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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: tobsn on Mon, 10 October 2016, 06:21:16

Title: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Mon, 10 October 2016, 06:21:16
Moved to DT due to harassment.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: dfj on Mon, 10 October 2016, 06:31:40
sweet - best of luck
- I used a commercial spray release which worked fine - *something* is needed, because the resin will stick a bit to the silicone and try to tear off bits at the edge.

mostly replying just to link my avatar which has my last quasi successful casting - a resin M/F stem, though teh arms were brittle and didn't last long.
sad
dfj
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Mon, 21 November 2016, 07:43:18
added 21.11.2016 update!
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Malachor on Mon, 21 November 2016, 09:31:55
Research:
* need to find out how much pigments i can use in one resin mix... probably tiny amounts cause they say 0.5-1% of resin - no idea how to measure that

I've never used resin at all, so I don't know if this idea would work, but could you decant some resin into another container, say one with a capacity of 100mL, only fill up to 99mL and the last 1mL add the pigment? Obviously, this would be without the catalyst/hardener mixed in.
Failing that what about using a syringe for the pigment?
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Mon, 21 November 2016, 11:40:31
well... consider how much resin you need for one keycap, using 100ml would be a total waste :D
I saw that some just use the top of a toothpick for "measurement"... I guess have to mix some 10ml of it together and then "guess" how much 1% is
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Malachor on Mon, 21 November 2016, 19:30:34
Okay, I guess 100mL would be a waste.
What about a 100 µL syringe from somewhere like here:  http://www.sge.com/products/syringes/manual-syringes/10l-to-500lgastightsyringes
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Tue, 22 November 2016, 09:53:30
ha, that's pretty awesome - I have to look into that for liquids but pigments are mostly powder :/
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Tue, 29 November 2016, 19:56:53
added 29.11.2016 update!
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Fri, 27 January 2017, 08:47:38
added 27.01.2017 update!
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Giorgio on Tue, 31 January 2017, 12:24:40
Fantastic thread! This is what makes gh so great.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Tue, 31 January 2017, 13:08:37
with 1,000 views and literally only 2 comments including yours... that is more or less disappointing from my perspective but whatever... I'll keep posting to help someone looking for answers in the future ;)
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: SKD on Tue, 31 January 2017, 13:32:22
Here's a comment bro. ;D
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Tue, 31 January 2017, 17:01:52
thanks :)
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Kominyetska on Tue, 31 January 2017, 18:09:23
with 1,000 views and literally only 2 comments including yours... that is more or less disappointing from my perspective but whatever... I'll keep posting to help someone looking for answers in the future ;)

I think that because this is your documentation, people don't feel the need to comment. You aren't asking for feedback or information, just detailing your process. I find it nice to see what other people are doing and how they're overcoming issues, but I'm not sure I'll go into every WIP thread and drop a comment. Don't be discouraged. The large number of views is a good thing even if people aren't dropping their own comments into your work log.

 :thumb:
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Wed, 01 February 2017, 09:11:25
I think that because this is your documentation, people don't feel the need to comment. You aren't asking for feedback or information, just detailing your process. I find it nice to see what other people are doing and how they're overcoming issues, but I'm not sure I'll go into every WIP thread and drop a comment. Don't be discouraged. The large number of views is a good thing even if people aren't dropping their own comments into your work log.

hmm, good point I guess - btw. in the footnote are questions :P
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Coreda on Wed, 01 February 2017, 09:40:39
Chiming in to echo that it's always cool reading WIP posts. Seeing the keycap making process come together and reading of the breakthroughs is something that always piques my interest when keeping an eye on the Spy page :)
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: sinusoid on Wed, 01 February 2017, 18:20:00
I'm lurking in this thread too, keep it up!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: beamingrobot on Wed, 01 February 2017, 19:29:14
Been following your progress on instagram, so this is where you post the details  :thumb:
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:30:50
Been following your progress on instagram, so this is where you post the details  :thumb:

you found me! oh no! :P
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:31:49
I'm lurking in this thread too, keep it up!  :thumb:
Chiming in to echo that it's always cool reading WIP posts. Seeing the keycap making process come together and reading of the breakthroughs is something that always piques my interest when keeping an eye on the Spy page :)

alright, that makes me feel a lot better - always thought I'm posting into the void with this :D

Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Giorgio on Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:40:03
I don't know why there haven't been many comments. Maybe is this a very complicated process, or maybe because there have been many threads about this? Sincerely I don't know.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: rmendis on Thu, 02 February 2017, 12:28:48
Hey!
Just wanted you to know I'm lurking here, too.
Thanks so much for sharing information on your process. I am learning a lot!
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Wed, 08 February 2017, 16:40:08
Nice! Good to know that people actually read it :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 09 February 2017, 03:29:55
* Want to create my own $ynth to get a more high quality version + own makers mark

What qualities of the synth make you think a redesign would create a higher quality keycap?

