geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Classifieds => Topic started by: mkawa on Wed, 09 January 2013, 16:26:13
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Hey folks,
I've been working with SP recently on pushing the envelope on our favorite hobby (huge thanks to them for indulging me!). One of the results of these experiments is the following set of keys:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/IMG_2182.jpg)
UPDATE: better shots here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39074.msg764735#msg764735
Yep, those are two shot keys in which the second shot (cruciform and keycap body) is clear polycarb and the first shot (the legend) is colored ABS. In this case, the color is the closest blue on the SP color wheel to a cherry MX blue stem. A couple things to notice:
-The material in the first shot which does not directly constitute the legend forms a unique pattern according to the injection pressure needed for the second shot
-Accordingly, bigger legends give a more consistent, uniform keycap, whereas smaller legends (eg, larger keys like the enter) end up with sort of a Rorschach pattern surrounding the legend
-I expect these keys will look pretty trippy under backlighting ;)
Here's a side-profile:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/IMG_2185.jpg)
As with the first geekhack pack, these keys are limited edition; I won't run this exact color and key combination again. The whole set will go up for sale on techkeys (http://techkeys.us) (subscribe to the newsletter people!) within about a week for 9.50 USD plus shipping and handling. As usual, 100% of profits will go to support geekhack.org operations.
As always, thanks for your support folks!
-kawa
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Ooh, now those are fun! I hope I can grab one.
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cool :D
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Those look great, looking forward to the sale ^_^
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I think kawa got confused as to which was the first shot and which was the second.
Either that or he did this just to mess with us! :P
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I like these a lot better than the original! Cool!
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These look awesome, I can't wait to get a hold of one!
...oh wait...I have a bag containing an undisclosed number of them :P
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These look awesome, I can't wait to get a hold of one!
...oh wait...I have a bag containing an undisclosed number of them :P
Oh my, enough to spread to us good folk of GH?
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These look awesome, I can't wait to get a hold of one!
...oh wait...I have a bag containing an undisclosed number of them :P
Such a showoff :P. I can't wait to get some of these, they look awesome.
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As with the first geekhack pack, these keys are limited edition; I won't run this exact color and key combination again. The whole set will go up for sale on techkeys (http://techkeys.us) (subscribe to the newsletter people!) within about a week for 9.50 USD plus shipping and handling. As usual, 100% of profits will go to support geekhack.org operations.
As always, thanks for your support folks!
-kawa
Sa-weet! Can't wait!
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oh, and before i forget! happy holidays everyone! :D
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The texture in the first picture almost makes it look like a clear cap with sparkly blue nail polish painted on.
I'm sure in person they look better. Very cool idea
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Wow I asked so many times of they would do that and I was told absolutely no lol. These are so freaking cool!
Mkawa you are the effing man!
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[attachimg=1]
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The last picture looks like it is a sterling silver cap.
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Winter is coming... looks pretty frosty.
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how does polycarbonate compare to ABS or PBT when it comes to wear?
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Awesome!
I happen to have a keyboard with MX blue switches and backlighting ... ;)
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These look sweet! Be even better if they were red and clear, but im thinking im going to have to pick up a set.
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If all goes according to plan - These will go up for sale tonight...stay tuned for a techkeys email if you want to be the first to know.
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I hope they're not all gone when I wake up tomorrow.... :(
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so, where does poly carb sit in comparison to ABS and PBT? what's the key feel/texture/wear on those going to be like?
very cool. it's interesting to see that our community (with a bit of spear heading obviously) shows a great enough demand that they're willing to try some new things out.
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Weird looking. I wonder if the legend is easier to distinguish when looking at the caps in person.
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I can't wait to see some of those on a backlit keyboard.
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so, where does poly carb sit in comparison to ABS and PBT? what's the key feel/texture/wear on those going to be like?
no idea! it should be similar to the one-shot clear caps that SP has been selling on their webstore.
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zing looks like it's available
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In for 1!
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Is the GeekHack Accessories 'Add to Cart' button broken for anyone else?
Edit: Fixed
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These are available for purchase at Techkeys now! Just ordered dos :p
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Is the GeekHack Accessories 'Add to Cart' button broken for anyone else?
Mine worked fine!
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Ordered some. Hope I get it this time. lol Last time the cable disappeared.
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Ordered. Worked for me :)
Damnit, that was the shortest time between me seeing the keycap availability and clicking the pay now link.
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Sweet, been too busy in RL for GH lately, but I always check my techkeys emails!
Ordered these awesome pieces of keycap history and a jungle frog mimic cable!
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Man the customer service that TechKeys provides is awesome! I ordered 2 sets of the new GH keys, then forgot to include the laminated key sheet. Emailed them and in less than 2 minutes it was all settled and added to my order. Very very impressive!
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Man the customer service that TechKeys provides is awesome! I ordered 2 sets of the new GH keys, then forgot to include the laminated key sheet. Emailed them and in less than 2 minutes it was all settled and added to my order. Very very impressive!
