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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 00:34:12

Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 00:34:12: Since I could not find this way of pulling the keycaps in the wiki Cherry MX Key Pulling and Swapping Guide (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:12649), I decide to document it and probably some other guys can use this HIGHLY SKILL TECHNIQUE.

MATERIAL
======

2 - Big Paper Clips (Thickness ~ 1mm)
1 - Pliers

HOWTO BUILD THE SUPER "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER" :thumb:
================================

Bend each Paper clip end (~4mm), using the Pliers. They will look like a hooks.

(http://tapatalk.com/mu/3a601b9e-2c1a-4b75.jpg)

HOW TO PULL THEY KEYCAP
=================
1) You have to softly slide each hook between the keycaps. The both hooks have to be in opposite corners.

2) Once the hooks are in place you can just softly pull and Voilà the keycap is out ;-)
(http://tapatalk.com/mu/3a601b9e-3a40-b9dc.jpg)(http://tapatalk.com/mu/3a601b9e-3a60-a918.jpg)(http://tapatalk.com/mu/3a601b9e-3aa7-7669.jpg)

The good things about this MAGIC tool are:
* It wont scratch your precious keycaps.
* Is free.
* Is the SIMPLEST Keycap puller out there

NOTE: The CACTUX PULL KEYCAP was tested on:
* FLICO MAJESTOUCH 2, * DELL KEYBOARD, * MAC KEYBOARD

BTW Maybe this post can be integrated in the "Cherry MX Key Pulling and Swapping Guide". If you like this tool you can send me a PayPal gift ;-)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: iJustin on Thu, 02 June 2011, 00:42:52: You forgot your Paypal Email.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 01:04:23: Quote from: iJustin;354589
You forgot your Paypal Email.

You can PM and I will send it to you ;-)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 02 June 2011, 09:18:09: I use the same DIY keypuller with cherry switches, and use two butter knives as a lever with my topre.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 09:44:19: Quote from: RiGS;354660
I use the same DIY keypuller with cherry switches, and use two butter knives as a lever with my topre.
I have not tried yet in any Topre base keyboard. Why did you also use butter knives? Are the topre keycaps to tight?
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 02 June 2011, 09:52:33: Yeah, those keys are very tight, and have a different height profile. The butter knife lever method works extremely well with topre keycaps.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 10:02:37: Quote from: ripster;354669
Wrong Wiki.

I claim Patent Prior Art.

From the All About Keys Wiki. (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=All+About+Keys)
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5253001463_e36cc26c8f_z.jpg)

Your right is the wrong wiki!, but you do not mention nothing about how to use the paper clips. Your technic and mine are different even thought we use the same key element (paper clip).
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: dannyp on Thu, 02 June 2011, 13:26:36: I wanna see the ultimate.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: sordna on Thu, 02 June 2011, 13:31:08: It probably involves nickels
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Zet on Thu, 02 June 2011, 15:16:27: Woah, its actually nice :D

The good thing is that my version of Filco came with the keycap puller, didn't had to get one separate, but I'll give it a try.
Thanks for the 'aporte' men
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 15:52:17: Quote from: ripster;354674
I've got the ULTIMATE key puller mod in the works as we speak. Will post a mod post when the stuff dries.

Price wise do you think it will be less expensive than mine and simple 
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 15:54:59: Quote from: Zet;354781
Woah, its actually nice :D

The good thing is that my version of Filco came with the keycap puller, didn't had to get one separate, but I'll give it a try.
Thanks for the 'aporte' men

Happy to know the some one else beside me may use this simple trick 
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 17:47:13: Quote from: ripster;354829
Plenty of links in the All About Keys Wiki for building them.

Like this one I just added. Not mine. British did this.
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11870&stc=1&d=1280181637)

Same ingredients (diferent approach). This tool requires bendind the paper clip several times. mine just ONE time only. At the end of the road, the important thing is that GH guys will choose to use your super duper cool tools or a super simple approach 
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 17:58:52: Quote from: ripster;354853
How about this one?

Has a certain elegance. Not mine. Ben's. Mines still drying.
Show Image
(http://deskthority.net/download/file.php?id=324)

you need to bend 2 times each clip mine 1 per clip 
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Zet on Thu, 02 June 2011, 17:59:20: Quote from: cactux;354851
Same ingredients (diferent approach). This tool requires bendind the paper clip several times. mine just ONE time only. At the end of the road, the important thing is that GH guys will choose to use your super duper cool tools or a super simple approach 

I'm still digging Cactux's keycap puller(yours), but I think we would improve the back parts where you pull from to something easier to hold with just bending the wires to leave it like a T or an upside down L instead of having it so straight.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 18:07:22: Quote from: Zet;354865
I'm still digging Cactux's keycap puller(yours), but I think we would improve the back parts where you pull from to something easier to hold with just bending the wires to leave it like a T or an upside down L instead of having it so straight.

good there always room for improvements 
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 18:32:28: This one is the WINER ;-)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 02 June 2011, 18:39:19: I thought Hamblet was the king of homemade key pullers.

