104 US ANSI Double shot replacements for Filco Order

[Megaweapon]

Is there actually anyone who wants Windows logo keys? Cause if everyone can agree on some OS-agnostic icon for those keys, they won't need to be "alternate" keys

This is a good point.  I can't find the thread that went on and on about this topic, but I remember thinking that a simple diamond was the best idea:

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[rantenki]

This is a good point.  I can't find the thread that went on and on about this topic, but I remember thinking that a simple diamond was the best idea:

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Agree; When it comes down to it, we are going to have to agree to disagree, and pick an icon which offends everybody (except solaris users) the least

[phoenix]

I'm in for a set, too.

[Lanx]

I'd actually like to see three flavours of  the  capslock key.
Filco non-stepped
Cherry style stepped
Cherry style, filco mount compatible.

I suspect some people would prefer the stepped key; I certainly do.  It's one of the two big peeves I had with my Solidtek 6600 (the other: small backspace)

curious, whats with the specifics of the caps lock keys? no one uses them right?

[ironman31]

curious, whats with the specifics of the caps lock keys? no one uses them right?

Correct

[Hak Foo]

curious, whats with the specifics of the caps lock keys? no one uses them right?

The step reduces accidental fouling.  Some people want an original-look match, though, despite the practical benefit of the step.

[celery]

Yeah, I don't really like those stepped/hat keys just because of the aesthetics.

[Kairxa]

hey, I think I'm gonna cancel my order
sorry for that, I found a local store who sells filco blank keycaps

I'm really2 sorry for this inconvenience..

[WhiteRice]

Your name will be stricken from the list and our hearts!

jk jk, no problem. I plan on ordering when we hit 40 to cover those who want doubles and a few for late comers. So you can always change your mind.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

I have a couple of Costar boards. I'd probably opt for doubles if I could get both shipped for under $50/set ($100 combined w/ shipping).

(I already expressed interest for "one, maybe two"; I'm just specifying the conditions where I'd buy two).

[platon]

Count me in for a set too.

[laden3]

Your name will be stricken from the list and our hearts!

jk jk, no problem. I plan on ordering when we hit 40 to cover those who want doubles and a few for late comers. So you can always change your mind.

Probably good if u add a # after everyone's name in the first post. like

WhiteRice (10 sets)
Laden3 (1 set)               *this is an example*

It might look like we have 29 interested buyers but the order might exceed 36 sets already. (price of 36 sets at $57.49= 50 sets at $40.39)

[didjamatic]

I'd take a few sets.  How many depends on price and options.

[WhiteRice]

I updated the main post, please let me know if any of the information is incorrect. I will hopefully hear back from signature this week.

I will be asking them about;

Custom key options

Freight shipping options

rantenki lives really close to signature, but in Canada.

If anyone lives by Washington State and would be interested in helping please let me know. I live on the east coast so anything is probably better.

[Hak Foo]

I updated the main post, please let me know if any of the information is incorrect. I will hopefully hear back from signature this week.

I guess I'll swing one.

[Sam]

I take it the Korean ones are either sold out or not available to the general public?

I don't currently even own a keyboard that would accept these keycaps, nevertheless, I do find them kind of cool.  I like that retro look, but would need the set to include a large L-shaped Enter and some stepped control, alt, caps-lock keys to complete the look.  I like the color as it is.  If you could do that, plus the keys to make it compatible with a Cherry board, I'd be in for one or two sets.

Cupped keys would be even better, but I assume that's probably not going to happen.  Anyone know the feasibility of getting custom cupped keycaps made someplace?

I couldn't care less about any colored ESC or WASD or other keys as that would in my mind totally clash with the retro look.

[British]

As I see it:

• Thickness might be an issue
• Font being centered and big is disturbing
• G & H orange (or red, to match the already-existing GeekHack key) keys might be interesting... see the GH spacesaver to see how it looks like
  
• An alternative to colored G & H would be to have them on F & J, for obvious "home-running"
• By "International keys" I suppose you mean differences between ANSI and ISO ?

