geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Waambulance on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:05:07

Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:05:07
I'm looking to purchase some key caps for my Otaku Tenkeyless keyboard and I'm curious as to what "family" the row 1 keys are? I'd hate to buy keys that don't match the original shape/angle.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Quarzac on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:07:45
What caps are you looking at? It's easier for us to just tell you whether or not the set will match. If you're looking at a custom set from SP, then I THINK it's DCS, but I am in no way certain about that. But whatever the SP profile is, it doesn't match perfectly. Ripster will tell you all about that.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:21:19
Well, I'm wanting to get 10 caps, numbered 0-9 from SP; Just want the closest match possible. I would hate to have 10 keys that are grossly different than the others.


Thanks for answering my questions.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:23:01
Most stuff we make from SP is DCS "Family". But I'm not sure if OP is asking about profile or family.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:29:37
http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/faq/FamilyProfilesLG.jpg

DCS looks right, but I wasn't quite sure.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:31:47
SP keys will be about 1mm lower on the numeric row than stock keys. If you want the height and shape to match, better off with keys from WASD.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:35:00
Would that 1mm be a noticeable difference? I think I'll be OK with that height difference if they're still higher than the key row below them. Also, I'm not interested in buying an entire keycap set, which is why SP seems to be the best place, unless you have any recommendations?
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:42:00
You can buy single keys at WASDkeyboards. Cheaper than Sp too. I find it noticeable and annoying to have different profiles, but some don't.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Mon, 30 January 2012, 22:48:29
Ah, I forgot to mention that I want these 10 keys to be labelled. :(


EDIT:

Just noticed that I can get them with labels, derp.


Thanks for the help!
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Tue, 31 January 2012, 14:45:45
SP quoted me $93 for 10 blue keycaps numbered 0-9... ridiculous.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Gawkbasher on Tue, 31 January 2012, 14:47:12
Quote from: Waambulance;504535
SP quoted me $93 for 10 blue keycaps numbered 0-9... ridiculous.

Machine time.

Small orders are always expensive.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Tue, 31 January 2012, 14:57:32
Quote from: Gawkbasher;504537
Machine time.

Small orders are always expensive.

So I basically have to buy an entire set from WASD? ;(
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Gawkbasher on Tue, 31 January 2012, 15:02:40
Quote from: Waambulance;504550
So I basically have to buy an entire set from WASD? ;(

On the upside, they'll be QC'd a hell of a lot better.

ABS though :(


The economics of producing these things just isn't well suited to hobbyists who want small batches of specific keys, unfortunately.  Pretty much the only way to work with these plastics is injection molding and it's expensive.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Waambulance on Tue, 31 January 2012, 15:20:34
Gahhh, this is going to get expensive if I want a quality keycap set. :P


What's the difference between ABS and the other types, in terms of feel, weight, etc? I'm a newbie when it comes to Mechanical Keyboards.
Title: Leopold Keycap Question
Post by: Gawkbasher on Tue, 31 January 2012, 15:25:01
ABS keys are easier to manufacture and thus are generally cheaper but they develop a "shine" over time with use.

Feel, weight, etc, I can't say much more (I don't have/use any abs keys except for this spacebar).  There are pretty detailed explanations of keycap types/materials in the wiki, IIRC.