[IC] Customized Pattern Spacebars

[00zeRO]

If I were to run a GB for custom design novelty spacebars, who would be interested? What sizes would you like them to be, and if you could choose patterns, what would it look like. Like, for example, does faux carbon fiber, stone, camo, or fake wood grain interest you?

Here is just a small sample of patterns, I will post more soon:

[Data]

Carbon fiber you say?   

[00zeRO]

Carbon fiber you say?   

either the real thing, or a reasonable facsimile...

I am also looking into whether what i want to pull off will be best done in ABS or PBT.

[SpAmRaY]

Not sure what good a custom spacebar will do if there isn't anything to go with it. I can't help but think it'll look tacky. 

[00zeRO]

Not sure what good a custom spacebar will do if there isn't anything to go with it. I can't help but think it'll look tacky. 

Tell that to the Aluminum spacebar people, or even Techkeys for making flocked spacebars.

[HoffmanMyster]

Not sure what good a custom spacebar will do if there isn't anything to go with it. I can't help but think it'll look tacky. 

Tell that to the Aluminum spacebar people, or even Techkeys for making selling flocked spacebars.

FTFY.  Krogenar made those.  (not to detract from what techkeys does for us  <3 )

[jdcarpe]

Not sure what good a custom spacebar will do if there isn't anything to go with it. I can't help but think it'll look tacky. 

Tell that to the Aluminum spacebar people, or even Techkeys for making flocked spacebars.

Hahaha Techkeys didn't make those, Krogenar did.

[Data]

Yeah, a titanium space bar would be totally rad... and cost way more than I'd ever care to spend on a single key cap.

Trying to think of some alternatives to CF.  What about glass?   

[SpAmRaY]

Not sure what good a custom spacebar will do if there isn't anything to go with it. I can't help but think it'll look tacky. 

Tell that to the Aluminum spacebar people, or even Techkeys for making flocked spacebars.

Hahaha Techkeys didn't make those, Krogenar did.

Yeah and those were cool but simply an experiment

I mean I guess if someone took a spacebar and wrapped carbon fiber around it or linoleum or something that could be a thing to  )

And for what its worth the aluminum spacebars I have had sucked pretty bad.
 

[esoomenona]

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[SpAmRaY]

Not all carbon fiber is black, so if it's a matter of color matching, there is always a possibility.

If it was actual carbon fiber I'd probably buy one but I was picturing a regular plastic spacebar with some 'faux' carbon fiber design etched into it or printed on it somehow.

[00zeRO]

Not sure what good a custom spacebar will do if there isn't anything to go with it. I can't help but think it'll look tacky. 

Tell that to the Aluminum spacebar people, or even Techkeys for making flocked spacebars.

Hahaha Techkeys didn't make those, Krogenar did.

Yeah and those were cool but simply an experiment

I mean I guess if someone took a spacebar and wrapped carbon fiber around it or linoleum or something that could be a thing to  )

And for what its worth the aluminum spacebars I have had sucked pretty bad.

Well I am aiming for 'a thing' and not 'sucked pretty bad.'

[Joey Quinn]

I'd be in for a carbon fiber or glass space and maybe a Ti one.

[FrostyToast]

Engraved designs on titanium would be beautiful!
I was also thinking of contacting Matt3o for novelty wood spacebars, however I am really lazy...

[heedpantsnow]

Not all carbon fiber is black, so if it's a matter of color matching, there is always a possibility.

Lolwut?  I'm pretty sure if it's real carbon fiber (not fiberglass or blended with an aramid like Spectra or Kevlar) then it comes in any color you want, as long as it's black.

[HPE1000]

Down for a carbon fiber or wood spacebar for sure.

[krajee]

Carbon fiber would be awesome.

[FrostyToast]

Could we just change this to CF modifiers and spacebars?

[Data]

Whoa, modifiers? Slow down there buddy.

[00zeRO]

Could we just change this to CF modifiers and spacebars?

With what I am planning,  maybe.

[scubaste]

Wood doesn't do much for me, but a variety of options for spacebars is something that I'd definitely like to see more of.

[00zeRO]

Wood doesn't do much for me, but a variety of options for spacebars is something that I'd definitely like to see more of.

