KeyKollectiv's Artisan Keycap Project Thread

[dustinhxc]

These are super nice looking and sounds like a great price. Stoked to see more of these! 

[joey]

Is the sale for all the mods, or a selection?

The sets will cover all mod keys (Alt, Ctrl, Tab, Caps, BS, Enter, Shift, Win, Fn). Going to have sets for HHKB, RF and 660C

Sorry, what I meant was can we buy individual caps or do we have to buy the whole set?

I'd personally be interested in maybe buying a few, of different colours rather than a full set.

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Due to the way the molds are set up, I don't think it would make sense to sell individual caps. I will, however, open it up for multi-color sets. For example:

3Fn (Row4) + 1 (Row1) - Color1
Tabx2 + Capslock + Enter - Color2
Shift x2 (HHKB) - Color 3
Ctrlx2 + Altx2 - Color 4

+Bonus Nav/WASD cluster - Color 5

I hope that makes sense. I can explain further if need be 

Can you explain further? Didn't quite understand that.

It might be possible to order several colours.. but we still have to order a full set?

[Kudos]

Is the sale for all the mods, or a selection?

The sets will cover all mod keys (Alt, Ctrl, Tab, Caps, BS, Enter, Shift, Win, Fn). Going to have sets for HHKB, RF and 660C

Sorry, what I meant was can we buy individual caps or do we have to buy the whole set?

I'd personally be interested in maybe buying a few, of different colours rather than a full set.

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Due to the way the molds are set up, I don't think it would make sense to sell individual caps. I will, however, open it up for multi-color sets. For example:

3Fn (Row4) + 1 (Row1) - Color1
Tabx2 + Capslock + Enter - Color2
Shift x2 (HHKB) - Color 3
Ctrlx2 + Altx2 - Color 4

+Bonus Nav/WASD cluster - Color 5

I hope that makes sense. I can explain further if need be 

Can you explain further? Didn't quite understand that.

It might be possible to order several colours.. but we still have to order a full set?

You can order partial sets but they will be in designated kits. For example:

Tabx2, Capslock, Enter, Backspace is a kit. So you would have to order 1 color for that kit. So, in practice, you can't order a green enter + purple tab + pink backspace.

But with this setup, you can order the kit mentioned above and also choose a Shift kit in a different color. You are not obligated to buy the entire set though I will incentivize doing so by offering better pricing and maybe a free gift with purchase. Hope that helps

[joey]

Thanks, I think I got it now! 

[sth]

these are looking mighty fine. lookin forward to the sale!

[bocahgundul]

where to buy this man love the caps i want to buy it for my future topre 

[btctopre]

I'd say I'm interested in a set of those mods. Any idea about pricing yet?

That's something we are still working on. I want to make it affordable and not ridiculous but we also spent a lot of time prototyping/molding. We are aiming for a $45-$55 price point for entire set of mods for each (HHKB, RF, 660C)

Should bump up higher for your sake imo. Base set is like 14 keys, so even if you did $70 for a set that would still only be $5 per key, which is very, very reasonable given the amount of time/money/resources you've invested into creating this. Yeah it's a barrier for some people, but it's a custom mod set for Topre, so it's to be expected

To give people an idea of what anniversary blue might look like, here's an older version that I have:


I imagine it's changed a little bit (this was pre-girth), but still a really stellar color.

And on another note- I'll probably be giving away a couple blue base/grey face (no space) blanks on Monday now that people are looking at this thread more, so be on the lookout if you want a chance to win 

[Kudos]

I'd say I'm interested in a set of those mods. Any idea about pricing yet?