Where is Hamblet anyway?
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: DaemonRaccoon on Thu, 02 June 2011, 18:40:33: Quote from: keyboardlover;354894
I thought Hamblet was the king of homemade key pullers.

Where is Hamblet anyway?

I believe he left after the database issues, thinking that he was censored in some way.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 18:48:49: Quote from: DaemonRaccoon;354895
I believe he left after the database issues, thinking that he was censored in some way.

Long live to the new king CACTUX the :first:
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: dannyp on Thu, 02 June 2011, 19:42:43: Quote from: ripster;354872
Like this?

This is Nanu's
Show Image
(http://deskthority.net/download/file.php?id=323)

woa nice :) should sell those :P

i'll probably be using the cactux method though :D
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 20:04:48: Quote from: dannyp;354921
woa nice :) should sell those :P

i'll probably be using the cactux method though :D

I do not think that the clamping force in this guys is that good. Looks nice but slippery
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 02 June 2011, 20:10:40: Quote from: cactux;354942
Looks nice but slippery

Just like Ducky girls.

(http://static.images.memegenerator.net/Instances400/7/7884/8074065.jpg)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: lucas on Thu, 02 June 2011, 21:40:23: wow, cactux is quite proud of his bent paperclips
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Thu, 02 June 2011, 21:50:46: Quote from: lucas;354989
wow, cactux is quite proud of his bent paperclips
I work with heavy high tech stuff, and I like to design some very PRIMITIVE things that anyone can do (even me ;) )
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Zet on Sat, 04 June 2011, 14:34:53: I'm still waiting to see ripster's keycap puller. I bet he forgot or the puller got sticked to the surface where he was letting it dry xD
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: dannyp on Sat, 04 June 2011, 19:14:53: i've been waiting for the same :)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 04 June 2011, 19:40:05: Quote from: ripster;355689
Jeez. I haven't finished stress testing yet.
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5798296296_72bd12ae6e_z.jpg)

You'r for sure mech eng.

I can probably use my MTS tortion/tension machines ;-)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 04 June 2011, 19:42:11: You're talking about a guy who spends 13 hours a day browsing internet forums.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 04 June 2011, 19:45:17: Quote from: keyboardlover;355703
You're talking about a guy who spends 13 hours a day browsing internet forums.

yes ;-) . But we are lucky to have someone like him around with some extra time
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Dox on Sat, 04 June 2011, 19:45:38: topre keypuller + shrink wrap + plastidip?
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 04 June 2011, 19:58:57: Quote from: Dox;355705
topre keypuller + shrink wrap + plastidip?

Its call the ULTIMATE
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 11 June 2011, 21:44:40: Quote from: ripster;358961
Actually I haven't really given the RipOpuller a good test run to see if the plastidip holds up (I'm skeptical). Haven't had a chance to put my Ducky keys on a Blue Cherry Filco FOR MAXIMUM PING AWESOMENESS!!!!

In the meantime check Ceesa's Keypuller I got by lurking at a European Forum that considers every post I make there threadcrapping. Plastic coated paperclips.
Show Image
(http://deskthority.net/download/file.php?id=792)

You may need some glasses!. Those keycaps have a hole in each end. So if someone is willing to make 4 holes in each of there keycaps, be my gest.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 11 June 2011, 21:54:12: Quote from: ripster;359239
ART knows no limits.

You can not pull a keycap with a picaso 
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Wallach on Sat, 11 June 2011, 22:02:50: Quote from: kalrykh;359242
no, but you can turn those upside down and use them to pull the keys of the same widths?

Pretty sure that is the point, yeah.

Personally I just use a really thin rubber cord of old headphones. I guess whenever I decide to order a spare set of keycaps it'll come with a proper tool.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 11 June 2011, 22:05:07: Quote from: ripster;359245
The coated paper clips are there for Form And Function.
Show Image
(http://grassrootsmodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/200905220728.jpg)

You seem resistant to constructive input.

Bring something MORE simple, chip, easy to make, and pratical than the Cactux one. If that happend I will switch right away
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 11 June 2011, 22:11:19: Quote from: ripster;359249
Next time try coated paper clips.

Do not fear change. See the RipOmeter (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6189) for details.

Nice try, keep trying . I will be waiting for your ultra secret keycap puller
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 11 June 2011, 22:33:53: Quote from: ripster;359257
Posted already.
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5798296296_72bd12ae6e_z.jpg)

Another one. Not mine.
Show Image
(http://i54.tinypic.com/33pdg9f.jpg)

Yours is a Topre keycap puller plus some plastic. What is the expected life of the plastic coat?
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Sat, 11 June 2011, 22:59:06: Quote from: ripster;359272
Currently under research under a grant from the National Science Foundation.

