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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: ViciousWhiskers on Sat, 28 December 2013, 21:54:26

Title: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Sat, 28 December 2013, 21:54:26
Hey guys,
So I recently switched to a Ducky Shine 3 and sold my Zero Shine to my friend.
I wanted to know where I could buy blank, white PBT keycaps (104 Keys, + 4 media keys which is not important right now) for my Ducky Shine 3 for a fair price that does not exceed 60-ish Canadian dollars?
Mainly, I'd like to have the LED on my Ducky to be "present" and visible.

I've taken a look around the web and found a lot of blank black PBT keycaps and some white ones sold out, so I'd really appreciate it if you guys could point me in the right direction here.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Beca on Sat, 28 December 2013, 22:00:41
Banggood.com search keycool keycaps

http://www.banggood.com/Keycool-104-PBT-White-Laser-Etched-Keycap-Laser-Engraving-Key-Caps-p-84161.html

okay, I just read blank white pbt. you're right, i couldn't find any of those :( too bad you need 104 key, because i have an 87 set of blank white pbts for sale.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 29 December 2013, 01:02:06
Side-printed, might be close enough. (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/291001815528?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D291001815528%26_rdc%3D1)

No idea how much these are in C$. (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5.w4002-2339813136.20.7HR0uQ&id=10188303164)
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 29 December 2013, 01:27:25
Hey guys,
So I recently switched to a Ducky Shine 3 and sold my Zero Shine to my friend.
I wanted to know where I could buy blank, white PBT keycaps (104 Keys, + 4 media keys which is not important right now) for my Ducky Shine 3 for a fair price that does not exceed 60-ish Canadian dollars?
Mainly, I'd like to have the LED on my Ducky to be "present" and visible.

I've taken a look around the web and found a lot of blank black PBT keycaps and some white ones sold out, so I'd really appreciate it if you guys could point me in the right direction here.

Thanks!

the Thick IMSTO pbts are smoother than the KBC ones that have been linked..

however, I do believe most blank imsto blanks are "beige", only the printed ones were actually "White"
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: RESPRiT on Sun, 29 December 2013, 03:06:18
BangGood has cheap PBT blanks, you could also check out TaoBao, I think I recall seeing cheap blanks on there as well.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: terran5992 on Sun, 29 December 2013, 07:48:40
Bangood, taobao, ebay, classifieds
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Sun, 29 December 2013, 18:30:14
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll take a look around again! :)
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Keytrun on Tue, 31 December 2013, 01:09:33
Get thick PBT if you can. It makes a huge difference. The only blank thick PBT that I could find were the blue ones from geekfeng, but you can't browse his store right now because he's away until January 14. Here they are on my board. They feel amazing. http://i.imgur.com/o1UPAqc.jpg The lighting in that picture isn't the greatest. They actually look more colorful than that in real life.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: geogga on Tue, 31 December 2013, 12:58:33
There is also a grey set. Was also looking for PBT sets for my Ducky YOTS and found those two color sets on feng's ebay.
Even though you want white, Ivan has a black PBT keycap set GB going on.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Tue, 31 December 2013, 20:00:54
I guess colours other than White is fine too, except for Black. I'd just like to have the LEDs feel more present and visible with new keycaps on, but I believe that black blocks the most of the light.

How much are the grey ones and blue ones?
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: terran5992 on Tue, 31 December 2013, 20:03:03
About 80-90USD Shipped for each set
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Tue, 31 December 2013, 23:31:02
That's tough, it goes over my budget by 30 and I don't think I can afford that at the moment.

How much are blank white thick PBT usually priced around anyways?
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: geogga on Wed, 01 January 2014, 20:28:33
Blanks are cheaper than letter, the normal brands like ducky or vortex have em at like $50?

Usually they're around 70, but GBs decrease price so that's another thing
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Sat, 04 January 2014, 03:10:55
Feng has previously had 105-key blank white thick PBT sets for sale: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48588.0

Send him a PM to ask about availability and price I reckon.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 04 January 2014, 03:12:25
Feng has previously had 105-key blank white thick PBT sets for sale: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48588.0

Send him a PM to ask about availability and price I reckon.

they are beige
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Sat, 04 January 2014, 03:32:45
Hmmm.. Didn't know that. I still think it may be worth shooting off a PM to feng to ask. He may be able to get some proper white blanks.

