In confused by how this works but cool!! Will you be making more stuff?
Could you make topre caps?
Oh wow, this is very cool! Care to elaborate on the process you used to make it?
Since you asked, explanation time!
First, I modelled the wolf head on top of a spare keycap I had. I used regular non-drying clay.
I then chose a small container to put it, and also some clay in the bottom in and pressed in depressions to 'key' the mold. Keying the mold allows you to 'mate' two sides together and since this is a two part mold, that is what I did.
Once the silicone is hardened, I have a hole in the bottom of the container and popped the keycap and the hardened silicone out by pushing something through it.
Using a ring of plastic I had cut, I secured it to surround the area that I wanted to create the second half of the mold.
Next, I sprayed some mold release so that the silicone I would be pouring for the second half of the mold wouldn't stick to the first half of the mold. I additionally brushed olive oil on the exposed silicone to prevent this because it happened to me in a previous experiment (which you can see in the background of the attached image, it's a block of white silicone).
Then I poured the rest of the mold, completely forgetting to insert pour holes. Oopsie. So I cut some wood skewers and placed them in strategic locations to make holes at the topmost part of the mold (see attached image) to prevent trapped bubbles.
After the second half of the mold was complete, I just mixed resin with some tempura red which turned it pink, poured it in and voila.
Flashing was extremely minimal and thin because i applied a bit of pressure to both sides of the mold during casting.
I hope that made some kind of sense...
Thanks for clarifying! One more question though, how durable is the silicon mold?
Very good job :)
Thanks for the compliments everyone!
Here's another pic, wolf pack!
What resin are you using? I had less successful casts in the past and have been trying some new casting recently that's better, but I'm still not 100% happy with the resins I've been trying.
Those wolves are pretty cool, btw, definitely like them. If you'd like a thicker side wall, I have a couple Cherry ABS caps I could send your way to sacrifice.
Hmm, I'm still getting some bubbles in mine. I think I need a pressure pot and to degas my silicone. I'm actually trying out the alumilite dies in mine, but smooth-on has some that's supposed to be good as well.
I've heard good things about Smooth-On. Once I get some more money and get some proper casting stuff, I'll probably buy some of that.
I got your info, so the caps should be in the mail to you shortly.
I'd tap that. ;)
Any chance of grey??
this is, by far, the most interesting of all the modeled keycaps i've seen. props. if you sell, i'd be down.
Check your PMs ;)
Woodworking is another rabbit hole you can easily go down.
Nice. These are turning out awesome! The level of detail and quality of the base is ridiculous.
Edit: And the thick caps are so much better than the thin. It uses slightly more material, but they just look higher quality. Do they feel better too?
Best molded caps I've seen yet. Should make me a fox one ;P
Holy shiet, the bunny looks awesome.
Ah!!! These look so much better than the ones I started making! :D
Grats and the thick keycap walls make a huge difference in the outcome of the caps.
You have a good deal of talent!
New mold yields new keycaps...
Green bunny :) this time with thick caps thanks to nubbinator!
New mold yields new keycaps...
Green bunny :) this time with thick caps thanks to nubbinator!
New mold yields new keycaps...
Green bunny :) this time with thick caps thanks to nubbinator!
Is it possible for you to add another color after it has been removed from the mold that is permanent? Such as pink ears, or brown eyes.
New mold yields new keycaps...
Green bunny :) this time with thick caps thanks to nubbinator!
Reminds me of easter
Make some translucent!!
Is it possible for you to add another color after it has been removed from the mold that is permanent? Such as pink ears, or brown eyes.
You can actually "paint" the mold beforehand to add different colored eyes and such if you wanted to.
Is it possible for you to add another color after it has been removed from the mold that is permanent? Such as pink ears, or brown eyes.
You can actually "paint" the mold beforehand to add different colored eyes and such if you wanted to.
care is required when adding pigment in this way. It is concentrated in that area. It may cause your plastic to remain a semi-liquid state or cause extra gas
I would recommend using alumalite's alumidust. From what I understand it is dry acrylic dust which acts a lot like metal dust when applied directly to the mold. You can get great effects when dusting various parts of a mold with this. People use it to add color patterns to fishing lures.
