Topre sliders, MX caps

[riotonthebay]

the low quality material seems to work just fine, but it's impossible to have one model that 100% works on all materials.

I'd really like to see the slider in "White Detail" material, that could be a nice compromise.

I will report on White Detail when I get it

[Zeal]

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

Ooh that's cool!   
We can't get any pictures either? 

[kelske]

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

Haha,

I hope you have proof that you started these stem concepts before being handed a demo unit to play with

Ordered a couple of the baller ones, this looks really promising man! Really interested to see how we can bring the price of this down for a full HHKB loadout.

[avtar]

Really interested to see how we can bring the price of this down for a full HHKB loadout.

I was asking around on IRC yesterday about this. What are the profiles of HHKB and Realforce keycaps? And are there any existing MX sets from previous or current group buys that could be used with RF sets? I would love to use the CMYW GMK modifiers on a black RF 87U but I'm assuming the profiles won't match? I guess the 6u HHKB and RF spacebars will probably be an issue :/

[dndlmx]

Really interested to see how we can bring the price of this down for a full HHKB loadout.

I think there's eventually gonna be a mold, which would bring it way down.

[Merloobi]

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

*tinfoil hat* CM is not giving you a NovaTouch to silence your efforts to bring the world Topre/MX sliders right? 

[RESPRiT]

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

*tinfoil hat* CM is not giving you a NovaTouch to silence your efforts to bring the world Topre/MX sliders right? 

Matt's mod is better for people who already have Topre boards, while the Novatouch is more of a intro-to-Topre board if you ask me. I don't think they're completely competing markets.

[dustinhxc]

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

*tinfoil hat* CM is not giving you a NovaTouch to silence your efforts to bring the world Topre/MX sliders right? 

Matt's mod is better for people who already have Topre boards, while the Novatouch is more of a intro-to-Topre board if you ask me. I don't think they're completely competing markets.

I agree..

I really hope those colors are durable even though he says they are fragile. Id love to have Pink sliders with Bro Bot V1s on them. Droool.

[RESPRiT]

Ugh, I want to order some right now, but the $20 shipping to Singapore really kills it for me..

[dustinhxc]

Ugh, I want to order some right now, but the $20 shipping to Singapore really kills it for me..

Dang! spendy.. just order the high detail one for your Esc key.

[RESPRiT]

Ugh, I want to order some right now, but the $20 shipping to Singapore really kills it for me..

Dang! spendy.. just order the high detail one for your Esc key.

That's what I was thinking, but I'll wait and see how everyone else's turn out for now

[Matt3o]

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

Haha,

I hope you have proof that you started these stem concepts before being handed a demo unit to play with

actually being able to keep working on the slider was part of the contract

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

Ooh that's cool!   
We can't get any pictures either? 

I'll ask if I can send some pictures today

Really interested to see how we can bring the price of this down for a full HHKB loadout.

I was asking around on IRC yesterday about this. What are the profiles of HHKB and Realforce keycaps? And are there any existing MX sets from previous or current group buys that could be used with RF sets? I would love to use the CMYW GMK modifiers on a black RF 87U but I'm assuming the profiles won't match? I guess the 6u HHKB and RF spacebars will probably be an issue :/

currently we only have the 1u slider. I'm also working on the stabilized keys and the spacebar, but the prototyping phase is really expensive, so one step at a time.

I'm debating between getting a HHKB pro 2 and these stems or waiting on the CM NovaTouch TKL. I really love the aesthetic of the HHKB. Any word of advice from some Topre veterans on which direction I should go? Thanks!

we can't give you a feedback about the Novatouch because it's not out yet. I'm actually a CM beta tester and I'm using the novatouch since a couple of days, but I'm under NDA and I can't say a thing

*tinfoil hat* CM is not giving you a NovaTouch to silence your efforts to bring the world Topre/MX sliders right? 

ahah, nono, like I said, I specifically asked about that.

[Matt3o]

It should be possible to cut production cost on shapeways by combining multiple sliders. Looking forward to your feedback, if you confirm that everything is working properly we can try to reduce production costs.

[riotonthebay]

It should be possible to cut production cost on shapeways by combining multiple sliders. Looking forward to your feedback, if you confirm that everything is working properly we can try to reduce production costs.

