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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Jagriff on Sat, 02 March 2013, 20:05:39

Title: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: Jagriff on Sat, 02 March 2013, 20:05:39

Hi all,

A lot of people consider PBT keycaps to be of higher quality than ABS, but as a result of my searches, I can purchase a full blank set of either for about the same price (~$40). I'd rather have the PBT keycaps at that price, but even better would be to find a significantly cheaper ABS set.

I am aware that higher quality doesn't always mean higher price. Is this one of those circumstances?


Thanks,

Jagriff

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sat, 02 March 2013, 20:15:57

I think that Cherry Doubleshot ABS can be just as nice as PBTs. PBTs are more durable than ABS and resist shine more.  As with many things about keyboards, its more about personal preference than anything else. And welcome to GH

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: Jagriff on Sun, 03 March 2013, 12:49:08

I like the PBT caps more, but wouldn't mind ABS if I could save some money. I'm not too interested in double shot since just want blank keys (colemak). Too bad I missed out on that DSA retro group buy....

Thanks for the welcome :D I've been here a while - just never posted anything.

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: calavera on Sun, 03 March 2013, 13:07:17

Check classifieds here, some have pbt sets for sale. *hint hint*

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: Jagriff on Sun, 03 March 2013, 14:00:02

I'm aware of takaki's thread which contains some really cheap PBTs. Are there no ABS sales that are even cheaper?

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sun, 03 March 2013, 14:03:44

If you look in here (http://keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php), there seems to be an $18 ABS set.

Edit: They might only fit that keyboard though. And that keyboard is Cherry MY switches. I'm not really sure.

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: Jagriff on Sun, 03 March 2013, 14:11:22

I'll look into it. Thanks!

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 03 March 2013, 14:55:20

Lasered keycap from G81 are PBT if white and POM if black. Cheapest ABS keysets I have ever seen are of Kforce brand (http://www.mistertao.com/taobao-products/taobao-item-9038068991.html) and were really terrible pad print but the cap themselves were about same quality as WASD/KBC. There is blanks too from Kforce but I couldn't find any for sale right now. But the pad printing wears off really easy so they would be blanks really soon.

Title: Re: Cheapest Blank ABS Cherry Keycaps (any color)
Post by: uzoc on Sun, 03 March 2013, 15:27:10

If its an option for you, any keycaps you find, then Krylon Fusion them: http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/
There is a post somewhere where you can sand them also.