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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

Title: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

I will add my recent project in here so this op might get edited a lot  :)

Exactly one year ago, I who still a newbie (i'm still a noob though :p)  and curious for a lot of thing that going on in mechanical keyboard worlds stumble upon keycap making.
I buy some resin, silicone, clay and other stuff. Trying lot of thing with it and making ton of mistake each day.
FYI i'm not entirely new in casting and molding stuff. My family own a pastry shop and i'm in charge of chocolate and confectionery.

But yeah making rubber mold and mixing resin is new to me. But i'm still adapt to it quite fast. 1st I try making blank keycap then I try many things before I go to sculpted keycap. Turn out to these day, i'm still suck at making prefect blank. Two Thumbs up to other artist who can make nice and perfect blank.

Turn out I love making sculpted keycap rather than blank so after lot of trial and eror I make several sculpt lot of it I didn't release or even post it and then after my 1st sale of symbio and pok. I figure it out that I need to make sculpt which is full of character, unique and can accept lot of colorway. After brain storming for weeks I found out I often missed a simple thing.
 BIRD is animal which have lot of species and color variation. So I begin to adapt several bird to a sculpt.The sculpt itself are heavily based on chocobo from final Fantasy series. After mixing it with several bird like garuda, parkeet, love bird and parrot. Born the TAKA which I personally really really like.

 Last month in local meet up a friend pointed out to me that taka is really match to dsa profile. After several testing, yes I find last taka design is more optimized for dsa profile which is why I make these change:
‌
Remodeled taka
(http://i.imgur.com/FzpGEw6.jpg)

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

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

List if the changes:
1. Beak and eyes area are bit sharper now
2. A tiny bit taller like under 1mm difference. But yes, it is taller.
3. Side are slimmer than previous design
4. More macth to cherry profile


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=83543.msg2221955#msg2221955

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: asen1994 on Wed, 25 May 2016, 08:49:02

Wowww i want this spacebar! Look so interesting, are you have mind to make the another color?? I interest with red and orange colour

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Moistgun on Wed, 25 May 2016, 09:00:05

Quote from: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

A test result of my spacebar casting

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/oCQb7Wz.jpg)

very cool, you dont see spacebars often.  i wanted to make my own, but i was getting low on the moulding material, so i made smaller caps instead.

Any issues with warping?

what materials are you using?

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 15:40:43

Quote from: Moistgun on Wed, 25 May 2016, 09:00:05

Quote from: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

A test result of my spacebar casting

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/oCQb7Wz.jpg)

very cool, you dont see spacebars often.  i wanted to make my own, but i was getting low on the moulding material, so i made smaller caps instead.

Any issues with warping?

what materials are you using?

Thank you sir, so far so good no issue in the warping. The material I used was some Chinese silicone and for the resin I used smooth on 321. I have tested with Chinese resin too ( yi-pin brand). With the Chinese resin I have warped issue but with smooth on 321 I don't have these issue.

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 15:42:23

Quote from: asen1994 on Wed, 25 May 2016, 08:49:02

Wowww i want this spacebar! Look so interesting, are you have mind to make the another color?? I interest with red and orange colour

Ummm that is orange - red and black. Though the red are less pop because I mixed it with a little yellow color.
Thanks you btw

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: romevi on Wed, 25 May 2016, 16:00:17

Oh, you made that space bar. Nice!
Love the Venom cap. He's one of my favorite Marvel characters.  :thumb:

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 26 May 2016, 00:52:12

Quote from: romevi on Wed, 25 May 2016, 16:00:17

Oh, you made that space bar. Nice!
Love the Venom cap. He's one of my favorite Marvel characters.  :thumb:

Well, it is me sir. Thanks for your kind word sir. ;D

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Kenda on Thu, 26 May 2016, 12:37:33

Wow first time i see a spacebar. Good job man


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 26 May 2016, 19:47:50

That spacebar looks sharp

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 26 May 2016, 23:16:15

Quote from: Kenda on Thu, 26 May 2016, 12:37:33

Wow first time i see a spacebar. Good job man


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you sir  ;D

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: haldir on Sat, 28 May 2016, 09:42:02

Great job, well done. Could you share the brand of the Chinese silicon you used?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Sat, 28 May 2016, 22:44:02

Quote from: haldir on Sat, 28 May 2016, 09:42:02

Great job, well done. Could you share the brand of the Chinese silicon you used?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Thanks sir, if i'm not mistaken it was still from yi-pin resin..

