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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: sth on Thu, 01 March 2012, 13:08:27

Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: sth on Thu, 01 March 2012, 13:08:27
http://www.ebay.com/sch/smooth-silk/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Just bought 2 sets (orange and yellow front printed). I will report back with shipping + quality info when I receive them.

YO -- THEY'RE PRETTY GOOD IF YOU LIKE MIXING AND / OR MATCHING

KBC ABS. Standard TaoBao stuff.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Thu, 01 March 2012, 13:13:00
I've heard those key qualities are complete crap. But at those prices, they are completely disposable if you don't like them.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: sth on Thu, 01 March 2012, 13:19:31
Yeah I figure they won't be great but I'm going to wait to buy doubleshots or something until I have a nicer board.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: sth on Mon, 05 March 2012, 18:45:37
Quick update on the keys:
As far as I can tell so far, they're the same quality as the ones that come on WASD boards. ABS obviously, but not ultra thin like I expected. Smooth tops are not my favorite but they're not glossy or anything. Also, both sets came in one embossed KBC box... not what I was expecting.

I think I'll keep them on my Leo for a bit.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Mon, 05 March 2012, 20:23:59
Seems that seller sells both KBC and K-Force, depending. Sounds like you got KBC which are perfectly good quality. KBC does not have a lot of texture on their abs, but that is not necessarily bad. I am 99% sure that WASD keys are the same source as KBC as both have identical mold stamps, texture and color choice (though WASD does not yet offer all of them).

As for waiting to get a good board before doubleshots... thats not a good idea. Especially if you want Cherry. The longer you wait, the more 'rare' and expensive they will get. Cherry is already out of production for 3+ years and new sets are already fetching premiums over $100. Often used too depending on keys.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Glockateer on Fri, 09 March 2012, 20:05:23
Nice find, I ended up getting the pink set. It came in a KBC box and is certainly great quality.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Awful on Fri, 09 March 2012, 21:36:28
Are they all r1 or are they worth buying? I'm really thinking about getting some.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Fri, 09 March 2012, 22:34:47
That would be incredibly stupid. Surely no one would make an all Row1 set of alpha keys!  :-/
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: sth on Sat, 10 March 2012, 11:35:36
Quote from: Awful;540693
Are they all r1 or are they worth buying? I'm really thinking about getting some.
Nope, it's 1-3 + arrows. The yellow set I bough hasn't left my keyboard yet. I'd recommend them. Thicker even than some SP doubleshots but the printing contrast is crap.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Mmmbacon on Sat, 10 March 2012, 21:28:54
Quote from: sth;541153
Nope, it's 1-3 + arrows. The yellow set I bough hasn't left my keyboard yet. I'd recommend them. Thicker even than some SP doubleshots but the printing contrast is crap.


I too ordered the yellow set on a whim, not thinking they would be of any quality. Like STH has said, they are pretty damn good. I also second the printing quality, but it's nowhere near a dealbreaker.  I got a rosewill the same day these keys arrived thinking I wouldnt keep em on there long.  I think Ill leave em awhile!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]43514[/ATTACH]  [ATTACH=CONFIG]43513[/ATTACH]
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: xcrx on Mon, 12 March 2012, 05:36:25
I also got a set of yellow. I am no expert but I think they are pretty decent.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Mon, 12 March 2012, 21:57:05
Lavender looks like a pretty nice color.  I may end up getting a set for myelf
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: notnay on Mon, 12 March 2012, 22:04:33
Bought a white set. Hoping these are better than the blackwidow caps.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: necr0mancer on Tue, 13 March 2012, 04:14:19
So... is the consensus that these are a worthy purchase?
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: xcrx on Tue, 13 March 2012, 05:53:18
Quote from: necr0mancer;544323
So... is the consensus that these are a worthy purchase?

I would buy them again.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Blazestorm on Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:20:21
They're KBC ABS caps according to the seller. They sound different than the stock Das caps I have, fit tighter on the switches. My Das switches were loose enough I never needed a key-cap puller, I could just pull them by hand.

Oh yea, I ordered orange side-printed and red top-printed. Have the orange ones on my Das right now, I'll take a couple pics.