That's something we are still working on. I want to make it affordable and not ridiculous but we also spent a lot of time prototyping/molding. We are aiming for a $45-$55 price point for entire set of mods for each (HHKB, RF, 660C)

Should bump up higher for your sake imo. Base set is like 14 keys, so even if you did $70 for a set that would still only be $5 per key, which is very, very reasonable given the amount of time/money/resources you've invested into creating this. Yeah it's a barrier for some people, but it's a custom mod set for Topre, so it's to be expected

To give people an idea of what anniversary blue might look like, here's an older version that I have:

Show Image

I imagine it's changed a little bit (this was pre-girth), but still a really stellar color.

And on another note- I'll probably be giving away a couple blue base/grey face (no space) blanks on Monday now that people are looking at this thread more, so be on the lookout if you want a chance to win  :thumb:

Thanks BTC. As you are the primary reason why Anniversary Blue is even available in this sale, the intention was to send over a set of the first production set. As you can see, I've stated that the color palettes are approximations of the inspired sets.

And frankly, I have you to thank. I remember you straight up telling me "don't be a ***** and JUST DO IT". "Quit worrying about the stupid stem or whether it snaps. You've got solid work. Just stop being a ***** and sell it".

Seriously bud. I owe you.

[CPTBadAss]

And frankly, I have you to thank. I remember you straight up telling me "don't be a ***** and JUST DO IT". "Quit worrying about the stupid stem or whether it snaps. You've got solid work. Just stop being a ***** and sell it".

Don't be a ***** and just do it.

If I have learned anything on Geekhack, it's this exact phrase.

[Kudos]

A few teaser photos of the incoming Mod kit buy:

Bianchi Celeste Green Mod Set with Leopold 660C PBT Alphas


Hyperfvck'd - Bianchi Celeste with Shallow Mallow - Inspired by the famous Hyperfuse color palette


Watermelon - RF Pink Printed Alphas with Bianchi Celeste Mod Set

[dan002]

So I'm glad I found this thread because the progress you've made and reported is very interesting. You mentioned that you work in a toy factory, do you make parts or assemble? Also, did it teach you some techniques for mixing colors for those great key caps?

[RoastPotatoes]

A few teaser photos of the incoming Mod kit buy:

Bianchi Celeste Green Mod Set with Leopold 660C PBT Alphas
(Attachment Link)

Hyperfvck'd - Bianchi Celeste with Shallow Mallow - Inspired by the famous Hyperfuse color palette
(Attachment Link)

Watermelon - RF Pink Printed Alphas with Bianchi Celeste Mod Set
(Attachment Link)

I really like those watermelon ones

[sth]

wow uh... think next time you might give us folks in the EU half a chance to order without being up in the middle of the night on sunday?

[madhias]

Over already? Grabbed a coffee, opened page, too late. Well, at least I saved some money

Mods should move this thread to the artisan board?

[btctopre]

More

quick giveaway (CONUS only):
first person to post a datestamped pic of their topre keyboard wins these blanks (two esc key profile, one tab profile):


the blanks are an older revision, but they are still ridiculously high quality. perfect profile and they snap-in like a standard stock keycap. the blue is slightly darker than the realforce anniversary blue, the grey was pretty much dead on with the darker DK/anniversary/chinese grey iirc.

will ship today via usps priority mail. you pay nothing 

[RoastPotatoes]

quick giveaway (CONUS only):
first person to post a datestamped pic of their topre keyboard wins these blanks (two esc key profile, one tab profile):

Show Image

the blanks are an older revision, but they are still ridiculously high quality. perfect profile and they snap-in like a standard stock keycap. the blue is slightly darker than the realforce anniversary blue, the grey was pretty much dead on with the darker DK/anniversary/chinese grey iirc.

will ship today via usps priority mail. you pay nothing  :thumb:

Edit: oh wait not conus. Sorry

[btctopre]

kudos plz change thread title to keykollectiv romper room so people don't think this is a running blog thread~

[Lurch]

i can has?

[btctopre]

i can has?

Show Image

you can has  ;D

[Lurch]

i can has?

Show Image

you can has  ;D

woohoo! should look rly nice with the darkness.

thanks much! these are going to be a hit!

