BeeCaps - First try at keycap making (interest check)

[zazie_rx]

Interesting, thanks! For non-translucent caps have you considered using Urethane liquid plastics instead? Something along the lines of Smooth Cast 300 or ONYX. They have a low viscosity almost that of water and set in 15 min.

I had a look at those.. but the working time is way too low. With TC-857 I have about 6 minutes to Mix, degass, pour into the mold, and get in the pressure pot (preferably before it starts to gel.). Smooth cast 300 would only give me less than 3 minutes before it starts gelling and becomes unworkable.

[Telephasic]

Well done, you are coming through with some ethereal effects!

[FLFisherman]

Well done, you are coming through with some ethereal effects!

I love that word.

And I'll second this sentiment! Your caps are looking great, zazie_rx. Did they all sell out?

[zazie_rx]

Having a look through some of the other BJB resins, TC-891 works promising.. cures to white (for non-transparent keys) and gives me 12 minutes of working time.

Well done, you are coming through with some ethereal effects!

I love that word.

And I'll second this sentiment! Your caps are looking great, zazie_rx. Did they all sell out?

Mostly yes, just a couple rootbeer and red/white ones are remaining.

[ccarlitos2]

Any chance for Topre coming soon ?

[__red__]

If you're taking materials recommendations this is what I use.

GI-1000 for your silicone, oc-7085 or oc-7086 for your glass clear caps.

Gi-1000 is tin based so significantly less expensive than the omo that youre using.

For translucent as opposed to clear I use ie-3076.

And yes, we've all pulled caps out of molds at the published "demold" time and had them fail badly.

great work btw

[ImAWildDeer]

Awesome caps! Any chance you will be making more grape soda?

[qazeqaz]

These are pretty slick looking.

[xondat]

Hey everyone! After this set (which I'm quite happy with), I probably only have enough resin for one or two more sets. After which I'll see if I can throw together a sale for those interested.'

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edit: spelling :x

They're nice, maybe you should buy some more resin :-X

[romevi]

Hey everyone! After this set (which I'm quite happy with), I probably only have enough resin for one or two more sets. After which I'll see if I can throw together a sale for those interested.'

Show Image

edit: spelling :x

They're nice, maybe you should buy some more resin :-X

Right? I want some more.

[theoriginal123123]

How do you arrange your vents? I'm looking into making caps too and the most common I've seen is to have two tubes on the corners on the bottom of the caps.

[zazie_rx]

How do you arrange your vents? I'm looking into making caps too and the most common I've seen is to have two tubes on the corners on the bottom of the caps.

Currently, I've used all 4 corners as sprues/vents and fill them up from one or two corners (depending on the cap effect i'm going for) until I see overflow from all of the other sprues. I found the most effective way to do this is to use plastic tip disposable syringes like this to inject the resin, just be careful the tip is completely immersed so you don't suck up any air bubbles you just worked out with the vacuum chamber.

[mrlooolz]

Are there any sales soon

[zazie_rx]

Are there any sales soon

No plans yet for a sale, trying work out all the kinks I had with the last batches as well as ordering some materials for it.

[theoriginal123123]

How do you arrange your vents? I'm looking into making caps too and the most common I've seen is to have two tubes on the corners on the bottom of the caps.

Currently, I've used all 4 corners as sprues/vents and fill them up from one or two corners (depending on the cap effect i'm going for) until I see overflow from all of the other sprues. I found the most effective way to do this is to use plastic tip disposable syringes like this to inject the resin, just be careful the tip is completely immersed so you don't suck up any air bubbles you just worked out with the vacuum chamber.

Thanks a bunch! I currently don't have any pressure/vacuum equipment, so I'll just be trying with molds and care lol. All the literature I've read so far suggests placing your feeder/pour area and vents above the work, so that the air gets pushed upwards and out, your method seems to corroborate that nicely! Been practising my sculpting too, so hope to have something to show for it in a month or two!