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Sun, 05 June 2016, 15:05:24

Hello, at last I can update this. These past few week I've been very busy woth my work.
Some update on test casting

The Venom which will be name Symbiokey
(http://i.imgur.com/c2DO4MZ.jpg)

The Pekka buttt all my friend insist that I call it Screamkey  :'(  instead well it look like scream skull mask.
(http://i.imgur.com/qHYiC5a.jpg)

And another sculpt I done today  :D
Let's call it Baphokey, it was inspired by RAGNAROK ONLINE BAPHOMET Jr

(http://i.imgur.com/MbZ67Sy.jpg)

As for the space bar I been cast several but forgot to take the picture and have been packaged to my friends. Sorry guys maybe next weekend.

Oh, for those who hurt their eyes because large potato pict, my friend jokrik have agree to take a pict. I will send some keycap to him and hopefully next update will contain his pict instead of my ****ty potato pict  :D

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: romevi on Mon, 06 June 2016, 00:22:03

Man, that Venom key is awesome.

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Mon, 06 June 2016, 06:31:36

Quote from: romevi on Mon, 06 June 2016, 00:22:03

Man, that Venom key is awesome.

Thanks you sir. BTW ygpm  ;)

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Jokrik on Mon, 06 June 2016, 23:07:13

Bapho Jr. man......
was my pet when I played RO, so awesome... the dad is mean though, hit so hard just to get the headpiece

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Wazazaby on Tue, 07 June 2016, 05:11:45

The space bar is pretty cool!

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Jokrik on Mon, 13 June 2016, 22:22:17

Noct has been busy with work and casting lately, not much time to play around GH
so I asked his permission to post on his behalf :)

Here's a couple potato pics of the prototypes:

(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh495/jokrik89/828327D8-A53D-4D04-87E7-E83AD2B314AC_zpsky8sqd6u.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/jokrik89/media/828327D8-A53D-4D04-87E7-E83AD2B314AC_zpsky8sqd6u.jpg.html)

(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh495/jokrik89/2BC4A85D-AFE1-46D4-AE42-0CB8BDA1BD55_zpsceqogba2.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/jokrik89/media/2BC4A85D-AFE1-46D4-AE42-0CB8BDA1BD55_zpsceqogba2.jpg.html)

(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh495/jokrik89/C133573D-1CF8-4056-9541-DE7ABB14B859_zps77rwl9sk.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/jokrik89/media/C133573D-1CF8-4056-9541-DE7ABB14B859_zps77rwl9sk.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: romevi on Mon, 13 June 2016, 23:41:35

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Quote from: Jokrik on Mon, 13 June 2016, 22:22:17

Noct has been busy with work and casting lately, not much time to play around GH
so I asked his permission to post on his behalf :)

Here's a couple potato pics of the prototypes:

(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh495/jokrik89/828327D8-A53D-4D04-87E7-E83AD2B314AC_zpsky8sqd6u.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/jokrik89/media/828327D8-A53D-4D04-87E7-E83AD2B314AC_zpsky8sqd6u.jpg.html)

(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh495/jokrik89/2BC4A85D-AFE1-46D4-AE42-0CB8BDA1BD55_zpsceqogba2.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/jokrik89/media/2BC4A85D-AFE1-46D4-AE42-0CB8BDA1BD55_zpsceqogba2.jpg.html)

(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh495/jokrik89/C133573D-1CF8-4056-9541-DE7ABB14B859_zps77rwl9sk.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/jokrik89/media/C133573D-1CF8-4056-9541-DE7ABB14B859_zps77rwl9sk.jpg.html)

Yes! Those Venom caps!  :p

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Fri, 17 June 2016, 10:17:48

Hi all , sorry for the late update. Finally got some free time , OMG my work are never ending.
And here some spoiler pics that my mate Jokrik took this evening. Thanks mate your photograph are masterfull as ever

(http://i.imgur.com/b5LiWdM.jpg?1)

More pics will be post in here tommorow or maybe sometime these week.

And soon i will apply to artisan service to open a sale for these keycap

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: romevi on Fri, 17 June 2016, 10:41:49

Quote from: nocturalowl on Fri, 17 June 2016, 10:17:48

Hi all , sorry for the late update. Finally got some free time , OMG my work are never ending.
And here some spoiler pics that my mate Jokrik took this evening. Thanks mate your photograph are masterfull as ever

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/b5LiWdM.jpg?1)

More pics will be post in here tommorow or maybe sometime these week.

