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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: C5Allroad on Tue, 10 September 2013, 20:54:15

Title: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Tue, 10 September 2013, 20:54:15
Hey guys I really like the idea of someone not being able to use my computer unless they can touch type. Where can I buy blank keycaps? If I were to buy white would they turn black or brown from my fingers? My only weakness is the number row symbols.  :p
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 10 September 2013, 21:00:53
Nothing to stop them plugging in a different keyboard or just using the mouse.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Tue, 10 September 2013, 21:04:40
Who says that my friends bring extra keyboards? Hehe.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: lcs on Tue, 10 September 2013, 21:22:24
wasd has blank sets. Feng, imsto and qtan also have them.

Group buys in general have blanks.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Tue, 10 September 2013, 21:31:36
Oh thanks I can't till I order them. :)
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: therecorder on Tue, 10 September 2013, 21:44:22
Depends on whether you want to have friends :)  On a side note, I touch type (not fast, due to OCD/dyslexia), but I also smoke and often use the phone while on the computer.  Blanks, especially on my main computer, are a real pain.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 11 September 2013, 01:09:47
Also various sets from SP: http://www.keycapsdirect.com/marketplace.php
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: Reomero on Wed, 11 September 2013, 03:45:45
If I were to buy white would they turn black or brown from my fingers?
I have a blank white set for daily use and yeah they will tend to show dirt/sweat/whatever more easily. For me personally, they still look "white" unless you look at them very closely.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 September 2013, 20:56:06
How would one clean them?
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: eth0s on Wed, 11 September 2013, 21:09:43
White keycaps do not get overly dirty with normal use.  You would need to have dye on your hands to stain the keycaps.  Normal rules for eating at your keyboard apply to white caps, same as black ones.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 12 September 2013, 16:17:42
I never bring food into my computer room, I sometimes bring Gatorade or lemonade with me into the computer while on the keyboard but that's irrelevant to being dirty. I'm saying from normal gamer sweat and usage. :)
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: lcs on Thu, 12 September 2013, 16:19:00
How would one clean them?

Denture tabs.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 12 September 2013, 18:51:42
Would it be white like new? Or close to it?
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 12 September 2013, 18:57:39
Pretty close to it.

You won't get many stains on keycaps that won't soak off, and denture tabs help to get rid of oil and dirt.

Just put about 3 in a container of warm water, soak the keycaps until the water turns clear (or turns brown, depending on how dirty the keycaps were), and then spread them out on newspaper or similar to dry.

There are a couple of threads around here that explain it similarly.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 12 September 2013, 20:54:24
Ok. Now I need to find a PCB mounted board that's TKl. I've been looking all over....
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: ComradeSniper on Thu, 12 September 2013, 23:14:44
Ok. Now I need to find a PCB mounted board that's TKl. I've been looking all over....

If you want PCB mounted switches for the ability change them easier, you could always buy a Phantom or similar TKL board with a custom plate here on the classifieds.
Title: Re: Blank keycaps
Post by: C5Allroad on Fri, 13 September 2013, 20:55:27
Hmmm I'll be looking around then. :)