Typewriter Inspired Mechanical Keyboard Kickstarter Teaser

SonicRevolution · 21 May 2014, 23:26

This is a repost from Geekhack but I wanted to post this on Deskthority because I value this community's insight and expertise tremendously.

------------------------------

It's been a year and a half in the making and I'm about to launch my Kickstarter in 2 weeks. Below is a teaser pic of the Qwerkywriter, a typewriter inspired mechanical keyboard. I promise there will be more info in the coming weeks. Feel

Free to visit http://www.qwerkytoys.com for up to date info. @qwerkytoys also for update info on twitter!

I wanted to see if I could create something fun and beautiful. Sometimes you make things for yourself. But sometimes, it's also fun to see if maybe if others share your passion for creative objects.

I looked at a lot of ways to see if I could mass manufacture these. I chose Kickstarter because I've been through a few of them already with others and I really believe in what Kickstarter stands for. Are there some rotten apples in the barrel? Sure. But at its core, Kickstarter is about passionate and disciplined creative people doing projects that just can't be made any other way. Through transparency and really listening to the community, I think we can achieve something fun and beautiful!

Muirium · 21 May 2014, 23:31

I like what you did before:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/vin ... t7720.html

So best of luck with this! Naturally, if you really want our input, show us some keyboard porn! We generally respond well to that.

TacticalStache · 21 May 2014, 23:33

I'll show it to some people when it goes up

that looks like it'll be popular in Portland

SonicRevolution · 21 May 2014, 23:34

Absolutely, I've got Hi Res Pics incoming soon! and a making of video!

You guys are the best!

Eszett · 21 May 2014, 23:57

Dear SonicRevolution I admire the passion you invest in that project and I wish you all the best. But Kickstarter mostly relies on the impression people get from that product. The impression and quality of your photos do not resemble the quality of your idea and technical competence. In other words, I would pay a professional photographer, who not only delivers flawless picture quality but adds some drama with a stage setup, some props. Fotos in your home environment should be a no no. I would prepare either a hypermodern scene, where such a steampunk keyboard has the most contrast to. Or a steampunk-like scene, where this keyboard fits in. Let the photographer decide that, those guys have the experience what would have the best effect. Just my 50 pence.

SonicRevolution · 22 May 2014, 00:12

Hi there! Yeah I think the final photos I'm preparing hopefully can meet those expectations. I will post those here and you guys can give me your honest feedback when those come out.

SonicRevolution · 23 May 2014, 07:48

deleted

quantalume · 23 May 2014, 08:51

So this thing is actually going to come with a typewriter platen? It could be useful for holding copy.

lowpoly · 23 May 2014, 10:15

Very nice, good luck with your Kickstarter campaign.

Paralel · 23 May 2014, 10:30

quantalume wrote:So this thing is actually going to come with a typewriter platen? It could be useful for holding copy.

Excellent point. That observation makes this item considerably more attractive to me.

matt3o · 23 May 2014, 10:33

I believe you should just find a better solution for spacebar and modifiers. good luck for your kickstarter campaign anyway!

mzero · 23 May 2014, 11:33

Nice desk setup and I think you're an audiophile also. You've made a great job and I like very much your design

(just to admire it and see something different)
My recomendation: why don't you add more functionality to the typewritter? You can use platen knob for volume or something else. About your campaign, will it be easy to find spares?

Good luck with your campaign

Madhias · 23 May 2014, 11:34

Nice, you could type then with two fingers instead of 10, like journalists in the old typewriter days!

matt3o · 23 May 2014, 12:13

oh, also, I know that QWER is a registered mark when it comes to keyboards (and qwerkeys is an online store from UK). be sure to check that out.

SonicRevolution · 23 May 2014, 19:29

The keycap CAD design will be the very first thing we'll be tackling, if successful. The modifiers will definitely get another look over for sure.

Folks here at deskthority are such PRO's so I'm really looking forward to getting lots of advice and feedback.

Broadmonkey · 23 May 2014, 20:26

badass audio setup is badass!

