[IC] Custom Engraved Brass Keycaps

[catnipz0098]

Has the Group buy started? How come people already have caps?

[kenmai9]

Has the Group buy started? How come people already have caps?

He had a limited beta test run

Show us your topre stem Photekq!

[Photekq]

Has the Group buy started? How come people already have caps?

It's totally in beta phase at the moment. The caps you have seen are for people who are testing out the design. Not sure if these will ever be readily available or in a GB. We'll see where it goes..

Has the Group buy started? How come people already have caps?

He had a limited beta test run

Show us your topre stem Photekq!

Need some topre keycaps to measure first

[danielucf]

I can send you a topre escape, but I might need it back otherwise I won't have an escape key any more. I think it would be worth it for everyone though.

[nubbinator]

It's pretty awesome.  The one thing I noticed though is mine doesn't sit quite square on the stems, it has a minor tilt to it.

[catnipz0098]

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It's pretty awesome.  The one thing I noticed though is mine doesn't sit quite square on the stems, it has a minor tilt to it.

Beautiful! 

[Photekq]

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It's pretty awesome.  The one thing I noticed though is mine doesn't sit quite square on the stems, it has a minor tilt to it.

Firstly, great photos. Secondly, what exactly do you mean by it not sitting square? Do you mean the stem isn't perfectly in the centre, or do you mean the cap is at an angle when it's seated? Either way, that really sucks, and I'm so, so sorry, I should have noticed that when I tested it is there any chance you could provide a photo of it once it's on a keyboard? Does it effect functionality at all, or is it only a small problem?

[nubbinator]

You know what, now I'm not sure if it's a little crooked.  On my RK-9000 and QFR Esc key, it is rotated by about 1-3 degrees so it's not square in the cutout for the cap; however, on the function row on the same keyboards, it looks square.

And the cap is still awesome, regardless if my keyboards are the issue or if the cap stem is rotated just a hair.   No need to apologize.  It's just me noticing one tiny thing and not being able to unnotice it.  It's so minor that in normal use, I won't even see it.  I may just have to desolder my Esc keys and swap them out and see if they're the culprit.

Edit:

And here's a crappy cell phone shot so you can see what I mean.



Like I said, I'm not sure if it's my switch or the cap now.  In either case, no big deal.  It causes no issues and I won't notice it in daily use.

[Photekq]

Ah I can see what you mean. I must say that on the original brass caps I found that they sometimes looked rotated, but I could easily correct it by simply moving it around a little. I think the mx stems tend to rotate, but it's obviously far more noticable on a perfectly square keycap.

[nubbinator]

I might have to try it in different orientations or swap out the switch then.  It's bizarre that I only notice it on the Esc.  Like I said, it's minor, just noticed it and went OCD overdrive.  When I use it, I won't notice it, especially if it's on a 60%.

[Photekq]

I might have to try it in different orientations or swap out the switch then.  It's bizarre that I only notice it on the Esc.  Like I said, it's minor, just noticed it and went OCD overdrive.  When I use it, I won't notice it, especially if it's on a 60%.

Good to hear. Thanks again for the great photos.

[HoffmanMyster]

I've finally gotten around to shooting a set of photos properly after the quick teaser shots I posted earlier.  I've got a full album on flickr with shots from the first round and the second round (scroll down about half way for the shots of V2 brass cap), with notable new photos added below.

Version 2!

DSC02425_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

A couple shots showing a comparison between V1 and V2, including how V1 has tarnished and is a bit taller than V2 (also considerably more heavy).

DSC02430_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

DSC02443_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

You can see the height difference better here.

DSC02444_- by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

A couple shots showing how V2 uses thinner walls and a shallower top, but since the stem cutting is different they end up sitting at a similar height, with V2 slightly shorter.

DSC02432_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

DSC02441_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

These two shots show how both caps look in place of each other.  You can see how V2 is slightly shorter here.

DSC02447_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

DSC02448_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Brass + Aluminum + Titanium

DSC02450-_ by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr


Quick write-up:
As noted above, V2 is considerably lighter, and a bit shorter.  The decreased weight allows it to be usable as a standard cap with light switches (V1 doesn't "de-click" on MX blues, meaning it doesn't fully return up).  The stem fitting on V2 is also tighter (but not too tight - definitely just a great fit), meaning it doesn't wobble like V1.  The fact that V2 is shorter means it aligns more nicely with the tops of most keycap sets, giving a more uniform look.  This doesn't necessarily affect functionality, but it's a nice adjustment.

Overall, I love the new design.  Great work on these, photekq.   

[Photekq]

AWESOME photos hoff! Thanks so much for the quick review + all the comparison photos!

[taylordcraig]

Oh jeeze. That V2 writeup by Hoff makes me want these more than ever. Any estimated date before you are taking orders?

[Photekq]

[katushkin]

Looks like I'm going to have to buy more boards to cater for all these esc keys...

Would love one when you put an actual GB up.

[CPTBadAss]

Just a comment from my own experience, you can clean the tarnish with baking soda + water. Just mix a little together, then scrub your cap with a toothbrush, and dry.

[katushkin]

[SophionBlack]

Is there a way to have these anodized?

[Photekq]

Is there a way to have these anodized?

They're brass, so no. If they were made from aluminium then it would be possible.

[SophionBlack]

I'm now confused, pictured is a brass medal and an anodized brass medal. From what I can ascertain, these types of medals are struck from (usually) 80% copper or above. That may have something to do with these medals being able to be anodized. I was able to look into how these medals are made but no mention of the anodizing process even though there are anodized versions out there.



What can you make of it? As the finishing is the type of key caps I would love to have.

[Photekq]

As far as I know brass can not be anodised. Copper can't be anodised, and zinc can only be anodised at very high voltages.

The medal on the left just looks like oxidised brass, and the one on the left looks like newly polished brass.

[SophionBlack]

Hmm... if there was a way to mimic the finish of the "anodized" medal I would be all for it. It would help key resist wear and tear. I'll look more into the finish and see what I can dig up but I'm very certain it would help add to the durability and life expectancy of the key caps, not to mention make it really "pop" with style.

[Photekq]

I wasn't clear.. Which one is supposed to be the 'anodised' medal?

[Quardah]

I'm interested into getting a Brass keycap.

can it's be DSA profile and can i choose the engraving? also, can it be raised letters like in here?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=58344.0;attach=65182;image

I would totally put a $ sign on a dsa keycap, golden-ish brass to use it on the '4' of my numrow. Would be d0p3$w@g.

[SophionBlack]

I wasn't clear.. Which one is supposed to be the 'anodised' medal?

The one on the right

[Photekq]

The one on the right

Right, that looks like polished brass. I guess you would want to have it coated with a clear coat or something similar to prevent oxidation.

@Quardah I don't know when/if I will be making any more brass keycaps. Thanks for the interest though.