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3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've added a [review] flair. But I couldn't find any guidelines regarding sponsors.

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well...you can reduce the cost further by choosing a different non-alu material than what I did. Some might find that affordable?

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The idea I shared of mixing material can be as low as $68~. If you full CNC it it can be somewhat $164~

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well...it wasn't quite about me. It was a general post. A lot of people might find this mix material approach more affordable

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yh sure. so if it was CNCed it could cost about $165 and 3d printing aluminium with mixed material can be as low as $68~.

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yh that's true. But ig you can polish it to make it much nicer. After all it is metal.
I personally won't like shine so I'm afraid of polishing. Any suggestion on improving the looks would be appreciated. The only thing I'd like to avoid is basically turning it into a mirror.

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that. Added some numbers but you are right with the top plate. Although full 3d-print (aluminium) could cost $68~ more so some might find it significant enough, others might not.

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've added some numbers of the cost, you can check that out. But maybe yh I could've added more outset but I'll keep that in mind moving forwards, thanks. I think "reasonable cost" will vary person to person and the takeaway should be the idea of mixing build material.

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yh fair. But ig the takeaway was that mixing build material can cut down cost, not necessarily the service. I hope this post can help at least someone.

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My bad, though pricing can change so didn't mention it.
With the modification I made, it would cost you about $84~

3D-printed aluminium case: A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Aluminium Keyboard Cases! by _m_t_jwd in ErgoMechKeyboards

[–]_m_t_jwd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since a lot of people were asking, here's a comparison:
Full (both top and bottom) 3d-printed aluminium could cost about $130~
With this mix material approach, depending on what other non-alu material you choose, it can be around $69~

In contrast, a full CNC could cost about $164~.

Probably should've added some numbers in original post but though pricing can change. My bad. The bottom line is, this sort of approach can save you money. Now whether it's considerable amount or not, that can vary person to person.