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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: kilogeek on Sun, 02 February 2014, 05:56:59

Title: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: kilogeek on Sun, 02 February 2014, 05:56:59

I'm more experienced in resins crafting, it could for example be awesome to transform a cheap plastic shell in a tank epoxy-kevlar shell, not harder than crafting metal parts from blueprints.

Keycaps can also be moulded the artisanal way (you can build the mould from existing keycaps)

This website is localized in France but I guess you may find similar shops in many countries :

http://www.boutique.resines-et-moulages.com/la-boutique.html

Would like some feedback from people using resins for DIY keyboards or to enhance existing keyboard quality.

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: kilogeek on Sun, 02 February 2014, 06:15:45

They are a bit expansive IMO, but this gives ideas,

for example (I did lots of windsurf custom boards, polyester foam + epoxy + glass fiber)
you can shape a custom keyboard shell out of thin hard foam, then stratify it with carbon fiber + epoxy, add gel coat, extrude the useless foam, file, polish and get a titanium glossy shell^^

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 02 February 2014, 09:20:55

we have similar shops here in Italy, maybe I can find resin at cheaper price based on quantity.

I don't know though if it could be possible to build a keyboard out of foam+carbon fiber+epoxy. The case is pretty thin. Never tried myself

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: kilogeek on Sun, 02 February 2014, 11:43:16

if you put 4 layers of carbon fiber it wont be thin^^ and you should normally be able to stand on it :p

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: kilogeek on Sun, 02 February 2014, 11:48:00

Also foam is not mandatory (it's only for easy mould crafting), u can use wood as long as you stick on it aluminium leafs or anything making it easy to unmould the resin

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 02 February 2014, 12:03:55

what I mean is that the keyboard case is pretty thin. 4 layers of carbon fiber would be overkill.

but again I never tried myself. It would be a nice experiment.

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: kilogeek on Sun, 02 February 2014, 13:24:01

Look how awesome are surfboards when well polished, you can even build a translucid case (fiber glass, no carbon).

Title: Re: Resins online seller : site of interest
Post by: Binge on Sun, 02 February 2014, 13:29:26

We've been messing with resins, pour cast urethanes, for making keycaps and other objects.  It would be totally possible to make something like that.  I wish I had the tools to work with some of the more rigid/tough materials like fiberglass/carbon fiber.