It's easy enough to find top and side printed white PBT, but 104 and 105 key blank sets seem to be like hen's teeth at the moment.

Found a cheap blank white ABS set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-Cherry-MX-Blank-Keycaps-104-Set-Keyboard-Key-Caps-/121187906415?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item1c375cb36f

Top print: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/104PBT-white-printed-keycaps-for-Keyboard-Filco-Cherry-/300910270965?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460fa659f5

Side print: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/104PBT-white-side-printed-keycaps-for-Keyboard-Filco-Cherry-/291001815528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c10f51e8

Not sure of the thickness and heaviness of the caps, though.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 04 January 2014, 05:07:38
Hmmm.. Didn't know that. I still think it may be worth shooting off a PM to feng to ask. He may be able to get some proper white blanks.

It's easy enough to find top and side printed white PBT, but 104 and 105 key blank sets seem to be like hen's teeth at the moment.

Found a cheap blank white ABS set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-Cherry-MX-Blank-Keycaps-104-Set-Keyboard-Key-Caps-/121187906415?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item1c375cb36f

Top print: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/104PBT-white-printed-keycaps-for-Keyboard-Filco-Cherry-/300910270965?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460fa659f5

Side print: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/104PBT-white-side-printed-keycaps-for-Keyboard-Filco-Cherry-/291001815528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c10f51e8

Not sure of the thickness and heaviness of the caps, though.

I didn't know how much I like beige until I got it..   It reminded me of my Pentium 2 computer w/ turbo button.. (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/victory-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862523)
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: thestage on Sat, 04 January 2014, 05:24:41
I've also been looking for blank white PBT caps recently.  All I've been able to do is plumb the depths of taobao resellers, but I'm not really sure of the quality and authenticity of what I've found.  For instance, these:

http://www.buychina.com/items/german-cherry-cherry-104-pbt-pure-white-non-engraved-keycap-original-height-chh-forum-specials-wpwprosnpih#

They claim to be authentic cherry profile keys direct from cherry, I think?  Anyone know anything about these, or similar items on taobao? 
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Sat, 04 January 2014, 07:16:58
Perhaps you could make up a full set from 2 of the Banggood 84 or 87 key sets? They're only medium thickness, but good quality for the price :)

That way you can also have the media keys.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 04 January 2014, 14:03:27
I've also been looking for blank white PBT caps recently.  All I've been able to do is plumb the depths of taobao resellers, but I'm not really sure of the quality and authenticity of what I've found.  For instance, these:

http://www.buychina.com/items/german-cherry-cherry-104-pbt-pure-white-non-engraved-keycap-original-height-chh-forum-specials-wpwprosnpih#

They claim to be authentic cherry profile keys direct from cherry, I think?  Anyone know anything about these, or similar items on taobao? 


this doesn't look like thick pbt..
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: geogga on Sat, 04 January 2014, 21:28:11
I wish I could explore Taobao, but even with google translate :pm, shipping and actually finding a way to get it here would be difficult...they have many nice things
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 05 January 2014, 02:18:42
I wish I could explore Taobao, but even with google translate :pm, shipping and actually finding a way to get it here would be difficult...they have many nice things

there are a few good taobao agents now that doesn't charge a % commission. and shipping's not bad. BUT, it's almost completely in Chinese, and the guy you call has really ****ty english, so you gotta talk asian to um'.. (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/f529a952.gif)
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Mon, 06 January 2014, 22:30:50
So I was actually considering those Keycool 104 pbt keycap sets on banggood with print on it. I feel that print is fine for me now, as long as the base colour is white. Well, now that my search is broadened, does anyone have suggestions for white PBT keycaps that are either blank or have print/side-print on them? I'd like them to be thick pbt, but definitely not thin. I've heard that banggood keycaps are not thin nor thick (medium) so I'm fine with that too. Thanks! :)
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 January 2014, 23:17:25
So I was actually considering those Keycool 104 pbt keycap sets on banggood with print on it. I feel that print is fine for me now, as long as the base colour is white. Well, now that my search is broadened, does anyone have suggestions for white PBT keycaps that are either blank or have print/side-print on them? I'd like them to be thick pbt, but definitely not thin. I've heard that banggood keycaps are not thin nor thick (medium) so I'm fine with that too. Thanks! :)

the thick thin medium makes no difference

It comes down to how well the stem is molded, which will ultimately affect the smoothness of the caps..

