geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Lunartuna on Tue, 16 April 2013, 10:26:32
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I'm trying a way of raising the profile of my SP keycaps to OEM height, mainly so I can use the G and H from the Techkeys GH Jan pack with an OEM set.
So far I'm very happy with the results and thought I would share.
The solution is very simple. Solid copper rings.
Pics!
Couple of rings on G and H. When I first put them on I thought they would catch the side of the switch when pressing for sure but I am typing on them right now and it does not catch and there is no difference in feel.
(http://i.imgur.com/zn3I989.jpg)
Raised the profile perfectly.
(http://i.imgur.com/A1kSlM4.jpg)
Without the copper ring.
(http://i.imgur.com/iAOtNqc.jpg)
With the copper ring.
(http://i.imgur.com/W5sgBLy.jpg)
What do you guys think? :)
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Pretty smart. Do they have any wobble to them at that height being that the entire stem isn't in use?
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I can't feel any change in how much the switch wobbles when holding down and wobbling or just touching and wiggling. Comparing to the F and J keys on either side.
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Link to those rings? I would probably grab some to be able to use certain SP caps with an OEM set, though I only have one or two. But I could also recommend them to people who decide to keep the OEM sets but want some custom caps.
If link is Canada only, specs of the rings could help in finding some from other sources.
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Well I'm not sure where you would find them. My girlfriend actually handmade these from copper wire. She makes jewellery and has the proper tools to make them perfectly. She says these ones are solid copper 20 gauge, 4.5 mm outer diameter jump rings. She says she also makes silver plated copper and also brass jump rings but silver plated copper is slightly thicker.
I asked for 7 more to cover my novalty SP keycaps. She made me even more!
(http://i.imgur.com/k9IyAgB.jpg)
I wub her. :-*
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I did a quick search for "solid copper 20 gauge, 4.5 mm outer diameter jump rings" and there seems to be supply shops selling them.
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http://www.amazon.com/Rings-Brass-4-5mm-Jewelry-Connectors/dp/B008OBY7Z6
300 of them in brass. Not too bad.
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This is such a good idea. Thanks for sharing it Lunartuna!
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Huh! I thought the difference would have been a bit more severe between the profiles (have a 33key set of DSA clear caps, and never used because DERP, they're low-profile... Very low profile)
Nice little mod - a good contribution for those who seek higher profile caps, at the least.
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tuna, do you have any other SP caps to try with these and see if they line up? Esc row and something on one of the bottom two rows. I would imagine that it probably wouldn't look too good on the bottom row because you would see a higher skirt.
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Indeed I do.
Esc row.
(http://i.imgur.com/WgvEYFE.jpg)
Enter key.
(http://i.imgur.com/mMsbzFn.jpg)
Bottom row.
(http://i.imgur.com/wrjQYwX.jpg)
One thing I have noticed is the SP caps are more slanted down in the front. This is most apparent with the 1.25 modifier key and almost not noticeable at all on the G and H keys. The edge closest to me is slightly higher than OEM with the mod. The edge furthest away is slightly lower that OEM with the mod.
You can see what I mean in this pic.
(http://i.imgur.com/GNAVkgK.jpg)
Overall though it feels and looks like it matches better.
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Talking with the GF some more. She says its important to note whether the jumps rings are measured in SWG or AWG thickness. Most are SWG. Her's are AWG.
300 is a lot !
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Thanks for the mod idea!!! I gotta try it on my Race, see if I can rise up some cherry profile keys :D
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This is fantastic. I was just musing about putting some Cherry keycaps on my WASD. Since it was going to be letters only the fact that it looks kinda funky on the modifiers doesn't bother me a bit. According to this page 20 gauge in AWG is equivalent to 21 gauge in SWG:
http://www.bulkwire.com/wiregauge.asp
Now I just need to figure out how to make the WASD's keycaps fit onto my Cherry board...
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The height might be the same, but the curve and shape of keycaps are still different. Just knowing this will bug me.
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Nice find, Tuna! :)
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So I realized what this would be perfect for: A KBT Race. That top row is just awful. The caps are really tall, while other sets don't have a top row that will work. Obviously, it won't be perfect due to the awkward size of the Escape key and the one at the other end, but at least they could sit higher.
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Thanks for this post.. Did anyone else ever try this? I found it on Reditt. I have some keycaps that are lower, this would be awesome. I am going to buy some off amazon I guess and try it out!
Edit- $2 here!
http://www.pkjewelry4u.com/chainmaille_064.htm
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Don't the keycaps feel wobbly?
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It was a pretty old thread so I figured noone would respond anytime too quick so I ordered the rings $3.00 lol . Ill post in here if they work. 3 of my novelty caps are way lower then the rest of my keys so if it works thatd be great.
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Well I got my 20ga 4.5mm copper rings today just tried it on a few different keys orings and no orings and the key sticks down and doesnt come back up. Damn.. :( :( :(