deskthority

Sorry I don't have that.

Ellipse wrote: Also I expect to mix the gray and beige paint colors locally to try to get just the right color and then mail the paint to China, as there is not a close enough RAL or Pantone color to match the originals. Shipping will be expensive but I hope to have close to accurate colors.

Did you have success in this in the end? Would it be possible to share the color mix info. I have a F107 that could use a paint job, but I've been reluctant to do it. I also don't know if any powdercoater here could mix me a custom color :/

The factory is expecting to ship the first run prototype parts by month end.

It seems like the factory may have not used the latest CAD files by mistake for the previous prototyping round, on at least some of the parts like the top inner assembly and inner foam. To be safe I re-sent them all the latest STP files and they confirmed they will be working from those.

Yes alh a few months back I posted over 100 photos on reddit and we did get to accurate colors. Here's the most recent amalgamation of photos from a month ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyb ... h=82e325e5

It turns out that there was no Pantone or RAL color that was appropriate to match the original off white/beige so I rejected them all. What I ended up doing was letting them borrow an original F107 case and keep trying to mix the paint until the texture and color was a good match. Based on the samples I received, they did an excellent job and all of the original style cases finished production several months ago. The texture and color were difficult to get right and it took a few months to consult with their paint suppliers. Significant cost and time overruns.

Ah yes, I remember those. So we got no hard info on the color composition, ratios, etc...? That's a shame.

Will the keycaps be available in the 2nd run also? I don't want to make any more changes to my already very difficult order.

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yep they will be

The factory has completed the inner foam and spring first runs. Now we are just waiting on the top inner assembly, bottom inner assembly, and key first runs! Then they will mail everything to me by month end for inspection. Then once it is all approved, production will be able to start! Thanks again to everyone for hanging in there as the factory produces the best possible parts for the project.

The spring gauges also arrived at the factory to make sure all springs are all within the inner diameter tolerance specified.

Awesome, I do like a good spring!

Nice. One question/suggestion I have is - if keycaps end up needing another prototype run, and everything else is fine, how do you feel about starting production on the keyboard proper and shipping it independently from keycaps? That would probably make sense only if the delay on keycaps was >1 month.

alh I have thought about it but will not be doing that. Everyone will receive a complete, fully tested product if they ordered it.

Ellipse wrote: The factory has completed the inner foam and spring first runs. Now we are just waiting on the top inner assembly, bottom inner assembly, and key first runs! Then they will mail everything to me by month end for inspection. Then once it is all approved, production will be able to start! Thanks again to everyone for hanging in there as the factory produces the best possible parts for the project.

The spring gauges also arrived at the factory to make sure all springs are all within the inner diameter tolerance specified.

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How will you check the spring gauges to be sure they are within specs?

Ha, I will be doing spot checks on the springs as well.

A beautiful project...

Do you already know if international layouts will be made as one-piece keys? I am interested in German and UK-ISO. Will it be possible to order Unicomp-keys as extra option?

Yes international layouts will be made with the brand new key molds and dye sub legends. Only the ISO enter keys will be sourced from unicomp. Sorry I won't be offering those extra options.

Do I understand it correctly: you are going to take orders until the 31st of March 2017, subsequently finish the keyboards & deliver them and subsequently open a second ordering round?

The factory sent an update that they are still on track for shipping the first run samples by the end of next week. They are still working on everything. They did another check on the key molds but they were judged to require further adjustment before they are production ready to this project's standards.

No dux - I will be accepting orders ongoing "while supplies last" for the early bird round as I have ordered extras (I will let everyone know when the early bird supplies run out). I don't have a timeframe for the final round yet. The early bird orders should ship by mid-year to year end 2017.

Ordered a F77 a couple days ago. Excited!

I assume us 'late' early birds will be nearer the end of 2017.

Yes that is the plan.

We have crossed $205,000 in orders!

Awesome. Congrats!

While we're at springs. Are they going to be aligned the same way as original IBMs? You know like all springs rotated to the same angle. Not sure if you ever noticed it but I love that attention to detail - probably improves consistency too.
Notice the spring coils ending always on top.

That's likely just a product of mechanization. I can't imagine them adjusting it by hand.

I'm still up for that test drive meet-up in NY if thee are other people interested.

I am down for it, I thought ellipse was going to be at the NY keyboard meetup we had in lower manhattan. I think if you contact the guy who organized it last time he could find an event space. I think I have his number as well.

I just want to make sure. The round that is currently ongoing is the first and not final one, yes? I'd love to join the buy but would prefer to put it off until the later round if possible.

When is the next manhattan meetup?

Yep we are in the early bird round.

Yes I have asked the factory to align the springs to match the XT.

There is none planned Ellipse but if you show interest I think we could rally the troops.

Hey Ellipse, been lurking here and checking for updates on your progress. Finally decided to put a offer in for a F77, I might try to buy a F62 in the later buy too.

Ellipse wrote: Yes I have asked the factory to align the springs to match the XT.

Amazing! I hope it will actually arrive this Christmas
No rush though if more time is needed to get it 100% right.

Great Max!

Yep I am hoping the factory finishes up the early and final round this year.