[joey]

Lurch, you owe me a clack, yeah?

[Lurch]

Lurch, you owe me a clack, yeah?

i gave all of mine to jwaz, you should hit him up

[Kudos]

kudos plz change thread title to keykollectiv romper room so people don't think this is a running blog thread~

Thread's title has been changed. I'm sure people had no idea what they were even clicking on. Thanks bud

[Kudos]

Sale is Over

[sth]

thanks for running the buy in EU time i can't wait to see em in person.

[KatzenKinder]

How did I never see this thread until now ; - ;

You guys are really doing amazing stuff; the mods were super ambitious with the color matching, and you seem to have nailed it!

[Kudos]

thanks for running the buy in EU time i can't wait to see em in person.

No worries. Sorry if you were unable to get into Round 1 if you tried. Hopefully I'll be able to get through a bunch of orders this weekend so expect an invoice next week hopefully

How did I never see this thread until now ; - ;

You guys are really doing amazing stuff; the mods were super ambitious with the color matching, and you seem to have nailed it!

Thanks Katz. It's an honor coming from a skilled artisan such as yourself 

[Binge]

Surprised I haven't seen this thread with its huge thank you in the OP.  Honored to be mentioned.  You've gotten a lot of attention with your blanks

[CPTBadAss]

ya'll made lucky cat caps and I missed it?? ugh

[Kudos]

Surprised I haven't seen this thread with its huge thank you in the OP.  Honored to be mentioned.  You've gotten a lot of attention with your blanks

Binge, your guide/thread was the catalyst for me to start casting. I am truly in your debt. No matter how far I progress along the way, I am only standing on the shoulder of giants. Your most recent sale was crazy. Best of luck with your endeavors.

Once I'm at a point where I can actually call myself an artisan, I hope to work together on a project being that you're in the SoCal area 

[Kudos]

ya'll made lucky cat caps and I missed it?? ugh

No worries CPT, we are working on a V2 for MX/Topre soon. I'll be sure you get your hands on one 

[Kudos]

While I've been toiling away trying to crank out Topre Mod set orders, Koala-T's been putting the unused molds to good use. I figured I'd give a little sneak peak on what she's been working on. So far, just Topre but I'm putting together a MX mold for her as well. Not sure if she's going to sell but I'm really proud 

[byker]

While I've been toiling away trying to crank out Topre Mod set orders, Koala-T's been putting the unused molds to good use. I figured I'd give a little sneak peak on what she's been working on. So far, just Topre but I'm putting together a MX mold for her as well. Not sure if she's going to sell but I'm really proud 

(Attachment Link)

Damn those are sick! Let me know if they are ever available. 

[Kudos]

While I've been toiling away trying to crank out Topre Mod set orders, Koala-T's been putting the unused molds to good use. I figured I'd give a little sneak peak on what she's been working on. So far, just Topre but I'm putting together a MX mold for her as well. Not sure if she's going to sell but I'm really proud 

(Attachment Link)

Damn those are sick! Let me know if they are ever available. 

Thanks! I'll relay the message over. They take a while to get right so I'll see if she's up for it 

[linuxhermit]

I'm hoping you do more Topre mods I missed the first sale. But I got the paws and some beta topre keys

[Kudos]

I'm hoping you do more Topre mods I missed the first sale. But I got the paws and some beta topre keys

I've lost so much time/money on this sale so it's unlikely I'll do another run. I am, however, likely to end up with some extras so I'll be sure to post them up once I fulfill the rest of the orders.

[linuxhermit]

I'm so sorry to hear that

[Kudos]

Snackeys Series 1. Now in new flavors. Topre and MX. Coming soon!

[trizkut]

Snackeys Series 1. Now in new flavors. Topre and MX. Coming soon!

(Attachment Link)

Kiwi? Yum. 

