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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: mlee21 on Mon, 26 September 2011, 15:16:36

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: mlee21 on Mon, 26 September 2011, 15:16:36

So I just recently bought a Das Professinal S (Yay my first mechanical keyboard!)

I'm looking to change out some key caps.. but I'm one of those guys that likes consistency/slight OCD.
What kind of keycaps (PBT vs ABS) should I be looking for so that the original DAS keys and the new ones feel all the same.

I'm thinking about checkering (white/black) my keyboard and I wouldn't be happy if half my keys felt different from the new ones I put in.

Thanks Guys!

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: hcry4 on Mon, 26 September 2011, 15:22:46

If you contact wasdkeyboards, I think he might be able to customize a checkered set of keycaps to your liking.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 26 September 2011, 15:27:13

While PBT caps are generally more durable than ABS, WASDKeyboards has some great-feeling keycaps.  That, and since they can get you a set of checkered caps all from the same material, printing, etc., you won't have to worry about them looking/feeling different, or having to buy 2 sets of caps to get the look you're after.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: RColinTaylor on Mon, 26 September 2011, 15:42:49

I am able to confirm with 99% confidence that WASD keys feel the same as DAS keys and have a similar light-reflective nature.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: mlee21 on Tue, 27 September 2011, 11:06:51

Thanks for the quick response guys.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: whiskerBox on Tue, 27 September 2011, 11:11:32

The texture of the wasd key is almost identical if not very similar to that of filco's as well

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 27 September 2011, 13:05:04

Quote from: whiskerBox;422074

The texture of the wasd key is almost identical if not very similar to that of filco's as well

WASD might have some inconsistency, then.  Mine are completely smooth.  I doubt they could get any shinier.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: kingqway on Tue, 27 September 2011, 13:17:37

I bought keycaps from WASD, and they fit perfectly fine on my das. They don't feel any different at all, and fit perfectly in with all the other keys. I would just warn of you the red (since its more of a red-orange) & making sure you buy the little clips for your stabilizers if you use the metal clip stabilizers. I was going to post up a picture but then I just dropped my phone a couple hours ago and its camera broke :(

EDIT: about the switches.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: N8N on Sun, 02 October 2011, 10:11:45

I would consider the texture on my WASD keys to be even, and also slight.  Being ABS, I've already worn it in a bit.  However, that doesn't mean that I like it any less.  My main complaint is the height of the keycaps, although it's hard to fault WASD because I'm sure that they're getting the blank caps from some molding company that's likely making the caps for a whole mess of keyboard manufacturers.  I just think that if they used a lower profile like Cherry they would be even better.

Has anyone received any keys with the new laser process?  I ordered a set on Friday on an impulse.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: N8N on Sun, 02 October 2011, 10:21:22

I thought Weyman had posted a pic like that already?  That's the only reason I didn't do it.

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: N8N on Sun, 02 October 2011, 10:34:36

sorry, Weyman = Weyman Kwong = the man behind WASD.  username wasdkeyboards

Edit: here, this is what I was thinking of

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?22283-New-laser-etching-coming-soon!-Feedback-appreciated-D/page2

if you want similar pics of the laser engraved caps as well I can do that

Title: Das Keyboard Key Cap Question
Post by: wasdkeyboards on Wed, 05 October 2011, 01:27:08

The reason why Filco's keys look different is because they have a coating on them. We all use the same plastic, same molds.