Cherry G81-3000 Handarbeit replica

[VPX]

Hello people :wave:,

I'm planning a replica of the colorful Handarbeit edition of the G81-3000 that most of you should already know. For the ones that don't here it is: http://pinchocodia.tistory.com/17

Which producer: Signature Plastics (or do you know any alternative)
For which keyboards: G80-3000 and compatible
Key cap material and lettering: ABS injection molded (thicker font for the default font is $15 per key, giving a sum of ~$1530, no option I think, or would you pay +$30 for a thicker font?)
PBT keys with white sublimation would be also an option, but also more expensive.

Which colors: As close as posible to the original with the SP colors, the purple must be a new color ([strike]$300[/strike], corrected to $550), I thought of Pantone 2623
Key cap family: Spherical 0° (with DCS spacebar? How would it look?) or DCS
Amount of sets planned: 50 total, 20 ISO-DE, 30 ANSI-US
Specials: No Windows-logo, I thought of something custom, deep-dish F- and J-button and nipple for numpad-5 for sphericals or homing bars when it's DCS.

I don't want to do this as a group buy, but I would sell it to you for about 50-100 EUR.

I already asked Melissa a lot of questions and I ordered color rings to select the colors.

What do you think? Also what are your proposals for the colors of the "windows"-keys and the menu-key. I thought of the mint and indigo blue from the numpad.

[RiGS]

The funny thing it is easier to mold thicker keys.

[VPX]

Good luck.

But Signature Plastics can't make the thick keys that make the DoubleShot Cherries so nice.

I know the DCS one are thin, but the sphericals are thick, aren't they?

[Ascaii]

if this stay on the lower side of the 50-100 € price i will be interested

[VPX]

I decided there will be small letters (qwerty/z instead of QWERTY/Z). I also wanted a double shot spacebar, but the tooling costs of $3500 are too expensive. :madgrin:

[N8N]

now I'm gonna have to go look (actually I have both staring at me as I type this, but no keycap puller) but I didn't remember noticing a significant difference between the SP "ESC" key and the Cherry doubleshots, other than the SP key has a noticeably more distinct texture to it.

I did not, however, slap calipers on them or weigh them to compare.

[VPX]

The SP color rings arrived today and I picked the colors. Tell me if you have any objections. I don't have a real camera so I can't show pictures of the colors, maybe somebody else can make a picture of them.

orange (left arrow, right arrow) = OAS

yellow (spacebar, F, J, F9-F12, Enter, Insert, Delete, up arrow, Num Lock, Numpad slash, Numpad asterisk, Numpad minus) = YCH

blue (F1-F4, punctuation marks) = BDH

purple (Tab, Caps Lock, Left Shift, Right Shift, Backspace, Numpad 1-4 and 6-9) = new color, because there is absolutely no real purple in the ABS color ring

red (Esc, tilde (degree symbol for DE layout), letters, Left Control, Alt, AltGr, Right control, Page Up, Page Down, Numpad 0, Numpad 5) = RA

light green (numbers, Home, End, down arrow) = VCM

dark green (Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause) = VCS, not sure if it should be the same like light green, but the keys look darker on the G81-3000 photos

old rose (Numpad plus) = it looks a bit lighter than the F4-F8, should it be the same color or should it be pink RCS?

mint (Numpad Enter, Menu key) = VCO

indigo (Numpad decimal mark, Windows keys)= BFT or BX

misty rose (F4-F8) = RCU

[Findecanor]

Slightly off-topic / dreaming: Some times I think that it would be nice if there were double-shot key caps available in white on white, where the base plastic took Rit Dye well, but the plastic for the legends did not take dye at all. Then getting your own colour scheme (such as a handarbeit replica) would be something that you could do at home.

[VPX]

Can somebody post pictures of the three surface options for the SA keys, semi, gloss and matte?

[VPX]

I made up a logo for the Windows keys, displaying HA-3000 for Handarbeit 3000 :>. Are you d'accord? [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 26324[/ATTACH]

[VPX]

I've come across a problem. I already said I want to use a DCS key for the spacebar, but I noticed that the right shift with 2.75 is not available for the SA family, so I would like to use a DSA right shift. But then I also would like to take the 6 unit DSA spacebar. Does anybody know the stem distance of the DSA 1x6 spacebar? If it is the same like the G80 there would only be a ~2.5 mm gap on both sides of the spacebar.

[VPX]

Update:

I got a picture of the prototype logo key cap for the windows key.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 28538[/ATTACH]

The spacebar will be of DCS type. The left and right shift keys will be of DSA type (because there is no 2.75 SA key and to make it look intentional the left shift will also be DSA). All the rest will be SA.
The DE layout will have english function keys. The Numpad 5 will be deep dish instead of homing bump. If possible the key caps will have the surface G (gloss top and sides) else they will have surface M (matte top, semi-matte sides)

Dark purple color from SP is in process.

[VPX]

Bad news. I didn't expect that the colors would make such a large amount but a set would cost ~ $140 without shipping. So I decided to just do all keys in the new purple.
That would make ~ $80 without shipping. Btw. I also cancelled the lower-case letters because they would cost $725 extra.

