deskthority

I wanted to buy an aluminium case for my Filco, but I've heard bad things about the Vortex one and the MKC is too rare and expensive. So.. I decided to start designing one myself. I've never designed any product before and I haven't got any experience with CAD but since it's a very intuitive program I picked it up fairly quickly.

I have been aware of the Phantom for a long time now so I decided I would replicate the Filco's mounting system as best as I could in order to make this case compatible with the Phantom. I am also aware that many users want to use 7bit and winkeyless layouts but there are few cases available so they are unable to do so.

I have also seen various projects very similar to this, but they have never gone anywhere - there have been no prototypes, and the projects seem to have disappeared. I WILL be manufacturing this case IF the design is finished even if there is no interest from you guys. I was originally going to make this case just for myself, but I think I'll use this thread to gauge interest from you guys and maybe consider selling it if there is enough people interested.

At the moment the design is only in the very early stages. I have all the required measurements of the stand offs, screws etc but I haven't added them to the model at this point, and tweaks need to be made to the measurements of the top half of the case. The actual design isn't final either. I'm unsure whether to keep it as a simple 'wedge' shape like the Filco, or whether to make it a bit more fancy like cases such as the LZ-GH.

I would really love to hear feedback from you guys, and I'd like to know what kinds of features you'd like to see. I am going to find a way to make this compatible with detachable cables. I'll try my best to make simple housing that can accommodate a female mini-usb, but will double as a cable hole. That way it'll be up to the user whether or not to use a detachable cable. At the moment the board will be seated at a 6 degree angle, and I'd like to keep it that way. However, I'm open to feet if people are interested.

I want to make it clear that, since it's only in the early design stages, this case is not a sure thing. I'll be busy with exams until summer so this being done in my spare time. However, when and if the design is completed a prototype WILL be made.

Thanks!

BimboBB wrote:Understand this will be more or less the vortex design (based on Filco TKL). In that case, pls keep in mind that the recent phantom plate GB (prof/winkeyless etc) will not work properly with this design. It will only work with the bended plates from original Filco & QFR.

Would be great if you could implement "something" which will make it work with these plates as well. Unfortunately i am absolutely clueless what has to be done exactly. Maybe its just some additional standoff?

Edit: Sorry, just ignore that. As you will have standoffs inside, it should work with the plates. Problem with Vortex case was that they came without standoffs at all.

Would be nice if there will be finished at least one Phantom-Case project.

Grond wrote:That's great, I've been waiting for something like this! I hope this is happening, and as long as it's cheaper than Vortex's, I'm getting one for my Filco.

photekq wrote:so if you're in the UK or western Europe it'll probably end up cheaper than getting the Vortex from the US and paying a packet on postage/customs.

dirge wrote:

photekq wrote:so if you're in the UK or western Europe it'll probably end up cheaper than getting the Vortex from the US and paying a packet on postage/customs.

You've no idea... was practically double with their shipping :'(

So this is 100% on then? No insult meant when I say this but so many cases have made it so far then evaporated.

Don't think I can take any more case dissapointment

Please consider this colour

dirge wrote:Hope you can help with every custom keyboard case then as its the main part the community is missing

7bit phantom kb does need more love. although i am considering modding mine to an iso enter!

Here's the mount at the minute. It's very simple, but I believe it will be perfect. Screws will hold the breakout board securely in place, there's a large hole for the connector to fit into but the hole goes from large into a shaped hole which makes it look nice and tidy. However, I'm considering removing the shaped hole in order to make this easily compatible with mini-usb.

rindorbrot wrote:I'd like to vote for an ISO plate with 1.5x modifiers and 1.75x right shift + 1x next to it.
Will you be able to do such plates even if they get only like 1 or 2 orders?

USB connector looks nice.

dirge wrote:

Jmneuv wrote:[...]
Which board is that?

photekq wrote:

top7bit.JPG

Wraul wrote:

photekq wrote:

top7bit.JPG

Are you sure about that 7bit top?
I believe it shouldn't have separated section in the function key row.

photekq wrote:

Wraul wrote:

photekq wrote:

top7bit.JPG

Are you sure about that 7bit top?
I believe it shouldn't have separated section in the function key row.

You're correct. I noticed it a few days ago and have since changed the CAD file.

BimboBB wrote:Count me in as well.

Its just a bit sad that you canceled the standoffs which would have make the phantom plates working on this case as well. But okay, if it makes things more easier and cheaper I have to deal with it.

guilleguillaume wrote:It is the korean custom 356CL

Half-Saint wrote:I'm sorry, if I misunderstood but:
nobody in their sane mind will be getting a new plate for their Phantom just so they can fit it inside that case especially since that would involve doing a load of ddesoldering and then more soldering...