Author Topic: MYOC - Make your own caps! (Read 229216 times)

hxu1 · « **Reply #350 on:** Wed, 04 April 2012, 11:40:38 »

i learned that in sculpture class lol

Aranair · « **Reply #351 on:** Thu, 05 April 2012, 21:47:28 »

.....experiment fails-.-

The viscosity of my silicone rubber was too high. It couldn't for the love of god get into the stem of my keycap despite me using a toothpick to poke some in.

As a result, the stem didn't form properly on the top half of the mold. I guess I have to redo the mold or try something with a lower viscosity. There goes 50 usd worth of silicone rubber lol

porkchopron · « **Reply #352 on:** Mon, 07 May 2012, 00:25:32 »

I took a few experiment with my friend's casting material,
found that it's very difficult to "MYOCC", so guys, please support CC!
& the two above are not for sale, I spent a whole week to make 2 & it's just for fun!

planning to make some authentic caps, any suggestions?

demik · « **Reply #353 on:** Mon, 07 May 2012, 01:06:45 »

well that's not cool at all.

but good job, they look authentic.

whiskerBox · « **Reply #354 on:** Mon, 07 May 2012, 01:31:53 »

everybody be going to the container store lol , yes casting keys is a motherf-----. I don't know why everyone always trys casting CC's as a test, I guess it is probably because they are so thick. If you are trying to cast a thick key you can always fill the inside with clay and then cast it.

porkchopron · « **Reply #355 on:** Mon, 07 May 2012, 02:02:45 »

Quote from: whiskerBox;590057

everybody be going to the container store lol , yes casting keys is a motherf-----. I don't know why everyone always trys casting CC's as a test, I guess it is probably because they are so thick. If you are trying to cast a thick key you can always fill the inside with clay and then cast it.

why casting a CC?
there's a few reasons for me
-skull is a popular icon,
-CC caps are always thicker, & I am poor @ sculpting those ****ty clays
-there's no better keycap-sized model outside for me to cast. (I tried few, never worked, still working on it:blah:)
-I don't make USBs like you.
-If you don't want to make stuffs become popular, don't share it! (esp. those containers are so cheap)

I could build an army, but I didn't
& you will never know how hard for me to get a auth. CC, THAT'S WHY I made a few for myself
and again, it's just for fun, no offence at all.

Mugen · « **Reply #356 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 01:57:50 »

I've been trying to create a key for the past few days -
I've got my mold perfectly done but every time i cast a key i get f'ing air bubbles, so far i've never gotten a cast without a tiny one destroying it all - any tips? its really annoying.
Thanks!

Glissant · « **Reply #357 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 05:49:07 »

Mugen, do you have a washing machine that you can set to spin? Or a tumble dryer? You really need to help the air bubbles out. You could use anything with a vibrating motor though. You could even use a constant vibrate application on your phone, put it on top of your mold (or bottom, whatever), and let it vibrate the bubbles out.

alaricljs · « **Reply #358 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 07:44:24 »

Also attempt to pour at a very steady pace down the side of the mold rather than directly at the bottom. You want to make sure that it's a constant stream and not a splutter of blobs.

whiskerBox · « **Reply #359 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 21:21:28 »

Quote from: Glissant;593884

Mugen, do you have a washing machine that you can set to spin? Or a tumble dryer? You really need to help the air bubbles out. You could use anything with a vibrating motor though. You could even use a constant vibrate application on your phone, put it on top of your mold (or bottom, whatever), and let it vibrate the bubbles out.

Dude that is an interesting idea. I am going to try it

__red__ · « **Reply #360 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 21:39:51 »

Also, vacuum out the bubbles after mixing your resin. Bubbles form as the resin exotherms and forces disolved air out of solution.

Pour gently into mold.

Put mold + resin under 50psi of pressure. That crushes existing bubbles out of existence.

