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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: loganville on Tue, 26 September 2017, 16:01:31

Title: wood keycaps
Post by: loganville on Tue, 26 September 2017, 16:01:31: I've finally gotten around to making a wooden keycap that fits snuggly on an mx stem. Now I just need to make it the proper profile and laser on some legends. This one is made out of walnut, but I got a dozen different types of wood I plan on using. Also need to sand and stain this one before using it.
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: AuthenticDanger on Tue, 26 September 2017, 16:07:04: Looks cool!

Any plans to copy an existing profile? I'd be *very* excited to get some wooden DSA caps.
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: loganville on Tue, 26 September 2017, 16:19:38: I'm planning on doing a dsa ergodox layout for myself once I get the rest of the process down smoothly. I'll keep posting updates here if you're interested. I'm right now torn between lasering the legends or carving them in...

Any particular types of wood you'd be interested in?
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: AuthenticDanger on Tue, 26 September 2017, 16:50:36: Quote from: loganville on Tue, 26 September 2017, 16:19:38
I'm planning on doing a dsa ergodox layout for myself once I get the rest of the process down smoothly. I'll keep posting updates here if you're interested. I'm right now torn between lasering the legends or carving them in...

Any particular types of wood you'd be interested in?

I know nothing about wood, just that I like it dark and/or red-ish. I'd be super interested in blank DSA profile keys, which saves time doing legends :). You could run a group buy depending on how much time each cap takes. I know I'd be interested in at least 10 if the price is good.
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 27 September 2017, 15:59:23: Glass caps is where it's at
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: loganville on Wed, 27 September 2017, 16:20:39: Quote from: noisyturtle on Wed, 27 September 2017, 15:59:23
Glass caps is where it's at

Maybe but my keyboard has a custom wooden case I made... wooden keys match better...
Plus I don't have the right equipment to mill glass.
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: loganville on Wed, 27 September 2017, 23:40:41: Here's my first go at dsa profile. It's a bit off center from when I flipped it but that's because I messed up my jig. Hopefully this weekend I'll have a chance to clean up the process. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/9684c2c4900ea0935044db9658f85b29.jpg)

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: kialios on Thu, 28 September 2017, 03:21:34: it can be more beauty,perhaps
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: loganville on Sun, 01 October 2017, 14:32:44: I think I am pretty happy with the process here. Still needs to be finished on the top with some light sanding and finishing oil to bring out the grain.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/f4f80b72750a08559cf60ebc166f768b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/4bbbc36bd837df4055e7a8eb44ebfbd3.jpg)

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: mrhead on Sun, 01 October 2017, 15:14:32: This looks pretty good so far!
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: Landcaps on Mon, 02 October 2017, 00:41:35: Quote from: loganville on Sun, 01 October 2017, 14:32:44
I think I am pretty happy with the process here. Still needs to be finished on the top with some light sanding and finishing oil to bring out the grain.
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/f4f80b72750a08559cf60ebc166f768b.jpg)
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/4bbbc36bd837df4055e7a8eb44ebfbd3.jpg)

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

that's a pretty stem you got there.
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: maylily on Fri, 20 October 2017, 06:34:09: Quote from: loganville on Sun, 01 October 2017, 14:32:44
I think I am pretty happy with the process here. Still needs to be finished on the top with some light sanding and finishing oil to bring out the grain.
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/f4f80b72750a08559cf60ebc166f768b.jpg)
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/4bbbc36bd837df4055e7a8eb44ebfbd3.jpg)

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
wow, have you tried the CherryMx test, is it fit?
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: loganville on Fri, 20 October 2017, 08:15:56: Quote from: maylily on Fri, 20 October 2017, 06:34:09
Quote from: loganville on Sun, 01 October 2017, 14:32:44
I think I am pretty happy with the process here. Still needs to be finished on the top with some light sanding and finishing oil to bring out the grain.
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/f4f80b72750a08559cf60ebc166f768b.jpg)
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/4bbbc36bd837df4055e7a8eb44ebfbd3.jpg)

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
wow, have you tried the CherryMx test, is it fit?
Fits my browns. Some other woods have stem cracking. I'm working on a different stem design which is a shame because I love the current look. I've also figured out how to do more than one at a time.

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: kurplop on Fri, 20 October 2017, 13:43:42: Quote from: loganville on Fri, 20 October 2017, 08:15:56
Fits my browns. Some other woods have stem cracking. I'm working on a different stem design which is a shame because I love the current look. I've also figured out how to do more than one at a time.

You’re probably limited to exotic tropical hardwoods (think rosewood, cocobolo, bocote, etc.) if you are running the grain perpendicular to the stem. Most common woods just don’t have the density to be reliable.

You might consider glueing a dowel of similar wood type in the center of your blank before milling as an alternative.
Title: Re: wood keycaps
Post by: maylily on Fri, 20 October 2017, 14:47:08: Quote from: loganville on Fri, 20 October 2017, 08:15:56
Quote from: maylily on Fri, 20 October 2017, 06:34:09
Quote from: loganville on Sun, 01 October 2017, 14:32:44
I think I am pretty happy with the process here. Still needs to be finished on the top with some light sanding and finishing oil to bring out the grain.
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/f4f80b72750a08559cf60ebc166f768b.jpg)
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171001/4bbbc36bd837df4055e7a8eb44ebfbd3.jpg)

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
wow, have you tried the CherryMx test, is it fit?
Fits my browns. Some other woods have stem cracking. I'm working on a different stem design which is a shame because I love the current look. I've also figured out how to do more than one at a time.

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

Keep going, what you do is great, I'm also researching to make the base of the wooden keycap.
C