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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 29 May 2013, 12:30:04

Title: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 29 May 2013, 12:30:04
I know I've seen threads for keycap storage but what I'm wanting is something I could put on the wall and display my novelty key caps.

any ideas? anybody done something like this??

it would be awesome to have a wall-o-keycaps  :o



I know that SP has their modular display kits

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php)

and I saw where you can get keycap sets that come on neat-o plastic boards like so

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=17603066855& (http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=17603066855&)

And I suposed one could always mount a bunch of switches on a large piece of wood... ;D
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 29 May 2013, 12:31:33
Buy the modular display kit from SP and mount it in a shadow box.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: RabRhee on Wed, 29 May 2013, 12:37:08
Or go budget and reuse a thimble display case. Ok, having the keys pointing up may not be the best display choice.

The pack of 50 plungers for $8 doesn't seem too bad compared to the cost of the fancy boards, get a  few hundred and self-mount them.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 29 May 2013, 13:04:36
This (http://i.imgur.com/gY6sFOt.png) made out of 24 carat gold. It's the only option and you know it.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 29 May 2013, 13:09:36
This (http://i.imgur.com/gY6sFOt.png) made out of 24 carat gold. It's the only option and you know it.

that would have to go a chain to be worn as my gangster bling!! :eek:
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: RabRhee on Wed, 29 May 2013, 14:54:15
Here's an idea. You can get tile spacers (X pieces to put between tiles). 3 or 4mm ones may well be the perfect size to stick a keycap on one point (assuming they aren't more than about 1mm thick), leaving the opposite point  to stick into a board of some sort. 100 for about $3 here. Would require some experimentation perhaps.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 29 May 2013, 15:24:11
Here's an idea. You can get tile spacers (X pieces to put between tiles). 3 or 4mm ones may well be the perfect size to stick a keycap on one point (assuming they aren't more than about 1mm thick), leaving the opposite point  to stick into a board of some sort. 100 for about $3 here. Would require some experimentation perhaps.

I know someone knows off the top of their head what size is the opening on the back of an mx key?
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: RabRhee on Wed, 29 May 2013, 15:37:49
Here's an idea. You can get tile spacers (X pieces to put between tiles). 3 or 4mm ones may well be the perfect size to stick a keycap on one point (assuming they aren't more than about 1mm thick), leaving the opposite point  to stick into a board of some sort. 100 for about $3 here. Would require some experimentation perhaps.

I know someone knows off the top of their head what size is the opening on the back of an mx key?

The + shape is about 4 mm point to point, and just under 1mm thick. I said maybe the 3mm ones because they may be thinner stem and 4mm versions may be a touch over size. (of course converting to heathen imperial measurements may require american input :) - 4mm may be near enough 1/8 inch, and the 1mm maybe 1/32.)
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: mashby on Wed, 29 May 2013, 15:38:54
I don't know if I'll ever get around to actually doing this project, so I might as well share the idea.   :rolleyes:

1. Buy a Official GeekHack Laminated Key Checking and Layout Sheet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8370414811/in/set-72157632491898430) from TechKeys.us

2. Buy just the Storage Kit Plungers - Bulk (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/marketplace/plungers.jpg), from KeyCapsdirect.com

3. Get a drill press and using the layout sheet as a guide, drill holes into a sheet of thin plywood (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PureBond-1-4-in-x-2-ft-x-4-ft-Maple-Plywood-1789/203552993?N=25egxf#.UaZln5XtD0c). May have to use some other form of backing as well.

4. Glue the barrels into the wood.

5. Mount key caps

6. Install in shadow box.

When drilling the holes, I think you could do it with two boards at a time, so the the second board could act as a template in the future. Additionally, you could cover the board in felt, or paint it to provide a background that might appear between the key caps.

