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Posted: 07 Aug 2013, 15:00
by photekq
czarek wrote:Guys, could you share the CAD files maybe? I run a small machine shop as a hobby, mostly doing small model parts and engravings for my friends. I do have CNC Mill with 50x30 working area which is suitable for works in any material from wood up to steel. I also have a CNC laser which is better for plastics. Apart from those I am now converting manual lathe into full automatic and this should be ready in next couple of weeks.
I was thinking maybe I could help you out machining those cases? The only problem is I don't have any means to anodize aluminium in my workshop, but if we get couple of those cases I could use local company to do that for us.
Also, I'm based in Poland so it will be much cheaper to ship around Europe than from Asia or America.
I am not necessarily planning on making any more. I have done other case projects where the files have been released to the public and I will continue to do so, however please understand that the TEK cases are my own personal projects and I'm not really willing to release their files at this moment in time.

Do you have any examples of your work? If I do end up making more then I may contact you :D

Posted: 07 Aug 2013, 19:33
by photekq
First photo of the base. Note that the angle has not yet been added, and most of the machining you see here is the roughing passes. The final finish will be much tidier.

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Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 00:18
by photekq
I can almost taste it now.. My machinist sent me these a little bit earlier. There are still a few things to be done, but it should be completed next weekend. Then it just needs to be anodised/finished.

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Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 15:34
by mashby
Really nice Photeq.

I was thinking of selling my Phantom, but your case is making me rethink that. I may just have to build it just so I have something to put in such a nice case.

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 15:58
by photekq
mashby wrote:Really nice Photeq.

I was thinking of selling my Phantom, but your case is making me rethink that. I may just have to build it just so I have something to put in such a nice case.
Thanks very much for the compliments mashby. It means a lot :)

Bare in mind that I may never sell more of these.. and if I do they will be very low quantities (2-5) and the cost will be very, very high indeed (£400~)

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 21:07
by Daniel
Looks good :) Which color did you choose for anodizing?

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 21:11
by photekq
Daniel wrote:Looks good :) Which color did you choose for anodizing?
It will be anodised grey :)

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 21:15
by Muirium
Gotta tell you, I think the bare metal looks better. I would seal it some way to keep its native look. The shine! But anodised metal is pretty trick, too.

Reassuringly heavy, I presume.

Posted: 20 Aug 2013, 23:30
by photekq
Muirium wrote:Gotta tell you, I think the bare metal looks better. I would seal it some way to keep its native look. The shine! But anodised metal is pretty trick, too.

Reassuringly heavy, I presume.
Silver ain't my thing. I love grey too much.

Posted: 25 Aug 2013, 04:46
by pjmelon
photekq wrote:I can almost taste it now.. My machinist sent me these a little bit earlier. There are still a few things to be done, but it should be completed next weekend. Then it just needs to be anodised/finished.

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*drool*
The images need to be censored, too much sexiness there

Posted: 25 Aug 2013, 20:45
by photekq
The case has now been finished!

I'll be picking it up next weekend and checking everything works OK.

Then it's just the anodising that needs to be done!

Posted: 25 Aug 2013, 21:00
by Dubsgalore
photekq wrote:The case has now been finished!

I'll be picking it up next weekend and checking everything works OK.

Then it's just the anodising that needs to be done!
good work bro
almost at the finish line

Posted: 27 Aug 2013, 19:46
by xbb
I want it… good work!

Posted: 29 Aug 2013, 19:07
by photekq
Last photos before I go and pick it up this sunday :D
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Anodising and bead blasting/polishing is the only thing left to be done :D

Posted: 01 Sep 2013, 19:54
by photekq
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Posted: 01 Sep 2013, 20:13
by Acanthophis
The case is 3370 gr? That's hefty!

Posted: 01 Sep 2013, 20:21
by photekq
Acanthophis wrote:The case is 3370 gr? That's hefty!
Yeah :lol: The brass really does add some weight.

Re: Aluminium Filco/Phantom Case - PROTOTYPE PICS IN!!!

Posted: 02 Sep 2013, 05:15
by mtl
Wow.. *Very* nice work!

Re: Aluminium Filco/Phantom Case - PROTOTYPE PICS IN!!!

Posted: 02 Sep 2013, 12:38
by rindorbrot
Heavy case, light switches is how I like it.

Posted: 02 Sep 2013, 13:25
by Muirium
Those straits of case between the key islands are well worthy of their close ups. Heavy metal!

Posted: 03 Sep 2013, 19:23
by photekq
After hours and hours and hours and hours of phoning up about 25 anodising companies I have FINALLY got a reasonable quote. Should be sending the case off to them this week, so expect to see the finished TEK-80 some time soon!

Everything's being bead blasted/polished and the alu is being hard anodised grey.

Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement.

Posted: 08 Sep 2013, 20:13
by phetto
IMPRESSIVE! Must feel nice, knowing that you designed it yourself. :mrgreen:

Posted: 09 Sep 2013, 17:15
by photekq
It does feel nice to know I designed it myself, but mainly it's just great to have something that I've made to my spec. In my eyes this will be the perfect board, alongside a red LZ-SE 84 :P

Posted: 17 Sep 2013, 22:18
by photekq
It's been anodised. Just have to wait for it to be shipped to me now :D

Posted: 18 Sep 2013, 00:53
by Acanthophis
Pics, pics, pics!

Posted: 18 Sep 2013, 02:30
by photekq
Once it's here I'll bombard the site with pics ;)

Posted: 19 Sep 2013, 21:30
by photekq
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The white gunk on the screwhole is wax that was used to plug the hole during anodising.
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Where the clamp failed during machining #1
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Where the clamp failed during machining #2 - looks bad but is fully functional.
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This shows how damn shiny this brass is. It's like a mirror!
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Posted: 19 Sep 2013, 21:49
by Acanthophis
Nice.

Posted: 19 Sep 2013, 22:09
by BimboBB
great work sir!

curious to see that keyboard finalized in all his glory.... :)

Posted: 19 Sep 2013, 22:11
by mtl
That is quite an amazing work of art you have there, photekq. Bravo!