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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: norbauer on Sun, 01 September 2013, 02:32:53

Title: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Sun, 01 September 2013, 02:32:53
So as I've increasingly gotten mechanical keyboard-smitten, I'm piling up quite a collection of keycaps. Anybody have recommendations on a cool, systematized way of storing unused caps (especially full 104 sets)? Right now, I'm just tossing them into labeled Ziplocs, which doesn't befit the general obsessively otaku approach that seems to characterize keyboard enthusiasm.

On Taobao, you frequently see for sale Cherry sets that come on a red plastic sheet with Cherry MX style switch stems. Like here:
(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/55027425/T2XZPCXdRaXXXXXXXX_!!55027425.jpg)

Something like that would be awesome if it were possible to purchase directly. Has anybody ever thought to spec out something like this and organize a group buy from a relevant plastics manufacturer?

Any other ideas or sources for cool ways of storing one's keys? I'm aware of the modular ones sold by Signature Plastics. I might give those a try, but they're very expensive, and it would be hard to assemble a full 104-key mockup since they can only be organized in a matrix of parallel lines.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: bueller on Sun, 01 September 2013, 03:35:41
Keypop have some nice boxes (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46882.0) coming out very shortly.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/InSenG/IMG_4624.jpg)
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Sun, 01 September 2013, 03:51:42
If this becomes available, I'd be in for a couple...
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: GeeGee on Sun, 01 September 2013, 08:14:29
Quote from: bueller on Sun, 01 September 2013, 03:35:41
Keypop have some nice boxes (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46882.0) coming out very shortly.

Show Image
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/InSenG/IMG_4624.jpg)

This looks great!
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: mashby on Sun, 01 September 2013, 12:09:23
There is a thread where people share what they are using for storage options at this link (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39180.0), but I'm very excited to see what KeyPop brings to market.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Sun, 01 September 2013, 13:53:02
Quote from: bueller on Sun, 01 September 2013, 03:35:41
Keypop have some nice boxes (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46882.0) coming out very shortly.

Show Image
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/InSenG/IMG_4624.jpg)


Oh man, that's perfect! Thanks for alerting me to this!
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: divito on Sun, 01 September 2013, 20:31:10
Not sure how I feel about a box that can't be viewed without opening it. I'm almost desiring a display/storage setup that you can see/show off.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Sun, 01 September 2013, 23:02:25
One advantage of boxes like this is that, although they are opaque, you can at least put labels on their edges. I think it would be nice to have a stack of these, organized by material type, color scheme, etc., so I can scan easily through the sets and pull out what I'm looking for.

$10-15 does seem a little steep for cardboard and foam, but I think I could stomach that. Maybe offer a volume discount for orders of more than 5-10?
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: concept73 on Fri, 06 September 2013, 05:56:33
Those boxes look great, but i also saw another like acxrylic box, i shall try and find it again for you!
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: concept73 on Fri, 06 September 2013, 05:59:03
Quote from: AvJaB on Fri, 06 September 2013, 05:56:33
Those boxes look great, but i also saw another like acxrylic box, i shall try and find it again for you!

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46875.0
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Fri, 06 September 2013, 21:33:36
Just realized that another advantage of the forthcoming Keypop foam boxes (unlike the red plastic Cherry sheets in my original post) is that they will be mount-agnostic: can be used with either Cherry or Topre caps.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: ijprest on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:25:14
Has anyone tried these sets from http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php) ??

(http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/marketplace/96possmall.jpg)

Definitely a bit on the pricey side as individual sets...
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:31:38
Quote from: ijprest on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:25:14
Has anyone tried these sets from http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php) ??

Show Image
(http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/marketplace/96possmall.jpg)


Definitely a bit on the pricey side as individual sets...

I've got some but haven't tried them yet. I need to.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: Tarzan on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:33:03
Quote from: norbauer on Fri, 06 September 2013, 21:33:36
Just realized that another advantage of the forthcoming Keypop foam boxes (unlike the red plastic Cherry sheets in my original post) is that they will be mount-agnostic: can be used with Cherry, Topre, or Alps caps.

FTFY

 ;D
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: divito on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:37:01
Quote from: ijprest on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:25:14
Has anyone tried these sets from http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php) ??

Show Image
(http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/marketplace/96possmall.jpg)


Definitely a bit on the pricey side as individual sets...

Personally wouldn't buy the "modular" portions of them. I'd buy the packs of individual pieces, and find a way to arrange/mount them for storage purposes. Still thinking up ideas and awaiting the money fairy to visit me.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: SeriouSSpotS on Sat, 07 September 2013, 12:17:33
Quote from: bueller on Sun, 01 September 2013, 03:35:41
Keypop have some nice boxes (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46882.0) coming out very shortly.

Show Image
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/InSenG/IMG_4624.jpg)


These are mighty nice, how did not hear about this before?
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Sat, 07 September 2013, 12:53:39
Quote from: ijprest on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:25:14
Has anyone tried these sets from http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php) ??

Show Image
(http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/marketplace/96possmall.jpg)


Definitely a bit on the pricey side as individual sets...

I considered this as an alternative, but as you rightly point out they're crazy expensive (especially if you're doing multiple 104-key sets), but even more problematic than that is that they're arranged in a matrix layout, meaning that again storing one or more full 104-key sets would be awkward and staggered.

