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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Karu on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:21:24

Title: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: Karu on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:21:24
Hey guys, bit of a newbie here from Toronto (joined like 15 min ago). I just recently got into mechanical keyboards and bought myself a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid -cherry mx blue. I'm interested in making my own keycaps but I have no idea where to start, was hoping you guys could help me out and set me in the right direction. I also enjoy mountain biking  :p
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: NikoGasm on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:44:21
What do you mean by making your own keycaps? Like manufacturing entire sets, or something unique like Alessandro, ClickClack, girldc, etc.?
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: NikoGasm on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:44:48
And welcome to geekhack, by the way. :D
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: Karu on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:52:21
Quote from: NikoGasm on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:44:21
What do you mean by making your own keycaps? Like manufacturing entire sets, or something unique like Alessandro, ClickClack, girldc, etc.?

Thanks, I'm not really trying to do anything too unique. I was just wondering if there is some sort of way that i could make a basic keycap out of a mold or something and get a general idea of what materials I should use and how i would go about doing it.
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: cytoSiN on Sat, 22 December 2012, 21:00:30
Welcome to GH.  This might be helpful for you:  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=23722.0
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: Karu on Sat, 22 December 2012, 21:13:06
Quote from: cytoSiN on Sat, 22 December 2012, 21:00:30
Welcome to GH.  This might be helpful for you:  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=23722.0

This link is awesome, thanks. Do you happen to know what kind of resin that I should fill the mold with? I know keycaps are supposed to be certain kinds of plastics like ABS or w/e.
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: Plater on Tue, 26 February 2013, 06:57:06
Quote from: NikoGasm on Sat, 22 December 2012, 20:44:21
What do you mean by making your own keycaps? Like manufacturing entire sets, or something unique like Alessandro, ClickClack, girldc, etc.?

Hello NikoGasm, I'm actually interested in looking for ways to manufacturing the entire sets of keycaps. You got any pointers for that?
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 26 February 2013, 08:50:57
Quote from: Plater on Tue, 26 February 2013, 06:57:06
Hello NikoGasm, I'm actually interested in looking for ways to manufacturing the entire sets of keycaps. You got any pointers for that?

Step 1: Purchase injection molding machine...

:D
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: S2000Gan on Wed, 27 February 2013, 22:46:38
Quote from: jdcarpe on Tue, 26 February 2013, 08:50:57
Quote from: Plater on Tue, 26 February 2013, 06:57:06
Hello NikoGasm, I'm actually interested in looking for ways to manufacturing the entire sets of keycaps. You got any pointers for that?

Step 1: Purchase injection molding machine...

:D
Or a 3D Printer.
I have a friend who 3D prints some keys
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: chanje on Fri, 01 March 2013, 10:33:38
Quote from: jdcarpe on Tue, 26 February 2013, 08:50:57
Quote from: Plater on Tue, 26 February 2013, 06:57:06
Hello NikoGasm, I'm actually interested in looking for ways to manufacturing the entire sets of keycaps. You got any pointers for that?

Step 1: Purchase injection molding machine...

:D
:p
Title: Re: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: zenuty on Sat, 02 March 2013, 08:50:49
Wellcome to Geek Hack

metoo new member
Title: newbie DIY keycaps
Post by: Batmann on Sat, 02 March 2013, 10:21:12
Making your own caps requires at least a pressure pot and a decent compressor, a vacuum pump would also help but you can do without If you pour the resin properly
Basically if you search for resin casting you'll find lot of videos/tutos
And welcome to geekhack!