I think it would benefit if the keycaps would retain the ability to change the legend (like on modern relegendable keycaps). That way, different languages would also be supported much easier.

vivalarevolución · 23 May 2014, 20:54

Most typewriters have a metal spacebar that it nice and big and thick. I recommend looking into something like that, but I imagine a long metal key like that may add significant costs.

Compgeke · 23 May 2014, 21:26

With metal possibly weight as well, unless you use blues for the entire thing and a green for the spacebar. If you're insane a green or blue with a superblack spring could be used for the spacebar...that might be interesting.

SonicRevolution · 23 May 2014, 23:33

prdlm2009 wrote:Most typewriters have a metal spacebar that it nice and big and thick. I recommend looking into something like that, but I imagine a long metal key like that may add significant costs.

I love the idea. I own several aluminum spacebars and they are awesome. But yes, high manufacturing costs keeps getting in the way of fun projects making it not economically feasible.

But maybe we can find a way!

SonicRevolution · 23 May 2014, 23:33

Broadmonkey wrote:badass audio setup is badass!

I think it would benefit if the keycaps would retain the ability to change the legend (like on modern relegendable keycaps). That way, different languages would also be supported much easier.

That sure is a great point! I will keep that in mind!

Laser · 23 May 2014, 23:37

Are the keys, apart from being so nice, also *comfortable* to type on?

SonicRevolution · 24 May 2014, 00:20

Laser wrote:Are the keys, apart from being so nice, also *comfortable* to type on?

There was a lengthy debate on this on another forum (geekhack) between staying true to the vintage aesthetic versus modernization. It's a struggle and honestly it's purely my own interpretation of how to balance it. When we do our final CAD render and design, I was planning on addressing that very thing about typing on these keycaps.

The FLAT ness of the keycaps are very vintage and stays true to the old aesthetic. But contoured keycaps are way more comfortable. If I decide to pursue the relengendable glass/vinyl transparent top, then we can keep it flat. If I decide that contoured feel is ultimately the right decision for long term comfort, we could sacrifice this functionality but face the wrath of some purist who want more rustic, vintage feel! Ultimately, it's possible on these details, we will not be able to please everyone.

So at that point, I will go with what my design instincts tell me is the right call for the Qwerkywriter. But yeah, it's a challenge!

SonicRevolution · 24 May 2014, 00:34

Broadmonkey wrote:badass audio setup is badass!

I think it would benefit if the keycaps would retain the ability to change the legend (like on modern relegendable keycaps). That way, different languages would also be supported much easier.

This is a very interesting idea!

vivalarevolución · 24 May 2014, 00:48

Laser wrote:Are the keys, apart from being so nice, also *comfortable* to type on?

I highly doubt that that it will be more comfortable to type on than a typical keyboard. But the appeal is in the style and vintage. Just don't expect to type 150 words/minute on it.

Eszett · 24 May 2014, 01:51

Who dares to start project "Granny caps":
-- vintage keycaps
-- Cherry MX compatibility
-- acryl glas tops with frame of metall (aluminium is toxic, proposing other metall)
-- legends printed on paper, which are put below the acryl glas tops

Paralel · 24 May 2014, 03:22

Aluminum, toxic? In what respect?

Findecanor · 24 May 2014, 15:47

SonicRevolution wrote:Free to visit http://www.qwerkytoys.com for up to date info. @qwerkytoys also for update info on twitter!

BTW, I wonder what QWERkeys thinks about your trademark ...

SonicRevolution · 25 May 2014, 12:06

prdlm2009 wrote:
Laser wrote:Are the keys, apart from being so nice, also *comfortable* to type on?
I highly doubt that that it will be more comfortable to type on than a typical keyboard. But the appeal is in the style and vintage. Just don't expect to type 150 words/minute on it.

You pretty much summed it up. My pitch is something "fun and beautiful" for your workspace. That's really it. I'm doing my best to be smart about the engineering so functionality is still well thought out for everyday use. But it's not going to win typing contests. It may win in the "style" category though!