I was actually thinking of mixing a tiny bit of resin with a dye, putting it on the areas I want a different color (eg eyes), then waiting a minute or so to let it harden a bit, and pouring my second color resin in.
your way seems simpler! I do have some tempura of various shades lying around so maybe that could work. I have the feeling bubbling could occur though...
the tiny batches of resin work as well. I would suggest if you wanted to go that route to take the resin part of your A/B and premix pigment then store the premixed resin (part B in smooth-on products) and then mix it with your new A/B mixture. Be sure to keep the volume/weight ratios, but this is a great way to get consistent color.
B-b-bunny?? He's so cute!! Great job jiggityjane :D
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
That would be awesome, but I'm still waiting patiently for a dinosaur, but it a Di- or Triceratops, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, one of the raptors, and so on.
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
That would be awesome, but I'm still waiting patiently for a dinosaur, but it a Di- or Triceratops, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, one of the raptors, and so on.
And the garden gnome? Keyboard gnome, rather.
(Attachment Link)
Garden gnomes are awesome -- they just seem to be saying, "See you in your nightmares!" Anyway, your keycaps are very jiggity with it. :thumb:
I'm going to go with definitely maybe :D
Edit: Fun fact, my first wood carving project I gave to myself was a gnome riding a seagull!
I'm going to go with definitely maybe :D
Edit: Fun fact, my first wood carving project I gave to myself was a gnome riding a seagull!
Definite possible maybe! (thread set to notify)
Would it be a happy gnome, or a scary, nightmare fuel sort of gnome?
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
Hmm, I'm trying to make my keycaps fun to press and sharks are full of pointy things. The thought did cross my mind though!Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
That would be awesome, but I'm still waiting patiently for a dinosaur, but it a Di- or Triceratops, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, one of the raptors, and so on.
Pfff, everyone knows dinosaurs aren't real.
But seriously, I have a plan for a fossil series at some point. Raptors, t-rex, tric, stegs, all that good stuff.
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
Hmm, I'm trying to make my keycaps fun to press and sharks are full of pointy things. The thought did cross my mind though!Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
That would be awesome, but I'm still waiting patiently for a dinosaur, but it a Di- or Triceratops, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, one of the raptors, and so on.
Pfff, everyone knows dinosaurs aren't real.
But seriously, I have a plan for a fossil series at some point. Raptors, t-rex, tric, stegs, all that good stuff.
I will def buy a raptor!!!
YAY Just bought my first Jane Cap, Pink Wolf! Im stoked. :D Cant wait for more!
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
Hmm, I'm trying to make my keycaps fun to press and sharks are full of pointy things. The thought did cross my mind though!Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
That would be awesome, but I'm still waiting patiently for a dinosaur, but it a Di- or Triceratops, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, one of the raptors, and so on.
Pfff, everyone knows dinosaurs aren't real.
But seriously, I have a plan for a fossil series at some point. Raptors, t-rex, tric, stegs, all that good stuff.
I will def buy a raptor!!!
YAY Just bought my first Jane Cap, Pink Wolf! Im stoked. :D Cant wait for more!
Thanks to you and everyone who has bought so far!
I'll be producing the bunny cap next week when I get some supplies in, I'm ramping things up and buying some protective equipment because I'm relatively sure absorbing all these chemicals into my hands and breathing in mold release is bad for me. Also I'm getting in some syringes for liquids, for all you DIY'ers looking to start your cap craft, I highly recommend this as we deal with small-ish quantities and most of the epoxy resins come in big canisters.
Also my next caps being modelled this weekend will be sabretooth tiger and T-Rex fossilized skull.
so you guys can look forward to that :D
are you using epoxy resin or urethane resin?
Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
Hmm, I'm trying to make my keycaps fun to press and sharks are full of pointy things. The thought did cross my mind though!Great detailing on the rabbit -- beautifully done. What about a shark? Straight up, as seen in the Jaws poster?
That would be awesome, but I'm still waiting patiently for a dinosaur, but it a Di- or Triceratops, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, one of the raptors, and so on.
Pfff, everyone knows dinosaurs aren't real.
But seriously, I have a plan for a fossil series at some point. Raptors, t-rex, tric, stegs, all that good stuff.
I will def buy a raptor!!!
YAY Just bought my first Jane Cap, Pink Wolf! Im stoked. :D Cant wait for more!
Thanks to you and everyone who has bought so far!