The IMSTO thick caps, even if they were thin, as long as the stem stayed the same in smoothness/quality, then they'd operate no differently..

Look up the reviewers, and ask them if they have a set of imsto to compare the stem smoothness to...

That's the most important... the thickness of the wall has 0 impact on the feel of the cap.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Canious on Tue, 07 January 2014, 03:13:02
What about these: http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-105-pbt-white-side-printed/lid=19686618

Anyone know if these are thick?
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Tue, 07 January 2014, 04:21:20
So I was actually considering those Keycool 104 pbt keycap sets on banggood with print on it. I feel that print is fine for me now, as long as the base colour is white. Well, now that my search is broadened, does anyone have suggestions for white PBT keycaps that are either blank or have print/side-print on them? I'd like them to be thick pbt, but definitely not thin. I've heard that banggood keycaps are not thin nor thick (medium) so I'm fine with that too. Thanks! :)

the thick thin medium makes no difference

It comes down to how well the stem is molded, which will ultimately affect the smoothness of the caps..

The IMSTO thick caps, even if they were thin, as long as the stem stayed the same in smoothness/quality, then they'd operate no differently..

Look up the reviewers, and ask them if they have a set of imsto to compare the stem smoothness to...
 
That's the most important... the thickness of the wall has 0 impact on the feel of the cap.

Heavier keycaps do feel different. Just saying. I can back it up with SCIENCE if needed: http://store-xkcd-com.myshopify.com/products/science-works

Can also back it up with personal experience too, but that's just meh.

This set is sold by Qtan, can ask him how thick they are: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/104PBT-white-side-printed-keycaps-for-Keyboard-Filco-Cherry-/291001815528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c10f51e8
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: thestage on Tue, 07 January 2014, 05:46:05
When I asked qtan if those were thick he said they were "regular"
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Wed, 08 January 2014, 20:46:25
So I looked around taobao a bit and found cherry profile white blanks
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.122.rPZ3uz&id=15288639174

Does anyone know if this will fit on my Ducky Shine 3?


Also, I found some side printed Keycool 104 keycaps (white), http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.128.YOnPcr&id=19027437880 .
Does anyone have experience with keycool caps? I would like some input and opinion on the feel and quality of these keycool caps. Since I've never tried custom keycaps, I also don't know if these keycool caps will fit on my Shine 3 or not.

Thanks!

Also, if you guys need help searching around on taobao, you can ask me as I am Chinese (though my expertise is limited).
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 09 January 2014, 02:33:21
The first set are the same as the ones posted by thestage, the side printed ones are the same ones qtan sells.

They are both medium thickness PBT.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Thu, 09 January 2014, 07:05:19
My bad, it seems I've missed thestage's first post with that link. Will the one that thestage and I linked (blank whites) fit on my Ducky Shine 3?
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: lilky on Sat, 11 January 2014, 14:38:49
Banggood, or feng.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: Vaii on Mon, 13 January 2014, 17:26:47
I have both banggoods pbt caps and also fengs' side printed pbt caps.
Both are very good quality (eventhough they differ in price).

Much better than ABS, but that is just my opinion.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: ViciousWhiskers on Fri, 17 January 2014, 18:49:41
Apparently neither imsto nor qtan have these in stock. I pm'd feng last week, but haven't received a response yet...
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: nkzt on Sun, 16 February 2014, 03:02:38
Just the same problem beats me. All the sellers seem to be not in stock. I've asked for SP, but the spacebar is ABS. Now I'm asking for Ducky.
Title: Re: Where to buy Blank White PBT Keycaps?
Post by: thesentinel on Sun, 16 February 2014, 13:23:19
I recently bought a cm storm rather than the new premier and I kind of regret my decision. I didn't expect the keycaps on this thing to be so bad, the lettering is sticking out and feels so uncomfortable.