__red__

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

demik · « **Reply #361 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 21:43:31 »

Quote from: porkchopron;590072

why casting a CC?
there's a few reasons for me
-skull is a popular icon,
-CC caps are always thicker, & I am poor @ sculpting those ****ty clays
-there's no better keycap-sized model outside for me to cast. (I tried few, never worked, still working on it:blah:)
-I don't make USBs like you.
-If you don't want to make stuffs become popular, don't share it! (esp. those containers are so cheap)

I could build an army, but I didn't
& you will never know how hard for me to get a auth. CC, THAT'S WHY I made a few for myself
and again, it's just for fun, no offence at all.

why are you attacking him lol

i dont understand why the USB cables came up and the containers. i dont think whiskerbox meant anything bad by what he said, he was just wondering why people used CC's skulls to cast which you answered already.

Game Theory · « **Reply #362 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 21:44:06 »

__red__, you sound like you have quite a bit of useful knowledge on the topic:) Welcome to Geekhack.

__red__ · « **Reply #363 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 21:54:50 »

http://lcamtuf.coredump.cx/guerrilla_cnc1.shtml

There is a whole world of information on that page which will open you up to a world of awesome...

__red__ · « **Reply #364 on:** Wed, 16 May 2012, 21:56:05 »

I might actually start casting ibm model m keycaps :-)

Djuzuh · « **Reply #365 on:** Thu, 17 May 2012, 16:57:03 »

And if you want more of __red__'s interesting words, hang out on IRC*!

Mugen · « **Reply #366 on:** Thu, 17 May 2012, 21:07:22 »

Quote from: __red__;594329

Also, vacuum out the bubbles after mixing your resin. Bubbles form as the resin exotherms and forces disolved air out of solution.

Pour gently into mold.

Put mold + resin under 50psi of pressure. That crushes existing bubbles out of existence.

__red__

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Hey,
Doesnt this require special equipment?

alaricljs · « **Reply #367 on:** Thu, 17 May 2012, 21:14:08 »

Somewhat, it's not too hard to run some level of vacuum, just need to have an air pump of some sort that you can connect the input side to a sealed container. This typically wears pumps down more, but sometimes that's a whole lot cheaper than the real deal.

As for the pressure chamber, 50psi definitely requires something special.

__red__ · « **Reply #368 on:** Sat, 26 May 2012, 14:40:31 »

Quote from: Mugen;595046

Hey,
Doesnt this require special equipment?

Depends on how you define special...

My vacuum chamber consists of a square foot of lexan, a silicone mat,
a stockpot and some miscellaneous plumbing supplies (hosing, metal pipe and vacuum gauge). Add a slightly more expensive vacuum pump.

I can reach 27inhg with that setup.

My first pump pulled about 24inhg, the difference between the two is night and day.

For a pressure pot I use a harbor freight paint pot. I physically modified it which destroyed the warranty and makes it dangerous to use.

I do not recommend people do my mods since it involves disabling all the safety devices on it.

I use it outside so when (not if) it explodes it will do no harm.

I would put together a howto but I would be repeating what is on the above link in afar less detailed and awesome manner.

Red

The_Beast · « **Reply #369 on:** Mon, 28 May 2012, 20:08:49 »

I'd love to have a metal mold done, it would be so cool to start making keys but the process is so daunting

nntnam · « **Reply #370 on:** Fri, 15 June 2012, 13:26:30 »

Hey, I'm trying to make a keycaps of my own. Anyone know how to make a clear/transparent resin??

bpiphany · « **Reply #371 on:** Fri, 15 June 2012, 18:40:50 »

Aren't the usual epoxy and polyester casting resins normally transparent?

jcrouse · « **Reply #372 on:** Fri, 15 June 2012, 20:27:33 »

I read a fair amount of this. About two pages ago you all were speaking (actually typing

) about air bubbles and how to remove them. When you make the molds is it possible to put some sort of vent holes near the opposite side of where the material enters the mold? The brown telephone mold was like that that was linked to back a few pages and all injection molds are designed that way. If your putting liguid or material into a "bottomless hole" the air has to come back out the top, hence bubbles. You need to make the air go out the opposite side and then trim it. Look at a SP cap. In an injection mold it is more of a science but if under, say 50lbs of pressure, a certain material will not flow through anything smaller than say .005, then .004 vents are put between the two halves of the mold for the air to escape.

sorry for the rant .... long day.

nntnam · « **Reply #373 on:** Sat, 16 June 2012, 06:41:24 »

Quote from: PrinsValium;614376

Aren't the usual epoxy and polyester casting resins normally transparent?

