Need Some Help replacing my Das Model S Professional Keycaps

[onslaught2003]

Hey guys, I'm new around here and I had a question about keycap replacements. I have a Das Model S Professional. This model exactly:

http://www.amazon.com/Das-Keyboard-Professional-Mechanical-DASK3MKPROSIL/dp/B008PFDUW2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1401926941&sr=1-3&keywords=das+keyboard+professional+model+s

And I'm trying to replace my entire keyboard with some shiny new keycaps. However, I noticed that the function key sits near the windows key and alt key to the left of the spacebar on the left hand side. This makes the keycaps smaller than what I have seen as the standard layout on the keycap websites listed on the sticky. I was wondering if you guys had some advice on how to go about replacing them. Maybe some direction on how I can replace all the keys, even the fn and non standard strl and alts. Thanks.

[IvanIvanovich]

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/keyboard-parts/key-cap/full-keycap-sets.html
It's the only one I know of that has a full matching set including the 6 units spacebar.

Or you could get a DSA set from SP plus a separtate 6 unit spacebar (though I am not 100% on that it's stem compatible) and either buy some extra 1x1 key or you could plus on one of the WASD sets.
http://keyshop.pimpmykeyboard.com/products/full-keysets

Or if you want something more 'deluxe' and don't mind waiting a bit you could join my groupbuy, though that won't have a spacebar
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58608.0

[onslaught2003]

Thanks for the advice man. I checked out the links and I have some tough decisions to make. I have some question though. What do you mean by

or you could plus on one of the WASD sets

and

(though I am not 100% on that it's stem compatible)

Also, I tried looking through the maxkeyboard.com site but I couldn't find whether those keys were PBT or ABS keycaps. Would you happen to know?

[IvanIvanovich]

I think those Max keys are polycarbonate as they are translucent. In regard to the SP DSA keys... the basic blank set wouldn't have enough 1x1 key for your Windows/Fn so adding one of those DSA WASD would take care of it, or else you would need to locate same color (or other color if you like) blanks in their extras inventory. For the spacebar I know they have 6 unit which you need, but I am not sure the stabilizer mount is in the correct place for your Das. It probably is but I do not know for certain.

[onslaught2003]

Ahh, gotcha. After spending the day looking for keycaps I am dangerously close to just buying a wasd custom keyboard . It looks super quality and I like how everything is standard so I don't have to try to hard if I want to swap things out in the future. The original reason why I wanted to swap out my keycaps was because they seemed like they were fading but I think it may be because the white paint on the laser etching is dirty. I am going to try and clean them using denture tabs tonight and see how that goes. If that doesn't go well then I have an excuse to spend money on the wasd set lol. There is a possibility I may still try to pimp my keyboard using the methods you described above though.

In any case, thanks again for all the help. I really appreciate it.

[IvanIvanovich]

WASD keycap is not very good, well they are same like what is on your keyboard now. Their boards are good though, I would buy one without keycap if I were ever to get one of theirs. If you're not attached to your Das trading it in for something with a standard layout isn't a bad idea if you will be interested in getting aftermarket keycaps.

[onslaught2003]

Hm, OK. I have two more questions. Why are wasd keycaps not good? Also, how would I go about trading in my dad keyboard? Would the trade be with another person or with a company?

[IvanIvanovich]

WASD are same/similar type of keycap that come as stock on most MX keyboard, like the black on in the center of this picture

then compare it to the keys that surround it, being 2x as thick. Also, this doesn't even get into the difference of durability of legend type. Granted nicer keycap cost more money, but if you get some doubleshot or dyesub keycap they are made to last for many years. Though there are others that are still better quality that are fairly cheap often like those made by Tai Hao.
As far as trade in I mostly meant to sell it and use the money towards a different one. ebay or similar is best bet on that model of Das. You can sell here too, but it will be awhile before you can qualify per the rules of using the classifieds.

[onslaught2003]

Ah I see. There is quite a bit of a difference there. I was reading about the difference between the key cap types a couple of days ago. However, don't double shot legends usually come on abs caps? I have never used them but I have read some complaints on these very forums. The pbt caps with double shot seem much less common.

Also, I'll look into making trading in my dad keyboard on eBay. I really really appreciate you taking the time to answer all these questions to a key cap n00b.

[IvanIvanovich]

While there are technical differences in the types of plastics, a lot of comment you will read here is more preference than anything. Generally ABS does show surface wear much sooner. But also it depends a lot on some other factors like your skin chemistry, how much your fingertip slides on the surface when strike key that effect how quickly visible wear will happen. Personally myself I have mostly used same set of black Cherry doubleshot key for like 2 year. There are a few shiny key but for me it's not a big deal.
Yes you are correct that ABS is the most typical plastic used to make doubleshot key. Dyesub key will always have PBT.