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

[digital_matthew]

Wait there's a meetup in NY on Saturday?

[codemonkeymike]

Wait there's a meetup in NY on Saturday?

https://www.reddit.com//r/MechanicalKey ... ki/meetups

[Scarpia]

Spring Success! Out of the 12 samples we have one match that will be approved for production! The search is finally complete after several dozen unique spring variations over the past few years.

I would say it is as nice or even nicer (less worn out) than my original gold standard reference (off my 1984 6110344 F122).

Finally! Congratulations Ellipse, this was a looooooong process for something so tiny.

One question: Might the keyboards ship with a small bag of replacement springs in case a clumsy enthusiast manages to catch a spring with their keypuller and pull it out of shape? Such a thing has been known to happen....

[constexpr]

One question: Might the keyboards ship with a small bag of replacement springs in case a clumsy enthusiast manages to catch a spring with their keypuller and pull it out of shape? Such a thing has been known to happen....

This is what you're looking for
https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/product/flipperspring/

[Ellipse]

New key samples should be here later this week! Hoping for the final few keys to be within tolerance and be approved for production, and for the colors to be correct.

If the springs finish production this month, assembly can possibly start next month.

[darkcruix]

New key samples should be here later this week! Hoping for the final few keys to be within tolerance and be approved for production, and for the colors to be correct.
If the springs finish production this month, assembly can possibly start next month.

This is wonderful news!
I hope you have some samples done for the dye-sublimation process and alignment. I am super curious to see the outcome on them.
You said the keyboards will be shipped (fully assembled) to you first, you do the inspection and send them out again. You likely are doing this in badges of 25 or 50 per week?

[digital_matthew]

Wait there's a meetup in NY on Saturday?

https://www.reddit.com//r/MechanicalKey ... ki/meetups

Oh man I need to work that day. That sucks because I could probably make it if it ends at 6pm, but they don't seem to be sure about that. Thanks for the heads up!

[Luna]

Regarding the key options, yes the other CM keys and number pad keys without sublegends like "Home" will be offered but they will likely ship later/separately so we do not delay things even more. Feel free to PM me if interested in adding.

Not sure I understand since your last mail about my order of the CM keys.

As a CM style numpad, will it only be the middle one of these three?

umCGzuz.png (25.85 KiB) Viewed 6804 times

Or will this be offered as well?

5xopOs6.png (46.21 KiB) Viewed 6804 times

[Ellipse]

Everything on the imgur page is available to order - https://imgur.com/a/WR7h4

[Elrick]

As a CM style numpad, will it only be the middle one of these three?

umCGzuz.png

Or will this be offered as well?

5xopOs6.png

Really LOVE Number 2, just has everything you could desire in a small numpad styled layout .

[evoman]

As a CM style numpad, will it only be the middle one of these three?

umCGzuz.png

Or will this be offered as well?

5xopOs6.png

Really LOVE Number 2, just has everything you could desire in a small numpad styled layout .

I assume number 2 (which is also my favourite, though I also like the CM configuration posted by Luna above) corresponds to the option "0-9 and cursor keys". That is what I ordered, and number 2 seems like the only match to that description.

[evoman]

Everything on the imgur page is available to order - https://imgur.com/a/WR7h4

I like the Mopar Blue set, but don't see anywhere on the website where I can order that as an add on -can you direct me?

[Luna]

Everything on the imgur page is available to order - https://imgur.com/a/WR7h4

I like the Mopar Blue set, but don't see anywhere on the website where I can order that as an add on -can you direct me?

Here you got them all.

https://imgur.com/a/WR7h4

[darkcruix]

As a CM style numpad, will it only be the middle one of these three?

umCGzuz.png

Or will this be offered as well?

5xopOs6.png

Really LOVE Number 2, just has everything you could desire in a small numpad styled layout .

I assume number 2 (which is also my favourite, though I also like the CM configuration posted by Luna above) corresponds to the option "0-9 and cursor keys". That is what I ordered, and number 2 seems like the only match to that description.

You'll receive the keyboard with a full set of all keys (XT set) and you can re-arrange it to your own liking later on.

[Luna]

Oops, sorry, on the website you mean. It's a $1 increment order, custom keys.
You have to conyact Ellipse before ordering so he can give you the right price per piece.

[evoman]

You'll receive the keyboard with a full set of all keys (XT set) and you can re-arrange it to your own liking later on.

Ah, right, I remember a comment along those lines a while back (been too long to keep it all straight in my head!) - thanks for the clarification. I don't see international or ISO options on that sheet, but I was able to indicate I wanted a UK ISO layout, so I assume that those are an option on top of what is on that page

I suppose many of us are going to end up with quite a heap of extra keys (especially the function key row, which I am surprised would come with the set given it would presumably have to replace the actual number row). On top of the base set, I'm already in for the HHKB and front printed F row (and now I decided I need the Mopar Blue!). I suppose the ability to customize the layout means this will provide a fantastic set of options!