(http://i.imgur.com/tvMfql.jpg) (http://imgur.com/tvMfq.jpg)
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: kdu85 on Tue, 13 March 2012, 17:12:10
just ordered a yellow set for my cmstorm browns
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: irjoe on Wed, 14 March 2012, 02:27:02
anyone have photos to share of the blue/lavender ones?
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Wed, 14 March 2012, 21:15:11
The description says it comes with a key cap puller so I pulled the trigger and bought a set of lavenders.  Will report back with pictures when I can.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Blazestorm on Wed, 14 March 2012, 21:17:07
Yea, they come with that ring plastic key puller.

I found out the trick to using those and not scratching your keys. They're smooth when you push down, but the little clips that help grab onto the keys will scratch your keys if you don't slide it off horizontally. So you push down vertically, then slide off whichever horizontal direction it can slide (depends what orientation you pushed down).
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: irjoe on Thu, 15 March 2012, 03:33:22
You mean the puller will scratch your caps once you take them out unless slid off horizontally?

@Filphil, When will you receive the lavender set? I want to get second opinions :P
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Blazestorm on Thu, 15 March 2012, 11:29:01
Yea, well I remember seeing a few people posting not to use those cause they'll scratch your caps. But nobody mentioned you can avoid that if you're careful.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Thu, 15 March 2012, 14:36:01
I may just wrap a single layer of hockey grip tape to the prongs of the key cap puller to prevent scratching.  I'll figure something out to prevent any mishaps.

I just checked my tracking information and there isn't an estimated delivery date yet.  In my experience this type of shipment, if not updated in a quick manner, usually comes in through the mail box.  That means I'll most likely get it next week.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Mmmbacon on Thu, 15 March 2012, 16:24:54
I ended up leaving my yellow w/side print keycaps on, everyone that comes in my office comments on it now. For 14 bucks shipped, I don't see how you can go wrong here. I think Im going to buy 2 or 3 more for some variety. Here's a pic of the key puller. Hey Fliphil, shoot us a pic of the lavender one when you get em, I think those are next :-)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44340[/ATTACH]
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Thu, 15 March 2012, 17:23:36
Definitely.  I'll get out the DSLR and the external flash just for the pictures. :bounce:
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Ursadon-n-Pals on Fri, 16 March 2012, 03:21:39
Though these are ABS, I ordered them and the texture is quite nice. It doesn't  have a super smooth texture. I like their slight roughness. :D


EDIT: sorry don't know why it doubleposted
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Ursadon-n-Pals on Fri, 16 March 2012, 03:21:54
Though these are ABS, I ordered them and the texture is quite nice. It doesn't  have a super smooth texture. I like their slight roughness. :D
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: irjoe on Fri, 16 March 2012, 06:01:39
What kind did you get? Got any photos? :P
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: tobr1an on Sun, 18 March 2012, 19:21:14
Agree! Would love to see some photos from you guys. Thanks.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Mon, 19 March 2012, 13:28:23
Got the key caps in today.  Overall I would rate them somewhere between a 7/10 or an 8/10.  This is my first set of key caps for the bling factor so I don't know how these compare to the market.  The text is large throughout the keyboard while some of them appear to be off center a bit.  To some it's a big deal but it's not to me.  There is also some fade in some keys.  I've taken pictures and posted below.  You can see them in the S, F and J keys.  I'd buy again but probably go for the side texted next time to preserve the lettering or spring for a blank set of the seller ever decides to put one of those out onto the market.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44919[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]44920[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]44921[/ATTACH]
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: morgofborg on Mon, 19 March 2012, 13:46:34
Nice man; looks good. That purple and black is always a good combo.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 March 2012, 14:00:03
Oooh, that's pretty decent for a bling board. Reminds me of EVA 01.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Mon, 19 March 2012, 16:03:01
A few hours of use have already resulted in my texting to begin to fade.  =/
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 March 2012, 16:04:03
Buy one of my front-printed sets  :)
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Mon, 19 March 2012, 16:09:27
Quote from: filphil;550670
Got the key caps in today.  Overall I would rate them somewhere between a 7/10 or an 8/10.  This is my first set of key caps for the bling factor so I don't know how these compare to the market.  The text is large throughout the keyboard while some of them appear to be off center a bit.  To some it's a big deal but it's not to me.  There is also some fade in some keys.  I've taken pictures and posted below.  You can see them in the S, F and J keys.  I'd buy again but probably go for the side texted next time to preserve the lettering or spring for a blank set of the seller ever decides to put one of those out onto the market.

