"Typewriter" keycaps like on Massdrop

[captsis]

are they these? They look like they'd be a ***** to actually type on. :/

[chuckdee]

are they these? They look like they'd be a ***** to actually type on. :/

No, they aren't.

[captsis]

are they these? They look like they'd be a ***** to actually type on. :/

No, they aren't.

Then what, some cheapo taobao set that massdrop bought?

[rowdy]

I'm in two minds about these.

Pad printing - probably wear off sooner rather than later.  It's very disappointing when a keycap set shows wear after not too long, regardless of the cost.

Stems - square and apparently less compatible with Cherry switches, but better with Gateron switches.  All my MX-like keyboards have Cherry switches.

Plastic "chrome" - rubs off after a while?  Most plastic "chrome" I've seen tends to wear in places, and once worn stays that way.  These would look terrible with worn patches on the edges.

Still 4 days left, I might talk myself back in to them, but probably not.

[zslane]

You have to ask yourself, how much would you type on them if you had them on a board? Would they be on your daily driver if they were more high-end?

I think of these as novelty caps, and I doubt I would use them all the time. It would probably take quite a while for the legends to wear off or the faux chrome to wear off. Maybe by the time that happens, someone will have a GB up and running for a high-quality take on this idea.

I too am on the fence as to whether to pick up a set.

[Findecanor]

That one has 1x modifiers on the bottom row and a 1x Tab. That kinda irks me a bit, especially the Tab.

If you are going to be correct with how typewriters of the era were then all keys should be circular except for the Space Bar.

More over, typewriters were often very stepped. The keys should be slanted forwards to emulate that and to provide a better typing experience, not be flat like a chiclet keyboard.

[zslane]

Technically true. However, I think the goal is to have a manual typewriter aesthetic without the (awkward) manual typewriter experience. Conforming to the layout of the keyboard these keys would be mounted on makes the most sense to me.

[rowdy]

You have to ask yourself, how much would you type on them if you had them on a board? Would they be on your daily driver if they were more high-end?

I think of these as novelty caps, and I doubt I would use them all the time. It would probably take quite a while for the legends to wear off or the faux chrome to wear off. Maybe by the time that happens, someone will have a GB up and running for a high-quality take on this idea.

I too am on the fence as to whether to pick up a set.

Daily driver at work is now SSK.

Daily driver at home changes, but is sometimes something with MX switches.

So they would be used occasionally at home.

Given how many keycap sets I have, and given the reservations about these, I will leave them for now.  If they are re-run in a few months, I might reconsider.

The old trick - imagine you have the money in one hand and the keycaps in the other.  Which would you rather keep.  For me it is the money this time.

[rowdy]

There are a few keyboards and keycap sets like these on eBay now.  One notes that they are "super rare" - obviously hasn't seen Massdrop.

Also they are available in pink (albeit with a keyboard in this listing), which suggests that they will be more generally available at some stage, and not just a passing thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/68keys-SteamPunk-Retro-vintage-typewriter-mechanical-keyboard-blue-switch-/222268597737

[romevi]

There are a few keyboards and keycap sets like these on eBay now.  One notes that they are "super rare" - obviously hasn't seen Massdrop.

Also they are available in pink (albeit with a keyboard in this listing), which suggests that they will be more generally available at some stage, and not just a passing thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/68keys-SteamPunk-Retro-vintage-typewriter-mechanical-keyboard-blue-switch-/222268597737

(Attachment Link)

Any blue ones?

[rowdy]

There are a few keyboards and keycap sets like these on eBay now.  One notes that they are "super rare" - obviously hasn't seen Massdrop.

Also they are available in pink (albeit with a keyboard in this listing), which suggests that they will be more generally available at some stage, and not just a passing thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/68keys-SteamPunk-Retro-vintage-typewriter-mechanical-keyboard-blue-switch-/222268597737

(Attachment Link)

Any blue ones?

I wasn't looking, I just saw that linked from something else I was looking for.

[Barndenn]

Does anyone know of or have a picture of the typewriter keycaps with backlighting?

[SpecTP]

I got this with MX cherry black and they are pretty good. Not using them much since the pad printing won't last too long to my abuse.