Speaking of ISO, I'm still dreaming about some french set, and I guess it will stay a dream.
That made me think about something, though: how much would it cost to "separate" full sets in two ?
The idea would be to have the keys that are common in just about every ANSI and ISO set (ESC, F keys, modifiers, numpad and so on) in one part, and the rest, which is region-specific (maybe including enter key), in another part.
That way it might be easier for people needing non-US sets to prepare some order for them, without the need to ask for a full set.
Also, that would mean the non-region-specific part can be bought cheaper as the volume will be higher.

Thoughts (at least on that separating part) ?

[sixty]

That made me think about something, though: how much would it cost to "separate" full sets in two ?
The idea would be to have the keys that are common in just about every ANSI and ISO set (ESC, F keys, modifiers, numpad and so on) in one part, and the rest, which is region-specific (maybe including enter key), in another part.

Back in march the Signature Plastics prices for single keys (note that the definition of a single key is any key outside of the standard 104 key set that we are ordering), were as following:

50 keys        $ 2.43 / each
100 keys        $ 1.41 / each

For legends they do not have you have to pay an additional $20 tooling setup. There is no possibility to order less than 50 keys. Keep in mind, this is PER key and PER legend.

So to even get a SINGLE french key you would already be paying $141.50, for the lowest order of 50 keys. Now multiply this times the number of keys that change in the French layout.

Yeah, unless you find a bunch of fifty desperate frenchmen, I agree that this will stay a dream.

[laden3]

At $2.43 per key, its approximately $20 more (50% of 1 set of 104 keys at ~$40) for the geekhack, alternate OS, WASD and the control/caps keys... FFS, my wallet is bleeding

[sixty]

Chances still are that we will get a better deal due to ordering a big amount of keys. We will just have to wait till we hear back from Signature Plastics. However, everyone asking for international (or really obscure keys such as a full dvorak or colemak layout) should realize that it is most likely not happening.

[WhiteRice]

I indicated international key buyers with a ~, we still have like 30 people who want US keys. Some of them want more than one set. I don't see why an order of 50 would be unrealistic.

[pipedream]

I might be interested, though I would prefer a UK layout

[itlnstln]

Ah, good ol' Geekhack.  We reign supreme when it comes to consensus-building.  I'm glad we're not a corporation.

[washuai]

I think this is costing too much for me for the timing. Although, how much actually is a set?  Plus, only halfway there without the keys being cupped. That kbdmania set is definitely sweet and the GH Dolch will be, too.  Really, I'm not that big a fan of the grey.  I just lie.

[mike]

I'm in for 3 sets.

Wouldn't mind a Menu key that says that rather than having some silly icon on it.

[WhiteRice]

I heard back from Signature and I have lots of Good news.

Freight to NJ will only be $25, cheaper if we can get someone closer. Looks like I way over shot on my initial estimate.

They want $5.75 per set to "collate" it. I figure that we will not opt for this option and I'll just bite the bullet.

Custom Key Option Pricing:

Pricing for these parts if ordered in addition to the complete 104 keyset is as follows:
 - 50 sets of WASDGH in orange (without the arrows printed on the front) 6 Key set - $4.80 / set
 - 50 diamond keys - 1.25 size - $0.91 / each
 - 1.75 size key labeled 'Control' - $1.10 / each
 - 50 'Geek Hack' Keycaps - $0.80 / each

[sixty]

I heard back from Signature and I have lots of Good news.

Freight to NJ will only be $25, cheaper if we can get someone closer. Looks like I way over shot on my initial estimate.

They want $5.75 per set to "collate" it. I figure that we will not opt for this option and I'll just bite the bullet.

Custom Key Option Pricing:

Good stuff.
You should consider though that we aim for a total of 50 sets, we will need 100 diamond keys, not 50. Since most keyboards (and all Costar boards) come with 2 windows keys, not one.

[WhiteRice]

Good stuff.
You should consider though that we aim for a total of 50 sets, we will need 100 diamond keys, not 50. Since most keyboards (and all Costar boards) come with 2 windows keys, not one.

Noted, and I will be asking them if we can get a further discount for that key. I also asked if they have any other shapes available.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

They want $5.75 per set to "collate" it. I figure that we will not opt for this option and I'll just bite the bullet.

