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

[Ellipse]

Pearl color key samples are expected tomorrow! Hopefully they will be an exact color match to the 1984 F122 / XT keys.

[darkcruix]

Pearl color key samples are expected tomorrow! Hopefully they will be an exact color match to the 1984 F122 / XT keys.

Great news!

[andrewjoy]

I have saved up some money and i am considering pulling the trigger on this ( finally)

Is it still possible to order split backspace but WITHOUT a split right shift ?

And ofc caps to match?

[Ellipse]

Great andrew! Yes for split backspace only please order 2 units of the store item "$1 increments" which includes the split (extra spring/flipper) and the extra 1U backspace cap.

[andrewjoy]

So order the normal ansi and then a flipper and any required caps ?

Will it come like that or will i have to do it myself ?

[Ellipse]

Yes, it comes split

[Ellipse]

The pearl color is approved and the keys are now going into production! The key color is a match to the original XT set used on the prototype classic case F77 I brought to the various meetups (two keys shown below for color comparison).

The assembled springs first batch should be going out in a week or two. The factory has produced three of the spring attachers so far (from the video posted earlier).

As always please disregard the colors in these photos as they are not 100% accurate. In person the keys are a match.

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[Ellipse]

As a catch up note, assembly already started with the springs earlier this month. If the 1,000 first run springs are consistent with the approved samples, the other 199k springs will be produced. We still have the dye sub to complete. All other major parts are finished (the boxes and protective foam will be done once everything else is done to minimize storage space usage at the factory).

In the next week or so I am getting the assembled spring first run parts as well as some F122/F107/PC AT foam in case anyone needs early delivery (please let me know if you'd prefer this).

[darkcruix]

Ellipse ... I can't imagine this is going to happen now! To say it in the words of some other forum member: "What a time to be alive!"

[Ellipse]

As a reminder I am taking care of the dye sub and was planning to send the keys back for assembly after finishing the dye sub.

To save significant time I was thinking of having the factory assemble everything except the printed keys and putting it all on the cargo ship when everything is finished. That way we won't have to wait for the dye sub to finish, for them to receive the keys back, for them to install the keys, and then wait another month for the cargo ship to arrive before deliveries can start. All 200,000 or so keys (less dye sub) are planned to be completed by the end of August.

To minimize my assembly time I expect to ask the factory to figure out how to "assemble" the keys without a keyboard (maybe using plastic sheets with the keys properly arranged, like IBM used) and then mail me those sheets which can go into the dye sub jig and then pressed on to the keyboards (IBM used similar methods per the IBM Model F keyboard assembly video on YouTube).

Still waiting on the first production spring samples and dye sub test results.

[darkcruix]

As a reminder I am taking care of the dye sub and was planning to send the keys back for assembly after finishing the dye sub.

To save significant time I was thinking of having the factory assemble everything except the printed keys and putting it all on the cargo ship when everything is finished. That way we won't have to wait for the dye sub to finish, for them to receive the keys back, for them to install the keys, and then wait another month for the cargo ship to arrive before deliveries can start. All 200,000 or so keys (less dye sub) are planned to be completed by the end of August.

To minimize my assembly time I expect to ask the factory to figure out how to "assemble" the keys without a keyboard (maybe using plastic sheets with the keys properly arranged, like IBM used) and then mail me those sheets which can go into the dye sub jig and then pressed on to the keyboards (IBM used similar methods per the IBM Model F keyboard assembly video on YouTube).

Still waiting on the first production spring samples and dye sub test results.

Logistically it makes not a huge difference for you, but maybe you want to ask around, who really "requires" the keys to be assembled. In my cases, I would be happy getting the key buttons in a "bag" and assemble them myself. Nothing easier than this. Maybe there is a larger group out there, who are happy with that approach and it saves you a ton of time?

[sgtpopwell]

Logistically it makes not a huge difference for you, but maybe you want to ask around, who really "requires" the keys to be assembled. In my cases, I would be happy getting the key buttons in a "bag" and assemble them myself. Nothing easier than this. Maybe there is a larger group out there, who are happy with that approach and it saves you a ton of time?

I'm definitely with you on this point, that being said whatever system Ellipse prefers is the one I'm happy with. The man is a perfectionist.

[darkcruix]

Logistically it makes not a huge difference for you, but maybe you want to ask around, who really "requires" the keys to be assembled. In my cases, I would be happy getting the key buttons in a "bag" and assemble them myself. Nothing easier than this. Maybe there is a larger group out there, who are happy with that approach and it saves you a ton of time?

