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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: BlindShadow on Fri, 06 March 2015, 23:48:26

Title: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: BlindShadow on Fri, 06 March 2015, 23:48:26: So i tried making some metal key caps out of Sn - tin

http://imgur.com/9pkj7ni (http://imgur.com/9pkj7ni)

I ran into some problems with metal flow rate and detail retention, so i figured i would ask if anyone successfully have made metal key caps before ?
if so then what material did you use or what technique did you use ?

Currently i am considering changing the key cap design to better accommodate the material, any suggestions ?
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 06 March 2015, 23:50:39: I've made some with zinc by sand casting. Unless you're using a nice metal mold and have a nice foundry, you're going to run into issues. Figuring out how to do the stem is the hard part.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14771894215_b8d6ab584b_k.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/qjVQ1Ri.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Sat, 07 March 2015, 00:19:28: Yeah another possible solution is to use a low melting point metal to first cast a negative, you can find billets on Amazon. Then take the negative and use it to cast a mold out of something more heat resistant :thumb:
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: BlindShadow on Sat, 07 March 2015, 12:19:41: nubbinator : That's a really nice set of keycaps, did you do the zinc at home ? and what did you use for the stem zinc also ?

DrHubblePhD : Sounds interesting with the billets, i might try that

I wonder, do any of you know if this LEGO part fits on a cherry MX switch stem ?

http://imgur.com/5saobcv

(http://imgur.com/5saobcv)

Would be an easy glew on fixtiure, instead of making the key cap stem part of the mold which is tricky.

I am trying ABS molding later today might give some okay results ^^
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: Asininity on Sat, 07 March 2015, 18:23:14: Quote from: BlindShadow on Sat, 07 March 2015, 12:19:41
nubbinator : That's a really nice set of keycaps, did you do the zinc at home ? and what did you use for the stem zinc also ?

DrHubblePhD : Sounds interesting with the billets, i might try that

I wonder, do any of you know if this LEGO part fits on a cherry MX switch stem ?

http://imgur.com/5saobcv

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/5saobcv)

Would be an easy glew on fixtiure, instead of making the key cap stem part of the mold which is tricky.

I am trying ABS molding later today might give some okay results ^^

I have some technic stuff at home. I'll look whenever I get home and let you know!
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: sirisaac1982 on Sat, 07 March 2015, 20:27:30: This is cool.
I've always wanted to make my own ingots. :thumb:
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: Fusion on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:29:46: I just tried - the piece does fit bit it's slightly too loose. Might need to stuff it or glue it on or something.

Edit for science:
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: Asininity on Sun, 08 March 2015, 18:13:00: Quote from: Fusion on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:29:46
I just tried - the piece does fit bit it's slightly too loose. Might need to stuff it or glue it on or something.

Edit for science:

It's a shame that it doesn't work.

(http://i.imgur.com/xEp91yJ.jpg)

It's so close!
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: Vaurien on Sat, 22 November 2025, 06:25:26: Quote from: nubbinator on Fri, 06 March 2015, 23:50:39
I've made some with zinc by sand casting. Unless you're using a nice metal mold and have a nice foundry, you're going to run into issues. Figuring out how to do the stem is the hard part.

Show Image
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14771894215_b8d6ab584b_k.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qjVQ1Ri.jpg)

hi, fist time poster here, I plan to make a set with ceramic shell casting but I am struggling to understand the gaiting system. do you have a picture of your gating system?
Title: Re: DIY Metal Key Caps
Post by: Little Steel Egg keycaps on Wed, 28 January 2026, 09:56:11: We use aluminum alloy, which is machined in a CNC machining center and then anodized. Doing it by hand would be quite laborious; using a machine would produce much better results.(https://scontent-sin2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/624060772_17915256543273174_4276070456325463014_n.heic?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ig_cache_key=MzgyMDExODY1NTY3ODMwMTI0OA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InhwaWRzLjEwODB4MTA4MC5zZHIuQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=JNU0GtQfmlkQ7kNvwF0wInu&_nc_oc=Adlr35ZMXnPe7EsgmBXpCtL1160bk6sezLUejlxnROTwAiuvjlHuNoWsc7knmY63-HQ&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sin2-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=qIhAsD1Qoo9i04GRgqD0hw&oh=00_AfqtxnIho2zSNBmqgoTbJFH9jc_nNIeV_t4-gqbKG-v9Qg&oe=6980146C)