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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: P3TC0CK on Sat, 12 July 2014, 11:33:52

Title: Hi geekhack. I'm making my own keycap set.
Post by: P3TC0CK on Sat, 12 July 2014, 11:33:52
Figured this might be interesting to you guys. I originally posted this over on reddit on /r/mechanicalkeyboards and didn't get much interest, although the few people that were helped out quite a bit in making this happen. I'm currently trying to create a fully flat set of keys, one that can at least somewhat replicate the feel of typing on a chiclet keyboard without the issue of spacing keys.

I've gotten someone on Fiverr who is designing the keys in CAD so I can eventually print out a couple prototypes and test them before I attempt to have them manufactured.

Here is a teaser image of the most basic keycap:

(http://i.imgur.com/be9WKf9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/umhi3q5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/m4cdVR6.jpg)


If you're familiar with Signature Plastics keys you'll notice this is pretty similar to their flat keys (http://keyshop.pimpmykeyboard.com/products/specialty-custom-keys/flat-keys) and g20 gaming keys (http://keyshop.pimpmykeyboard.com/products/specialty-custom-keys/family-g20-esports-gaming). I originally tried to contact them and see if they offered a full set but it seems they're not going to do that anytime in the near future.

If all goes well with the prototypes I think I will go ahead and have the person designing the keys for me to cut out the letters, numbers and symbols for each key. I may also add Arabic text as I'm located in Dubai and would prefer my keyboard cover both languages.

More pictures to come as soon as I get them! I'm more active on reddit so if I don't respond to your messages you can pm me there at /u/P3TC0CK.
Title: Re: Hi geekhack. I'm making my own keycap set.
Post by: paicrai on Sun, 13 July 2014, 06:08:03
perfectly flat caps? go for it!
and welcome to geekhack!
Title: Re: Hi geekhack. I'm making my own keycap set.
Post by: P3TC0CK on Sun, 13 July 2014, 07:43:44
Quote from: paicrai on Sun, 13 July 2014, 06:08:03
perfectly flat caps? go for it!
and welcome to geekhack!

Thank you :)

You can find my progress thread here (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60531.0) if you'd like to follow it/ give your 2 cents about it.

Title: Re: Hi geekhack. I'm making my own keycap set.
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 14 July 2014, 00:47:50
This Canon typewriter had somewhat similar rectangular keycaps for the various function keys:
http://imgur.com/a/peni7
Title: Re: Hi geekhack. I'm making my own keycap set.
Post by: P3TC0CK on Mon, 14 July 2014, 03:49:58
Quote from: jacobolus on Mon, 14 July 2014, 00:47:50
This Canon typewriter had somewhat similar rectangular keycaps for the various function keys:
http://imgur.com/a/peni7


Pretty interesting, thanks for the link :)