I know, I love i3oiler!
Has helped me out many times ^_^
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Ordered. Worked for me :)
Damnit, that was the shortest time between me seeing the keycap availability and clicking the pay now link.
I've been F5'ing this thread all day waiting for this. I know how you feel though 'cause I insta-bought a whole bunch of swag ^_^
Thanks i3oiler!
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Got one myself too. Can't wait to see it in person :)
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Ordered.. thanks!
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Will look fancy in a backlight keyboard i imagined
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3rd order I've placed with TechKeys in the past 30 days. This is becoming a habit. :p
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Ordered a set...
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Just ordered a set, as well as a bunch of other keys. ;D
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Does anyone have any pics of them on a board? They look so strange I'm curious to see how they look properly
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I can take some tonight. Really some of the most interesting keys I have seen...especially after seeing this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GOpj2Zgk710
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Ordered a set and some more :)
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3rd order I've placed with TechKeys in the past 30 days. This is becoming a habit. :p
Maybe you can set up a tab system with i3oiler :p
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had a go at this
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Looks good mkawa! Excited to get mine!
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had a go at this
That picture did it for me, ordered a set
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had a go at this
Whoa, that is awesome. So happy I snagged a set. Now I just need a backlit board...
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Hey - can these be made in reverse? Using the transparent material as the first shot and the blue (or other colour) as the second shot, to make backlighting friendly keycaps? :D
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It looks like it can be done but I don't know how consistent the transparent shot will be for it to allow the light to pass through on all the keys
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Hey - can these be made in reverse? Using the transparent material as the first shot and the blue (or other colour) as the second shot, to make backlighting friendly keycaps? :D
technically, it can be done, but that the result won't be quite what you want -- the issue is that the second shot actually completely surrounds the first shot _except_ where the legend pokes through to the top of the key, and a few stochastic points on the underside of the key where the 2nd shot doesn't quite flow through the first shot lattice. flip any standard ABS 2-shot from SP over and you'll see what i mean. however, keep in mind that the second shot in a 2-shot abs/polycarb key is not necessarily injection molded at the same pressure and as a 2-shot ABS.
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Wouldn't the light that shines through not be consistent as well, because of the weave pattern of the first shot?
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it depends on the legend design, random variation in exactly how the key was formed, the brightness of the backlight, the opacity of the 2nd shot material, etc.
luckily, i like experimenting :D
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Wouldn't the light that shines through not be consistent as well, because of the weave pattern of the first shot?
I would guess so, but that would make it even cooler, no?
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Very lucky indeed! Can't wait to see what else you come up with!
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Wouldn't the light that shines through not be consistent as well, because of the weave pattern of the first shot?
I would guess so, but that would make it even cooler, no?
Ehhh. The way I envision it, it would look cheap/half-assed. I could be wrong though.
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So when are we starting the GB on a full set of these?
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Ordered a set and some other stuff last night, my 2nd order from Techkeys in the last 5 days. :p
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i should also mention that i picked up one of boiler's awesome new keypullers when i grabbed my samples of the keys. o.m.g best. keypuller. ever. i've used the leopold puller, bent paperclips, all kinds of crap, and this one is easily the best i've used. it has better tension and wire shape than the filco/leopold, and length is perfect -- it gives you a bit more leverage on stubborn caps like tight MX keys or two-piece BS.
ARE YOU A WIZARD, BOILER?!?!
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i should also mention that i picked up one of boiler's awesome new keypullers when i grabbed my samples of the keys. o.m.g best. keypuller. ever. i've used the leopold puller, bent paperclips, all kinds of crap, and this one is easily the best i've used. it has better tension and wire shape than the filco/leopold, and length is perfect -- it gives you a bit more leverage on stubborn caps like tight MX keys or two-piece BS.
ARE YOU A WIZARD, BOILER?!?!
where can you get this magical device from?? (url?)
oh and I ordered a set, and also the layout board from the pervious GH group
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http://www.techkeys.us/accessories.php
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ohh that thing, but it just looks like a standard wasd/filco puller? :/
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yes, frankly they're all wires on sticks, but i'll be damned if this one doesn't work a bit better than my leopold and all the makeshift crap i've made. it's possible that the filco and wasd pullers are just as good; i haven't used those.
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Hey - can these be made in reverse? Using the transparent material as the first shot and the blue (or other colour) as the second shot, to make backlighting friendly keycaps? :D
technically, it can be done, but that the result won't be quite what you want -- the issue is that the second shot actually completely surrounds the first shot _except_ where the legend pokes through to the top of the key, and a few stochastic points on the underside of the key where the 2nd shot doesn't quite flow through the first shot lattice. flip any standard ABS 2-shot from SP over and you'll see what i mean. however, keep in mind that the second shot in a 2-shot abs/polycarb key is not necessarily injection molded at the same pressure and as a 2-shot ABS.
Thanks for the detailed response.
