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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Halverson on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:07:13

Title: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Halverson on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:07:13
http://keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php

Don't think I've seen this posted yet.

Limited quantity of doubleshot PBT arrow sets for $10.

Looks like a good buy, would be interesting to check how well the legends ended up, and how they feel.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: DanGWanG on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:19:02
Ordered a set to check it out
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Halverson on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:21:40
Ordered a set to check it out

Nice. Can't wait to hear what you think of them. Hope this is a sign of the future of doubleshot PBT caps.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:29:45
Seems like BLJ Consulting may have been experimenting again.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: reverkiller on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:33:46
PBT Doubleshots. Is this some sort of holy grail?
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: DanGWanG on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:35:53
^Definitely not as an arrow set, but it we'll see =)
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Zehkul on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:42:11
Ordered. I love PBT, and I love Doubleshots. Combining both = ALL MY MONEY.

Holy grail indeed. A full set … oh the possibilities.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: boost on Thu, 29 November 2012, 18:45:27
Nice...Do I hear PBT DS RGB? l
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: 1391401 on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:04:10
This is the most exciting time to be alive as a human being, I heard over on Deskthority someone found a german company doing DS Cherry Profile keycaps and now this?!
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Acanthophis on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:07:21
boost, ship the keycaps from the most recent one first before making plans on prototype keycaps :D

Ordered one as well.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: DanGWanG on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:07:44
This is the most exciting time to be alive as a human being, I heard over on Deskthority someone found a german company doing DS Cherry Profile keycaps and now this?!

You heard on DT or DT heard from us? =) http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37786.0
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: rainb1ood on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:34:10
ooh nice a finished product from their experimenting. I noticed this page a week ago http://keycapsdirect.com/comingsoon.php
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Vintage on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:42:16
wow.  :eek:

Maybe it's to compete with the GMK Electronics stuff to have the most expensive GB ever! Jk.  ;D   

Pretty cool though.



Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: samwisekoi on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:48:00
Ordered.

Hopefully these take the same molds as ABS so the existing custom molds can be used for either material.

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Kabuks on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:49:44
PBT double-shots  wow! :eek:
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Zehkul on Thu, 29 November 2012, 19:58:53
Hopefully these take the same molds as ABS so the existing custom molds can be used for either material.

Would be nice, that way the cherry font project wouldn’t be for nothing. ^^
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: sherryton on Thu, 29 November 2012, 20:06:11
wow this is awesome
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: fl0w3n on Thu, 29 November 2012, 20:09:36
PBT double shots??

Sounds awesome, I'm typing on my first PBT set as we speak.  I think I'd like that very much so. 
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 29 November 2012, 22:11:51
COOL! NICE FIND!
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: pitashen on Thu, 29 November 2012, 22:20:55
looking forward to seeing the quality of them (especially the key thickness)
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Thu, 29 November 2012, 22:59:40
Seems like BLJ Consulting may have been experimenting again.

just my luck, i spent all week perfecting this little gem and we decide to promote the PBT keys instead.

Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: DanGWanG on Thu, 29 November 2012, 23:01:00
What is that?!
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: hashbaz on Thu, 29 November 2012, 23:01:51
This is the most exciting time to be alive as a human being

So true.  The gods of plastic have been smiling on us lately.

PBT doubleshots?  Effin ordered that shizzle.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: metalliqaz on Thu, 29 November 2012, 23:06:38
Duct tape?  Obviously its the MacGyver keycap  :cool:
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Thu, 29 November 2012, 23:20:31
i was going for the 'red-green' homage but it's a fine line in the canadian television hall of fame.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 30 November 2012, 00:12:39
That little gem looks rather curious.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: danielucf on Fri, 30 November 2012, 00:18:36
I sent an email to add these PBT arrows to an order I'm placing. Hopefully they are not all sold out by the time Melissa sees my email.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 30 November 2012, 00:30:37
i was going for the 'red-green' homage but it's a fine line in the canadian television hall of fame.


Hook us Canadians up with that cap! Ehhhh
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: mkawa on Fri, 30 November 2012, 09:07:57
ordered mine
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: aggiejy on Fri, 30 November 2012, 12:02:15
NICE!  I spent a lot of time talking to Melissa about this a bit over a year ago.  I have plastics people in my family that kept telling me that this was completely possible, but Melissa said their molds wouldn't hold up at the temperatures or something like that.  Super glad they giving this a try! 

Sure glad I didn't go down this route (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=19829.0)!
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 30 November 2012, 12:15:21
Seems like BLJ Consulting may have been experimenting again.

just my luck, i spent all week perfecting this little gem and we decide to promote the PBT keys instead.



I"ll give you at least $60 for that key. It's so unique and one of a kind. LOOK AT IT!!!!!
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: metalliqaz on Fri, 30 November 2012, 13:08:29
I sent an email to add these PBT arrows to an order I'm placing. Hopefully they are not all sold out by the time Melissa sees my email.

