[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=109843.0][img width=501 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/Iy6UWy6.png][/img]very nice, if you manage to get alu key caps to an "affordable" price it would be great.
i am a sucker for raw machined aluminum, would you think that could be an option? or that could even work on a keyboard? and i would need iso support, else i'll settle for just the spacebar.
and do you have plans for international buyers (i am guessing that you are based in the US)?
that is a loads of ifs but if you stay close to the teased pricing, ship to Europe and support iso i would most definitely get a set, and if you can get raw machined alu that would be even better
in any cases, good luck.
I want it.
Maybe I'll be able to afford full set.
:thumb:
Very interesting idea. Definitely keen to watch this space.
For my info, does the mod kit include at least one spacebar? While I understand the need to break up to reduce the per kit price, I’m hoping I don’t need 4 kits (alphas, mods, space, arrows) for a 65% board :)
By the way do they come with legends? Yes right?
Wow, great looking set. If the price can actually get low enough I would totally grab some. The nice teal color in the pictures isn't listed under available options though. I would want those and navy to make match hammerhead colors.
These caps can be done in a mint anon green?! Ugh, I might have to reconsider this <3 hoping I can save up for this in the future.
these look pretty insane, ill have two sets please!
sound test?
These caps can be done in a mint anon green?! Ugh, I might have to reconsider this <3 hoping I can save up for this in the future.
mint anon green....possible but it might be done in just Limited 1/1 sets ;D
Wonderful idea and goal you all have- I'm hoping to hear more from this, and if things go the way they're planned to- I'd absolutely love a set!
HEAVY METAL
Yes, I want this.
These caps can be done in a mint anon green?! Ugh, I might have to reconsider this <3 hoping I can save up for this in the future.
mint anon green....possible but it might be done in just Limited 1/1 sets ;D
Love it. I have rough fingers from peeling dry skin in the cold months. These caps would feel so comfort to type on. :thumb:
Also, thinking about color. I think sticking to natural metallic and neutral colors like silver, gray, bronze, and black make the most sense. We have a ton of options with color when it comes to plastic keycaps. I'd love to see something that reflects the natural beauty of the material, at least for the first round ^-^
It all comes down to the price. Will you be the ones to do it!? I think you can.
In regards to Raw alu, the problem is that if the surface left untreated it will oxidize overtime (unless that is something you are willing to deal with) we currently don't have plan to have raw machined sets availablewell it was only a bonus :) i will take silver anodized if raw is not available.
I'm not too knowing about this type of stuff but IIRC, aluminum oxide is actually a type of protectant from oxidation itself. unlike flaky iron oxide on regular steel, aluminum oxide forms a durable layer over raw aluminum almost immediately, creating a natural barrier to further oxidation. Therefore I don't think there will be an issue in terms of oxidation over time. I'm not sure how skin oils react to this aluminum oxide but I'm pretty sure the stuff is non reactive and very tough.
I would prefer the set to have legends. GMK style would be nice.
I would prefer the set to have legends. GMK style would be nice.
Will have options in the IC form and GB will be base on IC results
I'm not too knowing about this type of stuff but IIRC, aluminum oxide is actually a type of protectant from oxidation itself. unlike flaky iron oxide on regular steel, aluminum oxide forms a durable layer over raw aluminum almost immediately, creating a natural barrier to further oxidation. Therefore I don't think there will be an issue in terms of oxidation over time. I'm not sure how skin oils react to this aluminum oxide but I'm pretty sure the stuff is non reactive and very tough.like iron there is multiple type of oxidation, and skin oils will make it oxide quite slower and so the oxidation will not be uniform, anodization will create a strong and consistent oxide layer, and allow for tinting. and yes alu oxide is very non reactive and pretty much the 2nd strongest material known to man (after diamond)
sound test?Uploaded today!
Super interesting, do you have a sound test? It'd be interesting to hear the acoustics of itAvailable now
Sound test is a lot better than I thought an all metal caps set would sound like!
You will have something truly special if you can offer this at the price point you say you will
But it does lead to a lot of questions on my end on what "the catch" is in how you will be achieving this price point. Will you be machining the keycaps or through metal injection molding/casting? What bead blasting level will you be using? How are you doing the anodization? What's the tolerance level you will be achievement? What does "easily adjustable stem" mean (from the look of your stems, they don't seem that much different from typical alu keycap stems). I'm going to guess you mean that typical house tools will allow one to tighten or loosen the stem to fit different stems.
I realize the questions I ask may seem slightly conflict of interest-y but as someone in the same space, that price point seems too good to be true other than if you:
1. Own the CNC machines + anodization (which seems possible considering
2. Literally just paying for material cost
3. Operating in a crazy high volume (which doing the math at 100 sets, doesn't seem super high)
4. You're running your own fulfillment and logistics
5. Not using vendors to help you sell
Anyways. You don't need to answer my questions if you feel you're revealing too much.