So how do you like the color? By now I think there is the ernormously big interest of 2 people?
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 30669[/ATTACH]

[7bit]

Bad news. I didn't expect that the colors would make such a large amount but a set would cost ~ $140 without shipping. So I decided to just do all keys in the new purple.
That would make ~ $80 without shipping. Btw. I also cancelled the lower-case letters because they would cost $725 extra.

So how do you like the color? By now I think there is the ernormously big interest of 2 people?
(Attachment Link) 30669[/ATTACH]

Do you know color codes for all of the required colors in a form such that SP can make them as accurate as possible?

I might be interested in some of these colors.

Do you've got the RAL codes?

[VPX]

Do you know color codes for all of the required colors in a form such that SP can make them as accurate as possible?

I might be interested in some of these colors.

Do you've got the RAL codes?

I don't know the exact colors of the original keys, I just chose them from the ABS color ring as close as possible like I wrote on page 1 here.
Why would you need RAL codes, SP uses Pantone.

[bloodygood]

The funny thing it is easier to mold thicker keys.

I am actually rather curious as to why they don't mold the thicker keys and just charge a marginally higher price for the set. Perhaps a group buy could influence a set of thicker keys. I think it would be a nice investment.

[Feferi]

Whoa, I want this an enormous amount. Sadly I don't have a Cherry... yet...

[7bit]

I don't know the exact colors of the original keys, I just chose them from the ABS color ring as close as possible like I wrote on page 1 here.
Why would you need RAL codes, SP uses Pantone.

Simple: the keys are from Cherry in Germany, so these colors follow most presumably the RAL scheme and I thought you did ask them to order plastic in different colors than in their color-samples, matching specific RAL color codes.

The violett used on that keyboard does not exist at all in the SP color samples and there are no green, red, gblue and yellow which come close enough.



I must stop looking at these key caps again ...

[7bit]

I am actually rather curious as to why they don't mold the thicker keys and just charge a marginally higher price for the set. Perhaps a group buy could influence a set of thicker keys. I think it would be a nice investment.

$2500 for the tool.

4 rows 1 unit
1 row 1.25 units
1 row 1.5 units
1 rows 1.75 units
2 rows 2 units horizontal
2 rows 2 units vertical
2 rows 2.25 units
1 row 2.75 units
1 row 6.25 units
15*2500 == 37,500

Round 3 (the largest key caps group buy ever!) cost around $18,000.

So, just the molds cost twice as much as the keys!

And all that only to have the nice look of thicker keys when you remove them from the keyboard!

[Feferi]

God I wish I could get Topre key caps like those. I would die so happy.

[VPX]

Simple: the keys are from Cherry in Germany, so these colors follow most presumably the RAL scheme and I thought you did ask them to order plastic in different colors than in their color-samples, matching specific RAL color codes.

The violett used on that keyboard does not exist at all in the SP color samples and there are no green, red, gblue and yellow which come close enough.

Show Image

I must stop looking at these key caps again ...

First problem would be to find somebody in Cherry that knows the color codes or to find the korean owner to buy the original board to use a spectrophotometer.
Second problem would be the price of $6600 for all 12 colors.

Btw. I ordered the purple color.

[bloodygood]

$2500 for the tool.

4 rows 1 unit
1 row 1.25 units
1 row 1.5 units
1 rows 1.75 units
2 rows 2 units horizontal
2 rows 2 units vertical
2 rows 2.25 units
1 row 2.75 units
1 row 6.25 units
15*2500 == 37,500

Round 3 (the largest key caps group buy ever!) cost around $18,000.

So, just the molds cost twice as much as the keys!

And all that only to have the nice look of thicker keys when you remove them from the keyboard!

I have noticed keys with thicker molding seem to have less noise when springing back up. Also they tend to feel more secure when typing on them. Now yes double shots give the same feel, but the odds of finding that thickness in a blank set in multiple colors seems a little unlikely. So I am trying to say there is a reason to have thicker keys, aside from just how they look when removing them from the keyboard. Although that is just my opinion I believe there are others who share my opinion on the matter. That is a shame it is more expensive at first, but over time it will pay itself off.

[dorkvader]

Maybe me can pilfer the molds that WYSE, etc. used, and give them to SP.

What process does SP use for tooling? it's probably done by another company. I know other companies use some hardened steel that's EDM'd into the proper shape for their tooling, but it's expensive.

[VPX]

Now I need a new meaning for "HA" because it has nothing much to do with the original Handarbeit. Do you have any suggestions?

[VPX]

How do you like Half-Assed or Hack Addict? :decision:

[VPX]

I just got the order confirmation for 4x G80-3000-LQCEU-2 (black G80-3000 with clear switches and US layout) which I will equip with the key cap set, so there will be 4x full keyboards and 26x key caps sets for the US layout, 19x sets for the DE layout (1 for me :>).

[byFd]

purple is really nice =]
guess i am interested, just need to think about the price :/

[VPX]

Got the key caps today from the customs. 31 pounds of key caps, in total 5220 pieces.

