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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Qantourisc on Thu, 26 June 2014, 08:37:04

Title: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: Qantourisc on Thu, 26 June 2014, 08:37:04
Backstory:
My old dome keyboard U-key (seems like it's starting to break down, a few days ago it didn't snap, now it's snapping again).
Since this thing is 12 years old, and I use it a lot, I'm very tempted on a mechanical keyboard.
Since I'm bit in a special situation I'm interested in getting a custom keycap print with 3 layouts :) (No I'm not brave enough to go blank).

So I've been looking at WASD key caps, but I have heard rumours they are not durable at all.

Questions

Thanks for any input.
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: Hazel on Fri, 27 June 2014, 10:53:52
I used the new UV-printed WASD keycaps on my ergodox for a couple months with no indication of wear or shine.  The coating covers the entire keycap and gives it a slightly-slick PBT-like feel.  The new keys seem to be of a much higher quality than their old keys.

I have a WASDv2 as well (but I use my old laser-etched set on it), it's never given me any problems.   I love the fact that it supports the Dvorak and Colemak layouts in hardware, but you probably don't care about that.
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: Qantourisc on Fri, 27 June 2014, 12:40:00
I didn't know you could hardware switch them yet. (Imo that's for the OS, and caps-lock is another modifier key for me, also in OS) But nice to know.
Also good to hear they don't wear as fast as rumours spread :)
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Fri, 27 June 2014, 20:34:40
I had a set of the UV-printed WASD keycaps for a few months (March of this year, until now), and indeed, I didn't see any wear on the printing. The legends are still intact; but then again, the caps are only a few months old, so I can't say how long they will last over the long run.

But, I have to say... the texture of the WASD caps are pretty horrible, and I had to stop using them. I wrote about my experiences here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59067.msg1379893#msg1379893

But it seems you're in a circumstance where you might need the custom WASD set for the 3 layouts, so, maybe the texture quality isn't of utmost importance to you right now. :))
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: nrd on Fri, 27 June 2014, 21:51:45
I actually like the texture of the WASDs  :'(
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: Qantourisc on Sat, 28 June 2014, 02:24:12
I used a ton of cheap keyboards, the texture I prefer least is glossy/no-texture/smooth. But that's even ok-ish.
Also good to hear the UV's don't or barely wear out.
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: Qantourisc on Tue, 15 July 2014, 05:43:15
Somebody is claiming the keys are not fully covered by the UV print, as such, the legends won't wear out but the plastic will.
For any owners: is this true ? Are the unprinted areas wearing out faster (if any wear is visible) ?
Title: Re: WASD - UV printed-version: durability question
Post by: wayneho000 on Tue, 15 July 2014, 06:33:50
Quote from: Qantourisc on Tue, 15 July 2014, 05:43:15
Somebody is claiming the keys are not fully covered by the UV print, as such, the legends won't wear out but the plastic will.
For any owners: is this true ? Are the unprinted areas wearing out faster (if any wear is visible) ?

mine is still going strong.
Heavy use for the past 2 months