just wanted to have a rough number.

[Ellipse]

It's a few weeks on the cargo ship to me, then I have to test over 300 keyboards one by one.

[BeeSawd]

Take your time, I'll take quality over speed any day.

[roboticus]

I haven't put in an order yet but still intending to. I agree you're making the right decision. Getting the quality right is #1 priority.. (I dont care about the delay.. just gives me some extra time to put aside some cash for one )

[Elrick]

Take your time, I'll take quality over speed any day.

Agreed.

Nothing worse than receiving a keyboard not fully tuned or corrected, which can only be done by hand at the factory (like a Ferrari) .

[mana]

Have the XT-style keys commenced on production yet?

If not, can I change my order (again... heh, sorry, I realise I really suck at this) to the standard pebble/pearl coloured blanks rather than black ones (order #2425 to Australia). Thanks! (everything else the same as before - black compact case, 2u backspace, small key to the right of the right shift).

With the difference in price of a few $ between black and regular can I also get a few spare flippers (whatever the difference is or even less - just want to have a few spares on hand in case).

If they have, then I understand if my order can't be changed.

Thanks so much for this project!

[Ellipse]

A note on the production first-runs (they set up production and tooling to make one or more parts of each part design before making all the remaining parts, including the fully assembled ultra compact case prototypes!) - they are important in the manufacturing process because some small changes were made to the prototype designs and I want to make sure that everything is 100% before going into final production. Skipping these prototypes would have saved a month or so but it would be a bad situation if a mistake was found after all the units were made.

mana yes the keys are in production. The current stage is production and refining of the mold to make sure the parts are to spec. ok I updated your order.

[mana]

Thanks for updating it! Definitely in favour of the quality over speed policy too.

[Orpheo]

Ellipse, i have a proposition. I can change my order of à regular ISO kishsaver with black blanks keycaps with early serial option to :

Still regular ISO
No keycaps
75$ shipping express
Without early serial option

Like this I will be able to test the keyboard and make a review without the key mold delay.

I think I can accept not having your new keycaps since I have no split keys option anynore and live with my own keycaps.

What do you say?

If yes, can I have the option for red case instead of black? I can balance the amount of the order.

[zhoulander]

Wow ok so I'm alone with the HHKB split right-shift only (otherwise standard layout).

HHKB layout is just weird to me, but looking at it more closely again I'm now thinking wtf do I do with the lack of Escape key.

I like regular US/ANSI keyboards but with the missing Function keys on this board my aim is to use the extra key for the split for my "Fn" key.

[wcass]

Caps Lock makes a great Fn key (Fn + Shift = Caps Lock). Unless you are one of those "left of A is Ctrl" folks.

[Ellipse]

Photos from the production first-runs still unfinished and underway!

Caution - raw steel!

Please note that the parts are not yet finished/in hand for my inspection - they are not powdercoated and have not been anodized as they will be for the final production - they are still in their rough "test" condition!

Especially nice is the very first factory stamped Model F foam in over 20 years! You'll notice their first one has a small mistake in the location of the opening for one of the top inner assembly tabs.

first run production foam.jpg (141.43 KiB) Viewed 5333 times

first run production foam2.jpg (415.1 KiB) Viewed 5333 times

first run ultra compact case assembled.jpg (172.82 KiB) Viewed 5333 times

first run ultra compact case assembled2.jpg (153.46 KiB) Viewed 5333 times

first run non-powdercoated inner assembly.jpg (95.53 KiB) Viewed 5333 times

first run non-powdercoated inner assembly2.jpg (160.52 KiB) Viewed 5333 times

[wobbled]

I wish I could go to sleep and wake up when mine is delivered, the excitement is killing me! Keep posting updates Joe

[Hypersphere]

Caps Lock makes a great Fn key (Fn + Shift = Caps Lock). Unless you are one of those "left of A is Ctrl" folks.

But Ctrl is left of A!

[Phenix]

For what board is that?
XT??

[Wodan]

F77

[Hypersphere]

For what board is that?
XT??

All of my boards.

[lot_lizard]

Amped about my F77 with every passing picture... Ellipse, in the pics, this must be the compact case bottom plate?

[Ellipse]

Yep that's right. I see the sample plate appears to have been brushed and anodized. The final plates I thought would be bead blasted only and hard anodized - not sure just yet on what looks nicer. Hopefully the first runs can ship this week or early next week so I can examine in person.

Regarding the die cast original style cases, the price of zinc is up significantly over the past year - many of the other commodities were not increased as much . Hopefully the price goes back down for the final round next year. At around 5-6 pounds of zinc per case we are talking about more than 1,500 pounds of zinc so far!