Nice, I'm using polyester for my first attempt. Maybe epoxy for next time. Has anyone tried to mix these plastics?

bpiphany · « **Reply #374 on:** Sat, 16 June 2012, 06:50:50 »

Mixing? like pouring the uncured gucks together? That sounds like a terribly bad idea...

nntnam · « **Reply #375 on:** Sat, 16 June 2012, 06:52:05 »

Quote from: PrinsValium;614679

Mixing? like pouring the uncured gucks together? That sounds like a terribly bad idea...

So why?

dirge · « **Reply #376 on:** Sat, 16 June 2012, 06:59:00 »

You'd need a vacuum jar to get rid of all the bubbles. Friend has one for plastic moulding.

nntnam · « **Reply #377 on:** Sun, 17 June 2012, 03:48:57 »

Anyone know how to get a matte finished for keycaps' surface? I tried with sand paper and it was the worst decision :-(.

bpiphany · « **Reply #378 on:** Sun, 17 June 2012, 04:37:52 »

Quote from: nntnam;614680

So why?

I couldn't give you an educated answer, but my impression has always been that it is sensitive enough to get perfect curing as it is. Mixing up different kinds of resins and hardeners that haven't been tested together just sounds like asking for trouble...

nntnam · « **Reply #379 on:** Sun, 17 June 2012, 05:00:26 »

Quote from: PrinsValium;615393

I couldn't give you an educated answer, but my impression has always been that it is sensitive enough to get perfect curing as it is. Mixing up different kinds of resins and hardeners that haven't been tested together just sounds like asking for trouble...

Yeah, you may right. I found the answer here. Epoxy resin will stick to polyester resin, but polyester won't stick to epoxy. So mixing up may not a good idea.Btw, how about the finish? Which is better for matte finish? Which is better for clear/transparent keycaps?

nntnam · « **Reply #380 on:** Mon, 18 June 2012, 02:04:15 »

Here is my first product :-D. The stem is broken, still need to re-make the mold

SoulSpirit · « **Reply #381 on:** Tue, 29 January 2013, 11:51:51 »

I hope its ok to reply this thread, its linked in the wiki so i think its may better to have all question/answers here.

Anybody test to make a mold with an 3d "picture" on it like CC but with own artwork?
I'm running out of ideas how to make a positiv mold out of nothing X_x

MattBuzzy · « **Reply #382 on:** Tue, 29 January 2013, 12:10:17 »

My idea would be to make a model out of something that is naturally hard or sets hard, so carving or building using wood, plastic, modelling clay, metal, fondant etc. and super glue it to the top of a spare keycap, then made a mold of this.

Of course another way to do it would be to make a mold of 2 caps stuck together, and carve the top cap into the shape you want.

First way would be good to mass produce the same design, but you use a cap for every new model.

Second way would be great for 1 offs, and you would only ever need use the original 2 caps for additional molds, but if you really like a piece you would have to make a mold of your 1 off piece and risk destroying it in the process.

Either way has benifits and flaws, but personally I would do it the first way.

SoulSpirit · « **Reply #383 on:** Wed, 06 February 2013, 08:58:35 »

What resin is the best?

Im think i try out polyester resin.

Why polyester? I hear that some sort of polyester resin harden without many bubbles.
Dont know if its true ._.

And may anybody know how many bars i need to geht the resin without bubbles?

In german there are only 1shop how have more than 4colours but most of these colours are awful, may anybody know an good uk/us shop? prefer uk for the shipping costs.

Leslieann · « **Reply #384 on:** Wed, 06 February 2013, 17:12:46 »

Quote from: nntnam on Mon, 18 June 2012, 02:04:15

Here is my first product :-D. The stem is broken, still need to re-make the mold

OOOH, I like that, looks like a gumdrop.

TotalChaos · « **Reply #385 on:** Sun, 17 February 2013, 06:03:33 »

Quote from: nntnam on Sun, 17 June 2012, 03:48:57

Anyone know how to get a matte finished for keycaps' surface? I tried with sand paper and it was the worst decision :-(.