Rare now but by next year they will probably be as commonplace as the rest of their doubleshots.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Hyde on Fri, 30 November 2012, 13:21:49
lol I wonder how much a full set would cost when it goes into production.  It would definitely set a new standard for keycaps.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Fri, 30 November 2012, 14:05:54
looking forward to seeing the quality of them (especially the key thickness)

approximately the same thickness as the usual SP keys.
Title: Re: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 30 November 2012, 14:33:50
looking forward to seeing the quality of them (especially the key thickness)

approximately the same thickness as the usual SP keys.
Thanks! Is it just because of your current tooling?
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Fri, 30 November 2012, 15:23:12
we have a lot of tooling at SP and most of it is built to be interchangeable so yes i used some existing components.  I'm all for testing but if I invested in building new tools to make some samples you would soon find me at my new business called "how to go bankrupt in less than 30 days"
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Fri, 30 November 2012, 16:37:06
Seems like BLJ Consulting may have been experimenting again.

just my luck, i spent all week perfecting this little gem and we decide to promote the PBT keys instead.



I"ll give you at least $60 for that key. It's so unique and one of a kind. LOOK AT IT!!!!!

no low-ball offers please
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: funkymeeba on Fri, 30 November 2012, 19:15:31
Man, if it turns out that we'd be able to do DSA-profile doubleshot PBT... Oh man. I tingle inside. (Note: But not tinkle. Not today.)
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 30 November 2012, 19:31:12
Seems like BLJ Consulting may have been experimenting again.

just my luck, i spent all week perfecting this little gem and we decide to promote the PBT keys instead.



I"ll give you at least $60 for that key. It's so unique and one of a kind. LOOK AT IT!!!!!

no low-ball offers please


$61.50?????
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Fri, 30 November 2012, 20:27:41
you won me over with that emoticon; i'll put it up in the front office on monday, next time you order something i'll ensure it is included in the shipment
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: mkawa on Fri, 30 November 2012, 20:36:32
is that what i think it is? (a key molded out of duct tape?) lol
Title: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 30 November 2012, 20:39:54
Whoa Beast got lucky !! :)
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 30 November 2012, 20:41:46
you won me over with that emoticon; i'll put it up in the front office on monday, next time you order something i'll ensure it is included in the shipment

I'll fly out tomorrow to pick it up personally. I need to meet the creator of this amazing cap
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: BLJ Consulting on Fri, 30 November 2012, 21:23:53
oh man, rough break, i have a luncheon at the white house tomorrow and then onto open my personal exhibit at MoMA so i am pretty booked.

i feel like i am derailing this thread...
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 30 November 2012, 22:46:52
oh man, rough break, i have a luncheon at the white house tomorrow and then onto open my personal exhibit at MoMA so i am pretty booked.

i feel like i am derailing this thread...

Well, I have a have a bunch meeting with the premier of China on Sunday so......
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 01 December 2012, 14:01:16
Eventually, I want to replace all my ABS with (vastly superior) PBT.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: salmo on Sun, 02 December 2012, 11:24:21
I'm curious to hear how these turn out.  Someone let us know when you get yours.  And, of course, what do they taste like?
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: DanGWanG on Thu, 06 December 2012, 15:35:46
Got mine in the mail today....

Until I see something I guess a bit more visually pleasing these are just normal arrow keys to me.  They have a high texture feel, similar to that of EK's ABS spacebar, but other than that, there's nothing else really aesthetically amazing.  The technology behind it leaves a lot of room for new development, but these arrow keys themselves aren't anything special.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: aggiejy on Thu, 06 December 2012, 16:17:49
Got mine today as well.  Holding next to the exact same (unused) ABS keys from SP, they are virtually indistinguishable.  I feel slightly more texture than the ABS.  They make slightly different sounds when you hit them with something.  But otherwise, there's virtually no way I'd be able to tell the difference. 

This isn't bad news of course... they're the same as what we've been buying, but (assumedly) much more durable texture.  They're still the too-thin SP molds, which won't change unless they invest a lot of moola. 

Regardless, AWESOME of SP to try these out!  I probably wouldn't pay much extra for a PBT set vs an ABS set of the same thing, but I suppose some would.  (I change keycaps so often that I don't wear out the ABS too fast, plus I kind of like a little shine!)
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: aggiejy on Thu, 06 December 2012, 16:25:42
Here is a recording of the ABS vs the PBT keys, side by side on the arrow keys.  The first sequence is the ABS, the second the PBT.  Alternating until the end.

The ABS is a bit higher pitch of a thud.  All up to personal preference, but I think I prefer the deeper PBT sound more.


