[WTB] Cherry MX Keycap Display Holder/Plate

[Tarzan]

I've seen Cherry MX display mounting plates offered along with some aftermarket key cap sets, usually on Taobao (can't find the picture at the moment...).  Looks to be plastic with molded Cherry stems to hold the caps, the pictures I've seen show 104-key layouts. 

Anyone know where I can get just the plate, without buying a full set of caps?  Or are these only offered with the keycaps?

[i3oilermaker]

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php

[Tarzan]

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php

That would work, but it's back up in expensive territory.  $32.00 for a modular 96-key display plate?  That's the price of a key cap set right there...

I found the pics I was referring to;





I'm looking for a plate like this to use for Retr0Brite, I don't need anything fancy as it's just going to be submerged in peroxide solutions. 

Maybe I should just get a G81 and cover it with plastic wrap.   

[mashby]

That looks really cool. If you find a source for these, please let me know!

[Jocelyn]

Buy one from Taobao via Bhiner.com

[Tarzan]

The Taobao link, if anyone's interested:

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=1003.2.2.2.Sed5e8&id=17603066855&scm=1003.3.03013.2_2&acm=03013.1003.55.267.17603066855_1&pos=2&uuid=49acdc7c16524db68f8b676e30ca8dad

[esoomenona]

Buy a bunch and then sell me a couple!

How much are they?

Edit: Wait. These aren't holders, but keycap sets that come on a holder?

[Tarzan]

Buy a bunch and then sell me a couple!

How much are they?

Edit: Wait. These aren't holders, but keycap sets that come on a holder?

That's right, the Taobao site has PBT and PM sets for G80-3000 and G80-3800 keyboards. 

I went ahead and ordered one, I'll let folks know what it looks like when I get it.

[Jocelyn]

~$33, 5% agent fee ($2.50 minimum), plus shipping to agent and then to you.

That's right, the Taobao site has PBT and PM sets for G80-3000 and G80-3800 keyboards. 

I went ahead and ordered one, I'll let folks know what it looks like when I get it.

No agent? D:

[realex]

just run a few "dry" tests with just the holder in retrobrite solution over night. you never know

[Tarzan]

just run a few "dry" tests with just the holder in retrobrite solution over night. you never know

Yeah, it would royally suck to find out that the red plastic melts and sticks to keycaps when placed in peroxide.   

I got the idea from another poster showing his Retr0Brite setup, he uses an old keyboard as the base, wrapped in plastic to keep the metal bits from oxidizing in peroixide.  I've got one of the $10 MY keyboards on the way, I may try that approach, it just struck me that the keyboard base takes up quite a bit of space in the UV box, the keyplate in the Taobao set looks like a more elegant solution. 

Experiments to commence shortly.  Mr. Science is my hero. 

[mashby]

From what I can tell from Google Translation of several sites, these "boards" are part if the packaging that comes with these two sets of key caps. The white are PBT and the black are POM.

[Tarzan]

~$33, 5% agent fee ($2.50 minimum), plus shipping to agent and then to you.

That's right, the Taobao site has PBT and PM sets for G80-3000 and G80-3800 keyboards. 

I went ahead and ordered one, I'll let folks know what it looks like when I get it.

No agent? D:

I have an account set with an agent from back when I was trying to buy some WEY keycaps, the kind with the transparent LED window.  Still had a balance on account, so I used that to place an order for a white PBT set (with keyholder plate!).

I was thinking I could also make a few duplicates of the cap holder plate, use some of the mold-making materials I've accumulated, since I don't really care about quality, just durability. Use the Taobao plate as a pattern.

[tsangan]

Great now I'm going to want to buy like 30 of these

EDIT: awww it comes with keys

[Tarzan]

Great now I'm going to want to buy like 30 of these

EDIT: awww it comes with keys

Cry me a river.   )

Actually, I think it'd be great if one of our vendor partners was able to source some of these plates, they seem like they'd make pretty nice storage frames.  Of course, they may also be roto-molded plastic shells that disintegrate when the caps are removed...  Time will tell. 

