[IC] Topre PBT Spacebars...

[00zeRO]

After much deliberation, and intention, Matt3o and I have been working to make this thing happen. Whether it will depends on you. Please follow the link below to the thread and submit your interest in the form of a pledge to purchase:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=66623.0

We want to make this happen, but we have got to sell thousands of these to hungry Topre thumbs, or it will not make the grade...

[SpAmRaY]

Who is going to be making them? And in what profile?

[00zeRO]

Who is going to be making them? And in what profile?

I am open to suggestions on both...

[SpAmRaY]

That's the problem nobody makes a topre PBT space bar.

[00zeRO]

That's the problem nobody makes a topre PBT space bar.

Nobody? Not even SP?

[SpAmRaY]

That's the problem nobody makes a topre PBT space bar.

Nobody? Not even SP?

SP doesn't make topre anything.

[Puddsy]

That's the problem nobody makes a topre PBT space bar.

Nobody? Not even SP?

SP has been teasing Topre since before I even knew what a mechanical keyboard was

But that's it.

[00zeRO]

That's the problem nobody makes a topre PBT space bar.

Nobody? Not even SP?

SP doesn't make topre anything.

Then, this will be interesting...

[Hypersphere]

I don't know of any manufacturer that makes PBT spacebars for Topre switches.

If someone could be persuaded to tool up for this, either conventionally or via 3D printing, it would be great. I would not care which manufacturer -- whichever one could be persuaded to do it.

Colors could start with "white" (ivory; cream; off-white) and/or black.

[Puddsy]

I don't know of any manufacturer that makes PBT spacebars for Topre switches.

If someone could be persuaded to tool up for this, either conventionally or via 3D printing, it would be great. I would not care which manufacturer -- whichever one could be persuaded to do it.

Colors could start with "white" (ivory; cream; off-white) and/or black.

Tooling for stuff like this is way too expensive for you to return on investment

[oscillik]

I would be interested in a PBT Topre spacebar of both HHKB / Realforce White and HHKB Grey-Black.

It would have to be the exact same profile as currently on the HHKB / Realforce keyboards though for me to be interested. Also, preferably the same thickness as the rest of the keycaps on the ABS spacebar.

[appleonama]

topre spacebar for hhkb and fc660c

i would go for a dark teal color 

[exitfire401]

I'd probably buy 2 of the hhkb/realforce charcoal, and 2 white.

[tjcaustin]

PBT spacebars warp like a mother and I don't know of anyone making topre stemmed caps anymore.

[Belfong]

I'd probably buy 2 of the hhkb/realforce charcoal, and 2 white.

I'd do the same too! 

[byker]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

[saint_james]

I'd be interested one each of white and black.

[honoka]

I want one of every available color. My ABS spacebar is buildning up that shine and I get a bit upset that my insanely expensive keyboard uses cheap plastic....
I do not share the notion that PBT-warping is still a problem.

[Grim Fandango]

I would be interested in several colors. But I do not think there is anyone that will make them.

[Hypersphere]

Regarding warping of PBT spacebars, although this can be a problem, I have several Cherry mx PBT spacebars that are not warped. In addition, IBM put PBT spacebars on their Model F and Model M keyboards for years with no warping issues.

[oscillik]

and to further contest the 'PBT spacebar warping' concern, the Leopold PBT keycap set has not one but two perfect spacebars. No warping at all.

[CPTBadAss]

I don't think it's guaranteed that PBT spacebars will warp. It's more of a measure of someone controlling the process. I think that it's an issue with humidity and temperature control/cooling. I recall imsto saying he couldn't do PBT spacebars in the Chinese summer because of the environmental conditions messing with the production.

But more on topic, I'd be interested in seeing who you find to make spacebars 00zerO. It was my understanding that there aren't many companies who will make them.

[00zeRO]

What are the sizes required for what you all want? I don't own a Topre, so I can't use it for reference. And I am sure that the Type Heaven spacebar is not the same size as the HHKB, for example.

[Flyersfan1]

What are the sizes required for what you all want? I don't own a Topre, so I can't use it for reference. And I am sure that the Type Heaven spacebar is not the same size as the HHKB, for example.

I might be mistaken, but I believe all topre spacebars are 6x.

[oscillik]

What are the sizes required for what you all want? I don't own a Topre, so I can't use it for reference. And I am sure that the Type Heaven spacebar is not the same size as the HHKB, for example.

I might be mistaken, but I believe all topre spacebars are 6x.

That's correct!

[hasu]

What are the sizes required for what you all want? I don't own a Topre, so I can't use it for reference. And I am sure that the Type Heaven spacebar is not the same size as the HHKB, for example.

I might be mistaken, but I believe all topre spacebars are 6x.

That's correct!

Realforce 86 and 101 has 7u space bar.

I'm not interested in getting PBT space bars for my keyboard but how we can make or get custom Topre keycaps is intriguing to me.

How about making contact with Topre, first?

[CPTBadAss]

...how we can make or get custom Topre keycaps is intriguing to me.

Agreed. I'm not that interested in purchasing these caps but very interested in seeing a source of custom Topre caps for all the Topre lovers here.

[oscillik]

What are the sizes required for what you all want? I don't own a Topre, so I can't use it for reference. And I am sure that the Type Heaven spacebar is not the same size as the HHKB, for example.