These seem better for a small array of one-off novelty keys.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: ijprest on Sat, 07 September 2013, 13:03:14
Quote from: norbauer on Sat, 07 September 2013, 12:53:39
I considered this as an alternative, but as you rightly point out they're crazy expensive (especially if you're doing multiple 104-key sets), but even more problematic than that is that they're arranged in a matrix layout, meaning that again storing one or more full 104-key sets would be awkward and staggered.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's modular, and it *looks* like you can maybe offset some of the squares (can anyone who's tried these confirm?).  If you could offset by a quarter or half square, that would make the irregular keys easier to deal with.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: mashby on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:21:08
Quote from: ijprest on Sat, 07 September 2013, 13:03:14
Quote from: norbauer on Sat, 07 September 2013, 12:53:39
I considered this as an alternative, but as you rightly point out they're crazy expensive (especially if you're doing multiple 104-key sets), but even more problematic than that is that they're arranged in a matrix layout, meaning that again storing one or more full 104-key sets would be awkward and staggered.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's modular, and it *looks* like you can maybe offset some of the squares (can anyone who's tried these confirm?).  If you could offset by a quarter or half square, that would make the irregular keys easier to deal with.

They are 3x1 blocks, which work well for 1x1 key caps. Modifiers and larger keys have to be mounted like it's demonstrated in the photo in the earlier post. Doesn't really work IMHO.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 18 September 2013, 10:59:25
From the Uline website:

[attachimg=1]

http://www.uline.com/BL_873/Pick-And-Pack-Foam

I'm looking at the sheets with the 1/2" removable blocks, 24"x24"x1" sheets, 12 to a carton, $12 for that carton. Not including shipping costs, that's $1/sheet, and you could probably split the sheet to use for two different keycap sets? It's not an ideal solution (i.e. -- a box that you can open and close) but it might work. The 1" blocks might be too loose to hold keycaps securely, but it might be nice to pack an entire keyboard.

Maybe if we can find a foam manufacturer willing to make a sheet that's close to a keyboard size already, with removable blocks close to the tune of 3/4" would be possible?
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: JonasDK on Wed, 18 September 2013, 11:09:37
Do they support ISO?
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: Krogenar on Wed, 18 September 2013, 11:13:33
Quote from: JonasDK on Wed, 18 September 2013, 11:09:37
Do they support ISO?

Sorry, no.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:24:38
Incidentally, I also found these on Taobao today:

(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2U2O8XnJaXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg)

(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2LAm9XipXXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg)

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021&spm=2014.12362039.0.0

They are only 20 CNY (about 3.25 USD) but no doubt the shipping would be quite expensive.

I do love the printing on the front though.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: pixel5 on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:28:31
I got one of these for my miscellaneous keyboard stuff (caps, LED's, soldering) http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-Black-Decker-ST-SortMaster-Junior-Organizer/17203945

You can stack more than one together and connect them. Cheap and work well.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:33:10
Show Image
Show Image
Quote from: norbauer on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:24:38
Incidentally, I also found these on Taobao today:

(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2U2O8XnJaXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg) (http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2U2O8XnJaXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg)


(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2LAm9XipXXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg) (http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2LAm9XipXXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg)

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021&spm=2014.12362039.0.0 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021&spm=2014.12362039.0.0)

They are only 20 CNY (about 3.25 USD) but no doubt the shipping would be quite expensive.

I do love the printing on the front though.

It took me 2 or 3 sellers before I could get one to ship and when the box did arrive it was crushed.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: norbauer on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:43:58
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:33:10
Show Image
Show Image
Quote from: norbauer on Thu, 19 September 2013, 13:24:38
Incidentally, I also found these on Taobao today:

(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2U2O8XnJaXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg) (http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2U2O8XnJaXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg)


(http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2LAm9XipXXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg) (http://img03.taobaocdn.com/imgextra/i3/15808667/T2LAm9XipXXXXXXXXX_!!15808667.jpg)

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021&spm=2014.12362039.0.0 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=18069363021&spm=2014.12362039.0.0)

They are only 20 CNY (about 3.25 USD) but no doubt the shipping would be quite expensive.

I do love the printing on the front though.

It took me 2 or 3 sellers before I could get one to ship and when the box did arrive it was crushed.

Well, that certainly doesn't inspire confidence. I think I'll go on waiting for the Keypop ones.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 20 September 2013, 21:42:47
Gasmaskkeycaps are selling some nice boxes as well
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: do_Og@n on Thu, 26 September 2013, 14:17:11
Elitekeyboards.com will be selling there 104 key cases here soon. They are the same ones that come with their $20 keycap sets.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 26 September 2013, 14:18:57
Quote from: do_Og@n on Thu, 26 September 2013, 14:17:11
Elitekeyboards.com will be selling there 104 key cases here soon. They are the same ones that come with their $20 keycap sets.

they are ok but nothing special, handy for quickly laying out some keycaps and you can see what you have. hopefully the price isn't to high on them.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: tbc on Sun, 29 September 2013, 00:51:19
so, are none of the vendors actually selling yet (besides gasmask)?  or have they completely sold out cause i can't find anything for it.
Title: Re: Custom Keycap storage?
Post by: bueller on Sun, 29 September 2013, 01:16:05
Not a great solution for full sets but I thought of a great novelty cap storage solution while taking my medication the other day!

(http://i.imgur.com/pb577QG.jpg)