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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: awb555 on Thu, 22 October 2015, 18:18:30

Title: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Thu, 22 October 2015, 18:18:30
I have this keyboard:
http://flash.newegg.com/product/9SIA11P0C88197
It has a rubber dome membrane.

I really like the way the "AWSD" feel but It's weird how the other keys feel.
I want the same texture on all of the keys. (just the letters, numbers and punctuation)
I can't tell if it's a silicone on top of the key it's self or the whole entire key.
Can someone please point me in a direction where to find what I'm looking for?
Thank you!


Ps. Obviously not the "G" keys
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: Kad on Thu, 22 October 2015, 18:31:47
Hmm, looking at the photo it appears they are an entirely different key, but let's do some poking around first. Can you try and take off one of those caps you like and see if it's like a silicone sleeve on top of a regular black key?
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Thu, 22 October 2015, 19:01:14
Hmm, looking at the photo it appears they are an entirely different key, but let's do some poking around first. Can you try and take off one of those caps you like and see if it's like a silicone sleeve on top of a regular black key?
If it is a "silicone sleeve" its glued on and not coming off.
I can see black under the orange and I can feel a lip.
Why would that matter? I like those keys.
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: Kad on Thu, 22 October 2015, 20:13:52
I can't tell if it's a silicone on top of the key it's self or the whole entire key.


Well that helps answer your question  ;D


Not too sure how easy it would be to get more of them to "sleeve" your other caps with since it's such a specific thing, one suggestion would be to contact the manufacturer directly using this link (http://www.a4tech.com/emailus.asp?m=s2) and ask them if they'd be willing to sell you more. Another thing you could do if you already have the resources is attempt to 3D print some sleeves but it will probably feel a little different and not color match exactly.


Good luck!
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Fri, 23 October 2015, 16:39:59
I called manufacturer and they said the keys are silicone cap not just sleeves.
Where can I find silicone cap keys? Preferably green or black but I'm not picky.
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 23 October 2015, 21:04:46
I called manufacturer and they said the keys are silicone cap not just sleeves.
Where can I find silicone cap keys? Preferably green or black but I'm not picky.
Ummm...call them back and ask them how much they'll sell you them for.

Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Fri, 23 October 2015, 23:45:41
A: they only make (ASWD) keys.
B: the letters on those keys are SUPER TINY!
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 24 October 2015, 08:44:57
But I think that's going to be your only source unless you can find the manufacturer of the keys and contact them for a custom order.
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Sat, 24 October 2015, 10:06:11
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: Kad on Sat, 24 October 2015, 22:25:23
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?


Likely if you get the caps from someone other than the supplier you won't get caps that feel the same just simply because they're not from the same source.


I'd try phoning up the manufacturers again and seeing if they'll sell you a bag of 'em.
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Sat, 24 October 2015, 23:55:01
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?


Likely if you get the caps from someone other than the supplier you won't get caps that feel the same just simply because they're not from the same source.


I'd try phoning up the manufacturers again and seeing if they'll sell you a bag of 'em.

I don't care if they feel the same. If all else fails I'll buy new "ASWD" keys.
I just need to know of a store who sells silicone cap keys..
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 25 October 2015, 07:31:14
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?


Likely if you get the caps from someone other than the supplier you won't get caps that feel the same just simply because they're not from the same source.


I'd try phoning up the manufacturers again and seeing if they'll sell you a bag of 'em.

I don't care if they feel the same. If all else fails I'll buy new "ASWD" keys.
I just need to know of a store who sells silicone cap keys..
There doesn't seem to be a store who does because the knowledge here on keycaps is impressive and no one has pointed you to a source. :(

I'm afraid those aswd keys may be the old ones that you can easily get.

Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 13:35:51
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?


Likely if you get the caps from someone other than the supplier you won't get caps that feel the same just simply because they're not from the same source.


I'd try phoning up the manufacturers again and seeing if they'll sell you a bag of 'em.

I don't care if they feel the same. If all else fails I'll buy new "ASWD" keys.
I just need to know of a store who sells silicone cap keys..
There doesn't seem to be a store who does because the knowledge here on keycaps is impressive and no one has pointed you to a source. :(

I'm afraid those aswd keys may be the old ones that you can easily get.
Just hard to believe that the only keys that you can find in silicone/rubber is the ASWD keys.
I mean you can find a liver, but yet no silicone/rubber keys on the internet!
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 25 October 2015, 19:05:23
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?


Likely if you get the caps from someone other than the supplier you won't get caps that feel the same just simply because they're not from the same source.


I'd try phoning up the manufacturers again and seeing if they'll sell you a bag of 'em.

I don't care if they feel the same. If all else fails I'll buy new "ASWD" keys.
I just need to know of a store who sells silicone cap keys..
There doesn't seem to be a store who does because the knowledge here on keycaps is impressive and no one has pointed you to a source. :(

I'm afraid those aswd keys may be the old ones that you can easily get.
Just hard to believe that the only keys that you can find in silicone/rubber is the ASWD keys.
I mean you can find a liver, but yet no silicone/rubber keys on the internet!
Yep, and it makes sense because more people need livers than silicone aswd keys, lol.

Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 21:17:19
Are you saying no one makes silicone keys?
Or they just won't match the feel of the ASWD keys if I go elsewhere?


Likely if you get the caps from someone other than the supplier you won't get caps that feel the same just simply because they're not from the same source.


I'd try phoning up the manufacturers again and seeing if they'll sell you a bag of 'em.

I don't care if they feel the same. If all else fails I'll buy new "ASWD" keys.
I just need to know of a store who sells silicone cap keys..
There doesn't seem to be a store who does because the knowledge here on keycaps is impressive and no one has pointed you to a source. :(

I'm afraid those aswd keys may be the old ones that you can easily get.
Just hard to believe that the only keys that you can find in silicone/rubber is the ASWD keys.
I mean you can find a liver, but yet no silicone/rubber keys on the internet!
Yep, and it makes sense because more people need livers than silicone aswd keys, lol.

Ok...lets change my question up... Instead of me asking who makes keys OTHER THAN "ASWD"keys.
Who makes silicone ASWD keys?
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: Kad on Sun, 25 October 2015, 21:21:36
Alright. After doing a little research I found this old GH thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=32992.0) that has a similar question.

There was a newegg link (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991094) in there that seems to have what you want but unfortunately it's out of stock.

I think you'll find this is a fairly uncommon request and it may be very challenging to track down more of these type of keys.
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Tue, 27 October 2015, 21:33:39
Alright. After doing a little research I found this old GH thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=32992.0) that has a similar question.

There was a newegg link (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991094) in there that seems to have what you want but unfortunately it's out of stock.

I think you'll find this is a fairly uncommon request and it may be very challenging to track down more of these type of keys.
Finally a real answer (kinda) lol!
I called the manufacture again...Apparently even if I found keys with silicone they wouldn't work because they use infrared to detect key strokes. They said it's there own technology??? Does this sound right??
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 28 October 2015, 11:11:24
Alright. After doing a little research I found this old GH thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=32992.0) that has a similar question.

There was a newegg link (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991094) in there that seems to have what you want but unfortunately it's out of stock.

I think you'll find this is a fairly uncommon request and it may be very challenging to track down more of these type of keys.
Finally a real answer (kinda) lol!
I called the manufacture again...Apparently even if I found keys with silicone they wouldn't work because they use infrared to detect key strokes. They said it's there own technology??? Does this sound right??

Wha?  Infrared?  Doesn't sound right to me if it's a mechanical keyboard.  I think someone was just messing with you.

Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: meevilsheep on Wed, 28 October 2015, 15:23:09
Alright. After doing a little research I found this old GH thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=32992.0) that has a similar question.

There was a newegg link (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991094) in there that seems to have what you want but unfortunately it's out of stock.

I think you'll find this is a fairly uncommon request and it may be very challenging to track down more of these type of keys.
Finally a real answer (kinda) lol!
I called the manufacture again...Apparently even if I found keys with silicone they wouldn't work because they use infrared to detect key strokes. They said it's there own technology??? Does this sound right??

Wha?  Infrared?  Doesn't sound right to me if it's a mechanical keyboard.  I think someone was just messing with you.

That`s the thing.. that keyboard is a A4Tech G800V. Not mechanical
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 28 October 2015, 18:12:21
Alright. After doing a little research I found this old GH thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=32992.0) that has a similar question.

There was a newegg link (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826991094) in there that seems to have what you want but unfortunately it's out of stock.

I think you'll find this is a fairly uncommon request and it may be very challenging to track down more of these type of keys.
Finally a real answer (kinda) lol!
I called the manufacture again...Apparently even if I found keys with silicone they wouldn't work because they use infrared to detect key strokes. They said it's there own technology??? Does this sound right??

Wha?  Infrared?  Doesn't sound right to me if it's a mechanical keyboard.  I think someone was just messing with you.

That`s the thing.. that keyboard is a A4Tech G800V. Not mechanical
Hmmm...at that price point I don't think it's using anything exotic like that, but I could be wrong.  :-\

Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: neverused on Wed, 28 October 2015, 18:32:47
Personal opinion: those keys look gross to type on and like they will soil easily. 

You should be able to harvest stems from another set and silicone mold your own keys.

Or you could try plastidip, not the same but it may be close enough.
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Thu, 29 October 2015, 21:12:59
They said "
I apologize to inform you but, I have received word that it would take a lot of tooling to get these keycaps, so we regret to inform you that we are unable to help you find a solution for these keycaps.  I will keep an eye out for similar style of keycap to help you find your solution for this matter. 
 
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day.  Than you!"
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 29 October 2015, 23:08:52
Yeah, I figured it would be like that.  But you had to try!  I'm sure there's other ways to get the caps you want, so keep searching.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: mszy52 on Fri, 30 October 2015, 18:47:45
how much did this board cost origionally? It doesnt look mech
Title: Re: Silicone cap keys
Post by: awb555 on Sat, 31 October 2015, 16:48:53
how much did this board cost origionally? It doesnt look mech
It's originally $50 I got it for $25 (newegg flash sale)