[tsangan]

I mean I would take keycap boxes like the Topre ones but nope can't buy those either

[IvanIvanovich]

My suggestion, get a G81, and pull out all the springs so it dosen't rust. Remove the switchplate from the casebody so you don't have to use so much solution to get it deep enough. If you choose wisely you can get a set of doubleshots in the process.

[Tarzan]

My suggestion, get a G81, and pull out all the springs so it dosen't rust. Remove the switchplate from the casebody so you don't have to use so much solution to get it deep enough. If you choose wisely you can get a set of doubleshots in the process.

That's a good idea, I completely blanked on the disassemble option!  Sometimes I'm just too damn linear in my thinking...   

Thanks, Ivanx2!

[JmactheAttack]

Great now I'm going to want to buy like 30 of these

EDIT: awww it comes with keys

Cry me a river.   )

Actually, I think it'd be great if one of our vendor partners was able to source some of these plates, they seem like they'd make pretty nice storage frames.  Of course, they may also be roto-molded plastic shells that disintegrate when the caps are removed...  Time will tell. 

Alright, I'm intrigued.

[Tarzan]

My suggestion, get a G81, and pull out all the springs so it dosen't rust. Remove the switchplate from the casebody so you don't have to use so much solution to get it deep enough. If you choose wisely you can get a set of doubleshots in the process.

That's a good idea, I completely blanked on the disassemble option!  Sometimes I'm just too damn linear in my thinking...   

Thanks, Ivanx2!

I got in the G81 donor board, with a really nice set of Cherry double-shots.  I'd seen pictures, but these key caps are amazing up close; solid, hardly any shine, and crisp double-shot font.  Anyways, enough adulation of the keycaps!

I disassembled the keyboard after taking off the caps, it comes apart easily into the two case halves, leaving the metal plate/plastic membrane/switch sandwich. 



Seems easy enough to take out the slider, two small screwdrivers inserted to push in the plastic latching bits, and the switch comes apart.  Take out the coil spring, put the slider back, all done.  (I think this is the ultra-low resistance MY spring mod documented on Deskthority...) 







But how do you get the metal leaf spring out?  Is it really necessary to remove the entire switch from the backplate?  That seems like quite a bit of work. 

I guess I could just use a dab of plastic cement to glue the slider in place - which would also make it easier to attach keycaps - but that would still leave the brass (?) leaf spring in the switch body to oxidize in the peroxide.  Not sure how to completely seal the metal plate, either, maybe it will mean taking every switch off to plastic-wrap the metal plate, then re-install the switches, after removing the metal leaf springs and inner spring...  Just listing the steps sounds like a lot of work!

More updates later, still waiting on the Taobao purchase to get here.   

[Shadovved]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

EDIT: if you guys are interested, I always can start a GB for this provided there is a distributor in the US, since I know people in China who can post this by ordinary mail/courier for you

[Halverson]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

EDIT: if you guys are interested, I always can start a GB for this provided there is a distributor in the US, since I know people in China who can post this by ordinary mail/courier for you

Thanks for the link! Will be getting some of those.

[Shadovved]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

EDIT: if you guys are interested, I always can start a GB for this provided there is a distributor in the US, since I know people in China who can post this by ordinary mail/courier for you

Thanks for the link! Will be getting some of those.

Try not to use agents for this if you can. The volumetric weight might kill

[Tarzan]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

I actually use some double-sided plastic boxes from The Container Store.  $3 a box, each box hold two full sets, or a mix of key sizes/parts/etc.  I've got quite a few of them now, going to have to buy some more...   

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/collections/hobby/dividedBoxes?productId=10029791

[Shadovved]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

I actually use some double-sided plastic boxes from The Container Store.  $3 a box, each box hold two full sets, or a mix of key sizes/parts/etc.  I've got quite a few of them now, going to have to buy some more...   

