Topre sliders, MX caps

[Grim Fandango]

I believe the Novatouch is finally in production... May be a while before they start hitting shelves yet, though.

The novatouch will never have the build quality of something such as a hhkb or a realforce, But mx caps on topre sliders is insane!

Why is that? Have you tried a novatouch to compare?

No because its cooler master!

To be fair, Cooler master has put out some great products. Their Costar made keyboards ticked all the boxes in terms of quality at their price point.

But unless their novatouch will be significantly less expensive than the Realforces (which are around $200 now), I would guess that a large number of people would still rather get that instead.

[exitfire401]

I believe the Novatouch is finally in production... May be a while before they start hitting shelves yet, though.

The novatouch will never have the build quality of something such as a hhkb or a realforce, But mx caps on topre sliders is insane!

Why is that? Have you tried a novatouch to compare?

No because its cooler master!

To be fair, Cooler master has put out some great products. Their Costar made keyboards ticked all the boxes in terms of quality at their price point.

But unless their novatouch will be significantly less expensive than the Realforces (which are around $200 now), I would guess that a large number of people would still rather get that instead.

The only thing the Novatouch has going for it as a selling point is the MX stems. Past that, it's nothing we haven't seen before. Unless it comes out with programable layers, it's a realforce with MX sliders.

[cphead]

As long as it has that rubber coating I'll never consider it anything but a slider donor.

[Grim Fandango]

As long as it has that rubber coating I'll never consider it anything but a slider donor.

I have to say I agree with you there. I can deal with a lot of different types of cases. Shiny plastic, strange beige colors, I bought and own some of those. But a rubber coating. I am just not sure if I can get behind that. I think it would look awful (though perhaps not noticeable in low light conditions), I think it would feel awful, and I think it would be impractical.

[CommonCurt]

As long as it has that rubber coating I'll never consider it anything but a slider donor.

CM supposedly decided to not use the rubber coating on the final version of the Novatouch case.

I pray to god that is true.

[Grim Fandango]

As long as it has that rubber coating I'll never consider it anything but a slider donor.

CM supposedly decided to not use the rubber coating on the final version of the Novatouch case.

I pray to god that is true.

Fingers crossed.

[Matt3o]

As long as it has that rubber coating I'll never consider it anything but a slider donor.

CM supposedly decided to not use the rubber coating on the final version of the Novatouch case.

I pray to god that is true.

I'm sorry but this is not true. They used a thinner layer, but it's still rubber coated.

I participated in the beta test and told them to get rid of it, but they really like it. The average user (not the enthusiast) is like "oooh kewl, it feels like velvet!"

[Melvang]

Shouldn't be to difficult to sand down and paint.  How is the actual MX cap to topre slider project coming along?

[CommonCurt]

As long as it has that rubber coating I'll never consider it anything but a slider donor.

CM supposedly decided to not use the rubber coating on the final version of the Novatouch case.

I pray to god that is true.

I'm sorry but this is not true. They used a thinner layer, but it's still rubber coated.

I participated in the beta test and told them to get rid of it, but they really like it. The average user (not the enthusiast) is like "oooh kewl, it feels like velvet!"

Ah man 

According to this thread  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61075.0

The OP said this at the bottom of the first post.      "According to CM Taiwan, the retail version of Novatouch uses UV coating, not rubber coating. Cheers!"

So I'm all confused.   Looks like we won't know for sure until someone buys a retail version and posts a review here on GH.

[Matt3o]

Shouldn't be to difficult to sand down and paint.  How is the actual MX cap to topre slider project coming along?

still no luck with manufacturers. We need quite an initial investment and I hate to ask people money months in advance.

According to this thread  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61075.0

The OP said this at the bottom of the first post.      "According to CM Taiwan, the retail version of Novatouch uses UV coating, not rubber coating. Cheers!"

So I'm all confused.   Looks like we won't know for sure until someone buys a retail version and posts a review here on GH.

I talked with CM yesterday, they said that they "adjusted" the rubberized coating. I don't think it means they removed it, but we will soon find out.