And soon i will apply to artisan service to open a sale for these keycap

 :thumb:

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Jokrik on Sat, 18 June 2016, 06:24:54

More teaser :)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7247/27126965553_540e738efa_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hk7MLD)
Symbios (https://flic.kr/p/Hk7MLD) by Hanshen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jokrik/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Reigning Hell on Sat, 18 June 2016, 20:45:11

^ Those look great! the multishot colorways look awesome

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Waateva on Sat, 18 June 2016, 23:08:16

I really like the new sculpts and those Venom caps, keep up the good work :thumb:

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Jokrik on Sun, 19 June 2016, 04:20:18

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7105/27154544603_228f2b4af1_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hny94v)

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Fri, 01 July 2016, 04:05:10

Project update. Some new design  ;D

Let me introduce da pokcap

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

(http://i.imgur.com/vTsw5S1.jpg)

Some ass shoot too  ;)

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

Oink oink oink

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 01 July 2016, 06:06:50

I hear Revy from Black Lagoon say, "Oink, Oink." when I see these caps :) I'm a nerd :'(

So clean and no bubbly butt!

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Waateva on Fri, 01 July 2016, 08:31:36

Quote from: csmertx on Fri, 01 July 2016, 06:06:50

I hear Revy from Black Lagoon say, "Oink, Oink." when I see these caps :) I'm a nerd :'(

So clean and no bubbly butt!

What's wrong with bubble butts?

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 01 July 2016, 08:59:18

Quote from: Waateva on Fri, 01 July 2016, 08:31:36

Quote from: csmertx on Fri, 01 July 2016, 06:06:50

I hear Revy from Black Lagoon say, "Oink, Oink." when I see these caps :) I'm a nerd :'(

So clean and no bubbly butt!

What's wrong with bubble butts?

Contextually..  :))

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: romevi on Fri, 01 July 2016, 09:01:39

Maybe put a line on the underside of the caps. ;)

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: Epic on Fri, 01 July 2016, 11:36:03

Quote from: Waateva on Fri, 01 July 2016, 08:31:36

Quote from: csmertx on Fri, 01 July 2016, 06:06:50

I hear Revy from Black Lagoon say, "Oink, Oink." when I see these caps :) I'm a nerd :'(

So clean and no bubbly butt!

What's wrong with bubble butts?

I used to love hearing bubble butt, now that I'm casting, I'm not so sure.   :))

Title: Re: Home Made keycap casting
Post by: nocturalowl on Fri, 01 July 2016, 12:34:38

I like smooth ass  :-*

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Mon, 15 August 2016, 15:39:55

Quote from: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

I will add my recent project in here so this op might get edited a lot  :)

Currently in the work:

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/6XJuQVI.jpg)

Show Image

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

Can't wait!

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Mon, 15 August 2016, 15:41:50

Quote from: romevi on Mon, 15 August 2016, 15:39:55

Quote from: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

I will add my recent project in here so this op might get edited a lot  :)

Currently in the work:

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/6XJuQVI.jpg)

Show Image

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

Can't wait!

Jeez mate, now my scheme for giveaway question back to square one  :(

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Mon, 15 August 2016, 16:02:22

Quote from: nocturalowl on Mon, 15 August 2016, 15:41:50

Quote from: romevi on Mon, 15 August 2016, 15:39:55

Quote from: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

I will add my recent project in here so this op might get edited a lot  :)

Currently in the work:

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/6XJuQVI.jpg)

Show Image

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

Can't wait!

Jeez mate, now my scheme for giveaway question back to square one  :(

 :-[

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Mon, 15 August 2016, 16:12:23

 :p

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Mon, 15 August 2016, 16:13:34

Quote from: nocturalowl on Wed, 25 May 2016, 07:38:37

I will add my recent project in here so this op might get edited a lot  :)

Currently in the work:

Show Image

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

:thinkingface:

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:41:21

Bump for change made in the op

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:52:01

Really like that you made the Symbio smaller. I liked it, but agree that it was a bit too big, especially under the jaw. SO glad you overhauled the Pokcap. I mean, I think the v1 is really cute, and wanted to get one in a future sale, but this thing looks much, much better. If you're going for the Ganon look, you nailed it.
And the bird! With all kinds of colors, you can make it into any kind of bird/cockatoo/parrot you want!  :p

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: KlarKuo on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:53:56

New caps got me sweatin

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:59:18

Quote from: romevi on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:52:01

Really like that you made the Symbio smaller. I liked it, but agree that it was a bit too big, especially under the jaw. SO glad you overhauled the Pokcap. I mean, I think the v1 is really cute, and wanted to get one in a future sale, but this thing looks much, much better. If you're going for the Ganon look, you nailed it.
And the bird! With all kinds of colors, you can make it into any kind of bird/cockatoo/parrot you want!  :p