[btctopre]

idk if this is even real but it needs to be converted into a snackey~

[Sifo]

idk if this is even real but it needs to be converted into a snackey~

Show Image

wtf yes

[Kudos]

idk if this is even real but it needs to be converted into a snackey~

Show Image

Quit doctoring pictures of blue figs :P. At some point, you have to ask yourself: Does BTC want you to do a blue fig because it looks cool or his keyboard is coincidentally blue as well  :rolleyes:

[btctopre]

idk if this is even real but it needs to be converted into a snackey~

Show Image

Quit doctoring pictures of blue figs :P. At some point, you have to ask yourself: Does BTC want you to do a blue fig because it looks cool or his keyboard is coincidentally blue as well  :rolleyes:

well, i've just taken a poll and 9/10 doctors agree that that picture isn't doctored (and the 10th doctor was ben carson), so it looks like, regardless of my reasoning, you kind of have to make the caps now

[Kudos]

idk if this is even real but it needs to be converted into a snackey~

Show Image

Quit doctoring pictures of blue figs :P. At some point, you have to ask yourself: Does BTC want you to do a blue fig because it looks cool or his keyboard is coincidentally blue as well  :rolleyes:

well, i've just taken a poll and 9/10 doctors agree that that picture isn't doctored (and the 10th doctor was ben carson), so it looks like, regardless of my reasoning, you kind of have to make the caps now

I guess you're right. I am obligated to do it now. BTW, I sent a package to you and it's showing that its undeliverable. Shoot me a PM with your info.

[Binge]

While I've been toiling away trying to crank out Topre Mod set orders, Koala-T's been putting the unused molds to good use. I figured I'd give a little sneak peak on what she's been working on. So far, just Topre but I'm putting together a MX mold for her as well. Not sure if she's going to sell but I'm really proud 

(Attachment Link)

I said it on reddit but I am very happy you are getting into encapsulation.  This was an option I've been toying with to increase the unique nature of keycaps, but never in this format of using seeds to mimic foods.  Great idea with very pure presentation.  Extremely glad this is happening with artisan caps.

[trizkut]

While I've been toiling away trying to crank out Topre Mod set orders, Koala-T's been putting the unused molds to good use. I figured I'd give a little sneak peak on what she's been working on. So far, just Topre but I'm putting together a MX mold for her as well. Not sure if she's going to sell but I'm really proud 

(Attachment Link)

I said it on reddit but I am very happy you are getting into encapsulation.  This was an option I've been toying with to increase the unique nature of keycaps, but never in this format of using seeds to mimic foods.  Great idea with very pure presentation.  Extremely glad this is happening with artisan caps.

Agreed.    Some of my favorite encasements in glass are of opals, I wonder if they could be encased in plastics as well to similar effect.

[Kudos]

While I've been toiling away trying to crank out Topre Mod set orders, Koala-T's been putting the unused molds to good use. I figured I'd give a little sneak peak on what she's been working on. So far, just Topre but I'm putting together a MX mold for her as well. Not sure if she's going to sell but I'm really proud 

(Attachment Link)

I said it on reddit but I am very happy you are getting into encapsulation.  This was an option I've been toying with to increase the unique nature of keycaps, but never in this format of using seeds to mimic foods.  Great idea with very pure presentation.  Extremely glad this is happening with artisan caps.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. We've been wanting to do encapsulation since we first started. Unfortunately, with the limited dimensions, a lot of our ideas were not feasible. The options out there put us dangerously close to the "Resin Jewelry" community (gaudy/tacky). And frankly, those people are weird.

[nmur]

Snackeys Series 1. Now in new flavors. Topre and MX. Coming soon!

(Attachment Link)

dude these are amazing, so juicy

if you could also somehow make a red/white one with seeds (strawberry) that would also be nice

[sth]

hot dog, sweet keys

[sth]

oh yeah - think you'll ever make other qwer/asdf row keys? I know you have the molds from the hhkb arrow set and im trying to fill my whole board up with blanks