What keycaps will fit a Cherry G80-3000 keyboard?

[pauld]

On my old Sun keyboard all the keycaps are interchangeable (and also easy to remove) so converting to Dvorak layout takes 5 mins.  I recently tried this with my new Cherry G80-3000 but the keys have different heights on different rows so it ends up a complete mess.

An option would be to get replacement keycaps.  I live in UK so the options are limited owing to physical keyboard layout.  Filco do a set of blank keycaps in UK layout and I would be willing to live with the blanks - might both look cool and improve my touch typing  However, they are quite expensive so I would like to be sure they would fit.  I have contacted the only UK seller I can find but all they can say is that the Filcos look similar to the Cherry keycaps but might have profile problems or the larger keycaps might not fit.

Does anyone know if they do fit and, if not, whether any alternative is available?

[IvanIvanovich]

All of the Filco set will fit except the caps lock, and spacebar.

[dorkvader]

You can look into WASDkeyboards for alternatives: The owner is awesome, and very accomodating. You can grab a dvorak set from him for $30. Here's a link:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keycap-sets/37-key-laser-etched-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html

If you ask, I'm sure he can also set you up with the proper {[]} keys for Dvorak. He also sells blank sets for pretty cheap.
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Thanks for the info about the sun keyboard. What's the model number: now I want one, lol.

Also all of the IBM model M (and unicomp) keyboards are fully interchangeable.

[Findecanor]

WASD Keyboards has only ANSI layout, though. The Caps Lock key and Space Bar are as Filco, also.

I have heard about another vendor that has blank key sets for only the alphabetic 37 keys, that should be in Cherry height, but I can't recall where it is.

[dorkvader]

He has ISO keys in, and will be adding them to the keyboard designer soon.

Anyway, it won't matter, unless you want to replace ALL the keys: if you just do a 37 key set like I recommended, then you can get it in any layout you want.

If you want to replace all the keys, you'll need to contact signature plastics about the capslock key (if you wanted to change it)

I have had cherry-profile keycaps on my WASD, and the difference isn't that bad for the modifiers, since you have to "reach" for them anyway.
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You can get blank keycaps pretty easily on ebay, or wherever. I recommend the PBT ones you can get from imsto or qtan.

[pauld]

You can look into WASDkeyboards for alternatives: The owner is awesome, and very accomodating.

thanks for the info, though the problem is expensive shipping (always seem to get charged import duty nowadays which really jacks up the price) and US layout

Thanks for the info about the sun keyboard. What's the model number: now I want one, lol.

Sun type 5 keyboards were great, a legend in their own lunchtime, proper switches and very solid, but only afaik with Sun proprietary connector, so no use with PCs.  Type 6 much cheaper construction, diaphragm type, though available with usb.  I like "proper" layout (ctrl next to A, Esc next to 1, back space above return) Sun will provide - suits me as unix user though obviously not for everyone.  Caps lock and ctrl keys same size so can be swapped on all layouts though BS above return only possible with unix layout.

[dorkvader]

thanks for the info, though the problem is expensive shipping (always seem to get charged import duty nowadays which really jacks up the price) and US layout



Sun type 5 keyboards were great, a legend in their own lunchtime, proper switches and very solid, but only afaik with Sun proprietary connector, so no use with PCs.  Type 6 much cheaper construction, diaphragm type, though available with usb.  I like "proper" layout (ctrl next to A, Esc next to 1, back space above return) Sun will provide - suits me as unix user though obviously not for everyone.  Caps lock and ctrl keys same size so can be swapped on all layouts though BS above return only possible with unix layout.

Yeah, I'm looking into restoring a small WYSE board, and it's got capslock and control in those "better" positions. I should have got my unicomp done that way, too. Just because the Sun keyboard has an oddball connector, doesn't mean I can't use it with a computer. You can do anything with a teensy these days.

I'm a little confused: if you're just replacing the typing area keys: aren't they all 1X1 in different rows? Other than the extra key, it's pretty similar to ANSI from that perspecive. Also, if you want, you can get a whole set of keycaps with entirely custom legends. He said he has ISO enter keycaps in, and I think he already had the shorter shifts, so even if you need those, they are available.

Still, even if you don't go with WASD, you can easily get a set of blank keycaps for the typing area. I prefer PBT. The only issue is that you'll have an extra key usually if you go with a set intended for ANSI.

The HHKB was supposedly based on the Sun Type 5.

Yeah, I heard that somewhere, too. Maybe I should cut one down like those kbdmania people are always doing.

[woody]

I like "proper" layout (ctrl next to A, Esc next to 1, back space above return) Sun will provide - suits me as unix user though obviously not for everyone.

"Proper" is ESC in top left corner, not necessarily next to '1'.

[pauld]

"Proper" is ESC in top left corner, not necessarily next to '1'.

Fair point, but next to 1 is easier for me than near-ish to F1

[gh_pp]

All of the Filco set will fit except the caps lock, and spacebar.

Sorry to necro this thread, but I'm about to buy one next week

Looking at this pic

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/keyboards/Office/G80_3000_MX/index.htm

It looks like it's 1.25 mod and that should imply 6.25 space bar right?
Why wouldn't the spacebar and caplock fit a regular ANSI 1.25 keycap set like filco or quickfire?

Thanks

[SpAmRaY]

All of the Filco set will fit except the caps lock, and spacebar.

Sorry to necro this thread, but I'm about to buy one next week

Looking at this pic

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/keyboards/Office/G80_3000_MX/index.htm

It looks like it's 1.25 mod and that should imply 6.25 space bar right?
Why wouldn't the spacebar and caplock fit a regular ANSI 1.25 keycap set like filco or quickfire?

Thanks

The cherry caps lock will be offest stem not center stem like filco and stem placement on spacebar must be different on stock filco sets, but most group buy space bars that i've seen will fit the g80-3000.

[IvanIvanovich]

Right. Cherry kept the spacebar switch in the exact same spot it was in on earlier winkeyless keyboard, thus making it off center closer to the right end on smaller spacebars. Unless you are going to swap the keycap to other Cherry/GMK/BSP/imsto thick you are doing a severe downgrade anyway. Even the stock lasered keys on G80 are superior to 90% of the other options available.

[gh_pp]

Thanks Spamray & Ivan

I do have 2 sets of GMK from sherry coming. So that should fit.

Might have to add the tenkey Handarbeit extension now that I have a full keyboard.

Too bad BSP doesn't have mold for 1.25/6.25, I'd prefer that over imsto.