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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Justins7 on Thu, 23 March 2017, 14:22:36

Title: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Justins7 on Thu, 23 March 2017, 14:22:36
I have a Unicomp and am considering ordering a new IBM-type F keyboard. But the keycaps available are still the same old grey/beige variety. Has anyone attempted to make more interesting keycaps in color, etc., that fits these? Something like a 1960's keyboard? Signature Plastics-style?

I've made some of my own by spray-painting blank modifiers, and am thinking of dying some. But still...
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: romevi on Thu, 23 March 2017, 14:24:44
I would love some. My board is pretty boring.

I forget if Unicomp is the only one with the molds, though. And I know artisan makers have a tough time with them.
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Halverson on Thu, 23 March 2017, 14:47:47
Doesn't unicomp make plenty of colored caps?
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Justins7 on Thu, 23 March 2017, 14:50:03
The colored caps at Unicomp are pretty limited and are only sold individually (for some reason). Also, they don't offer white text, and their moulds are so old that they text is pretty dodgy.

It seems like it would be easy to make new ones since they are just small caps that fit over the base-thing.
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Tactile on Thu, 23 March 2017, 15:04:27
No white text available in dyesub from anyone.
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: noisyturtle on Thu, 23 March 2017, 16:19:14
One with a tiny little die in it like the board game Trouble, so when you press the key and let it release you roll the die.
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Halverson on Thu, 23 March 2017, 16:21:00
Quote from: noisyturtle on Thu, 23 March 2017, 16:19:14
One with a tiny little die in it like the board game Trouble, so when you press the key and let it release you roll the die.

I have a tiny die that could be used for such a thing....
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Puddsy on Thu, 23 March 2017, 16:52:05
unicomp sells them piecemeal but not many people use BS keyboards, so it's a lot easier to just make fat stacks off MX caps
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 23 March 2017, 20:57:17
Both CC and Bro have made exciting BS keycaps.

Also Fentek make (made?) coloured versions of the boring-shaped keycaps: http://www.fentek-ind.com/keys.htm#.WNR8uRA6FBw
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: clappingcactus on Thu, 23 March 2017, 21:28:08
Here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DecentKeyboards

This storefront will make full custom sets, but it'll cost you!
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Halverson on Thu, 23 March 2017, 22:12:52
Quote from: rowdy on Thu, 23 March 2017, 20:57:17
Both CC and Bro have made exciting BS keycaps.

Also Fentek make (made?) coloured versions of the boring-shaped keycaps: http://www.fentek-ind.com/keys.htm#.WNR8uRA6FBw

Don't forget my exciting Bs caps!!! :(
Title: Re: Why hasn't anyone attempted to make more exciting buckling spring keycaps?
Post by: Niomosy on Fri, 24 March 2017, 00:33:55
Quote from: Tactile on Thu, 23 March 2017, 15:04:27
No white text available in dyesub from anyone.

There's a cap maker in China that was doing that.  They basically take a white cap and dyesub everything except the legend.  The samples that came in were decent but deemed not good enough to run a group buy.  Haven't heard of anyone else doing that, though.