[evoman]

Oops, sorry, on the website you mean. It's a $1 increment order, custom keys.
You have to conyact Ellipse before ordering so he can give you the right price per piece.

FYI, a bit of digging turned up this

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/questio ... novelties/

not 100% sure it is up to date though

[Zed]

I assume number 2 (which is also my favourite, though I also like the CM configuration posted by Luna above) corresponds to the option "0-9 and cursor keys". That is what I ordered, and number 2 seems like the only match to that description.

You are correct sir!

[Elrick]

You'll receive the keyboard with a full set of all keys (XT set) and you can re-arrange it to your own liking later on.

Never knew that, maybe it was mentioned in the beginning when I paid for it up front but that's extremely good in getting extra keys to sort out the Numpad area yourself, instead of relying upon someone else to do it for you.

My next kid will be named "Ellipse" as a tribute to our current Model-F 'recreator' .

[darkcruix]

You'll receive the keyboard with a full set of all keys (XT set) and you can re-arrange it to your own liking later on.

Never knew that, maybe it was mentioned in the beginning when I paid for it up front but that's extremely good in getting extra keys to sort out the Numpad area yourself, instead of relying upon someone else to do it for you.

My next kid will be named "Ellipse" as a tribute to our current Model-F 'recreator' .

I hope the other key molds will be just right this time and all goes according plan. What a project run by a single person (more or less)! This is not just getting a PCB into a case and use available switches to be soldered in. This is a complete different type of beast and I hope that it gets way more attention, once the first ones are out there.

[Beyond_The_End]

New key samples should be here later this week! Hoping for the final few keys to be within tolerance and be approved for production, and for the colors to be correct.

If the springs finish production this month, assembly can possibly start next month.

Does this mean I have one month left to add any additional orders?
Because I'm tempted to added a Carolina Blue (non-modern) F62 to my order

[Ellipse]

The new key samples arrived!

They achieved a perfect match to the gray/pebble XT key samples I sent them! (even IBM had some color variance in the pearl and pebble over the years so this will not match all IBM keys)

The 60% dark gray samples also arrived and are shown below. I think it's the best we can do to have a legible legend but please let me know what you think.

They fixed some of the out of tolerance issues from the prior batch but still need to make a few more adjustments on some of the larger keys and take care of the pearl and Industrial SSK Blue colors.

Can you tell all the new keys apart from the originals in the photo below? Hint: The stepped key is original!

Also pictured is the approved spring on a production flipper (the spring not only sounds great but it also matches the dull gray appearance of many of the originals!) and production barrels that were completed before. As always the colors are not 100% accurate in these photos.

20180615_165813 - Copy.jpg (957.63 KiB) Viewed 6568 times

[darkcruix]

The 60% gray is awesome!!!
The color matching is also superb news!

So excited !!!

[constexpr]

That looks splendid — the colors are spot on. Awesome news!

[Elrick]

The new key samples arrived!

Can you tell all the new keys apart from the originals in the photo below? Hint: The stepped key is original!

No way indeed. Perfect reproduction.

Also pictured is the approved spring on a production flipper (the spring not only sounds great but it also matches the dull gray appearance of many of the originals!)

The springs you're using, are they corrosion resistant?

If not, will you be applying some kind of lube as a protectant for these springs (just curious to know)?

If it has already been mentioned before, then please forgive the old geezer questioning

[strah]

The 60% dark gray samples also arrived and are shown below. I think it's the best we can do to have a legible legend but please let me know what you think.

The 60% samples look really nice, I think that is the way to go for the dark gray set. Can you take a picture comparing the 60% samples to the 80% samples and to a black sample in one picture?

[Ellipse]

Nice meeting everyone at the NYC meetup today! Great turnout!

[digital_matthew]

Nice meeting everyone at the NYC meetup today! Great turnout!

Awesome meeting you, Ellipse, as well as everyone else!
I got to try the prototype Ellipse Model Fs. I own an XT, a 122, and an XT 5155 which I brought with me to the meetup. I also got to try a real kishsaver; something I never thought I would ever see in real life. For everyone waiting for a new Model F, I can confidently say you will not be disappointed. They felt amazing and indistinguishable from the old Model Fs. I'm really tempted to buy one of these things now.

[Ellipse]

Elrick yes the new springs should be corrosion resistant. I won't be adding any grease to the springs but someone did that as a mod to reduce the Model F sound - I posted a link to their video a while back (not sure when).

[Elrick]

Elrick yes the new springs should be corrosion resistant.

Perfection, I knew you took care of EVERYTHING related to this keyboard .

I won't be adding any grease to the springs but someone did that as a mod to reduce the Model F sound - I posted a link to their video a while back (not sure when).

That was only an idiot suggestion not serious about ever putting any grease on my F77, it shall remain clean and unmolested, the same day you've tuned it and made it ready for me to use.