I'll be producing the bunny cap next week when I get some supplies in, I'm ramping things up and buying some protective equipment because I'm relatively sure absorbing all these chemicals into my hands and breathing in mold release is bad for me. Also I'm getting in some syringes for liquids, for all you DIY'ers looking to start your cap craft, I highly recommend this as we deal with small-ish quantities and most of the epoxy resins come in big canisters.
Also my next caps being modelled this weekend will be sabretooth tiger and T-Rex fossilized skull.
so you guys can look forward to that :D
I'll take a shot of these with baloo the bear, I need to get the bunny from you and lion from binge, to further progress my zoo.
T-Rex and Sabretooth Tiger.
T-Rex and Sabretooth Tiger.
You sure are good with fur! That TRex would look badass with scales. :thumb:
T-Rex and Sabretooth Tiger.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/pI3qwu5.gif)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/d4NT1XW.gif)
You sure are good with fur! That TRex would look badass with scales. :thumb:
Thought about it, but i prefer my dinos as skulls! Might do something scaley in the future though. Wait didn't most of them have feathers too?T-Rex and Sabretooth Tiger.
oh yea trex skull thats rad! :thumb:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/pI3qwu5.gif)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/d4NT1XW.gif)
Bahaha! Don't worry they'll go on sale this weekend. God I love Colbert.
I put in a subscription form on my site for anyone that wants to be notified when stock gets in.
I'll literally just be sending out emails with pics + pricing detailing what's new, nothing else. Not sure if people are into that :)
All of them together
The bunny will be offered in white, the tiger in red and the t-rex in dark grey. There might be more colors on the way, I also have plans to detail them with colors for eyes/teeth etc later down the line but for now I'm just casting solids.
All of them together
The bunny will be offered in white, the tiger in red and the t-rex in dark grey. There might be more colors on the way, I also have plans to detail them with colors for eyes/teeth etc later down the line but for now I'm just casting solids.
Man those look badass! :thumb: Great job, I think solid color is better imo. Please post a time so I can get one. Thanks :)
Looks like we have another keycap artist to watch.
Great looking work, can't wait to see more.
All of them together
The bunny will be offered in white, the tiger in red and the t-rex in dark grey. There might be more colors on the way, I also have plans to detail them with colors for eyes/teeth etc later down the line but for now I'm just casting solids.
Man those look badass! :thumb: Great job, I think solid color is better imo. Please post a time so I can get one. Thanks :)
Sabretooths are up now!Looks like we have another keycap artist to watch.
Great looking work, can't wait to see more.
Thanks! Got to get my creativity out somehow :)
Due to the fact that I managed to break out in a rash after getting some chemicals on me, the other molds are going to take a little longer for me to produce. Them's the breaks eh?
Due to the fact that I managed to break out in a rash after getting some chemicals on me, the other molds are going to take a little longer for me to produce. Them's the breaks eh?
Due to the fact that I managed to break out in a rash after getting some chemicals on me, the other molds are going to take a little longer for me to produce. Them's the breaks eh?
This ^, it happens. I wear liquid proof everything now... looks like I work in a clean lab the way I'm dressed when I work with this stuff.
Sometimes the irritation can get to places you didn't know you had or know this stuff could reach. Best advice ever? Get a respirator.
Dang, the detail on those is fantastic, I hope you stick with this stuff for a while :)
When will the t-rex be available...sorry didn't read everything ;)
When will the t-rex be available...sorry didn't read everything ;)
I decided the current t-rex (I'm going to refer to it as a prototype) sits too tall on the keys, so it would be uncomfortable to press. Just last night I re-designed it to sit lower down, basically at the same height as my other caps.
The silicone mold has already set and I'll be testing the new design this weekend. If no air bubbles have gotten trapped and it comes out good, in a week or two it will go up on the store. I'll post here and send out a newsletter with pics :)
The new model looks more... ferocious.
When will the t-rex be available...sorry didn't read everything ;)
I decided the current t-rex (I'm going to refer to it as a prototype) sits too tall on the keys, so it would be uncomfortable to press. Just last night I re-designed it to sit lower down, basically at the same height as my other caps.
The silicone mold has already set and I'll be testing the new design this weekend. If no air bubbles have gotten trapped and it comes out good, in a week or two it will go up on the store. I'll post here and send out a newsletter with pics :)
The new model looks more... ferocious.