I made some photos:

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36578[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36579[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36580[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36581[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36582[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36583[/ATTACH]

Thickness of the spherical key caps is approx. 1.334 mm (0.0525").

[Lamaboi]

Those are SP caps, and they're actually that thick? Niiiice.

[Reptile]

Yeah I thought the spherical ones were thicker. Assuming ISO layout? either way when can we get some?

[VPX]

I'm lazy, so I think beginning of February I'll have all sets packed. On the photo there were only the ISO sets, the ANSI sets are in the other carton.

[whiskerBox]

Those look great I am very tempted by this!

[byFd]

me too :O
are they only modifiers for old school cherry keyboards or filco style etc too?

[VPX]

me too :O
are they only modifiers for old school cherry keyboards or filco style etc too?

Should also fit a Filco, the spacebar is the universal one for Cherry/Leopold/Filco, but the spacebar is DCS because there is no mould for an SA 6.25 spacebar.
If there's an SA 6.25 spacebar in future (sponsored by Group Buy 4 e.g. ) I will provide a kit to make it completely SA. The same applies to the right shift key cap which is 2.75 DSA.

[VPX]

I think the Caps Lock stem on the Filco/Lepold boards are a little bit different, so I made some photos to compare with. [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36866[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 36867[/ATTACH]

[DanGWanG]

I want a set!  You taking pre-orders?

[VPX]

I want a set!  You taking pre-orders?

Yes, which layout? But I think it will be ready in  March because SP also did the Enter key cap on the ANSI layout as DSA instead of SA as ordered, now I want to order the missing Enter key caps + a 2.5 SA right shift instead of the 2.75 DSA right shift.
Then everything except the spacebar will be SA. Btw. the ISO Enter key cap is engraved because there was no two-shot mould for it and pad printing was too expensive, but engraved is better anyways, isn't it?

[VPX]

Yep.  Different.

See this:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?24707-Why-Is-The-Ripster-So-Darn-Pissed-At-Signature-Plastic-Key-Group-Buys&p=465917&viewfull=1#post465917

See.   You should have voted for me as #1.

I was thinking of adding this to the Key Reference Wiki but then I realized nobody reads it anyway.

I was just too lazy too search through this mess of a wiki. But back to the Filco, is there any other key cap stem that differs from the G80-3000. If not then I will just order an unstepped Caps Lock with center stem for the Filco users.

[AlleyViper]

On a Lime Green casing you could call it the Devastator Keyboard.

[VPX]

First typing on the new keys, very unusual, I think I have to get used to it. Here are the first photos. The DSA key cap doesn't feel very good, it feels like it's always stuck, but it will be replaced by a 2.5 SA key cap anyways. And I think I have to turn around the spacebar because it never recognizes the space after a word.

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37274[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37275[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37276[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37277[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37278[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37279[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37280[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 37281[/ATTACH]

[eth0s]

Hey those purple keycaps came out looking really great.  What is the spacebar made out of again?  And the Rshift is the same, i guess.  Also the engraved Enter key came out looking great, at least in these photo's.

[dorkvader]

Hey those purple keycaps came out looking really great.  What is the spacebar made out of again?  And the Rshift is the same, i guess.  Also the engraved Enter key came out looking great, at least in these photo's.

SP uses ABS exclusively for spacebars

[VPX]

Hey those purple keycaps came out looking really great.  What is the spacebar made out of again?  And the Rshift is the same, i guess.  Also the engraved Enter key came out looking great, at least in these photo's.

As dorkvader already said it is made out of ABS. The similar look comes from the matte finish (on top), whereas the other key caps have a semi-matte finish that feels very smooth. But I'm not really happy with the height difference of the spacebar. I hope there will be enough people who want a 6.25 SA spacebar in group buy 4, so I can provide a spacebar afterwards.

[byFd]

wonder how much it would cost me if i would order normal style (not spherical) modifiers in that color i think it would look awesome with my white cherry doubleshots as alphanumeric stuff

[hashbaz]

I'm curious about the color too.  Was this a one-time production, or is this purple now part of their set of available colors?

[VPX]

I'm curious about the color too.  Was this a one-time production, or is this purple now part of their set of available colors?

If I get my money back for the color then SP can make it available to you all. :>

[IvanIvanovich]

I love that color too. Any chance for a 2nd round in DCS so all of the correct keysizes are available in the same profile?

[Henry Allen Venture]

Those keycaps are looking amazing, man. Well done.

[VPX]

I love that color too. Any chance for a 2nd round in DCS so all of the correct keysizes are available in the same profile?

I will think about it when all sets are sold. But the SA is also almost complete, only the the right shift will be 2.5 instead of 2.75. The spacebar in SA will be available with group buy 4 but I think I will send the sets with the DCS spacebar and provide the  right spacebar later because it could take forever till group buy 4 is finished, no offence 7bit_R4. Or should I wait until the spacebar is finished?

Those keycaps are looking amazing, man. Well done.

Thanks.

[hazeluff]

I love the purple color, but hate sphericals... = (