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/collections/hobby/dividedBoxes?productId=10029791

(Attachment Link)

Nice, I use a old converted toolbox to store assorted caps, but full sets in ziplocks........so I bought some of those cardboard boxes to store full sets

I imagine some of those people on GH can use it to store their clacks as well

[mashby]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

EDIT: if you guys are interested, I always can start a GB for this provided there is a distributor in the US, since I know people in China who can post this by ordinary mail/courier for you

Yes, yes and YES!

I've been on the hunt for these and have been unable to find them. CPTBadAss turned me on to the Amac boxes from Container Store, so I've been using those. They work pretty well, but I'd be interested in the boxes, depending on the price.

[Shadovved]

Why no one likes keycap boxes to store stuff?

I bought 5 of these LOL, double layered cardboard boxes, aka 2 sets of 104

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.4023-399661571.16.8D2dnW&id=18069363021

EDIT: if you guys are interested, I always can start a GB for this provided there is a distributor in the US, since I know people in China who can post this by ordinary mail/courier for you

Yes, yes and YES!

I've been on the hunt for these and have been unable to find them. CPTBadAss turned me on to the Amac boxes from Container Store, so I've been using those. They work pretty well, but I'd be interested in the boxes, depending on the price.

If you are willing to head the GB/distribute for me They cost around USD 3.22 per excl local China shipping & Int'l shipping

I'm expecting China Post (basic airmail to not be *that* expensive, may consider courier as well if I can work something out)

[mashby]

I've created an Interest Check and it's pending approval.

Edit: It was approved. You can find the IC at this link.

[Shadovved]

I've created an Interest Check and it's pending approval.

Good job, sir. Lets take this elsewhere and stop spamming Grey's thread

Unless he likes free bumps?

[Tarzan]

I've created an Interest Check and it's pending approval.

Good job, sir. Lets take this elsewhere and stop spamming Grey's thread

Unless he likes free bumps?

I don't mind the bumpage, but I was hoping for some feedback on how to best modify the MY7000 plate to use for a Retr0brite key cap holder.   

Glad my thread was able to inspire an IC!

[Shadovved]

I've created an Interest Check and it's pending approval.

Good job, sir. Lets take this elsewhere and stop spamming Grey's thread

Unless he likes free bumps?

I don't mind the bumpage, but I was hoping for some feedback on how to best modify the MY7000 plate to use for a Retr0brite key cap holder.   

Glad my thread was able to inspire an IC!

LOL, JOIN US!

Me has zero experience with Retrobrite

[Tarzan]

Meant to post this on Sunday, but logged off early.  Still waiting on the keycap holder (plus keycaps!) from Taobao, so I've been working on the MY7000 keyboard to use that as a base for Retr0Briting.  Progress so far:

1. Removed keycaps
2. Disassembled keyboard case
3. Removed all springs from keys (coil springs)
4. Removed keys from metal plate - set aside plastic PCB membrane thingy
5. Removed all springs from keys (leaf springs)
6. Covered metal plate with packaging tape
7. Punched holes in tape for key attachment pins
8. Re-installed keys on plate

A lot of tedious work, but it gave me a chance to catch up on Game of Thrones, so the time passed quickly.     Now I have to source a UV lamp for the Retr0brite setup, but I feel confident this plate+stripped keys jig will hold a full set of Cherry-stemmed keycaps at the optimal angle in the peroxide solution. 

On a side note, I was surprised at the metal plate in the MY7000, it's a massive bit of kit!  If this is what the G80-18xx plates will be like in the GB, I think they will be a really nice addition to any G80-based keyboard.

[Tarzan]

Note: as I'm no longer looking for keycap holders, I'll post any updates on my adventures with chemical solutions in the Making Stuff forum. 

Thanks for all replies!