Increasing grip on keys

[polentA]

I was wondering if anyone had any great ways to increase the grip on the surface of their keys.

 I ordered some custom key caps form WASDkeyboards.com.  They worked out fine in terms of aesthetics, but they felt a little too slippery.  I tried to ignore it, but then realized that I wanted my keys to have a little more friction.  My girlfriend tried painting all my keys with clear fingernail polish, which actually worked out great.  However, the polish inevitably started to degrade and corrode away after a week or two.  

Does anyone have any experience altering the texture of their key caps? Should I try wallpaper paste or lacquer or something?

[limmy]

I put on sandpapers on my control and shift keys and I like it very much.

You could use double sided tape and P400 sand paper or
you could get 3M microfinishing film (I recommend 15 micron or coarser)

This is one of my post at KBDMania in Korean. http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/3184173

Also, I think PBT caps feel better than ABS caps. If you are willing to spend more, I would recommend getting PBT caps.

[sawedust]

I haven't had an opportunity to (nor do I think I'll ever) try to alter the texture of my keycaps.

I do, however, have a new set of PBT keycaps and I think their texture is much superior to that of the ABS caps.  They feel a lot rougher, more textured, and sound better to me than the stock caps were.  They come at a decent price from vendors here on Geekhack as well as other places, but I think they're worth it.

I'd suggest trying out a good set of PBT caps and seeing if that solves your problem.

[flyball]

wash your hands

[polentA]

I'd suggest trying out a good set of PBT caps and seeing if that solves your problem.

Sounds like a good idea. I searched a little on eBay for them and found a few decent results.  Know of any decent places I should get some from?

wash your hands

I got that down already. Thanks.

[sawedust]

Sounds like a good idea. I searched a little on eBay for them and found a few decent results.  Know of any decent places I should get some from?

Bought mine from qtan.  Amazing guy, excellent communication. Keycaps came promptly and well-packaged.  Couldn't have asked for anything better!  http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments

Alternatively, you can check the group buy subforum for customized keycaps.  Great stuff there too.

[polentA]

Are the key caps from WASDkeyboards made from ABS plastic?

[quake4mhg]

I have the same problem too. Since I live up north, my hands are always dry in the winter.
Nice suggestions tho. But tapes will block the letter on the keycap,
I'm have to see every alphabet when type (15wpm).
Is there any PBT keycap for backlit keys?

[limmy]

Are the key caps from WASDkeyboards made from ABS plastic?

If the keys you have is identical to keys for individual sale, yes. I bought some colored blank caps from wasdkeyboards and they failed acetone test.

[polentA]

... they failed acetone test.

What's the acetone test?

[limmy]

I have the same problem too. Since I live up north, my hands are always dry in the winter.
Nice suggestions tho. But tapes will block the letter on the keycap,
I'm have to see every alphabet when type (15wpm).
Is there any PBT keycap for backlit keys?

As far as I know, PBT caps don't let light go through as easily as ABS. (It is almost impossible to see bright blue LED under my PBT cap of Poker)

PBT is tougher and heavier material compared to ABS. I think it would be harder to make something that is durable and also transparent (unless you make caps out of glass maybe?)

[limmy]

What's the acetone test?

ABS and acetone are not chemically compatible (acetone will melt ABS plastic), while other material used for key caps such as PBT and POM are chemically resistant to acetone.

So, if you have acetone, you could test whether a key cap is made out of ABS or not.

[sawedust]

Are the key caps from WASDkeyboards made from ABS plastic?

All keycaps from WASD are ABS.  I e-mailed them quite recently asking if they had any plans to go PBT in the near future, but they shot it down citing that costs were too high at the moment.

[polentA]

All keycaps from WASD are ABS.  I e-mailed them quite recently asking if they had any plans to go PBT in the near future, but they shot it down citing that costs were too high at the moment.

Wow... I could definitely feel a difference once I bought these caps.

Do you know if the  default caps that come with a Filco Majestouch2 are ABS or PBT?

[quake4mhg]

As far as I know, PBT caps don't let light go through as easily as ABS. (It is almost impossible to see bright blue LED under my PBT cap of Poker)

PBT is tougher and heavier material compared to ABS. I think it would be harder to make something that is durable and also transparent (unless you make caps out of glass maybe?)

Thank you for your information :smile:
I'm using KBC blank PBT keycaps. It has a bit more texture than my default ABS (Race). I'm kinda like it.
But is there a better quality or more texture PBT keycap that I can try?
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[sawedust]

Wow... I could definitely feel a difference once I bought these caps.

Do you know if the  default caps that come with a Filco Majestouch2 are ABS or PBT?

I assume they're ABS, as my MJ1 came with ABS keys and the newer models look like they have the same keycaps.  Correct me if I'm wrong. ^_^

[limmy]

Thank you for your information :smile:
I'm using KBC blank PBT keycaps. It has a bit more texture than my default ABS (Race). I'm kinda like it.
But is there a better quality or more texture PBT keycap that I can try?
(Attachment Link) 40578[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 40580[/ATTACH]

I tried PBT caps from Signature plastics(SP) and I like it. It feels pretty similar to Topre's PBT caps.
Also, SP is selling original Cherry partial sets in black and white for $10 each set. Black ones are made from POM, and white ones are from PBT.
http://www.keycapsdirect.com/key-capswhatsnew.php
Black ones are very thick and heavy, but very slippery.
White ones are pretty nice, but not as good as Topre's or SP's in my opinion. But they are cheap compared to other alternatives, so you could give it a try.

This is my post at KBDMania (it is in Korean, but photos are pretty much self explanatory)
http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/2857345
and some photos from it.
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From top left to bottom right: Poker PBT, Topre PBT, SP PBT, Cherry POM, Cherry PBT.

[quake4mhg]

@ripster Yes sir. It is the #1 Resource on the Planet
@limmy Actually I wanna try one of this.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 40657[/ATTACH]
From corsair k60. the red part is also hard plastic.
I tried the demo keyboard in a retail computer store.
It's probably abs, but I love the top textured part.