CF spacebars will be the start...if all goes well, I may be able to offer more options.

[Melvang]

Put me down for a CF 10u space bar.

[CPTBadAss]

I'm getting a little worried. You're literally popping up ICs daily and giving very vague information.

With what I am planning,  maybe.

A little more information and details would be great. Just putting a sentence down like "I want to see if anyone likes adapter cables" is a bit too vague to be honest. For this thread and your other ICs.

[00zeRO]

The spacebars will likely be ABS and/or PBT but covered with something resembling carbon fiber. I am working to find actual carbon fiber to do them with, but suffice it to say that they will have the appearance of real carbon fiber. I am looking at doing a wood grain finish, as well as other colorful designs. If I am successful with the prototypes of the spacebars, I will then move on to modifiers. If those go well, then I will be doing entire keycap sets in this fashion. I am sorry for being so vague. I will be posting mockups of patterns as I make them, both computer generated versions and the real thing once I have working prototypes to display.

In the meantime I am waiting for pricing on the spacebars in bulk so that I may begin a group buy for them. I will do all I can to keep you all informed as this process goes along, but since I have never done a GB on my own before, please be patient with me.

[HoffmanMyster]

I have never done a GB on my own before

With this being said, could you please limit yourself to one IC at a time, see that through to completion, and then pick up the others, one at a time?  Ideas are great, but it doesn't really accomplish much to create so many ICs at the same time. 

[esoomenona]

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[SpAmRaY]

With this being said, could you please limit yourself to one IC at a time, see that through to completion, and then pick up the others, one at a time?  Ideas are great, but it doesn't really accomplish much to create so many ICs at the same time. 

I honestly don't see why. If ideas exist, they should be put out and checked for interest. Which is the whole purpose. If one idea isn't getting as much interest as you might like, maybe another might. Should the other one be closed at that time? It might garner more interest in the meantime.

I'm going to have to agree with moose on this one. People have random interest checks for all sorts of stuff, if they don't get traffic they don't go anywhere anyway and get buried.

ALSO

Welcome to Interest Check subforum [IC].  Please feel free to start your interest check threads here.  There are a couple of rules for this particular forum:

    Please put the prefix [IC] in front of your thread
    Once you started a group buy, please remember to close/lock the IC thread and put a re-direct link on the last page of that thread (so that way, members can just follow it to place their orders)
    Please check for any duplicate thread/idea before starting a new one (PM any moderator on duty if you're not sure)
    Same rules still apply so please familiarize yourself with this thread first before stepping in


Thanks and good luck with all your Interest Checks! 
« Last Edit: Thu, 29 November 2012, 11:52:15 by reaper »

and in the thread linked it says

2) Threadcrapping: If you aren't interested in joining a group buy, STAY OUT OF THE GROUP BUY THREAD. This goes doubly so if you disagree with the way the buy is being run, the product being purchased, or have any other complaint not relevant to buying into the group buy. Repeat offenders put themselves in danger of moderator action.

4) Buy Logistics and Pricing: Moderators will not step in to regulate method of sale, pricing issues, etc. Instead, we encourage members to "vote with your dollars". If, for example, you don't agree with the suspected level of profit a group buy organizer is pricing into his or her product, do not buy, do not post in the thread, ignore the buy; doing otherwise puts you and your posts in danger of moderator action.

So if we apply that to interest checks, it would mean if you don't like it butt out and mods shouldn't be bothered with interest checks either.

IF the rules have changed can they please be posted and other appropriate areas updated to reflect this.

How are we supposed to 'forum' when rules get changed, made up and randomly enforced on the fly?

I mean yeah 00zeR0 gets a little carried away sometimes BUT at least he is trying to gauge interest and make something happen.

[HoffmanMyster]

With this being said, could you please limit yourself to one IC at a time, see that through to completion, and then pick up the others, one at a time?  Ideas are great, but it doesn't really accomplish much to create so many ICs at the same time. 

I honestly don't see why. If ideas exist, they should be put out and checked for interest. Which is the whole purpose. If one idea isn't getting as much interest as you might like, maybe another might. Should the other one be closed at that time? It might garner more interest in the meantime.

