[Group-Buy] PlaketXL by Flatbrains

Closing Date: December 5th 2024

Expected Shipping time: Q1 2025

Extra Parts Available Here
Extra Top Cases Available Here

Hello everyone, Flatbrains is a duo from France!

The team is composed of Plaketdebeur, who primarily takes care of case design, and the other member who focuses on the electronics aspect.

Until now, they have maintained a low profile by conducting mostly small private runs and numerous prototypes. Despite this, some of their boards might be familiar to you, such as the PlaketVNR, the Plaket60, or even the Samara.

Flatbrains believes they have reached a stage where they are ready for a public group buy for their next design: the PlaketXL.

The idea

An old-school-looking 60% with a double F-row and a pen-holder

The design process for the PlaketXL began nearly two years ago when Plaketdebeur, who is passionate about vintage keyboards, sought to create a design reminiscent of the 1980s era and some of its iconic boards such as the Cherry G80-2100.

After several design iterations, a first prototype was commissioned. This prototype was showcased at various meetups and on streams, garnering positive comments and feedback.

Subsequently, Delta Key Co. contacted them about launching the design as a group buy. They seized the opportunity to produce another round of prototypes with a different manufacturer and incorporated several changes based on the feedback received about the initial prototype.

PlaketXL Specifications:

• Layout: 60% with a double F-Row
• Alpha Angle: 6°
• F-Row Angle: 17°
• Alpha Mount: O-Ring
• F-Row Mount : Top Mount
• PCBs: Dual solder PCB (1.6mm) with C3 spec DB
• EKH: 23.8mm
• Weights: Clear-coated dual internal brass weights
• Weight: 3kg built

Layout (Solder & Hotswap PCB): 

Included:

• Top Case
• Bottom Case
• Bottom Accent
• Alpha Weight
• F-Row Weight
• Aluminium Plates (Alpha + F-Row)
• PCBs (Alpha + F-Row)
• O-Ring
• Feet
• JST Cables
• Carrying Case
• Screws

Vendors:

• Europe: Delta Key Co.
• United Kingdom: Prototypist
• North America: ClickClack
• Singapore: KTechs
• South Korea: SwagKeys
• Australia: Keebs N Cables