Author Topic: [IC] Stepped Caps Lock Adapter - GMK/Cherry Profile (Read 14501 times)

autobot · « **on:** Tue, 21 March 2017, 12:45:06 »

So I looove the look of a Cherry Profile Stepped Caps lock Adapter, but am bummed that it's only available as a Staggered Stem!

I saw there's a mod one can do. Cutting off the stem isn't too hard, but aligning the keycap to the rest of the row is very difficult to get right. I'd like to make the process easier, and easier to go back to a staggered stem as well.

Parts can be made-to-order from Shapeways.

Streamlined Mod Process
1. Order a part from Shapeways, receive part.
2. Cut off the stem from your caps lock keycap. Surface should be flat/flush.
3. Glue adapter to the bottom of the keycap. The adapter would be a snug fit, so all alignment is done with the mating of the adapter and keycap.
4. You're done!

Would this be something you guys would be interested in?

Some images below. 3D isn't to scale yet, just wanted to quickly mock this up:

Version 1, LED cutout for windowed caps lock, will chamfer the LED cutout to minimize shadows in the indicator

Highlighted in blue are the surfaces you put the glue on to adhere to keycap.

Version 1 (left) converts to center stem.
Version 2 (right) converts back to staggered stem.

heedpantsnow · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 21 March 2017, 12:54:40 »

Well that's very interesting! How well do the 3D printed stems work on switches?

autobot · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 21 March 2017, 12:57:58 »

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Tue, 21 March 2017, 12:54:40

Well that's very interesting! How well do the 3D printed stems work on switches?

Thanks! Hard to tell, but I can experiment with different types of build material. My gut tells me the strong/flexible (nylon) would be ideal for durability. I would also have ribs around the stem for increased rigidity. The rough finish also makes it perfect for a strong glue bond.

nightdriver · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 27 March 2017, 21:58:21 »

how about something that doesn't require me permanently damaging the keycap? it seems like there's some way you could get a plastic piece that slides over the existing stem...

gnmar2723 · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 27 March 2017, 22:26:50 »

Quote from: nightdriver on Mon, 27 March 2017, 21:58:21

how about something that doesn't require me permanently damaging the keycap? it seems like there's some way you could get a plastic piece that slides over the existing stem...

That would hit the new switch housing though, wouldn't it?

autobot · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 27 March 2017, 23:21:03 »

Quote from: gnmar2723 on Mon, 27 March 2017, 22:26:50

Quote from: nightdriver on Mon, 27 March 2017, 21:58:21
how about something that doesn't require me permanently damaging the keycap? it seems like there's some way you could get a plastic piece that slides over the existing stem...

That would hit the new switch housing though, wouldn't it?

Correct, in the CAD resources thread, the distance in stem locations between both styles of Caps lock is 4.763mm. Too small a distance to clear the housing with an add-on solution.

If this does pick up, does anybody have an authentic GMK/Cherry ABS Stepped Caps Lock they'd be willing to sell me? Don't care about color, just need fodder to develop if this picks up.

ygor · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 27 March 2017, 23:24:04 »

If it works I'd love one. Could never use my stepped blanks and it always bummed me out.

I'm in. Let's go.

ygor · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 02:35:52 »

Bumping this because I still want one.

autobot · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 03 April 2017, 18:59:56 »

Quote from: ygor on Mon, 03 April 2017, 02:35:52

Bumping this because I still want one.

Cool, thanks for bumping!

I just need a throwaway caps lock I can hack apart to test fit.

Anyone wants to sell me one?

TerryMathews · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 27 July 2017, 17:38:48 »

Was this ever completed?

m1gs · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 19 January 2020, 08:47:44 »

any updates on this? really need many of these.

rjohn · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 19 January 2020, 15:03:55 »

also interested in this and for stepped windowed caps lock keycap prefered black color

Ensaum · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 19 January 2020, 15:26:23 »

Really cool concept, but there's no way I'd cut the stem off of any of my GMK sets.

MdotMaxson · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 22 January 2020, 06:27:09 »

I like this idea. And I’ll ship you for free any caps you need to exponent with. I got extras.

honoka · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 23 January 2020, 00:42:43 »

necromancer skill - level up

phinix · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 27 January 2020, 04:08:36 »

I tried to find a non-stepped double-shot OG Cherry capslock for a while. Oh, and not symbol, I want a full word cap.
All those eextra kits produced have only symbolic capslock. Why nobody made a word legend one?
Do they exist?

1pctipaday · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 29 August 2022, 04:28:36 »

Very very interesting!

What are your plans for this? Have you made a 3D file and tested how it works?

atkins · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 01 September 2022, 07:58:57 »

Quote from: 1pctipaday on Mon, 29 August 2022, 04:28:36

Very very interesting!

What are your plans for this? Have you made a 3D file and tested how it works?

This thread is 5 years old. Are you a necrophiliac?

Nonnegaard · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 06 September 2022, 01:50:08 »

Quote from: atkins on Thu, 01 September 2022, 07:58:57

Quote from: 1pctipaday on Mon, 29 August 2022, 04:28:36
Very very interesting!

What are your plans for this? Have you made a 3D file and tested how it works?

This thread is 5 years old. Are you a necrophiliac?

nothing better than the feeling of bumping a decade-old post on some random ahh forum

crookey · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 06 September 2022, 01:56:37 »

I like this idea

vladimir108 · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 08 September 2022, 17:36:48 »

Quote from: crookey on Tue, 06 September 2022, 01:56:37

I like this idea

+like

amgerypotat23 · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 28 February 2023, 08:25:40 »

So did anyone actually build this? Long shot since I know this post has been dead for a long time but this is the only place I've found in my Googling where anyone has even discussed a mod to make a stepped caps lock key compatible with center stem MX.

Does anyone have a CAD/vector file for the above drawings so I can try 3D printing it?

Thanks!

rossi94 · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 05 March 2023, 16:50:16 »

I would also be curious. This should so be a product.

Puddsy · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 05 March 2023, 23:08:10 »

want to see it in practice first but i am interested

you could probably shell out for an injection mold for this (likely btwn 1-2k for a part this small) and make your money back selling in bulk to vendors

herfalerf · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 07 March 2023, 23:02:23 »

since we are all jumping on the thread necro, i have 3 DCS sets with goofy slightly offset unusable stepped caps that could use this product (assuming it works on dcs).

rossi94 · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 24 March 2023, 18:32:06 »

Quote from: Puddsy on Sun, 05 March 2023, 23:08:10

want to see it in practice first but i am interested

you could probably shell out for an injection mold for this (likely btwn 1-2k for a part this small) and make your money back selling in bulk to vendors

It won't be that expensive. The problem is that you will have to do test runs and further machining on the crucefix to get the clutch force right. But the part will be miles better than anything from a 3d printer.

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Author Topic: [IC] Stepped Caps Lock Adapter - GMK/Cherry Profile (Read 14501 times)