(Attachment) 44919[/ATTACH]
(Attachment) 44920[/ATTACH]
(Attachment) 44921[/ATTACH]


As an official follow up -
The color is great, the fit is fine, the key cap puller as expected will leave marks on the previous set of keys.  The only sets worth buying are the side texted caps the seller doesn't always have in stock.  This'll probably prevent the fade I've experience after only a couple of hours of use.  Again, at $14 shipped to the US it's not a bad buy at all.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Mmmbacon on Mon, 19 March 2012, 16:12:29
Quote from: filphil;550670
Got the key caps in today.  Overall I would rate them somewhere between a 7/10 or an 8/10.  This is my first set of key caps for the bling factor so I don't know how these compare to the market.  The text is large throughout the keyboard while some of them appear to be off center a bit.  To some it's a big deal but it's not to me.  There is also some fade in some keys.  I've taken pictures and posted below.  You can see them in the S, F and J keys.  I'd buy again but probably go for the side texted next time to preserve the lettering or spring for a blank set of the seller ever decides to put one of those out onto the market.

Man those Look good!! ima get those too...
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Mon, 19 March 2012, 16:20:22
Pictures look better than real life. Pink is kinda purplish. Yellow and orange shades are okay, but the legends look like an MX80 printed them with a 30yr old dry ink ribbon. Pinks have white paint, but I suspect that will rub right off. Blanks are the best idea. They are very tight. I fear damaging my cherry switches when I remove these. :-/

Decent keys, decent price, crap legends. $14 is what they are worth.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: absyrd on Tue, 20 March 2012, 08:01:27
Quote from: filphil;550670
Got the key caps in today.  Overall I would rate them somewhere between a 7/10 or an 8/10.  This is my first set of key caps for the bling factor so I don't know how these compare to the market.  The text is large throughout the keyboard while some of them appear to be off center a bit.  To some it's a big deal but it's not to me.  There is also some fade in some keys.  I've taken pictures and posted below.  You can see them in the S, F and J keys.  I'd buy again but probably go for the side texted next time to preserve the lettering or spring for a blank set of the seller ever decides to put one of those out onto the market.

(Attachment) 44919[/ATTACH]
(Attachment) 44920[/ATTACH]
(Attachment) 44921[/ATTACH]


That is the "blue" set? My wife got those and hers look MUCH darker. Printing is darker gray, too. Perhaps it is just the flash on your camera that is throwing me off.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Tue, 20 March 2012, 14:21:32
It is the flash in the camera that is probably throwing you off.  

I've emailed the seller.  Apparently the blue is the only one that inherently has fading problems because the gray lettering oxidizes off and leaves a darker tint.  The darker tint is probably from the laser etching.  He claims that the others, which use black print, do not have this problem.  He's willing to work things out with me and is timely in his response.  I wouldn't count this seller out just yet.  I will update with everything when the time comes.

Also, I'll be trying to die the current key caps with Fuchsia Rit Dye.  I'll post up a new thread about that process.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: absyrd on Tue, 20 March 2012, 18:28:50
Nice. I'll keep her on the lookout for similar fading. And I'll be looking forward to your experiments.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Tue, 20 March 2012, 19:12:18
Some people never learn, or even bother to listen.  :-/
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Tue, 20 March 2012, 20:18:21
(http://img.tapatalk.com/a6f9ca66-0043-70b4.jpg)

Some new keys and o-rings.  Highly processed for vibrancy. Looks fun, despite the crappy legends.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Tue, 20 March 2012, 20:28:26
Pic doesn't work?  I just ordered a set of o-rings from the classifieds here.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Tue, 20 March 2012, 20:39:12
Oh yeah, how much and what size and durometer rating?

"Pic doesn't work?" makes no sense.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 20 March 2012, 21:19:36
If you click on the image, it doesn't work. I can't see anything, and there's just a broken URL.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Tue, 20 March 2012, 22:37:49
Quote from: captain;551928
Oh yeah, how much and what size and durometer rating?

"Pic doesn't work?" makes no sense.

