geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: kiczek on Mon, 09 April 2012, 17:36:21

Title: Laser Cutting Metal "Zinc" Cherry MX Keycaps?
Post by: kiczek on Mon, 09 April 2012, 17:36:21
I recently ordered a set of 37 Zinc Metal Keycaps which I think they will be great once they are laser cut.

I am wondering if anyone here has ever modified these keycaps and had someone laser cut the letters out?
Once the letters are cutout then I could fill in the missing metal with clear epoxy so it would also work with my LED backlight.
I currently own a Qumax / XARMOR U9BL Cherry MX Blue with Blue LED keyboard.

I am thinking about it and some letters like QROPADB would need a modified font to allow the letters to be cut out but still allow some zinc to float in place.

Any font suggestions or persons able to cut these keys for a reasonable price would be appreciated!  I am wondering if someone can get Vortex to make an aluminum keyboard with backlit keys! Either way find me someone to help me convert these keys so they are awesome :-P
Title: Laser Cutting Metal "Zinc" Cherry MX Keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 09 April 2012, 21:14:23
You can look up some stencil fonts to get the letters with holes in.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stencil_(typeface)
http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=114
Title: Laser Cutting Metal "Zinc" Cherry MX Keycaps?
Post by: kiczek on Wed, 11 April 2012, 03:08:25
Quote from: dorkvader;571950
You can look up some stencil fonts to get the letters with holes in.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stencil_(typeface)
http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=114

Thanks for the info dorkvader. I had a bit of a brain fart and had no idea what kind of font typeface I was looking for! :-P If I do find someone willing to laser cut the keys I will most definitely post pictures :-)
Title: Laser Cutting Metal "Zinc" Cherry MX Keycaps?
Post by: Maarten on Wed, 11 April 2012, 03:36:12
Be carefull that you dont pick a too large a font that weakens the stems too much (assuming you find lasers that can actually cut through the stem vertically without melting anything). Zinc is quite crappy stuff and can be very prone to breaking when doing stuff like this to it...
Title: Laser Cutting Metal "Zinc" Cherry MX Keycaps?
Post by: kiczek on Thu, 12 April 2012, 19:32:15
Quote from: Maarten;572801
Be carefull that you dont pick a too large a font that weakens the stems too much (assuming you find lasers that can actually cut through the stem vertically without melting anything). Zinc is quite crappy stuff and can be very prone to breaking when doing stuff like this to it...
Decided not to laser cut the keys it looks slick right now and your zinc warning is definitely making me think twice.

What I want is an all aluminum keyboard with aluminum keycaps with blue LED backlight. The whole thing needs to be Anodized Blue with Cherry MX Blue switches.