Thx d00d, i agree smaller is better. The more closer to cherry or topre profile the better it will look on your board  ;)

Quote from: cheesepuff18 on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:53:56

New caps got me sweatin

Hope you sweatin in a good way  :)

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: DALExSNAIL on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:32:34

Im liking the bird and the Pok redesign a good bit! Hoping for some raven doubleshot action on the bird haha! :thumb:

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:44:45

Quote from: DaleSnail on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:32:34

Im liking the bird and the Pok redesign a good bit! Hoping for some raven doubleshot action on the bird haha! :thumb:

There are Raven like colorway but not for the main menu in upcoming sale, sorry  :'(


Hint: in a plastic with gold coated color    ;D

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: quanghuy1200 on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:49:01

I am willing to take the TAKA with my SA set.When i see the high i will try to get it with another .So sad but the design is very nice

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:19:48

Quote from: quanghuy1200 on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:49:01

I am willing to take the TAKA with my SA set.When i see the high i will try to get it with another .So sad but the design is very nice

Thx dood, sorry but from major consensus people love cherry or lower profile more. So I will try my best to match those profile

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:20:33

Quote from: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:19:48

Quote from: quanghuy1200 on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:49:01

I am willing to take the TAKA with my SA set.When i see the high i will try to get it with another .So sad but the design is very nice

Thx dood, sorry but from major consensus people love cherry or lower profile more. So I will try my best to match those profile

Agreed. There are a few exceptions where taller makes sense (eg, Coz's VolKeyno), but otherwise the lower the better, which is why I don't like pairing artisans with SA. But not too low!

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:22:53

Quote from: romevi on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:20:33

Quote from: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:19:48

Quote from: quanghuy1200 on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:49:01

I am willing to take the TAKA with my SA set.When i see the high i will try to get it with another .So sad but the design is very nice

Thx dood, sorry but from major consensus people love cherry or lower profile more. So I will try my best to match those profile

Agreed. There are a few exceptions where taller makes sense (eg, Coz's VolKeyno), but otherwise the lower the better, which is why I don't like pairing artisans with SA. But not too low!

But not as low as dsa rite?
Just cherry is low enough amirite?    :D

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:25:49

Quote from: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:22:53

Quote from: romevi on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:20:33

Quote from: nocturalowl on Thu, 06 October 2016, 11:19:48

Quote from: quanghuy1200 on Thu, 06 October 2016, 10:49:01

I am willing to take the TAKA with my SA set.When i see the high i will try to get it with another .So sad but the design is very nice

Thx dood, sorry but from major consensus people love cherry or lower profile more. So I will try my best to match those profile

Agreed. There are a few exceptions where taller makes sense (eg, Coz's VolKeyno), but otherwise the lower the better, which is why I don't like pairing artisans with SA. But not too low!

But not as low as dsa rite?
Just cherry is low enough amirite?    :D

Yeah. I never pair artisans with DSA or SA. SA is too tall and DSA is too low. Cherry/OEM/Topre/Alps is just right. But since Cherry is my favorite MX profile, I always default to Cherry profile.  :p

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: nocturalowl on Fri, 13 January 2017, 01:32:12

Bump for new update with a bit of my back ground  ;)

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Fri, 13 January 2017, 10:32:44

Oh, now I see the changes. Great! I did think the v1 Taka did sit a bit too low, but it was fine. Glad to see this one is more equal to Cherry caps!

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: lovechan on Sat, 14 January 2017, 21:11:34

looking forward to new update, Love your caps.<3

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: romevi on Sun, 15 January 2017, 22:49:43

Quote from: lovechan on Sat, 14 January 2017, 21:11:34

looking forward to new update, Love your caps.<3

You just missed sale!
But yes, definitely one of my favorite newer artisans.

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: lovechan on Mon, 16 January 2017, 18:40:38

Quote from: romevi on Sun, 15 January 2017, 22:49:43

Quote from: lovechan on Sat, 14 January 2017, 21:11:34

looking forward to new update, Love your caps.<3

You just missed sale!
But yes, definitely one of my favorite newer artisans.

ah,how could I miss those amazing caps again!  :)) can't miss.

Title: Re: Navacaps journey log
Post by: HouseofSuffering on Mon, 16 January 2017, 18:46:49

Can't wait to see the new improvements on the Taka, in person.   :thumb: