Wood MOQ keycaps

[chenga91]

Ahh..gotcha. I'll continue to keep an eye on this thread then

[Input Nirvana]

I've posted the pricing and terms of the wood key group buy. There will be more info as questions are asked that I may not have addressed. Hopefully we can decide on an order time frame of November.

[csm725]

Awesome, in for a teak Esc key.

[Ascaii]

definitely in for an ESC key in redwood. Also, I would like a set of Fir Arrow keys.

If we manage to somehow get a cheap price on blanks, I would be willing to spend 50-60$ for a blank 38 key Fir set.
Do we have any information how much engraving the caps will be?  If I could get the blanks engraved with iso legends without tearing a huge hole in my wallet that would be beyond awesome.

[zirrow]

I'm in for a set of arrow keys in teak

[Ekaros]

Uuh, that is bit costly atleast for red wood I would like...

[Input Nirvana]

I added to the post that the keys come lacquer coated. If they are engraved by WASD Keyboards they will need additional coating, which can be done here no problem.

I hope the posting gives an "official" price and guideline that people can digest for a couple weeks to work out a couple bugs, then a timeline and create an order sheet to copy/email.

I've been in touch with Weyman at WASD Keyboards, and I'm wondering if everyone would be more comfortable going through WASD since he's shown to be a such a great vendor. Also, the idea that he would do custom engraving on (these) wood keycaps, AND the more recent idea that he could stock these items for ongoing purchases as they come up. One item to note, the prices as you see them are directly from KSM, then there will be various shipping charges, there is no mark up or profit from these items (a true 'group buy'). Going through WASD would probably require that a profit margin be added, rightfully so. There are a few details like if many people get custom engraving, etc. that may negate the need for a profit on the wood keys, but that remains to be seen as the orders are taken. All future orders (if through WASD) would probably be handled differently.

Open to hear thoughts and ideas. I've done my best to try and get a workable situation for everyone involved. Nothing is in stone, so the process can still have changes to make it as good as possible.

[Ekaros]

BTW what is programming fee, or namely how much is it?

[Input Nirvana]

Great question. I never asked though it's been in our correspondence repeatedly. I'll fire off an email now.

EDIT--- Email sent.

[tsangan]

Stylish key top look amazing lol damn these expensive keycaps!

[aggiejy]

I'm in for some!

In my opinion, I think the best approach is to set a fixed price that you won't lose money at and a deadline for ordering along with ordering instructions (new thread, or WASD).  People can then send money as they order.  After the deadline (maybe a couple weeks?), lock it down, place the order.  Any extra money can go towards your time organizing or to WASD.  Variable pricing, loose deadlines, and uncertainly drag so many group buys out.  I'm a fan of quick take-it-of-leave-it style... but I guess that's subjective.

[Input Nirvana]

In the big picture you're absolutely correct. This has already been a challenge to get to this point it should be easy from here on out. I figured I'd get the info out and a couple weeks to digest, work out the couple questions/bugs, then choose the one course with a time limit. So the 2 weeks starts NOW

[tsangan]

^Where do i place an order, haha ;p

Seriously thanks for setting this all up

[Input Nirvana]

From KSM:

"Programming fee depends on the how complicated your design is.
The fee would cost down If CAD file were provided."

[csm725]

Would be in for a Teak Esc key.
BTW... I recommend the engraving font to be Arial 10, Bold.

[vicpro]

Might be interest in a redwood spacebar.

[tsangan]

For the stylish keytops is there a selection we can choose from?

[sordna]

Can wood keycaps be laser engraved? If so, will it "burn" the engraved area to make it a nice black font ?

[Input Nirvana]

Can wood keycaps be laser engraved? If so, will it "burn" the engraved area to make it a nice black font ?

Yes, they can be laser engraved, we're talking with WASD Keyboards to do the engraving. I'll forward the black/burn question to Weyman.
 

For the stylish keytops is there a selection we can choose from?

Yes, look at the first post, and then their website, I believe it shows what is standard available.

[mikeruth]

How do I order?  I am ready to order some keys.

[wasdkeyboards]

Engraved wood products are much easier to work with than plastic keycaps. Laser engraved wood can have a variety of different engraving styles. You can make it very light to very dark by varying the speed and power.

Here are some examples of general laser engraving on wood: http://www.epiloglaser.com/photo_gallery.htm
(Click on the Wood products category)

[GoodKnight]

Bump! Any update on this?

[noodles256]

lk

[GoodKnight]

Any update on this?

[skwan]

Is this just for standard keys? or are space bars and other modifiers possible, sorry, i know i may be muddying the water with this question.

off topic: will you do another group buy for topre keys?

[Skoobs]

very very interested in keys. hope we can do a group buy for a discount, because im lovin that dark wood.

and i want the keyboard in the BACKGROUND of this picture:



 so WASD is doing this? will they be stocking the keys in their store, or will it still be a group buy on here? would be awesome if they stocked the keys at their website.

[hashbaz]

very very interested in keys. hope we can do a group buy for a discount, because im lovin that dark wood.

and i want the keyboard in the BACKGROUND of this picture:

[image of beautiful wooden keyboards]

 so WASD is doing this? will they be stocking the keys in their store, or will it still be a group buy on here? would be awesome if they stocked the keys at their website.

input nirvana has been working with the company that produces the keys, and I think WASD was going to engrave or laser etch them.  This thread has been stale for a while though, I think the buy might be dead.

[Input Nirvana]

I'm still in touch with KSM, and with WASD about this. WASD will be considering this after the holidays to possibly create a way to stock product. This is NOT definite, obviously it has to make sense and there has to be a demand. If there's not enough demand, a group buy will be the only way, and we will need about a $1,500 total sale. The MOQ is usually $2,000 plus all associated costs.

I've had to stop everything I'm doing (my first group buy, completing the Kinesis mod, selling off some of my keyboard stuff) due to some fairly traumatic and very severe circumstance that have occurred recently. I sincerely apologize, I didn't want to have this happen, hell, I wanted a dozen wood keys more than anybody. If nothing else becomes of this with WASD, I will keep the connection alive and put together the group buy after the holidays. Keep in mind, many people only want one or two key caps, and they are fairly pricey, and so getting a sizable amount seems somewhat difficult. That's a problem for the group buy, as well as for WASD to throw his hat in the ring.

I can follow up with this in a serious manner after the first of the year if this turns out to not be a good fit for WASD. I would like WASD to handle this for everyone, it would be more readily available on a regular basis, and could be custom etched. Perhaps if everyone with an interest were to contact WASD with their wants, he will have a good idea of the demand and can make a better informed decision.

Again, I'm sorry for how I'm not able to do a good job at this time on this

[Ascaii]

Well, **** happens. Dont sweat it, life takes precedence over keycaps. Im still very interested in this going through but the cost is prohibitive to most people.

[pannkakan]

I see that this thread is kind of dead.. but I'm very interested =)