Again, if you can pull this off at the price point, I would be incredibly impressed. And I root for you the entire way.
I would be incredibly impressed if you can maintain the alpha sets at $200 dollars. Manufacturing quality metal keycaps is not cheap, especially in high tolerances. I am curious how you're able to maintain such a low price point?
Accounting for machining, sandblasting (which I believe you have), anodizing, and other treatments, that's quite low of a cost per keycap.
I am guessing you are doing all of this in house, which can keep costs low.
I must succeed with the heaviest board in existence. GIMME GIMMEEee
You will have something truly special if you can offer this at the price point you say you will
But it does lead to a lot of questions on my end on what "the catch" is in how you will be achieving this price point. Will you be machining the keycaps or through metal injection molding/casting? What bead blasting level will you be using? How are you doing the anodization? What's the tolerance level you will be achievement? What does "easily adjustable stem" mean (from the look of your stems, they don't seem that much different from typical alu keycap stems). I'm going to guess you mean that typical house tools will allow one to tighten or loosen the stem to fit different stems.
I realize the questions I ask may seem slightly conflict of interest-y but as someone in the same space, that price point seems too good to be true other than if you:
1. Own the CNC machines + anodization (which seems possible considering
2. Literally just paying for material cost
3. Operating in a crazy high volume (which doing the math at 100 sets, doesn't seem super high)
4. You're running your own fulfillment and logistics
5. Not using vendors to help you sell
Anyways. You don't need to answer my questions if you feel you're revealing too much.
Again, if you can pull this off at the price point, I would be incredibly impressed. And I root for you the entire way.I would be incredibly impressed if you can maintain the alpha sets at $200 dollars. Manufacturing quality metal keycaps is not cheap, especially in high tolerances. I am curious how you're able to maintain such a low price point?
Accounting for machining, sandblasting (which I believe you have), anodizing, and other treatments, that's quite low of a cost per keycap.
I am guessing you are doing all of this in house, which can keep costs low.
Appericate your support on our project! Since I saw that video on Linus Tech Tips showing a full metal caps board really made me wanted one, I mean who wouldn't if the price is reasonable. That has been the starting point for this project. Discussing with multiple manufactures and optimzing the machining process started at the start of this year, the whole process was long and frustrating. Some designs seen on other metal novelty caps have to be left out to control cost (engraving on the inside) although I'm hoping to include in the future group buys.
To shed some light in your questions:
- We are planning to run fulfillment and logistics by ourselves, keep marketing to the minimum and overheads to the lowest possible
- Hight volume does allow us to have more leverage with manu to ensure adequate production time frame
- No vendors for this project since we cannot afford vendor commission at this price point
- ALL caps regardless its size will be CNC machined, sand blasted then anodized
- We are thinking about tweaking sand blasting level to give it a slight rougher surface texture but I'm very happy with the proto set I'm currently typing on
- Stems are easily adjustable with house tools (I've been using small piler and flat head screw driver), we are designing a specialized tool (optional purchase) to be released during GB phase to tighten and loosen stems
- Anodizing colours are chosen to show off its metallic property hence no E-white or other crazy colours available at this point (will be offered in the future)
just need to add a in a series-00 shiny esc keycap :eek:
These will be perfect for my next build. Now we play the waiting game.
the mods are looking real nice, might get the mods and function keys
On the right egro board these could really pop. Have you tested how tight they will fit. The reason I ask is because sometimes RAMA caps are a little loose on the fit.
Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be :thumb:
Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be :thumb:
ergo dox?
Any chance there will be blanks for ergo modifiers available? I would be in for multiple sets if it will be :thumb:
ergo dox?
Yes Ergo Dox please.
No homing on numpad 5 key?
Since the legends are being laser etched, and the price point is so premium, would you consider supporting ISO-UK as an option for legends (i.e. perhaps take a small number of orders and have ISO-UK legends instead of ANSI)? It’s looking awesome and I’d love to be able to use these on my daily driver!
So down for this, can't wait to see more content when these get sent out to creators!
any updates? :DFinal production prototypes are on its way to me
I'm curious about the reported weight of these. Looking at shift keys for example, other aluminum keys I have are 20-30% heavier. Given the nature of the CNC process it wouldn't be any cheaper to produce caps with thinner walls / less weight so I'm wondering why they are so much lighter than the two others I've tried.
I'm curious about the reported weight of these. Looking at shift keys for example, other aluminum keys I have are 20-30% heavier. Given the nature of the CNC process it wouldn't be any cheaper to produce caps with thinner walls / less weight so I'm wondering why they are so much lighter than the two others I've tried.
We try to have all the keys have a uniform typing feel and with less of a need to change to heavier springs on already building boards. Desoldering isn't fun.
It is more expensive to produce caps with tinner walls but we are willing to put in the work and design optimization so that it is less work and concern for the end buyer.