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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Astounding on Sun, 19 June 2011, 00:34:55

Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Astounding on Sun, 19 June 2011, 00:34:55
http://forums.vr-zone.com/requests-interest-check-mass-order/736566-ic-metal-transformer-cherry-keycap.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0b_X-F__mU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze2cylA67Xc&NR=1




Discuss!!!
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: MrGPhantome on Sun, 19 June 2011, 05:40:59
Seems pretty cool, but i would imagine that it would effect key feel quite dramatically. Most likely unviable for lighter switches like Reds or Browns.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: rodya on Sun, 19 June 2011, 06:38:30
Sweet!  I love the low-pitched thud they make.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: chongyixiong on Sun, 19 June 2011, 07:57:07
Did someone say aluminium keycaps?

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ECOxr64N9qg/TbLtpjUgXdI/AAAAAAAABnI/Kd754-6EPhg/SDIM1289.jpg)
Scarface key - bead blasted (I think)

Not cheap though - got mine for about USD$10 shipped
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: ~Blood~ on Sun, 19 June 2011, 09:27:02
they are cold, hence they suck for typing.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: noodles256 on Sun, 19 June 2011, 09:43:37
whats up with this old newss
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 19 June 2011, 09:44:20
I wouldn't mind one for an Esc key.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 19 June 2011, 09:54:02
Showoff!
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Tony on Sun, 19 June 2011, 10:05:14
I prefer plastic keys with Cherry MX switches. I think metal keycaps will increase the probability of make the metal MX switches noisier.

Has anyone tried metal keycaps with a Topre board? I wonder what a metal fart sounds.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: morethanless on Sun, 19 June 2011, 10:47:50
Quote from: Tony;363340

Has anyone tried metal keycaps with a Topre board? I wonder what a metal fart sounds.

:pound:
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 19 June 2011, 11:01:59
Metal Fart sounds like a good band name.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 19 June 2011, 12:02:19
No watermark...not your pic!
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Astounding on Sun, 19 June 2011, 13:23:34
Quote from: rodya;363269
Sweet!  I love the low-pitched thud they make.

 
Exactly, I'd like to know how they feel, looks nice.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Astounding on Sun, 19 June 2011, 13:25:08
Quote from: ~Blood~;363318
they are cold, hence they suck for typing.

 
illogical post is illogical
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Astounding on Sun, 19 June 2011, 13:26:10
Hearsay is all well and good but, I'd like to hear from someone who types on a full board of these...
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: ~Blood~ on Sun, 19 June 2011, 14:05:13
OK they won't be cold if you live in a warm climate, however here the room temperature is avg. 18°C (screw fahrenheit) and that will be cold. Also it kind of feels cold to the touch because it naturally draws away body warmth, or so I've heard.

I'd prefer wooden ones
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Lpb45 on Mon, 20 June 2011, 16:13:37
Quote from: ripster;363503
BTW all the IMSTO metal key buyers have been incredibly lazy about putting their key pics or specs in the Key Ref Wiki.

Especially the weight of the spacebar.  I'm kinda curious about that.  

I'm more of a numbers than a "feel" person as evidenced by the RipOmeter (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6189).

What specs do you need?  I took comparison shots with DS and Filco keys.  Everyone threw a ****fit when I posted my pics because my camera phone is garbage.  Let me know what your looking for and ill try and get it done.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Atenacius on Mon, 20 June 2011, 16:18:28
Metal still feels cold to the touch because it absorbs the heat from your hand when you touch it. This is why wood is preferred by architects for things like railings, arm rests
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Mon, 20 June 2011, 16:24:10
I want some platinum keys with 24k gold legends with diamond lock indicators. A keyboard Slick Rick would be proud of.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Hydroid on Mon, 20 June 2011, 19:34:01
Haha Lysol now that would be a keyboard to get pics of. We'll know that drug dealers are starting to collect mechanical keyboards when a market opens up for that kind of keyboard with engravings and other things like ivory key caps. :P I'd love to try some of these metal switches though. Will have to see about getting my hands on some at some point.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: audioave10 on Mon, 20 June 2011, 22:15:22
This is my idea of metal keys (even if they are not metal).
(http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/finished1%201.jpg)
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: nrtdx on Mon, 20 June 2011, 22:30:07
I wonder if sweaty hands would be enough to get a metal smell on your hands nomsayin?
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Astounding on Mon, 20 June 2011, 23:22:01
Quote from: nrtdx;364489
I wonder if sweaty hands would be enough to get a metal smell on your hands nomsayin?