NEVERMIND: I switched locations of the two, and that's just a difference of the location... the left arrow key location on filco sounds different than the right.  Changing caps doesn't change the sound much at all.  So I think there is very little difference in sound of the caps.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Vintage on Fri, 07 December 2012, 15:51:49
This is super-exciting. I might hold out for these. And RA or CCnB PBT set would be sick, and worth a big price, IMO.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: damorgue on Fri, 07 December 2012, 15:55:16
I probably wouldn't pay much extra for a PBT set vs an ABS set of the same thing, but I suppose some would.

I am part of the other camp. I have always preferred PBT over ABS, and thus also had to choose dye subbed and lasered over doble shot. No longer does one have to choose. PBT to the people!
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: samwisekoi on Fri, 07 December 2012, 16:28:21
Mine came in today.  I did a comparison with an RA set.  Visually identical.  Dropped in water, the PBT sank like a stone as expected. Nice, but not woo-hoo.

I will say they are nicer than the NOS "Cherry" Escape key that came at the same time.

Unfortunately my experience with PBT has been with IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp and Imsto, so I (we?) subconsciously equate PBT with "thick and sturdy."  These are not that.

I like the keys and I am glad I bought a sample set to see and touch.  But I am not going to pay triple over ABS double-shots any time soon.

Just my $.02,

 - Ron | samwisekoi
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: hashbaz on Fri, 07 December 2012, 16:29:54
Got my arrows.  Looking forward to using them over the next 20 years with no shine. :D
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: aggiejy on Fri, 07 December 2012, 16:54:26
Unfortunately my experience with PBT has been with IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp and Imsto, so I (we?) subconsciously equate PBT with "thick and sturdy."  These are not that.

Yeah! This is what I was trying to say.  It's not that I don't prefer PBT over ABS, it's just that besides texture durability, there isn't really any difference.  So the difference in the price would be just for that I guess... unless I'm missing something?
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: damorgue on Fri, 07 December 2012, 17:35:31
Yeah! This is what I was trying to say.  It's not that I don't prefer PBT over ABS, it's just that besides texture durability, there isn't really any difference.  So the difference in the price would be just for that I guess... unless I'm missing something?

Frankly, I think the difference is huge. I have never ever gotten any visible wear on my PBT keys. None.
ABS in shiny in about a week, especially the space bar where the spots and general unevenness of the wear makes it more noticeable.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: hashbaz on Fri, 07 December 2012, 17:41:18
I agree with damorgue.  Even without the thickness or even the texture of traditional PBT caps, the durability is worth extra to me.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: samwisekoi on Fri, 07 December 2012, 17:53:01
Yeah! This is what I was trying to say.  It's not that I don't prefer PBT over ABS, it's just that besides texture durability, there isn't really any difference.  So the difference in the price would be just for that I guess... unless I'm missing something?

Frankly, I think the difference is huge. I have never ever gotten any visible wear on my PBT keys. None.
ABS in shiny in about a week, especially the space bar where the spots and general unevenness of the wear makes it more noticeable.

Fair enough -- now if only SP had PBT spacebars.  Which they don't.

Quote from: Signature Plastics
We do not currently mold spacebars in PBT material.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: Vintage on Fri, 07 December 2012, 17:54:39
Yeah, I used an old IBM board at work and I am petty sure they were PBT. The keys felt awesome and there was no texture missing. And you could tell they treated that board like ****.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 07 December 2012, 17:55:09
Got my arrows.  Looking forward to using them over the next 20 years with no shine. :D

So SP has lost you as a customer for any more arrow keys?
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: alaricljs on Fri, 07 December 2012, 17:58:11
So SP has lost you as a customer for any more arrow keys?

That's what different colors are for.
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: damorgue on Fri, 07 December 2012, 19:16:39
I have always believed space bars to be the primary concern when it comes to ABS. If I could have a PBT space bar colour-matched to the ABS sets, that would increase the longevity of the DS sets by quite a lot. Black and white PBT spacebars are common, the others, not so much. Dolch PBT anyone?
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 08 December 2012, 01:04:09
So SP has lost you as a customer for any more arrow keys?

That's what different colors are for.

Touche :)
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: KuhnTang on Sun, 09 December 2012, 22:00:21
Can one of you folks that received the arrow set post pics.  Thanks
Title: Re: SP doubleshot PBT arrow set
Post by: aggiejy on Mon, 10 December 2012, 09:36:10
Yeah! This is what I was trying to say.  It's not that I don't prefer PBT over ABS, it's just that besides texture durability, there isn't really any difference.  So the difference in the price would be just for that I guess... unless I'm missing something?

Frankly, I think the difference is huge. I have never ever gotten any visible wear on my PBT keys. None.
ABS in shiny in about a week, especially the space bar where the spots and general unevenness of the wear makes it more noticeable.

I said BESIDES texture durability, there isn't a noticeable difference. I'd be curious if anyone disagrees after having *these* caps.