But ... most backlighting is (or has a setting that is) fairly bright, so anywhere underneath that the first shot flows through to the legend on top should allow sufficient light to leak out to illuminate the keycap. And given that it is transparent, as opposed to translucent, should let more light through?
Another but ... relying on that mechanism to produce uniform lighting across the keyboard would be silly, as that is not the way backlighting is intended to work.
Ok, bad idea, although you might get a vaguely useable set out of it.
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Since PBT/PBT doubleshots are difficult to achieve, what about PBT/polycarbonate legends? That would, in my opinion, be acceptable as a "doubleshot" PBT keycap while allowing for backlighting to work (without doing what TG3 does).
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.. and here we go :)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/ghp2/_DSC9479.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/ghp2/_DSC9484.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/ghp2/_DSC9485.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/ghp2/_DSC9489.jpg)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24794081/ghp2/_DSC9493.jpg)
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Beautiful ^-^
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Oooo, those are some sexy pictures mkawa
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Ok for real lets do a whole set, someone start the GB
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Ok for real lets do a whole set, someone start the GB
Yes please.
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Ok for real lets do a whole set, someone start the GB
Yes please.
X2! And lets make them all different colours! Rainbow unicorn vomit led board catastrophe!
But in all seriousness, more yes, at least a function or number row
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Great look - like frosted glass :)
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I would really like it if it is done in other colors beside this blue!
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I would really like it if it is done in other colors beside this blue!
even if you don't like it, the purchase directly helps GH as the money goes to help this community.
I myself love these caps and wanted to help so I ordered on friday.
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i should also mention that i picked up one of boiler's awesome new keypullers when i grabbed my samples of the keys. o.m.g best. keypuller. ever. i've used the leopold puller, bent paperclips, all kinds of crap, and this one is easily the best i've used. it has better tension and wire shape than the filco/leopold, and length is perfect -- it gives you a bit more leverage on stubborn caps like tight MX keys or two-piece BS.
ARE YOU A WIZARD, BOILER?!?!
mkawa, you are correct. i3oiler is a wizard. The wires are spaced so that the fit around the caps easily and the tension is nice. The Filco one isn't bad but the shape is a bit off and there's no spacing so you have to constantly adjust.
Also, the pack is SO nice. I just got mine today :D
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I really like my WASD puller. I should have gotten one of these to check it out.
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i wish they made full sets of them.
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i have to say that i think they are really cool on my board
i wish there was a entire set of these, even better with caps to fit on a ergodox, clear ergodox case, clear DS caps, be swweeeet. i can dream.....
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The only way these will look good is if there is a full set of them. Or if you happened to have a blue keyboard with white keycaps.
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I would also like to see a full pack of these.
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Ordering a Set, but I would really love to see these in other colors such as Red, Green, Purple, Orange ect... Awesome Ideas for sure though!
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Ordering a Set, but I would really love to see these in other colors such as Red, Green, Purple, Orange ect... Awesome Ideas for sure though!
Maybe next month ... ?
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Ordering a Set, but I would really love to see these in other colors such as Red, Green, Purple, Orange ect... Awesome Ideas for sure though!
Maybe next month ... ?
Orange "March" Pack '13
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i'm going to do my best to keep one key or pack a month rolling in. however, please keep in mind that i am fronting the funds for this myself (they are my experiments, after all :), so we'll have to see how things go.
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Cant wait :) , I bough this pack just to check out the technique and support the idea.
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Wait what is this doubleshot PBT (really?!) green smiley key now available!?
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Wait what is this doubleshot PBT (really?!) green smiley key now available!?
http://www.techkeys.us/custom-keys.php
It's the first one :)
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I would have seen that but the techkeys newsletter hit my spam bin... now that's fixed.
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I have a little extra bit of plastic under my Enter:
(http://i.imgur.com/PMUJsgM.jpg)
It doesn't impact on switch performance, so I left it there for now.
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this is a note to boilermaker to throw another set (free ofc) in with your next techkeys order :)
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No need for that - it doesn't impact key switch performance at all, and looks like it is just a bit of extra second shot plastic that squeezed thru the first shot.
You can't tell at all from the top.
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Just got mine in, here is a pic
(http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae123/otterinator/IMG_20130130_1816471.jpg)
I quite like the technique and I cannot wait for other colors, I would gladly buy every color set that I mentioned earlier. And if you could come up with a Spacebar that said GeeK HacK on it I would kill for that, now I just need a backlit keyboard!
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Just ordered mine! Whats February gonna bring?
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Feb keys are going to be awesome ... Just sayn'
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Feb keys are going to be awesome ... Just sayn'
What's the eta on those?
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I said too much
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Feb keys are going to be awesome ... Just sayn'
I'm starting to feel a bit like a junkie and you're my pusher. :p
Can't wait to see the new keys.
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I said too much
*points to gulag*
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Just a heads up - these are almost gone!
They will not be re-made.
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I placed an order for these keycaps through techkeys and I will have to say I am very psyched! pretty happy that it's still available!