Like I said, it's an idea that I've been noodling on, but haven't had the time to actually do anything about it.  :-[
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: RabRhee on Wed, 29 May 2013, 15:43:27
Here ya go, do you think these would be thin enough to put a key on?

http://www.amazon.com/Inch-Tile-Stone-Spacer-500pcs/dp/B002JWBI5S
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 29 May 2013, 15:45:56
I don't know if I'll ever get around to actually doing this project, so I might as well share the idea.   ::)

1. Buy a Official GeekHack Laminated Key Checking and Layout Sheet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8370414811/in/set-72157632491898430) from TechKeys.us

2. Buy just the Storage Kit Plungers - Bulk (http://www.keycapsdirect.com/images/marketplace/plungers.jpg), from KeyCapsdirect.com

3. Get a drill press and using the layout sheet as a guide, drill holes into a sheet of thin plywood (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PureBond-1-4-in-x-2-ft-x-4-ft-Maple-Plywood-1789/203552993?N=25egxf#.UaZln5XtD0c). May have to use some other form of backing as well.

4. Glue the barrels into the wood.

5. Mount key caps

6. Install in shadow box.

When drilling the holes, I think you could do it with two boards at a time, so the the second board could act as a template in the future. Additionally, you could cover the board in felt, or paint it to provide a background that might appear between the key caps.

Like I said, it's an idea that I've been noodling on, but haven't had the time to actually do anything about it.  :-[

that sounds awesome mashby! thank you for sharing it.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: TheBinary on Fri, 31 May 2013, 22:48:54
I don't know if I'll ever get around to actually doing this project, so I might as well share the idea.   :rolleyes:

1. Buy a Official GeekHack Laminated Key Checking and Layout Sheet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8370414811/in/set-72157632491898430) from TechKeys.us
...

He's totally out of them, has been for a little bit. :(
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 01 June 2013, 03:17:53
I don't know if I'll ever get around to actually doing this project, so I might as well share the idea.   :rolleyes:

1. Buy a Official GeekHack Laminated Key Checking and Layout Sheet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8370414811/in/set-72157632491898430) from TechKeys.us
...

He's totally out of them, has been for a little bit. :(

On my phone or I'd link it, there is a thread with the link to the pdf posted to print your own sheet.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: RabRhee on Sat, 22 June 2013, 16:55:59
I tried the tiling spacer idea out, probably a bit scrappy for a display, but a little more care and attention than I used might work wonders :)

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45062.0
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 22 June 2013, 17:11:12
I tried the tiling spacer idea out, probably a bit scrappy for a display, but a little more care and attention than I used might work wonders :)

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45062.0

Awesome I'll check that out!
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: berserkfan on Fri, 28 June 2013, 07:28:49
let me mischievously pour cold water on you

you're not going to be able to afford it. 104 keycaps don't even cover one square foot. to cover a wall of 30 square feet, even with substantial space between keycaps, you're looking at 50 or more sets. that's some expensive wallpaper.

it's cheaper to use gold foil to cover your walls, I'm afraid...
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:18:22
let me mischievously pour cold water on you

you're not going to be able to afford it. 104 keycaps don't even cover one square foot. to cover a wall of 30 square feet, even with substantial space between keycaps, you're looking at 50 or more sets. that's some expensive wallpaper.

it's cheaper to use gold foil to cover your walls, I'm afraid...


^^Thanks for adding absolutely nothing of value to this thread. But if you have a source for golden keycaps then we can talk!  :p


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/9087702034_00c6bcb436.jpg)

https://secure.flickr.com/photos/sfoskett/9087702034/lightbox/ (https://secure.flickr.com/photos/sfoskett/9087702034/lightbox/)

^^ that's not exactly what I had in mind

but MOAR keycaps FTW!

Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: mashby on Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:27:10
SP Crap Bags would be a great way to build up a stockpile of key caps for a wall display.
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:34:26
SP Crap Bags would be a great way to build up a stockpile of key caps for a wall display.

soon!

www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: insilica on Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:36:36
SP Crap Bags would be a great way to build up a stockpile of key caps for a wall display.

It would be the only viable way to go... no?
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:40:27
Just to clarify the point of this thread.....

I'm wanting something I could mount on the wall and display my novelty key caps, not a wall completely covered in key caps....


 ;)
Title: Re: Ideas for novelty keycap wall display
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Fri, 28 June 2013, 09:43:26
SP Crap Bags would be a great way to build up a stockpile of key caps for a wall display.

It would be the only viable way to go... no?
Cheap dome board caps would be viable as well.