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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Xarmydis on Mon, 23 March 2015, 17:45:08

Title: Friend got a 3D printer, could we make keycaps?
Post by: Xarmydis on Mon, 23 March 2015, 17:45:08

My friend has wanted a 3D printer forever, he finally got one, and we both enjoy our keyboards. It just hit us that people make custom keycaps with 3D printers, but we don't know if we could/how to go about it! I couldn't immediately stumble upon anything, are tehre any resources out there I should look for?

If this is any help, here is the printer:

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id=1072403&p_id=11614&seq=1&format=2

Title: Re: Friend got a 3D printer, could we make keycaps?
Post by: nubbinator on Mon, 23 March 2015, 18:38:29

Extrusion printers really aren't recommended for something like that.  They tend to get pretty crappy results since they don't have the fidelity you really need.

Title: Re: Friend got a 3D printer, could we make keycaps?
Post by: vvp on Tue, 24 March 2015, 04:49:56

You can do it, but I agree that FFF/FDM printers are not good for it.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43362.msg1507680#msg1507680

Title: Re: Friend got a 3D printer, could we make keycaps?
Post by: sypl on Wed, 25 March 2015, 12:49:01

If using ABS material you can maybe smooth out the 'threaded' look by applying a little acetone (which dissolves ABS) to the surface to melt it smooth. I haven't tried it because I haven't got any acetone on me, but I'm curious to try it now.