Who types with these things.....I just want them because they look so awesome!!
Also subscribed to your newsletter :thumb:
When will the t-rex be available...sorry didn't read everything ;)
I decided the current t-rex (I'm going to refer to it as a prototype) sits too tall on the keys, so it would be uncomfortable to press. Just last night I re-designed it to sit lower down, basically at the same height as my other caps.
The silicone mold has already set and I'll be testing the new design this weekend. If no air bubbles have gotten trapped and it comes out good, in a week or two it will go up on the store. I'll post here and send out a newsletter with pics :)
The new model looks more... ferocious.
Do you think we'll ever see some prototypes on sale later?
Do you think we'll ever see some prototypes on sale later?
Well, maybe sometime down the road when I've managed to make a bunch of them and feel like letting them go on to a home that'll appreciate them. But that's way in the future.
If I did do that I would probably post in the GH classifieds and not on my site.
Sounds fair, I'm so blown away by the quality of your work that I feel like they'll become pretty popular some time soon. On another note, just noticed that Ripster posted your site to the mechanical keyboard subreddit, so maybe some publicity will head your way soon :)
Just ordered a Sabertooth! These look incredible - really polished work! Please, please keep up the great work. Excited to see future designs.
Great work, if you can get your hands on brown dye, can you reserve a white and brown bunny cap? Thanks!
Wow- you got an endorsement from ripster :thumb:
Wow- you got an endorsement from ripster :thumb:
Is he famous?
Wow- you got an endorsement from ripster :thumb:
Is he famous?
Oh I may, I might make this a whole series of small woodland creatures (big Brian Jaques fan from when I was a kid)
Oh I may, I might make this a whole series of small woodland creatures (big Brian Jaques fan from when I was a kid)
Love the bunny cap! I've been hoping someone would make a dwarf hamster cap :) My dream is to have one of those in some teal/turquoise/pink color range. If you ever feel like experimenting with that shape, please let me know!!
Here's my Viola (R.I.P.)MoreShow Image(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6792699983_6e5af1e728.jpg)
Brown and White bunnies are now up!
Brown and White bunnies are now up!
Brown and White bunnies are now up!
Brown and White bunnies are now up!
Those are so rad :)
Brown and White bunnies are now up!
Awesome! What do you think you'll start working on next? Out of curiosity :)
These caps are great! :) Are you planning to do more animals? Will you ever do a mouse?:) I would definately love a mouse keycap :)
Just ordered a bunny for my Ergodox. We had a white and black bunny named Boo who isn't with us anymore. This key is to honour her. :)
maybe a horned animal of some kind.
How hard do your keycaps turn out with Alumilite?
just received your saber tooth.
SO AWESOME
please bring more ancient animals back to life.
maybe a horned animal of some kind.
Like a narwhal! Though I suppose you'd get poked in the finger every time you wanted to use that key. Would be pretty great though. And goats. Goats are also great. :D
For those with these caps, how sturdy are they? I don't want to chew on a rabbit ear and see it break off :))
Got mine today. It's beautiful and goes well with the stained wood top on my keyboard, methinks. :DShow Image(http://i.imgur.com/Y9uMtg3h.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/e9QBmXTh.jpg)
Thanks so much, jiggityjane. Looking forward to other colour batches / creations when they come out!
Do you happen to have any of those bunnies in non-brown or white stashed somewhere? :) Like another cyan? Looking forward to the new designs.
In confused by how this works but cool!! Will you be making more stuff?
Silicone mold followed by pouring resin!
Sure, I'm just itching my brain for more ideas. I might make some limited sets if people are into that.
In confused by how this works but cool!! Will you be making more stuff?
Silicone mold followed by pouring resin!
Sure, I'm just itching my brain for more ideas. I might make some limited sets if people are into that.
I have one idea for you. The Engineer elephant trunk helmet from the Prometheus
In confused by how this works but cool!! Will you be making more stuff?
Silicone mold followed by pouring resin!
Sure, I'm just itching my brain for more ideas. I might make some limited sets if people are into that.
I have one idea for you. The Engineer elephant trunk helmet from the Prometheus
Just got my rabbit key caps in the mail the other day after getting the wolf/sabertooth before, loving them, thanks!