I might be mistaken, but I believe all topre spacebars are 6x.

That's correct!

Realforce 86 and 101 has 7u space bar.

I did not know this!

[00zeRO]

What are the sizes required for what you all want? I don't own a Topre, so I can't use it for reference. And I am sure that the Type Heaven spacebar is not the same size as the HHKB, for example.

I might be mistaken, but I believe all topre spacebars are 6x.

That's correct!

Realforce 86 and 101 has 7u space bar.

I did not know this!

This causes me to want to take one of our vast stock of the Type Heavens and measure it...

[esoomenona]

.

[00zeRO]

You don't need to measure it. Just look at a picture. Across the bottom row (and the whole 60% area, really) is 15 units. 1.5x, 1x, 1.5x (4x total) on one side of the spacebar, and on the other, 1.5x, 1x, 1x, 1.5x (5x total), for a total of 9x. 15-9=6.

Show Image

This keyboard has 87/104 keys. The 86/103 key Realforce boards that hasu mentioned are one key less, and that one key is on the right side of the spacebar. So to make up for it, the spacebar is one unit longer.

Show Image

Okay, so the Type Heaven is 6u

[Sygaldry]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

[00zeRO]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

I will do my best to try to get this done. I have a 'lobbyist' that has assured me that he will pull some strings with the big wigs...this may turn out to be the one thing that SP does right in the eyes of those who despise their PBT thickness...

[cookie]

I'd be interested in a white and black HHKB spacebar, but like some here already mentioned, I don't think that someone will make them.

[Hypersphere]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

I will do my best to try to get this done. I have a 'lobbyist' that has assured me that he will pull some strings with the big wigs...this may turn out to be the one thing that SP does right in the eyes of those who despise their PBT thickness...

This would be a great coup if you can pull it off. There will be many Topre enthusiasts who will be most grateful.

Regarding PBT thickness, as IBM, Topre, and PFU have shown, PBT does not have to be thick to be of excellent quality.

[byker]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

Sorry, I read it again and it says middle of the year.

[00zeRO]

This would be a great coup if you can pull it off. There will be many Topre enthusiasts who will be most grateful.

That is my goal.

 

[cookie]

Hope... Groupbuys in the air!

[HoffmanMyster]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

Sorry, I read it again and it says middle of the year.

Show Image

Would this mean that all profiles would be Topre-compatible?  I'm not that interested in Topre DCS, but Topre SA...now that I could get behind.   :thumb:

[byker]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

Sorry, I read it again and it says middle of the year.

Show Image

Would this mean that all profiles would be Topre-compatible?  I'm not that interested in Topre DCS, but Topre SA...now that I could get behind.   :thumb:

Not sure, but it would be great if this turns out to be true!

[Sygaldry]

SP told me they will likely be getting topre tooling early next year, around March or April.

But if you do this, I would be interested in at least 3

If this is true (and I hope you're not pulling our legs here) this is good, good news.
 

Sorry, I read it again and it says middle of the year.

Show Image

DSA profile on my HHKB......... Smore'gasm  :eek: :eek: :eek:

[00zeRO]

Smore'gasm 

Was ist das?

[Elrick]

I will do my best to try to get this done. I have a 'lobbyist' that has assured me that he will pull some strings with the big wigs...this may turn out to be the one thing that SP does right in the eyes of those who despise their PBT thickness...

Damn, if this finally happens I will need to stock up on a LOT of Thorpie Space-bars  .

PLEASE don't make this a sick joke, getting us lot here all hot and bothered about finally getting some PBT spacers for our Realforces.

[00zeRO]

I will do my best to try to get this done. I have a 'lobbyist' that has assured me that he will pull some strings with the big wigs...this may turn out to be the one thing that SP does right in the eyes of those who despise their PBT thickness...

Damn, if this finally happens I will need to stock up on a LOT of Thorpie Space-bars  .

PLEASE don't make this a sick joke, getting us lot here all hot and bothered about finally getting some PBT spacers for our Realforces.

I am serious about trying to make this happen

[dante]

If true I feel bad for all those who have been hoarding the ABS spacebars thinking once they go out of production they can make bank.

[Sygaldry]

If true I feel bad for all those who have been hoarding the ABS spacebars thinking once they go out of production they can make bank.

I would have done the same if EK had the white one in stock (more so because I hate keycap shine than for resale)

But PBT spacebar would essentially make my Type-S my end all keyboard and I'd graduate from the endless keyboard search!

[Matt3o]

the spacebar is technically feasible, but the manufacturer is fully booked, we can't do this until later next year. I'll look into other options, but it seems this is not going to happen soon.

[00zeRO]

the spacebar is technically feasible, but the manufacturer is fully booked, we can't do this until later next year. I'll look into other options, but it seems this is not going to happen soon.

The Robot Matt3.0 never sleeps.

 

[intelli78]

the spacebar is technically feasible, but the manufacturer is fully booked, we can't do this until later next year. I'll look into other options, but it seems this is not going to happen soon.

who is the manufacturer?

[00zeRO]

the spacebar is technically feasible, but the manufacturer is fully booked, we can't do this until later next year. I'll look into other options, but it seems this is not going to happen soon.

who is the manufacturer?

SP if I had to guess