 
It might, but that just let's you know you're alive!
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Input Nirvana on Tue, 21 June 2011, 01:32:03
The concept of metal keys is appealing, but I have not used them, so I don't know. Plastic, wood, aluminum...are there any other materials key are/can be made from?
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: jefferysanders on Mon, 12 March 2012, 21:20:58
WTB 108-set Rhino horn Ivory MX-keycaps PST.
Title: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 12 March 2012, 22:11:43
Quote from: jefferysanders;544005
WTB 108-set Rhino horn Ivory MX-keycaps PST.

can be done,,, but will crack over time. my gangsta chinese friends used to have a handful of mahjong tiles of solid ivory, they stole them.LOL couldn't make out with the whole set... And they all have chips and some cracks.
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 00:04:47
Quote from: lysol on Mon, 20 June 2011, 16:24:10
I want some platinum keys with 24k gold legends with diamond lock indicators. A keyboard Slick Rick would be proud of.

lol epic. slick rick rules!
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 00:17:59
By the way, I can make wood key caps - I fabricate a lot and I am an industrial designer.

Imagine a polished, glass-like clear coated keycap, or better yet, a totally wooden keycap set and keyboard frame. how decadent!
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 01:00:24
Quote from: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 00:04:47
Quote from: lysol on Mon, 20 June 2011, 16:24:10
I want some platinum keys with 24k gold legends with diamond lock indicators. A keyboard Slick Rick would be proud of.

lol epic. slick rick rules!

Imagine a keycap made of solid diamond.. LOL it wouldn't look very nice because the lack of internal refractions, but it'd be unholy expensive...

Probably about 600,000 to 3 million,   as you would need a 24-40 carat diamond to cut from, 24 assuming it's already the perfect shape, 40 if it's odd
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 06:12:25
Quote from: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 00:17:59
Imagine a polished, glass-like clear coated keycap, or better yet, a totally wooden keycap set and keyboard frame. how decadent!

(http://www.kunshiman.com.tw/admin/product_en/images/2012-08-14/5029f6eaab67d.jpg)
Imagine no more.
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: MattBuzzy on Wed, 30 January 2013, 06:26:52
That is pretty cool, I think personally I would prefer stained keycaps and a black board.  :cool:
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 08:40:23
Quote from: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 06:12:25
Quote from: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 00:17:59
Imagine a polished, glass-like clear coated keycap, or better yet, a totally wooden keycap set and keyboard frame. how decadent!

Show Image
(http://www.kunshiman.com.tw/admin/product_en/images/2012-08-14/5029f6eaab67d.jpg)

Imagine no more.


Oh. My. Goodness.

OK it's official - I'm going to make this!
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 10:37:32
Some more here for inspiration: http://iqmore.tw/computex2011-ksm
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 10:49:34
Quote from: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 10:37:32
Some more here for inspiration: http://iqmore.tw/computex2011-ksm

Thank you so much for that link! Those are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

AWWWW YEAH!
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 12:24:43
DO IT (and post pix).
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 12:49:10
Quote from: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 10:49:34
Quote from: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 10:37:32
Some more here for inspiration: http://iqmore.tw/computex2011-ksm

Thank you so much for that link! Those are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

AWWWW YEAH!

