Author Topic: Creating a BS Jack O Lantern (Read 24377 times)

esoomenona · « **on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:46:40 »

So I had this Topre Jack O Lantern, but it just wasn't flowing with my Topre boards. On my BS board, I have what I consider the original lineup: OG Tricolor, Salute, and Mr. Friday. If only Jack O Lantern existed in BS, I could hope to attain it and complete the original lineup. Well, there was only one thing left to do: make one myself.

First, I tried to modify an inner piece from a two piece cap, but that didn't work out at all:

So the next thing to do was to stem mod it:

Stay tuned! Tomorrow, I'm going to pick up some X-Acto knives, and then the real fun starts!

bueller · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:48:12 »

Whyyyyyyyy

esoomenona · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:51:19 »

Quote from: bueller on Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:48:12

Whyyyyyyyy

Well, I PM'd CC to see if he would consider trading me this Topre Jack plus cash for a BS Jack, but I never got an answer. I'd really like to have a BS Jack, so the ball is left in my hands.

HipsterPunks · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:54:15 »

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!

esoomenona · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:57:13 »

So this is what my BMX Salute looks like inside. This is the goal: hollow out the Jack to this status so I can fit an inner piece inside.

inanis · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:57:35 »

Man, your signature is no lie.

Damn.

The_Beast · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:58:16 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:57:13

So this is what my BMX Salute looks like inside. This is the goal: hollow out the Jack to this status so I can fit an inner piece inside.

Show Image

glhfdfu

strict · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 21:59:40 »

When I was getting ready to open the thread my first thought was "surely this isn't going to be some nut cutting apart a perfectly fine Jack" ...

The_Beast · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:00:55 »

[9:58:44 PM] The_Beast: i'll need this quote later
[9:58:48 PM] The_Beast: i told you so moose

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:02:30 »

Need a side by side with one of your buckling springs skulls for comparison.

hwood34 · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:02:45 »

mother of god. you monster

skcheng · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:02:45 »

Ouch. It's not too late to glue that stem back .....

I'm just guessing, but looking at my Clacks, I doubt that the Topre Clack can be thinned out enough to fit over a B/S 2 piece stem? But of course I could be wrong ..... and I'm the first person to start hacking away at my stuff.

clacktalk · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:02:57 »

*thumbs up* you're your own Burger King

naasfu · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:05:24 »

i need a hug!

HipsterPunks · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:06:27 »

BS caps are taller, if you manage to fit the 2 piece BS stem its going to over hang out the bottom. It will never be uniform profile with the rest of your BS clacks due to how thin the urethane is between the bottom and face. You run the risk of damaging the face by cutting it thinner. If you do end up getting a perfect cut and the BS piece to fit and shave it down. You are still going to have a gap between the top case and cap :/ good luck and i hope you get a result you are happy with.

I is sad for Topre Jack o Clack

esoomenona · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:10:09 »

I put a lot of thought into this before I decided to do it. The sizes are fairly close. The only thing is the BS ones are a little longer in the front, but that's fine by me. For the most part, everything else should be just fine. Take a look at these pics for comparison to my BMX Salute.

ComradeSniper · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:10:57 »

Damn that is ballsy.

Good luck.

esoomenona · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:13:31 »

Quote from: HipsterPunks on Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:06:27

BS caps are taller, if you manage to fit the 2 piece BS stem its going to over hang out the bottom. It will never be uniform profile with the rest of your BS clacks due to how thin the urethane is between the bottom and face. You run the risk of damaging the face by cutting it thinner. If you do end up getting a perfect cut and the BS piece to fit and shave it down. You are still going to have a gap between the top case and cap :/ good luck and i hope you get a result you are happy with.

I is sad for Topre Jack o Clack

Yes, I understand all of that. I don't intend to shave the face any lower than a normal BS cap is. The only difference I will see is what you said about the gap in the front, but that's fine by me. I will most likely paint the inner cap black. Black limits depth perception, so it hopefully won't be as noticeable, but again, I'm accepting of that.

demik · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:14:46 »

God damn you dudes acting like moose slap your first born

Binge · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:14:55 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:13:31

Quote from: HipsterPunks on Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:06:27
BS caps are taller, if you manage to fit the 2 piece BS stem its going to over hang out the bottom. It will never be uniform profile with the rest of your BS clacks due to how thin the urethane is between the bottom and face. You run the risk of damaging the face by cutting it thinner. If you do end up getting a perfect cut and the BS piece to fit and shave it down. You are still going to have a gap between the top case and cap :/ good luck and i hope you get a result you are happy with.