[sakai4eva]

@mat, kickstarter style investment for us?

I honestly don't mind if the project really comes through. My realforce is in slight neglect right now...

[Melvang]

@mat, kickstarter style investment for us?

I honestly don't mind if the project really comes through. My realforce is in slight neglect right now...

The biggest issue is going to be coming up with the initial investment for molds.  It will be somewhere in the realm of $12k just for the molds.  With the accuracy that would be required for them it really isn't out of line.  For any sort of machining tolerances add to the cost at an exponential rate.

[sakai4eva]

I propose we get some Chinese factory to do it, with the associated workers' rights abuse, to keep costs lower than a brand new novatouch

[Matt3o]

to make a full keyboard we need the following molds:

1) 1u slider (we have it)
2) 2u stabilized housing
3) 2u stabilized slider

making all of them would be quite an investment, we could start from the 1u slider, but I can't do it alone. I don't have the time to handle the GB, deal with the manufacturer, ship all packages, and so on...

[jameslr]

The only thing the Novatouch has going for it as a selling point is the MX stems. Past that, it's nothing we haven't seen before. Unless it comes out with programable layers, it's a realforce with MX sliders.

I like the looks of it a lot better than the Realforce boards. What about NKRO? Aren't all Topre 6KRO nowdays? It also has media controls, and only the HHKB has those (mac only). My major concern is that it won't have the ability to swap caps lock and left control.

[Grim Fandango]

Shouldn't be to difficult to sand down and paint.  How is the actual MX cap to topre slider project coming along?

For some of the crafty bastards on this forum it would be no issue at all.

Though I bet there are tons of people who would not be comfortable trying to do this for the first time on their new 200+ dollar keyboard, voiding the warranty and potentially messing it up.

I'd much rather just get it without the rubber on the case.

[Matt3o]

suddenly... I had a terrible idea...

it might be actually possible to CNC mill the sliders out of POM or HDPE. This way 100 sliders might cost in the 30 euro range (no mold would be needed). I have to make some tests. I couldn't make 10k sliders but for small batches it would be possible.

[cooldiscretion]

I couldn't make 10k sliders but for small batches it would be possible.

artisan sliders

[spiceBar]

Wow! WOW! WOW!

I had totally missed this thread. My fault.

Matt3o I would purchase around 300 of your stems if you could produce them. I could pay 1€/stem.

I'm an AZERTY user and at this point I have to use stickers on my Topre keyboards. It sucks. I have no other solution.

Your stems offer me a way to use AZERTY Cherry MX keycaps. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who would use them this way.

Also, and I apology if it has already been mentioned, have you thought about making your stems "Type-S"? For them to be Type-S, the flat part of the stem (the horizontal part) should just be thinner. This way it would be possible to put a dental band or a landing pad above the flat part without reducing the travel distance.

If you produce your stems with a CNC process, I guess it would be no problem to have both standard and Type-S stems. If you create molds for them, maybe Type-S is better because I believe Type-S stems work even if you don't install a dental band or a landing pad.

[Matt3o]

I already have the type-s version.

only problem is production cost

next week I'll get some POM and try to CNC the stems. If it works out I could probably make small batches of 100 at a time.

[Auryon]

Looking forward to the results 

[FrostyToast]

How are things progressing with this project? I honestly only need one of these for my mx brobot

[Grim Fandango]

How are things progressing with this project? I honestly only need one of these for my mx brobot

I sold all my girlDC caps when I no longer had a MX board. If these get made and work... I am going to regret a lot of the things that I got rid of 

[Auryon]

I already have the type-s version.

only problem is production cost

next week I'll get some POM and try to CNC the stems. If it works out I could probably make small batches of 100 at a time.

Any updates?

[Matt3o]

working on it sorry guys if it takes so long I have many projects on the table in this period

[Synjin]

Here they are. It took me some time to refine them and they still need some very small updates... but THEY WORK!

Show Image

If I can find a way to mass produce we could set up a group buy, otherwise I will simply mold them in epoxy resin and take them for myself :D

What are you, a witch or something?!?!?