You're right, what I said really only applies to GBs, not ICs.  I was imagining all of the ICs coming to GB phase at the same time, and that could get messy.

Whoa, okay.  First, moose was right, and I was overreacting.  We've had some members get really excited about running GBs and take on more than they can handle, so I was perhaps being a bit too sensitive to that.  That's my fault.  Running multiple ICs at the same time is fine.

I'm not really sure why you quoted something about threadcrapping, but okay.


Also, my comment came off as really mod-like, but it was really meant as a comment from a user.  When I see a ton of ICs pop up from one person I start to question how committed they are and how likely they will all be to succeed, so I was suggesting that it might be easier (both to manage on his side and to follow on our side) to do them one at a time.  Just so we're clear on that.

[Data]

I have no opinion one way or the other.


Anyway, wouldn't it almost be easier to make the key cap out of real carbon fiber?  You could still make the posts out of polymer I guess (helps them fit on switches better?).  It doesn't seem like taking an ABS or PBT spacebar and covering it with CF or some CF-like material would result in a quality product.  I dunno.

[SpAmRaY]

With this being said, could you please limit yourself to one IC at a time, see that through to completion, and then pick up the others, one at a time?  Ideas are great, but it doesn't really accomplish much to create so many ICs at the same time. 

I honestly don't see why. If ideas exist, they should be put out and checked for interest. Which is the whole purpose. If one idea isn't getting as much interest as you might like, maybe another might. Should the other one be closed at that time? It might garner more interest in the meantime.

You're right, what I said really only applies to GBs, not ICs.  I was imagining all of the ICs coming to GB phase at the same time, and that could get messy.

Whoa, okay.  First, moose was right, and I was overreacting.  We've had some members get really excited about running GBs and take on more than they can handle, so I was perhaps being a bit too sensitive to that.  That's my fault.  Running multiple ICs at the same time is fine.

I'm not really sure why you quoted something about threadcrapping, but okay.


Also, my comment came off as really mod-like, but it was really meant as a comment from a user.  When I see a ton of ICs pop up from one person I start to question how committed they are and how likely they will all be to succeed, so I was suggesting that it might be easier (both to manage on his side and to follow on our side) to do them one at a time.  Just so we're clear on that.

You mods gotta start adding the disclaimer thing to your posts so we know if its you personally or if its I'M A MOD it gets confusing.

[00zeRO]

I have no opinion one way or the other.


Anyway, wouldn't it almost be easier to make the key cap out of real carbon fiber?  You could still make the posts out of polymer I guess (helps them fit on switches better?).  It doesn't seem like taking an ABS or PBT spacebar and covering it with CF or some CF-like material would result in a quality product.  I dunno.

A customized design is what I am after. Bling for a keyboard. ABS or PBT should contribute to the sound and quality aspect.

[Data]

I have no opinion one way or the other.


Anyway, wouldn't it almost be easier to make the key cap out of real carbon fiber?  You could still make the posts out of polymer I guess (helps them fit on switches better?).  It doesn't seem like taking an ABS or PBT spacebar and covering it with CF or some CF-like material would result in a quality product.  I dunno.

A customized design is what I am after. Bling for a keyboard. ABS or PBT should contribute to the sound and quality aspect.

OK.  Well if you're using real CF keep in mind that it cures at around 250-300F, so you probably want to be looking at PBT if you're going to incorporate plastics into the design.  It's good out to about 433F according to Wikipedia.  Just a thought.

[00zeRO]

I have no opinion one way or the other.


Anyway, wouldn't it almost be easier to make the key cap out of real carbon fiber?  You could still make the posts out of polymer I guess (helps them fit on switches better?).  It doesn't seem like taking an ABS or PBT spacebar and covering it with CF or some CF-like material would result in a quality product.  I dunno.

A customized design is what I am after. Bling for a keyboard. ABS or PBT should contribute to the sound and quality aspect.

OK.  Well if you're using real CF keep in mind that it cures at around 250-300F, so you probably want to be looking at PBT if you're going to incorporate plastics into the design.  It's good out to about 433F according to Wikipedia.  Just a thought.

Thanks! I will keep it in mind.