Could you, for instance, combine an entire HHKB's worth of sliders into a single print by connecting them with very small filaments? And when you receive them, snap them apart and sand away any sprue marks.

[Matt3o]

It should be possible to cut production cost on shapeways by combining multiple sliders. Looking forward to your feedback, if you confirm that everything is working properly we can try to reduce production costs.

Could you, for instance, combine an entire HHKB's worth of sliders into a single print by connecting them with very small filaments? And when you receive them, snap them apart and sand away any sprue marks.

yes exactly.

We still miss the stabilized keys, but we could run a batch of 10 or 20 sliders all together.

[note]

I'll definitely upgrade to HHKB when this thing is in full production. Great job OP!

[Merloobi]

I'm getting whichever comes out first, the novatouch or these sliders+hhkb

[riotonthebay]

It should be possible to cut production cost on shapeways by combining multiple sliders. Looking forward to your feedback, if you confirm that everything is working properly we can try to reduce production costs.

Could you, for instance, combine an entire HHKB's worth of sliders into a single print by connecting them with very small filaments? And when you receive them, snap them apart and sand away any sprue marks.

yes exactly.

We still miss the stabilized keys, but we could run a batch of 10 or 20 sliders all together.

Do you have a good sense of how far down we could get the cost? $1/slider seems like the optimal price-point – I could easily imagine spending $60 to be able to outfit my HHKB. Even $1.50/slider would be doable, but far above that would get pretty painful.

It also might make sense to assume that White Detail is fine as a material when doing these cost estimates since your experience seems to indicate that they will be fine.

[Matt3o]

Do you have a good sense of how far down we could get the cost? $1/slider seems like the optimal price-point – I could easily imagine spending $60 to be able to outfit my HHKB. Even $1.50/slider would be doable, but far above that would get pretty painful.

It also might make sense to assume that White Detail is fine as a material when doing these cost estimates since your experience seems to indicate that they will be fine.

Considering that the worst material is "almost working", I guess White Detail would be "good enough". Printing 10 or 20 sliders at a time I guess we can cut cost quite a bit. I'll make a test run tomorrow.

I just hope the last iteration of the slider works

[riotonthebay]

I just hope the last iteration of the slider works

Well, we'll find out in a couple of weeks

[RESPRiT]

Matt, did you by chance ever figure out a way to easily replace the HHKB sliders?

[Matt3o]

Matt, did you by chance ever figure out a way to easily replace the HHKB sliders?

Push the slider from top applying a small pressure in the spot just over the dent. I use the back of a screw driver that is rubberized. The dent gets slightly smoothed, but it still works.

[RESPRiT]

Matt, did you by chance ever figure out a way to easily replace the HHKB sliders?

Push the slider from top applying a small pressure in the spot just over the dent. I use the back of a screw driver that is rubberized. The dent gets slightly smoothed, but it still works.

Sweet, thanks, I'll look into it.

[dustinhxc]

Matt, did you by chance ever figure out a way to easily replace the HHKB sliders?

Push the slider from top applying a small pressure in the spot just over the dent. I use the back of a screw driver that is rubberized. The dent gets slightly smoothed, but it still works.

Glad the screw driver method worked for you too!

[Matt3o]

yes, sorry, forgot to mention. that's dustinhxc's idea.

[Glissant]

Ordered a couple of different ones for when I get my HHKB pro 2. Really excited about the development of this .

[RESPRiT]

Matt, did you by chance ever figure out a way to easily replace the HHKB sliders?

Push the slider from top applying a small pressure in the spot just over the dent. I use the back of a screw driver that is rubberized. The dent gets slightly smoothed, but it still works.

Glad the screw driver method worked for you too!

Just tested it, and it worked for me! That was my sole concern if anything with this, but now I can't find any reasons no to try these sliders out soon

[hashbaz]

This is fantastic, my wallet awaits an economical solution.  HHKB with Cherry caps mmmmmmmmm yess...

[dustinhxc]

yes, sorry, forgot to mention. that's dustinhxc's idea.

No worries buddy, I'm sure others have used that method before me.

[dustinhxc]

Man I ordered the day it went up and says not shipping till 25th.. Should've did an entire row.. *facepalm* I'll have to wait a few weeks if I want more arg. Not by choice but because of shape ways...