I think the concept is fine, but those boards are quite ugly... those colors.. blech....
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: 1839cc on Wed, 30 January 2013, 13:48:49
Why not porcelain, or carbon fiber, or any metal with a leather pillow top? Stone and glass could also work. Many creative material choices have yet to be seen, at least by my eyes.
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 30 January 2013, 19:53:25
Interesting modifier sizes - what keyboard is that based on?
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 19:55:42
Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 30 January 2013, 19:53:25
Interesting modifier sizes - what keyboard is that based on?

uh-oh...
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:24:39
Quote from: 1839cc on Wed, 30 January 2013, 13:48:49
Why not porcelain, or carbon fiber, or any metal with a leather pillow top? Stone and glass could also work. Many creative material choices have yet to be seen, at least by my eyes.


carbon fibre would be SICK! it's quite hard to work with though, but I love your out of the box thinking! I have hand carved black stone into a bird necklace for a girl once (she is gorgeous and well worth the effort) and i suppose a keycap would be much EASIER than that!

leather would be SICK too!
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:41:03
Quote from: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:24:39
Quote from: 1839cc on Wed, 30 January 2013, 13:48:49
Why not porcelain, or carbon fiber, or any metal with a leather pillow top? Stone and glass could also work. Many creative material choices have yet to be seen, at least by my eyes.


carbon fibre would be SICK! it's quite hard to work with though, but I love your out of the box thinking! I have hand carved black stone into a bird necklace for a girl once (she is gorgeous and well worth the effort) and i suppose a keycap would be much EASIER than that!

leather would be SICK too!

leather bad, moisture and constant rubbing, no go...
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:59:38
How about a keyboard with a shiny black wooden case (like piano wood) and mammoth ivory or tagua nut (vegetable ivory) keycaps? That'd be pretty nice.
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 21:05:34
Quote from: FoxWolf1 on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:59:38
How about a keyboard with a shiny black wooden case (like piano wood) and mammoth ivory or tagua nut (vegetable ivory) keycaps? That'd be pretty nice.

I've never even heard of tagua nut before!
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 21:23:47
Quote from: FoxWolf1 on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:59:38
How about a keyboard with a shiny black wooden case (like piano wood) and mammoth ivory or tagua nut (vegetable ivory) keycaps? That'd be pretty nice.

ooooo.... i really like the nuts idea... do they handle moisture well, or do they need lacquer
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Rafen on Wed, 30 January 2013, 21:25:44
I love the look of the wooden and the steampunk boards! I would love to get a steampunk board but I don't have the time or the money to create one.

The metal keycaps sound like a good idea just as long as they aren't very snug on the stems because this has caused problems for me in the past.  :-[
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: 1839cc on Wed, 30 January 2013, 21:32:52
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:41:03
leather bad, moisture and constant rubbing, no go...

Leather works well enough for furniture and book covers where it has to deal with the same things. I think it would hold up for long enough to make it worth the effort.
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:03:05
A real steampunk keyboard would be made of brass ;)

But how easy is brass to mold for keycaps?
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:28:50
Quote from: rowdy on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:03:05
A real steampunk keyboard would be made of brass ;)

But how easy is brass to mold for keycaps?

and it must have rivets
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: Wopian on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:53:32
Damn I want wooden and metal keycaps now...
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: MattBuzzy on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:56:46
Quote from: tp4tissue on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:28:50
Quote from: rowdy on Thu, 31 January 2013, 01:03:05
A real steampunk keyboard would be made of brass ;)

But how easy is brass to mold for keycaps?

and it must have rivets

Drool.... If there was a keyboard I would be willing to pay out the ass for... this would be it.  ;D
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: iri on Thu, 31 January 2013, 03:20:09
Quote from: dn on Wed, 30 January 2013, 20:24:39
I have hand carved black stone into a bird necklace for a girl once
WOW
Title: Re: METAL Keycaps
Post by: cobraj on Thu, 31 January 2013, 04:17:10
Quote from: laffindude on Wed, 30 January 2013, 10:37:32
Some more here for inspiration: http://iqmore.tw/computex2011-ksm

I got wood for that wood.