I like my keycaps smooooth and beautiful.

Please don't destroy your works of art.

The one I saw a pic of looked like a piece of candy. YUM!

infiniti · « **Reply #386 on:** Mon, 11 March 2013, 07:02:50 »

This is interesting! I'm inspired to try this myself when time permits.

simon_C · « **Reply #387 on:** Tue, 19 March 2013, 18:06:41 »

i know exactly what should exist...

a set of blank transparent keycaps, on a black board, with blue switches,

but fluoro yellow

you know the stuff, it was all over the 90s.

whiskerBox · « **Reply #388 on:** Mon, 22 April 2013, 10:47:32 »

Quote from: simon_C on Tue, 19 March 2013, 18:06:41

i know exactly what should exist...

a set of blank transparent keycaps, on a black board, with blue switches,

but fluoro yellow

Show Image

you know the stuff, it was all over the 90s.

I Approve of the fluoro Yellow!!!!

HotKillerZzz · « **Reply #389 on:** Mon, 28 October 2013, 10:26:42 »

Hi, im totally new to this things. soo after pouring the resin, can you still reuse the sillicon?

dragonxx21 · « **Reply #390 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 00:21:18 »

This seems really cool. I may try this in the future

Pacifist · « **Reply #391 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 00:24:51 »

Going to do this in my free time!

Gawd dam you wallethack, stealing my money AND time

Binge · « **Reply #392 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 10:13:04 »

Going to suggest folks who have read this to read post one in http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46284.0

My thread is not just a photo dump for my caps, and there's a bunch of useful information

HotKillerZzz · « **Reply #393 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 11:06:58 »

Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Mon, 28 October 2013, 10:26:42

Hi, im totally new to this things. soo after pouring the resin, can you still reuse the sillicon?

Anyone?

Binge · « **Reply #394 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 11:51:10 »

You can reuse silicon molds as long as they do not break/degrade.

After enough reproductions your molds will break.

HotKillerZzz · « **Reply #395 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 22:27:22 »

Quote from: Binge on Tue, 29 October 2013, 11:51:10

You can reuse silicon molds as long as they do not break/degrade.

After enough reproductions your molds will break.

Being a noob at this, how do you do resin casting?
U pour resin first into this part

And then you just put this:

And squeeze it at the top?
Could any pro post a video of filling the resin? I'm still very new to this resin casting. The mold making is very easy to understand but I don't get how to do the resin part. Since binge you are making keycaps, could you help to maybe make a video of the resin casting process?

Binge · « **Reply #396 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 22:30:10 »

Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Tue, 29 October 2013, 22:27:22

Since binge you are making keycaps, could you help to maybe make a video of the resin casting process?

It is not a short and simple thing to do. I'm afraid I don't have time. many apologies

dragonxx21 · « **Reply #397 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 22:36:50 »

Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Tue, 29 October 2013, 22:27:22

Quote from: Binge on Tue, 29 October 2013, 11:51:10
You can reuse silicon molds as long as they do not break/degrade.

After enough reproductions your molds will break.
Being a noob at this, how do you do resin casting?
U pour resin first into this part
Show Image

And then you just put this:
Show Image

And squeeze it at the top?
Could any pro post a video of filling the resin? I'm still very new to this resin casting. The mold making is very easy to understand but I don't get how to do the resin part. Since binge you are making keycaps, could you help to maybe make a video of the resin casting process?

http://www.alumilite.com/HowTos/TailLightCastingNoEquipment.cfm
Just take a look over this, it covers the casting process pretty well.

HotKillerZzz · « **Reply #398 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 22:41:56 »

[/quote]
http://www.alumilite.com/HowTos/TailLightCastingNoEquipment.cfm
Just take a look over this, it covers the casting process pretty well.
[/quote]
Oh that's very helpful. So to do resin casting, it is meant to overflow and then trim it?

dporter · « **Reply #399 on:** Thu, 21 November 2013, 18:52:41 »

Can I ask why you put clay in the keycap?

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Author Topic: MYOC - Make your own caps! (Read 229216 times)