There was an attachment in your post.  I clicked and it didn't work.

the specs of the o-rings are 40A, 3/16" ID, 1/16" W
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Wed, 21 March 2012, 11:23:22
Weird. Tapatalk fail. Picture now fixed.

Orings 008 70a
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: captain on Thu, 22 March 2012, 01:26:02
Tap the "open advanced options", and upload away, either to vbulletin or tapatalk hosted. like this.



Thanks Steve.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: biszarerabbit on Thu, 22 March 2012, 19:48:58
ordered a set of yellow side printed keycaps for my cm quickfire blues
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Fri, 23 March 2012, 04:51:35
The seller sent me a message saying the a set of side printed yellows are on the way to my door after my dissatisfaction with the lavender.  Let's hope for the best!
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: wiredPANDA on Fri, 23 March 2012, 12:33:56
Price is too good to pass up to splash a little color on this white board.  Let me know how the side print yellows are.  And I wish they had more of the lavender available right now.

**Edit:
Yellow Side Print just ordered. Now the waiting game starts.  I'll get some pics up once they arrive.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Emmiya on Fri, 23 March 2012, 17:34:11
Damn they're some nice sets for the price... especially the front-printed ones.
Would love some but unfortunately live in the UK =/
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Input Nirvana on Sat, 24 March 2012, 02:53:26
Quote from: captain;550806
Decent keys, decent price, crap legends. $14 is what they are worth.

Crappy legends certainly will bring the price down, but I sorta like the side printed ones. That almost makes up for the less-than-stellar legends, but not quite :)

Blanks sound like a no-brainer to me for a smoking deal.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: modus on Sat, 24 March 2012, 17:44:17
Quote from: filphil;554458
The seller sent me a message saying the a set of side printed yellows are on the way to my door after my dissatisfaction with the lavender.  Let's hope for the best!

I guess that the squeaky wheel adage holds true.  I picked up the 'blue' sideprints and wasn't too happy with how the legends wiped away at a touch, though couldn't be bothered to make issue of it.  Hope the yellows work out better for you.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:31:10
The yellows arrived and everything about the side printed texts are better.  The alignment of the legends are especially better, imo
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: wiredPANDA on Mon, 26 March 2012, 20:44:15
Actually just received mine today, as well.  Got them on the board this afternoon, but I left work shortly after.  Tomorrow is judgement day.

They're a little thinner than the base Leopold keys and the print isn't amazing, but for 13.99 I'm not complaining.  Finally something to spruce up the plain white board a little.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: Rexxed on Mon, 26 March 2012, 22:10:30
I got the red set.  I like that they're really vibrant.  They don't match the more orangey red from the RGB modifier set I got from WASD keyboards, as they're a bit deeper red and not as orange, but they look good besides that.  I think someone mentioned it before but they came in a KBC box with a key puller that's the same red plastic.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Tue, 27 March 2012, 00:20:43
Be careful with the red puller if you want to preserve your keys. I took the puller and rubbed a piece of wood in between it to effectively sand it down and not harm the current key caps.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: wiredPANDA on Tue, 27 March 2012, 01:26:39
Quote from: filphil;557867
Be careful with the red puller if you want to preserve your keys. I took the puller and rubbed a piece of wood in between it to effectively sand it down and not harm the current key caps.

This.  The keycap puller is a bit rough in the middle.  I also found that mine (at least) had trouble grabbing both sides of the key for removal.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Tue, 27 March 2012, 03:53:16
Mine had some trouble but I thought it was nothing to really write off about.  It almost seems like the pullers were cut from out from its frame with scissors, not giving a clean cut and results in dimples if nothing is done.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: robat on Tue, 27 March 2012, 05:49:09
Quote from: filphil;557968
Mine had some trouble but I thought it was nothing to really write off about.  It almost seems like the pullers were cut from out from its frame with scissors, not giving a clean cut and results in dimples if nothing is done.

The one i received with my order was very roughly molded.  Took a file to it to smooth it.  The one I received from WASD is much better quality but you still have to be careful using it to avoid scratching keys.
Title: 37 keycap sets 13.99 free shipping
Post by: filphil on Thu, 29 March 2012, 10:19:41
If anyone is selling their side printed sets, let me know.  I'm looking for colors besides YELLOW and ORANGE.