[rowdy]

Does anyone know of or have a picture of the typewriter keycaps with backlighting?

There's a picture or two in the Massdrop comments showing backlighting.

[zslane]

For fans of MX Blue switches, it is worth noting that you won't hear the switch click over the noise of bottoming out with these keycaps. Due to their design, there is no way for silencing rings to have any effect on dampening the downstroke. The combination of bottoming out and upstroke noise will drown out the sound of the switch's internal click leaf.

[rowdy]

I wonder what this profile would be called.

[ideus]

The "Flat and Ugly Retro"?

[rowdy]

The "Flat and Ugly Retro"?

)

[jgodinez302]

As someone mentioned before Datamancer makes them as well and yes they are quite a bit more.... however the quality is far superior to those on massdrop/ebay. I've visited Datamancer before for the SoCal meet up and got to see how bunch of them are made there. Definitely will last a lot longer and they are much heavier considering they are made out of actual metal and not plastic.

[DestroyerOfIphone]

I found these keycaps https://www.aliexpress.com/item/TYPEWRITER-abs-keycaps-punk-wind-restoring-ancient-ways-TYPEWRITER-style-mechanical-keyboard-keys/32750537875.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.1.sJG3be&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10065_10056_10068_10055_10054_10059_10078_10079_10084_10083_10073_10080_10070_10096_10082_10081_10060_423_10061_10052_10062_10050_424_10051,searchweb201603_2&btsid=9fb86fb3-8085-41e9-96f9-1fa3703924bf

[zslane]

Yes, that is the same set that was sold through MassDrop.

[menuhin]

As someone mentioned before Datamancer makes them as well and yes they are quite a bit more.... however the quality is far superior to those on massdrop/ebay. I've visited Datamancer before for the SoCal meet up and got to see how bunch of them are made there. Definitely will last a lot longer and they are much heavier considering they are made out of actual metal and not plastic.

Is 'Datamancer' a factory or a company? Or is that a person?
Didn't some forum member say 'Datamancer' committed suicide a few years ago?

It's becoming more and more mysterious.

I would guess Datamancer's offer would be of much much higher quality. On DT, someone from the UK is offering wooden version with ISO UK layout by the way.

[zslane]

Datamancer is a company. It used to be led by its founder, who is no longer with us apparently.

[rowdy]

A set that is halfway between Datamancer and Massdrop sets would probably be best.

[captsis]

A set that is halfway between Datamancer and Massdrop sets would probably be best.

good or cheap. pick one.

[rowdy]

A set that is halfway between Datamancer and Massdrop sets would probably be best.

good or cheap. pick one.

Harder to pick than a broken nose!

[buckyballs]

So there's a drop for a Magicforce 68-Key Mini Mechanical Keyboard with special typewriter keycaps:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-68-key-mini-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

This is not a full TKL ANSI set of keycaps though, although the bottom row is the standard layout.

Anyone know if these keycaps (preferably a full US ANSI TKL set) are available separately?

Thanks

Standard layout means they have a apps key is it?

[romevi]

So there's a drop for a Magicforce 68-Key Mini Mechanical Keyboard with special typewriter keycaps:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-68-key-mini-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

This is not a full TKL ANSI set of keycaps though, although the bottom row is the standard layout.

Anyone know if these keycaps (preferably a full US ANSI TKL set) are available separately?

Thanks

Standard layout means they have a apps key is it?

Yeah, the Menu key.

[rowdy]

So there's a drop for a Magicforce 68-Key Mini Mechanical Keyboard with special typewriter keycaps:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-68-key-mini-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

This is not a full TKL ANSI set of keycaps though, although the bottom row is the standard layout.

Anyone know if these keycaps (preferably a full US ANSI TKL set) are available separately?

Thanks

Standard layout means they have a apps key is it?

Sort of, although it was more in reference to the keycap size i.e. 1.25 1.25 1.25 6.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25

[rowdy]

Square stems seem to be becoming more "popular": https://www.massdrop.com/buy/dot-eh112-bluetooth-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Also white ones like the original ones are now available: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/retro-white-typewriter-keycap-set?mode=guest_open

Although both are still ABS and have the square stem.  The first set is customised for that particular keyboard, but based on the stem could very well be made by the same manufacturer, unless others are jumping on the square stem bandwagon.

