[IC] New Blue Alps Re-Creation

[abrahamstechnology]

I am running this interest check to see how much demand there would be for new Alps SKCM Blue re-creation switches. These switches would be copied as accurately as possible from original Blue Alps parts including the switchplate. I have talked with several switch manufacturers that would be willing to undertake the project, however, it will be an expensive project, so I need to see how much demand there would be before I can continue.

https://forms.gle/yTruRbAyMXFCQywB9

[ppCircle]

What would you use these switches for?

Well should be option to tick more answers. But i know why you do this that way

[ZedTheMan]

Despite the shadiness surrounding Durock, I admittedly have not been disappointed by a single switch I've tried from them, if you choose to go that route.

Man I hope we can get some skcm blue goodness.

[abrahamstechnology]

Update: I have decided to go with [REDACTED]. My interest check is getting a lot of replies so I think I should continue with this.
[REDACTED] has initially quoted me around $10-15K USD to make the moulds. Would something like a Kickstarter be advisable to fund this?

[Donnelly20]

would there be a way to get them if you didnt back the kickstarter its alot of money for you to be spending and all but id prefer to be spending the money if i knew i would be getting the switches.

[ZedTheMan]

Honestly, yeah. This would be Kickstarter worthy in scale. Will need lots of promotion, I reckon. I think the funds are there based on the success of the NOS white Alps GB.

[abrahamstechnology]

If I got something like QuickBooks to help me with the taxes I think I could handle it.
But the first step is to send some NOS SKCM blues off to [REDACTED] so they can evaluate the cost of them better and what they would need to do specifically to recreate them.

[ZedTheMan]

A couple of questions would be stuff like licensing, that is, who would be allowed to distribute them? It might be more worthwhile to Durock if they can additionally sell the switches to other vendors. That said, some vendors (kbdfans, novelkeys, etc.) who sell zeal products might not be able to sell any due to the "stealios" debacle. (Even if it was a third party branding them falsely)

Oddly enough, in this case, it shows that Durock is at least up to the task of making high quality recreations of existing designs.

[Muramasa]

Has there been any developments?

[Redmaus]

Has there been any developments?

Second, we'd all like to know

[abrahamstechnology]

Sadly on hold due to coronavirus.

[Muramasa]

Understandable, but glad to hear it's still ongoing!

[forter4]

Would definitely be interested once things start to get back to normal-ish

[ddrfraser1]

100%

[cods]

Keen.

[consensual-penis]

I don't want to be that guy, but have you seen the zeal clicky switch? it's supposed to be based off of blue alps.

[abrahamstechnology]

I don't want to be that guy, but have you seen the zeal clicky switch? it's supposed to be based off of blue alps.

I just saw it, but it has a polycarbonate housing so I don't think it will be the same.

[Hak Foo]

I suspect honestly that they'll do gangbusters business. The fact it drops into the existing MX PCB and keycap ecosystem will cover for a lot of sins.

[amigastar23]

How's the project going?

[jjman2212]

excitedly filled out the IC only to realise this is a 2 year old thread rip. hope this ends up going somwhere

[zrrion]

OP also hasn't been active since last August, you are out of luck