I'm asking as the engineer for the current synth (v1.5) and past synths
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: darkrocker on Thu, 09 February 2017, 03:59:04
quote:"
* silicon still hasn't cured 24 hours later, I assume I put not enough catalyst in it or didn't mix properly... no idea what to do... going to wait till tomorrow and hope it might still cure completely"

How can you resolve this issue ? I have the same issue and don't know how to fix it
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Thu, 09 February 2017, 07:39:08
What qualities of the synth make you think a redesign would create a higher quality keycap?
I'm asking as the engineer for the current synth (v1.5) and past synths

The two part stem system, [... redacted because apparently this is all about IP even though this is a hobby ...].

Above and it's sold out for month, there seems to be no teflon version available anymore, the makers mark always leaves me with a bubble.

Hence I will take this design and make my own to adjust it so it fits my personal needs.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Thu, 09 February 2017, 07:48:17
added 09.02.2017 update!

The letters "$ynth" can apparently not be mentioned together with "making my own" because that somehow indicates I want to promote my imgainary "illegal" clone product.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Binge on Thu, 09 February 2017, 08:14:57
added 09.02.2017 update!

The letters "$ynth" can apparently not be mentioned together with "making my own" because that somehow indicates I want to promote my imgainary "illegal" clone product.

because you want to make your own molds and not your own $ynths, right?  Thanks for understanding.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Thu, 09 February 2017, 08:24:15
because you want to make your own molds and not your own $ynths, right?  Thanks for understanding.

I removed all references of the trademarked product even though it refers to the actual trademarked product which I bought and used while writing this log.
I will from now on refer to the trademarked product as "one sided metal keycap mold" when using said trademarked product, if that is in compliance with your trademark standards.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Thu, 09 February 2017, 17:12:35
quote:"
* silicon still hasn't cured 24 hours later, I assume I put not enough catalyst in it or didn't mix properly... no idea what to do... going to wait till tomorrow and hope it might still cure completely"

How can you resolve this issue ? I have the same issue and don't know how to fix it

more catalyst! rather overdose then underdose :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: darkrocker on Thu, 09 February 2017, 23:52:52
quote:"
* silicon still hasn't cured 24 hours later, I assume I put not enough catalyst in it or didn't mix properly... no idea what to do... going to wait till tomorrow and hope it might still cure completely"

How can you resolve this issue ? I have the same issue and don't know how to fix it

more catalyst! rather overdose then underdose :)


As the information from the manufacturer, it required 2% catalyst, I had tried 5% and 10% but it didn't work.  I still don't know why? maybe it's coming from the mixing process :(
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: sinusoid on Sun, 12 February 2017, 11:14:04
[...] it required 2% catalyst, I had tried 5% and 10% but it didn't work.  I still don't know why? maybe it's coming from the mixing process :(

Oh, don't do that.

The silicone itself is usually body-neutral, while the catalyst is often a carcinogenous, liver-destroying kidney-wrecking compound of metal salts. Most of it gets trapped inside the silicone if you observe the mixing ratios. When you add more of it, then, well, it doesn't. It also changes the properties of the silicone. If you're gonna use or sell caps made with that mix, they're gonna have this stuff trapped in their surface, coming into contact with people's fingers for prolonged amounts of time.

In the manual of the silicone you're using, it should be written what kinds of substances inhibit the setting process. Like sulfur, or rubber.
Read that, and make sure none of them are present in your model, on your hands, gloves, or in the mixing process.
Don't throw away your mixing cup with silicone residue, keep it as a setting test. For a few weeks, preferably - bad mixing (or too little catalyst) will eventually set, while contamination won't.
Mix for a few minutes at least. Try different containers and mixing sticks. If you're using platinum-based silicone, it's safe for handling, but very sensitive to contamination. It won't set in minimal presence of certain chemicals (like sulfur).

But whatever you do, try not to mess with the ratios, unless you've got specific info about that in the silicone's technical sheet, or have contacted the manufacturer.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: darkrocker on Mon, 13 February 2017, 00:17:14
Thanks you for a very details post, I got the point now and I will try again with the correct ratios and mixing.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: YabosMcGee on Thu, 23 February 2017, 23:30:56
Why are various parts of your log censored with [CENSORED by Binge] ?
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Wylte on Fri, 24 February 2017, 12:47:40
Redacted

****, bad on me for not going back and reading, I hadn't looked at this thread since January and missed the context  :-X
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: Joey Quinn on Fri, 24 February 2017, 13:38:24
Why are various parts of your log censored with [CENSORED by Binge] ?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78551.msg2359110#msg2359110

It has to do with not using Synth branding to advertise a Synth clone and an over reaction to the request.
Title: Re: Keycap making in Poland - Documenting my progress
Post by: tobsn on Fri, 24 February 2017, 13:40:28
just makes me wonder where i advertised it or where that clone is.