Nice work mate, I would be willing to put down money to make a mold and get these things made. I wonder if SP could help us?

My programing instructor taught me that anything you cannot explain is basically magic ^_^

This is an amazing idea which will change how people think about topre even more so. Btw how does lubed browns/clears compare to topre switches?

[Zentaaa]

Here they are. It took me some time to refine them and they still need some very small updates... but THEY WORK!

Show Image

If I can find a way to mass produce we could set up a group buy, otherwise I will simply mold them in epoxy resin and take them for myself :D

What are you, a witch or something?!?!?

Nice work mate, I would be willing to put down money to make a mold and get these things made. I wonder if SP could help us?

My programing instructor taught me that anything you cannot explain is basically magic ^_^

This is an amazing idea which will change how people think about topre even more so. Btw how does lubed browns/clears compare to topre switches?

They don't compare! The rubber dome on topre are what make them superior to any cherry mx switch!

[Synjin]

oh =) I've never really tried typing on any kind of Topre before so i have 0 experience. I actually just changed recently to a mech keyboard from a rubber dome.

[elretto]

i wonder if theres anything new mat3o can tell us

[long813]

If these would get into a mass production that would be sweet.
Alternatively, I wonder how they hold up vs the CM or now Noppoo sliders.

[Hypersphere]

Here they are. It took me some time to refine them and they still need some very small updates... but THEY WORK!

Show Image

If I can find a way to mass produce we could set up a group buy, otherwise I will simply mold them in epoxy resin and take them for myself :D

This is great. I would certainly be interested in a GB.

[Arexxk]

i wonder if theres anything new mat3o can tell us

Must haz updates pls.

[Zentaaa]

Can anyone confirm that you can switch out the stems in the novatouch with a hhkb? Just wondering

[Hypersphere]

Can anyone confirm that you can switch out the stems in the novatouch with a hhkb? Just wondering

Apparently so, if you are careful. Take a look at this post on reddit:

http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2bzsbv/novatouch_review_update_yes_you_can_swap_stems/

[Matt3o]

of course you can

[Zentaaa]

Oh my gawd my life is completed...

[Jason_IRL]

Does anyone know if Matt3o has released the 3d model for the slider?
I was thinking instead of 3d printing, one could CNC a two part positive mold, then use that to make a 2 part silicone mold for epoxy/urethane resin molding.
Would be a lot more up front, but could bring the per-each price down a bit.

I'd be happy to help with making something like that

[byker]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

[CommonCurt]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

[byker]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

Oh, thats unfortunate.. I was hoping to get them to work

[exitfire401]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

This is true. Square peg does not fit in round hole.

[byker]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

This is true. Square peg does not fit in round hole.

Good call, I didn't look too closely I guess.

[Melvang]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

This is true. Square peg does not fit in round hole.

Sounds like you need a bigger hammer.

[exitfire401]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

This is true. Square peg does not fit in round hole.

Sounds like you need a bigger hammer.

My god...I cringed just thinking about putting a hammer to one of my bros...

[rowdy]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

This is true. Square peg does not fit in round hole.

Sounds like you need a bigger hammer.

My god...I cringed just thinking about putting a hammer to one of my bros...

As bad as putting a dremel to a CC

[Puddsy]

Hey Mat3o, how well does the v2.0 work? I am thinking about ordering a few to get my MX bros and a reaper to work..

I think you can't put Bros on these unless you want to carve up the stem because of how they are shaped (Bro stems).

I might attempt this

stay tuned

[Latin00032]

I want to get two v2 mx sliders to just see what I can do.

Has anyone tried them, yet?

[Matt3o]

yeah many have tried it already. It's 99% working. It just need to be a 0.1mm shorter, but it still works

[dustinhxc]

yeah many have tried it already. It's 99% working. It just need to be a 0.1mm shorter, but it still works

I'd love to get some when they're shorter!

[Arexxk]

So I bought a slider v2.0 from Shapeways and it works pretty well on my HHKB. Wish they weren't so expensive tho