Need Help Designing Keycap

[Firebolt1914]

Hey guys, I currently have an idea that I want to make a reality, and I have no clue where to start. I've had the idea of glass keycaps, which have been thought of before, but usually never done. What I found to be the main failing point is the stem, which I've made a solution for: having a hole in the keycap for a plastic stem. The only problem is, I have no idea how I'm going to make a mold for that. If anyone has any pointers or tips, please post them here; I would really love to be able to make glass keycaps.

[Dihedral]

Hey guys, I currently have an idea that I want to make a reality, and I have no clue where to start. I've had the idea of glass keycaps, which have been thought of before, but usually never done. What I found to be the main failing point is the stem, which I've made a solution for: having a hole in the keycap for a plastic stem. The only problem is, I have no idea how I'm going to make a mold for that. If anyone has any pointers or tips, please post them here; I would really love to be able to make glass keycaps.

You're going to mould your own glass, or what?

[Firebolt1914]

I'm most likely going to cast glass, and I need a mold for that. The problem with that is, is that the stem is really fragile if made out of glass.

Therefore I will need to have a hole where the stem usually is, and put a plastic stem there.

I have no clue how I'm going to make a mold for a keycap with a hole instead of a stem.

[Joey Quinn]

There was a thread about this earlier but the guy never made the caps afaik. I'm so excited to see these if you follow through. Good luck!

[Firebolt1914]

iirc it was noisyturtle, and he said it didn't work out so well because it exploded

[Firebolt1914]

Here's a picture of what I'm thinking of: http://imgur.com/adi27MM

[lolkey]

Buy small little squares of glass and use hand glass cutting tools?

[Data]

Neat.

Sounds like you need 2 molds: 1 for the glass "cap" and 1 for the plastic stem insert.

Also, it seems rubber o-rings might be highly suggested for use with glass key caps.  Nobody wants to shatter his key caps (and fingers!) from bottoming out too hard on a keystroke.   

[Firebolt1914]

Alright this thread is pretty much useless, secret plans are being formulated, thanks for the help guys

[pro_LAPSE]

I would say make the stems in a way that they snap into the glass part, and that they cant be rotated at all. Those are the first issues I see. Also, make sure the stems are not too long or short. Perhaps make the plastic stem and a base insert for the bottom as well, so when the key is bottomed out, it wont be glass on plastic, I dont think that would sound too pleasant. Or, you could use permanent o-rings, and make the stem a little longer?

I dont know what you wanted out of this thread, so I am giving you as much advice as I can