What is the statistical probability of you scratching a key with a Confidence Interval of 99% and assuming a Poisson distribution?

BTW I like the symmetry of this variation.
Show Image
(http://www.deckkeyboards.com/images/content/kcp.gif)

clamping force = BAD
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: CeeSA on Sun, 12 June 2011, 11:40:07: @cactux

i don't like your keypullers because of 2 points
- you have a 2 peace keypuller (so you have to use both hands for first step)
- you have only 2 little points where the "power" pulls the cap (other versions pulls 2 whole sides)

i go with the "sippery" ones from nanu (do you have abnormal sweating hand?)

imo only nanu deserve the title :hail:
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: cactux on Mon, 13 June 2011, 06:49:12: Quote
@cactux

i don't like your keypullers because of 2 points
- you have a 2 peace keypuller (so you have to use both hands for first step)
For sure this tool is not appropriate for handicap people.

Quote
- you have only 2 little points where the "power" pulls the cap (other versions pulls 2 whole sides)

i go with the "sippery" ones from nanu (do you have abnormal sweating hand?)

imo only nanu deserve the title :hail:

according to nanu:
Quote
I started out with a 7.5" (19cm) by 5/8" (16mm) strip of steel that I had on hand. It was coated in rusted black enamel, but some wet-sanding removed it quickly.

I cut 45-45-90 triangles away on all four corners to form points on either end. I then bent each tip 90 degrees, and trimmed them. I formed the "U" shape, and finally used a Dremel to grind away the tips until they protruded about 0.33 mm. More sanding throughout made all edges and corners smooth.

Since I work in an office. Like most of the avg guys I have access to SIMPLE OFFICE ITEMS SUPPLIES like PAPER CLIPS. So nanu's keycap puller requires some special material and some EXTRA LABOR. The goal of my tool is to provide a : SIMPLE, CHIP and EASY to MAKE TOOL.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: dannyp on Mon, 13 June 2011, 14:39:18: I will be constructing mine today!
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: elef on Mon, 13 June 2011, 16:20:10: Ripster, thanks for posting these weird and wonderful creations.
I see your paperclips and raise you a... whatever the hell the english name of this thing is:

(https://photos-1.dropbox.com/i/m/iQcWwCr1fhc9V-2CJnLT6p_cSh85E48bmioe2GQDUKc/16377950/1308088800/e4d86c0)

Sorry about the rubbish pic.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: dannyp on Mon, 13 June 2011, 16:25:17: Quote from: elef;360184
Ripster, thanks for posting these weird and wonderful creations.
I see your paperclips and raise you a... whatever the hell the english name of this thing is:

Show Image
(https://photos-1.dropbox.com/i/m/iQcWwCr1fhc9V-2CJnLT6p_cSh85E48bmioe2GQDUKc/16377950/1308088800/e4d86c0)

Sorry about the rubbish pic.

repost plz?
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: elef on Mon, 13 June 2011, 16:36:11: I changed the pic because the first one was too BIG, and edited the post. I guess you caught me during the edit, but it should work now - post again if you can't see it.
It should be at https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/16377950/1/mix?h=f6310d
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: elef on Mon, 13 June 2011, 16:55:53: The pic variously shows up and disappears for me in the forum. I have no idea what's going on, the direct URL is https://photos-1.dropbox.com/i/m/iQcWwCr1fhc9V-2CJnLT6p_cSh85E48bmioe2GQDUKc/16377950/1308088800/e4d86c0

Anyway, this thingie is a paper clip of sorts. AFAIK it's supposed to go in a hole made with a hole punch. Then you spread the legs and the fun begins... I mean, you spread the legs and it keeps the sheets together.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Hamblet on Fri, 17 June 2011, 19:25:32: Photos.. important thing is photos.

Ideas ? Worthless. Too easy.

15, Mar. 2011

10, Mar. 2011

28, Aug. 2009

I am dead K/L.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: audioave10 on Fri, 17 June 2011, 20:18:50: My Model M keypuller works fine for Cherry keys...so far.
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 17 June 2011, 20:23:17: Welcome back Hamblet!

You keypuller guru you ;)
Title: HOWTO Build your own "CACTUX KEYCAP PULLER"
Post by: Playtrumpet on Sun, 28 August 2011, 13:22:24: Not to bump an older thread, and I'm sure I'm not the first to discover this.. But I just pulled a cap with a couple of these: (http://www.quilop.com/files/binderclip.jpg)

Couldn't do it with just a single one, but I'm sure with some intense bending it would work.