[heedpantsnow]

I have no opinion one way or the other.


Anyway, wouldn't it almost be easier to make the key cap out of real carbon fiber?  You could still make the posts out of polymer I guess (helps them fit on switches better?).  It doesn't seem like taking an ABS or PBT spacebar and covering it with CF or some CF-like material would result in a quality product.  I dunno.

A customized design is what I am after. Bling for a keyboard. ABS or PBT should contribute to the sound and quality aspect.

OK.  Well if you're using real CF keep in mind that it cures at around 250-300F, so you probably want to be looking at PBT if you're going to incorporate plastics into the design.  It's good out to about 433F according to Wikipedia.  Just a thought.

I've been working on a CF spacebar for a while. I would be surprised if he has figured this out. It's pretty challenging to incorporate the CF and prevent warping.

My assumption has been in this thread he's talking about hydropainting or some sort of faux molded finish.

[JaccoW]

I am more concerned from a health perspective. Carbon fiber on a surface that gets worn down by skin needs to be very well protected by resin. There is a reason the stuff is called the next asbestos.

[heedpantsnow]

Yep. Sounds like you are in the know. The thread linked in my sig has some interesting links about CF safety.

I think the asbestos analogy is a little overboard, but sure it can be dangerous if not handled properly.

[00zeRO]

Yep. Sounds like you are in the know. The thread linked in my sig has some interesting links about CF safety.

I think the asbestos analogy is a little overboard, but sure it can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Good thing my plan at this point does not directly involve the real thing. It was a good idea, but not at the expense of ma health.

[Melvang]

I have personally worked around asbestos, fiber glass (in panels for aircraft), and a bit of carbon fiber.  As long as there is a decent coat of resin on top of the CF cloth, it is NOT a health hazard.  Just pay particular attention to the resin of choice as I believe some have a tendency to cloud over, or yellow over time with exposure to UV light and the natural oils in the skin.  It is only a real health hazard if you are doing manual dry cutting and machining.  Keep it wet and it poses zero health risk to the lungs as the liquid keeps the particulates and fibers from becoming air born.  This is one reason for wet saws when cutting concrete.  Same benefits plus others. 

That being said this also only applies to actual carbon fiber build up and so on.  If this is just going to be a faux look then count me out.

[00zeRO]

I have personally worked around asbestos, fiber glass (in panels for aircraft), and a bit of carbon fiber.  As long as there is a decent coat of resin on top of the CF cloth, it is NOT a health hazard.  Just pay particular attention to the resin of choice as I believe some have a tendency to cloud over, or yellow over time with exposure to UV light and the natural oils in the skin.  It is only a real health hazard if you are doing manual dry cutting and machining.  Keep it wet and it poses zero health risk to the lungs as the liquid keeps the particulates and fibers from becoming air born.  This is one reason for wet saws when cutting concrete.  Same benefits plus others. 

That being said this also only applies to actual carbon fiber build up and so on.  If this is just going to be a faux look then count me out.

Well, I will be posting pics of the prototypes once they are finished. I understand if you don't want faux.

[tigersharkdude]

In for a carbon fiber spacebar

[Sergeant_Shart]

I'd buy a titanium one, anything else just wouldn't suit my needs.

[Maverick2909]

I've been waiting for carbon fiber to start popping up, count me in. 

[Lord of Narwhals]

I'd love to have a space spacebar.

[00zeRO]

I'd love to have a space spacebar.

Show Image

I want one of those too... :eek:

[00zeRO]

Edit to Header and OP...look alive all!

[00zeRO]

Waiting for prototypes to be completed. Not sure how long it will take.

If I can clear some of my busy things out, I will post patterns for consideration.

True carbon fiber may be a eventual possibility, but it not something I am prepared to try at this point.

[HoffmanMyster]

Can you offer some information on what these patterns consist of?  Like are they painted on, made of unique materials to give this look, or otherwise "doubleshot" to give patterns?  I'm interested to see what they end up looking like.   

[JinDesu]

I'd love to see what it looks like, but I think I'd be down for a CF spacebar, probably 6.25x if that's an available size.

[00zeRO]

I hope to have some samples up soon.