I is sad for Topre Jack o Clack

Yes, I understand all of that. I don't intend to shave the face any lower than a normal BS cap is. The only difference I will see is what you said about the gap in the front, but that's fine by me. I will most likely paint the inner cap black. Black limits depth perception, so it hopefully won't be as noticeable, but again, I'm accepting of that.

true courage

Michael · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:15:23 »

The only way I can see this working, is if you can shave down the stem part to fit inside of the topre. But you would need to shave out the inside to match with a dremel. Scary... but good luck!!!

esoomenona · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:17:20 »

Quote from: Bro Caps on Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:15:23

The only way I can see this working, is if you can shave down the stem part to fit inside of the topre. But you would need to shave out the inside to match with a dremel. Scary... but good luck!!!

Hmm, I may give this a shot first, since that material needs to be removed in both cases. Good idea. Thanks!

Halverson · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:19:44 »

Positive reinforcement is the key to success.

Haters, keep your crying to the corner please.

The only real concern, moose, please be careful working with sharp tools on small objects!

skcheng · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:19:46 »

Maybe you could use some silicone fit checker like I use when seating crowns?? That is when you get "close" to fitting the stem into the Clack.

demik · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:21:20 »

If you **** it up just burn it like kmiller8 did

Belfong · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:27:22 »

I'm crying inside...........

Michael · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:33:24 »

Quote from: Belfong on Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:27:22

I'm crying inside...........

This should cheer you up:

esoomenona · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 22:38:45 »

Alright guys. I'm off to bed. I'll keep you updated as things progress. Thanks for the encouraging words from some.

dustinhxc · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 30 September 2014, 23:55:03 »

Omg.

So on one hand, I'd love a buckling spring jack for my SSK.

Though, my dream clack has always been a Topre Jack. one less now, how many are there? 5 or so?

I don't know why CC wouldn't make more Halloween skulls. Sucks....

Def watching this, though I hope to get a topre one some day if he makes more. Doubt it though.

t2russo · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 00:01:09 »

I would have tried doing this to a plainer Topre key first to make sure that is was actually possible, but that does not fit with the nature of this experiment. Good luck, RIP mr Jack O'clack may you live on in the name of science.

Belfong · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 00:35:06 »

We are all rooting for you Moose (even though we are still crying a little inside..) I hope this is a successful venture and hope to see the Jack on a beautiful SSK!

acidtrip69 · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 00:44:55 »

man some people are just over reacting. Its just plastic. all tho its in a really cool shape ^_^ but they are his keycaps and can do what ever he want with them. Good luck with the mods man. I hope it works out well for you.

infiniti · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 05:04:39 »

'looking forward to how this goes. Good luck moose!

P.S. I showed Bob this and he's thankful I don't have a BS board.

)

esoomenona · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 08:37:52 »

So looking at these Dremel bits, does anyone have an idea of which I should choose between the silicon carbide and the aluminum oxide? I'm thinking the former, but wonder if someone has a better idea than me.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/SubCategories.aspx?catid=2031&catname=Grinding+%26amp%3b+Sharpening

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 08:44:37 »

Aluminum oxide grinding wheels are usually made to grind down metals. Silicon carbide can be used on metals and other objects such as rubber. I think you should go for the silicon carbide. More info here. If you PM Melvang, you may get a more accurate answer as he probably has more experience than I do.

skcheng · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:22:17 »

PM Sent Moose!!

snoopy · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:30:44 »

Hurts a bit to see that, especially cause I'm a big fan of Jack. And I also already dreamed about a BS Jack...

My first thought when I saw the thread title was: ok, maybe he tries to paint or dye a hardcore white bs clack with colors of jack.

But this... needs balls... especially trying it for the first time on such an expensive piece of plastic. Maybe an mx clack would have been a better basis, cause of its size.... but I understand that you may can't choose in that situation.

I hope you don't destroy it and that you're happy with the result. For me this wouldn't be the real deal and I would prefer to wait until cc may come up with the real bs jack one day... and if it takes forever... I have to wait that long or keep on dreaming

Good luck!