[RESPRiT]

Damn, that kinda sucks, I guess 3D printing takes time though

Let us know how they turn out when you do get them!

[dustinhxc]

Yeah it's worth the wait. I think it's because I chose 1 of each color. Because the frosted is already being made. The others are pending. Oh well.

[riotonthebay]

I ordered four and they're all pending. The estimated ship date is Wednesday for me.

[Matt3o]

I ordered four and they're all pending. The estimated ship date is Wednesday for me.

they usually are finished a couple of days before the ETA.

[Matt3o]

YES!

First sample arrived to user osxoep who posted some pictures on DT

[riotonthebay]

Awesome!

I just checked my order status and it looks like 3/4 of my sliders have been printed. Hopefully the last one is finished up today and they can all ship tomorrow

[dustinhxc]

YES!

First sample arrived to user osxoep who posted some pictures on DT

Show Image

Show Image

Awesome!!!

[Matt3o]

As I imagined the new slider is a very tight fit. The frosted material is probably the one that shrinks less so it will be very fit on the housing, while cheaper material will probably be more "relaxed". Please let me know if the slider hits on the feet or on the barrel.

I prefer a fit slider to a wobbling slider. If it is annoying you can file it a little with very fine sanding paper, but please note that all topre sliders are factory-lubed.

Anyway looking forward to your reports.

[daerid]

Is the plan to eventually start mass producing these? A full set is looking mighty expensive...

[Smasher816]

Is the plan to eventually start mass producing these? A full set is looking mighty expensive...

Well Thorpe users are used to shelling out a lot of money on things

[Matt3o]

Is the plan to eventually start mass producing these? A full set is looking mighty expensive...

I have some ideas to reduce costs, yes. I'll keep you posted

[daerid]

Is the plan to eventually start mass producing these? A full set is looking mighty expensive...

Well Thorpe users are used to shelling out a lot of money on things

A full 87U set of the Frosted Ultra Detail would cost just shy of $600. That.... is ridiculous, even for Topre owners.

[dustinhxc]

Is the plan to eventually start mass producing these? A full set is looking mighty expensive...

Well Thorpe users are used to shelling out a lot of money on things

A full 87U set of the Frosted Ultra Detail would cost just shy of $600. That.... is ridiculous, even for Topre owners.

I ordered 1 of those and 4 of the Polished Strong & Flexible Plastic which are $3.25 Ill let you know how they feel.

[Glissant]

I'll most likely be able to test them next week.

[Matt3o]

YES!

Keep us posted!

From early report it seems you need to sand just a little the side of the feet, but it probably depends on the material.

[dustinhxc]

oh man it seems everyone is getting themmmm.. 

[Oobly]

Would it be possible, perhaps, to take a rubber dome keyboard that has MX compatible stems (Gateway Anykey, Tandon Me 101) or other switches with MX compatible stems (where the slider is held by the switch TOP, like Futaba Clicky or Maxi) and make a new top plate from them to press the Topre domes?

Most likely cheaper than 3D printing.

Or we can wait for the Coolermaster Novatouch to come out and harvest the sliders from that.

[Matt3o]

Would it be possible, perhaps, to take a rubber dome keyboard that has MX compatible stems (Gateway Anykey, Tandon Me 101) or other switches with MX compatible stems (where the slider is held by the switch TOP, like Futaba Clicky or Maxi) and make a new top plate from them to press the Topre domes?

Most likely cheaper than 3D printing.

Or we can wait for the Coolermaster Novatouch to come out and harvest the sliders from that.

as I said I'm trying to find a way to make cheaper sliders. I'll keep you posted.

[Glissant]

So stuff has happened today, but I did find some time to test the sliders I got a very minimal amount.
The Violet Purple Strong & Flexible Polished fit well, but was a tiny bit gritty. That is to be expected from something 3d printed I think.
The White Detail was a tight fit (like I believe Matt3o has mentioned), so I didn't try to fix it as I really didn't feel like doing that right now.

[dustinhxc]

I got mine today! Haven't had time to install but got the 4 bright colors strong and flexible, they were $3.30 each. the mx cap fits good and comes off good. The frosted $6.70 super tight fit the cap was real hard to get on and harder to get off. But looks nice. I'm stoked to try them!