I'm definitely with you on this point, that being said whatever system Ellipse prefers is the one I'm happy with. The man is a perfectionist.

Perfection is his goal, but we will also accept his pure excellence.
A quick video on how to assemble the keys + spacebar would do for most people, I guess. Sure, there will be customers who want the fully built one, but those of us who won't need it, can make Ellipses' life easier, I hope.

[Shihatsu]

I would love to do part of the assembly myself, but I will follow whatever Elipse is doing. He is my god now.

[Muirium]

I would love to do part of the assembly myself, but I will follow whatever Elipse is doing. He is my god now.

He is?



Don’t you know your Sci-Fi Jim!?

[Ellipse]

The keyboards will ship fully assembled to everyone, as I need to test each keyboard before it goes out.

[Chalba]

It almost sounds like we're getting closer to a definitive timeline? October-Nov-ish? Exciting!

[darkcruix]

Hi Ellipse,

I have seen that there are holes at the bottom of the F77 case at the same location as it can be found on the original. There you can use it to attache a bar to raise the keyboard (as shown below).
I wonder, if these can be still used with such a bar?

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[Ellipse]

Yes a bar can likely be used if 3d printed. The holes do not line up with the original bar though.

[darkcruix]

Yes a bar can likely be used if 3d printed. The holes do not line up with the original bar though.

By any chance, do you have the diameter of the holes and the distance of the center?

[Ellipse]

The assembled spring samples and more inner foam for the original F122/F107/PC AT keyboards should arrive next week - if anyone is looking for more inner foam or for their current foam order to ship early please PM me. If all goes well I can approve the spring production to finish.

The bottom die cast case holes are spaced 333mm and 260mm apart (from the center of each hole, not the edge) for F77 and F62 respectively. 6mm diameter. I recommend a screw and nut method of attachment as the cases do not accommodate the push in metal attachment of the original.

[Ellipse]

The one-piece keys from the new molds entered production earlier this month. Here is a photo of a QC station for inspecting each key and making sure it fits well with the production barrels.

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[frankbartoli]

hi Ellipse, excuse the question but it's been a lot of time and I dont remember ... the keycap that you show in the pictures are included in my order? (order name Francesco Bartoli, Italy). thank you

[Ellipse]

Yes keys are included in your order

[Ludovician]

Can I confirm I had two full sets with the hhkb add-on kit, one black on beige and one dark grey on black?

[Ellipse]

I just sent your order summary over email.

[morkl]

Can you please confirm that everything in my order (4618) is possible, or whether I need to pay more?
I.e. Swedish ISO + split backspace + split right shift with 1U FN key.

Also, is there any chance of getting a 1.75U FN key as a caps lock replacement?

[Ellipse]

That layout is possible, please order 12 units of the store item "$1 increments" and choose "other shipping." In your order please note "ISO Enter (vertical enter and split Left Shift) and HHKB-Style Split Right Shift, Split Backspace"

I can do a blank 1.75U Fn key (costs $10) but am currently not doing custom key printing.

[Ellipse]

August Production update:

Production springs approved for mass production! The springs fortunately are a match to the approved sample springs and I have approved the remaining 199,000 springs for production. The factory's first 1,000 springs were correctly assembled by the custom built pneumatic spring attacher machine #1; machines 2 and 3 require some minor adjustment to correct the seating of the spring on the flipper for optimal performance.

I also received some samples of the production compact cases and they are excellent. The sample cases from last year were very good but the bottom plate was a little too thin and the factory had to add more screws to ensure a tight assembly.

The blue cases came out a beautiful deep blue color that I like, but they are not a match to the Carolina Blue we specified so I'm requesting they make additional cases with the correct Carolina Blue color.

The regular/silver/light gray compact cases are also a match to the approved samples. I would describe the color as a little lighter than a 2013 MacBook Pro.

The production black hard anodized compact cases are also excellent.

And the F122 (also for F107/PC AT) foam arrived - I expect to mail out the orders this week. Please PM me if you'd like your F122 foam order shipped this week. I have extras beyond the number ordered so feel free to place another order this week if you'd like.

So this means that all keyboard parts are now in production or finished production! The last major part is the dye sub which the other shop is still working on.

[darkcruix]

Great update !! Thx so much.