Perhaps I'm really really dumb, but what IS "collating" the keys? Isn't that "to assemble in proper order; especially : to assemble (as printed sheets) in order for binding"

So what is that? Putting them on a sheet in layout?

[Fwiffo]

It means to sort them into distinct sets instead of having 50 sets of keys mixed together.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

It means to sort them into distinct sets instead of having 50 sets of keys mixed together.

So they'd just do a bag of A keys, a bag of enter keys, a bag of caps lock keys, etc. if we didn't opt for that, correct?

Or are they sadists who would dump it into one gigantic bag, forcing you to sort every single key?

[WhiteRice]

I just thought of a great prank, send everyone a random scoop of keys and have them seek each other out...

:3

[WhiteRice]

So they'd just do a bag of A keys, a bag of enter keys, a bag of caps lock keys, etc. if we didn't opt for that, correct?

Or are they sadists who would dump it into one gigantic bag, forcing you to sort every single key?

Correct, each unique key has a separate bag. I'm half Chinese so assembly line is in my blood.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

I just thought of a great prank, send everyone a random scoop of keys and have them seek each other out...

:3

Statistically, one of us would be crazy enough to go down to your house and do god knows what.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

Correct, each unique key has a separate bag. I'm half Chinese so assembly line is in my blood.

Good, I thought that they might be megatrolls.

[WhiteRice]

I was going to invite any local members to my house to help out, get some pizza, beer and sort keys...

Then the thought of being turned into someone's lampshade made me decide against it.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

I was going to invite any local members to my house to help out, get some pizza, beer and sort keys...

Then the thought of being turned into someone's lampshade made me decide against it.

Calm down, nothing will go wrong. It's a good excuse to meet some people here.

Besides, if anyone goes nuts - that's what the cattle prod is for.

You do have a cattle prod, don't you?

[ironman31]

Great news. Do those pricings mean that we will have the option to purchase any of the choices? (i.e. geekhack key, wasdgh, and large control)

[WhiteRice]

Great news. Do those pricings mean that we will have the option to purchase any of the choices? (i.e. geekhack key, wasdgh, and large control)

Yes, the option prices are dependent on the base 104 US ANSI set, not on each other.

[laden3]

I was going to invite any local members to my house to help out, get some pizza, beer and sort keys...

Then the thought of being turned into someone's lampshade made me decide against it.

You can hire your neighbors' kids to put each key into different boxes and make it some sort of competition (kids hate losing). Give them some cookies n beer and make them call u boss!

[WhiteRice]

Heard back from Signature.

To order two diamond keys per set reduces the price to $0.80/each.

[Rokkor]

Been lurking here for awhile and leaching off all the vast knowledge here.  This thread forced me to sign up.  

Count me in for 1 set of keys.  Just let me know when and where to send payment.  

[WhiteRice]

Welcome, Rokkor!

For payment drive downtown, and under the east bridge meet this guy named Jim, pay him in cash. Do not look directly at his scar...

jkjk I'll be drafting up the payment details soon.

[celery]

Was there any word on the legend types available and/or their pricing?

[WhiteRice]

For the Meta-key? I re-asked as the first time they thought I meant if I could get the diamond legend on another shape key, instead of another shape legend on the 1.25" key.

[mrblond]

I have a question. will these work on the tenkeyless boards? I assume they would, you will just have the extra 10 keys.

[Fwiffo]

Yes, the layout of tenkeyless is identical except for the part that's missing.

Is everybody really happy with diamonds for the meta keys? Seems kinda boring considering how cool the set is going to be.

[bitmap]

I'm down for a set with all the goodies too.

[WhiteRice]

I have a question. will these work on the tenkeyless boards? I assume they would, you will just have the extra 10 keys.

Yes, I and several others are planning on doing the same thing.

[WhiteRice]

Yes, the layout of tenkeyless is identical except for the part that's missing.

Is everybody really happy with diamonds for the meta keys? Seems kinda boring considering how cool the set is going to be.

I asked for alternate shapes, I agree I would prefer a star or something...