Melvang · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:36:25 »

MOOSE. Please stay away from anything that even looks like a stone. All it will do is melt the plastic, and make one hell of a mess.

That being said, the very thin cut off wheels (abrasive base) can have uses on plastic, but this is not one of those.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/SubCategories.aspx?catid=2072

I would use a combination of 9901, 9903, and 9910. I chose those because they cutting area of the bit is the same diameter as the shank so you will have less chance for that to get in your way. Please use medium speed and make very light cuts. Try and make your cuts so the cutter is wanting to climb out of the cut. This is usually backwards but because of how soft the material is and the depth at which the product will be destroyed, it could save your cap if the cutter decides to grab.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:37:33 »

Thanks Melvang. Your advice is always much better than mine in terms of machining

.

esoomenona · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:42:14 »

Agreed! Thanks, Melvang. And a special thanks to skcheng for helping me out as well.

Zeal · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:47:22 »

Somehow missed this thread until now!

GL moose, definitely interested in seeing updates.

JPG · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 09:57:56 »

Would using a file be more safe? I mean, this keycap sure is fragile. A file will take a lot of time but would enable to make a very precise work and probably have much less chance to destroy the keycap.

You are making a piece of art, better take your time!

Well, whatever you do, good luck!

esoomenona · « **Reply #42 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 10:01:37 »

Honestly, that was my thought as well. X-Acto makes a number of tools, including http://routing tools, chiseling blades, and small tools.

I intend to pick all of these tools up, and see what works best. I'm more scared of using electricity to work on this thing, as the damage can happen very quickly.

JPG · « **Reply #43 on:** Wed, 01 October 2014, 10:10:07 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 01 October 2014, 10:01:37

Honestly, that was my thought as well. X-Acto makes a number of tools, including routing tools, chiseling blades, and small tools.

I intend to pick all of these tools up, and see what works best. I'm more scared of using electricity to work on this thing, as the damage can happen very quickly.

The last one (needle file set) looks quite nice and appropriate. I am a total n00b at any of this but my instinct tells me that it would probably be the best tool to use. Also, do you intend to leave some material to make the notches or will you make all the sides flat an either glue the cap or put some removable adhesive of some sort in order to fix the cap on a BS half key?

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 02 October 2014, 08:17:02 »

This looks like a difficult project, but I wish you luck with it. Not many people would attempt this, so I have a lot of respect for you to take this risk.

I await further updates!

Puddsy · « **Reply #45 on:** Thu, 02 October 2014, 17:48:14 »

im not worried about this

im worried about the people who might try to do it after you get it to work.

yicaoyimu · « **Reply #46 on:** Thu, 02 October 2014, 17:54:29 »

Best of luck.

esoomenona · « **Reply #47 on:** Thu, 02 October 2014, 17:59:16 »

Quote from: TacticalStache on Thu, 02 October 2014, 17:48:14

im not worried about this

im worried about the people who might try to do it after you get it to work.

Stem mod ALL the CCs!

esoomenona · « **Reply #48 on:** Thu, 02 October 2014, 18:58:19 »

Okay, so this is what needs to be inserted in the Jack.

Very rough right now. By my measurement with calipers, this won't fit, so I need to shave it down a lot more. I will work on this more before I start cutting into the CC.

Also, some measurements of the face/wall thicknesses with a micrometer and calipers (as taken from the BMX Salute):
wall - range from .030" to .040" depending on spot; varying wall thickness
inside face, top to bottom - .537"
inside face, side to side - .469"
face, taken on nose - .125"

With measuring, it has been noted that the face of a BS CC is wider than a Topre CC, which I did not previously notice. Thus, I will definitely need to shave the BS stem down considerably. More to come later.

heedpantsnow · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 02 October 2014, 19:59:17 »

For shaving the stem, I'd sand it down slowly using 240 grit sandpaper, wet with water. Lay the paper down on a flat surface, even tape it if you want. The rub the stem on it, stopping to test fit every 5-10 strokes.

For the clack innerds I'd use the Dremel tungsten carbide bit with a round tip. 9905
I think. Just bought another the other day. Use low speed so you shave, not melt, the plastic.

Good luck. You got moose-sized balls, for sure.

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Author Topic: Creating a BS Jack O Lantern (Read 24377 times)