[classiccarguy92]

I'm actually working on a build using a cm board with cherry blues on it. The plan is to design it to work and look like an old typewriter so that's why I went with the blues because they have a similar sound to an old typewriter. I can't wait until it's finished. 

[rowdy]

I'm actually working on a build using a cm board with cherry blues on it. The plan is to design it to work and look like an old typewriter so that's why I went with the blues because they have a similar sound to an old typewriter. I can't wait until it's finished. 

Blues (and greens) and more a "tick tick tick" sound, whereas typewriters were "clack clack clack".

But they are probably closer than most other MX(-compatible) switches.

If you prefer heavier switches, MX greens are great!

[zslane]

I did this very same experiment myself and found that MX blues have such a soft "click" sound that it is drowned out by all the bottom-out and upstroke noise. The result is a typing clatter that doesn't resemble the noise of manual typewriters at all, but you probably won't get any closer with any other MX switch, not even a different clicky MX switch.

[superpiya]

These keycaps are beautiful, but are they comfortable to type on?

[majstor]

Wooden version of typewriters keys .

[romevi]

Wooden version of typewriters keys . (Attachment Link)

Neato! Got a link?

[majstor]

No, I do not have a link but it's my work..
This is of cherry

and before is the oak

[rowdy]

They look really well done!

Does the wood split or wear over time, especially the stem (if removed and reinserted many times)?

[romevi]

No, I do not have a link but it's my work..
This is of cherry

Show Image

and before is the oak

I just saw your response. Very impressive indeed! You should make more.  :p

[OfTheWild]

They look really well done!

Does the wood split or wear over time, especially the stem (if removed and reinserted many times)?

I would imagine so with seasonal changes in humidity as well. I would want to stabilize the wood before using it.

[bmmcwhirt]

So there's a drop for a Magicforce 68-Key Mini Mechanical Keyboard with special typewriter keycaps:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-68-key-mini-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

This is not a full TKL ANSI set of keycaps though, although the bottom row is the standard layout.

Anyone know if these keycaps (preferably a full US ANSI TKL set) are available separately?

Thanks

This is an alternative option.
http://www.banggood.com/104-Key-Steampunk-ABS-Retro-Circular-Keycaps-For-Mechanical-Keyboard-p-1112262.html?rmmds=search

[majstor]

They look really well done!

Does the wood split or wear over time, especially the stem (if removed and reinserted many times)?

They look really well done!

Does the wood split or wear over time, especially the stem (if removed and reinserted many times)?

I would imagine so with seasonal changes in humidity as well. I would want to stabilize the wood before using it.

 Wood naturally must be properly processed but is not affected by moisture, water and alcohol. After 2 years of use ( other keys of course and not those from the above images)  i do not have a need for polishing. Cross is made from ABS  .

[rowdy]

So there's a drop for a Magicforce 68-Key Mini Mechanical Keyboard with special typewriter keycaps:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-68-key-mini-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

This is not a full TKL ANSI set of keycaps though, although the bottom row is the standard layout.

Anyone know if these keycaps (preferably a full US ANSI TKL set) are available separately?

Thanks

This is an alternative option.
http://www.banggood.com/104-Key-Steampunk-ABS-Retro-Circular-Keycaps-For-Mechanical-Keyboard-p-1112262.html?rmmds=search

Still got those rectangular stems though ...

[rowdy]

There's these now: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/datamancer-typewriter-keys?mode=guest_open

The real deal, however I'm not too keen on the typeface used on the legends, the stems are not shown, and the modifiers are different sizes and shapes and don't line up and that would really bug me each time I saw the keyboard.

[zslane]

Datamancer only used to have two sizes of keycaps: 1u and 1.25u. That made keyboards look even weirder than what you're seeing in that new drop. Now it looks like they have a third size, something close to 2u, which certainly helps, but is still not quite perfect for standard keyboards today. I'm pretty confident the stems are cylindrical, not rectangular like the cheapo ones that come with the MagicForce "typewriter" board.