XX7 Megatron Artisan Keycaps Now on Massdrop

[27]

and I'M the mean one, eh XX7?

I'm a sensitive soul

[njbair]

Personally, I don't like the term artisan when talking about keyboard stuff. Not to diminish the craft, I just think the term has become a marketing buzzword and is being misapplied everywhere, not just in this hobby.

The mod team picked a word to differentiate between things you don't make but do sell (vendors) and things you do make and do sell (artisans). That's it. I don't really see the problem here. If you don't like it, call it something else - but the entity will not have changed, just the name, so it seems silly IMO. What do you hope to accomplish by calling them something other than artisans?

(I think that decision was made before I was a mod btw, so I can't comment on *why* - but I don't see the issue still )

I've heard this explanation before. But frankly, it seems like overreach on the part of the moderation team. And what makes keycaps different from other things people make here? We don't have artisan PCBs or artisan keyboards. They're just custom. And the forum badge for these folks says "maker," which is a better modern term for what they do: "custom keycap maker" or just "maker."

Again, Artisan defines the subforum where they are sold - that's it.  It's also where people sell their USB cables, wrist rests, etc.

I'm confused as to how designating a section for handmade items separate from commercial enterprises is considered overreach?

If it was just about naming the subforum, then I misunderstood. I think I first heard the story in the context of the "MX-compatible" vs. "Cherry clone" debate, that at some point the GH leadership tried to mandate "MX-compatible" instead of "Cherry clone" in order to avoid trademark infringement or something to that effect. So I thought they had also tried to mandate the "artisan" moniker.

Since it's totally within the mods' purview to choose the name of a subforum, I'll retract that statement. That said, I still wish they would have chosen a better name.

[ghostjuggernaut]

It was never a personal attack on my part.  I personally do not like 3D printed caps, but that doesn't mean that you should be discouraged.  I apologize for causing such a ruckus here.

The reason I posted that, and this thread just happened to be the tipping point, is that the word "artisan" is typically reserved for things made by hand.  I can see the argument for 3d printing being "hand" made, but I do not agree with that thought process.  Many people look at artisans differently, and are free to.  But I personally see them as pieces of art and feel the need to give the artists credit where credit is due. 

Like many things on GH, this is just my opinion.  I apologize for coming off as a ****head with my post, and wish you luck with your future projects.

[27]

It was never a personal attack on my part.  I personally do not like 3D printed caps, but that doesn't mean that you should be discouraged.  I apologize for causing such a ruckus here.

The reason I posted that, and this thread just happened to be the tipping point, is that the word "artisan" is typically reserved for things made by hand.  I can see the argument for 3d printing being "hand" made, but I do not agree with that thought process.  Many people look at artisans differently, and are free to.  But I personally see them as pieces of art and feel the need to give the artists credit where credit is due. 

Like many things on GH, this is just my opinion.  I apologize for coming off as a ****head with my post, and wish you luck with your future projects.

No worries man, I've just been having a pretty bad last couple of weeks so I'm a little touchy right now.

[KeypressGraphics]

I'm a fan of both hand-crafted & 3D printed keycaps and feel they both have their place in the grand scheme of things.

After saying that I'm not overly keen on Nylon as a material. It has the benefits of being cheap, very durable and available in multiple colors but the surface is quite rough, it won't support a high level of fine detail and it is very lightweight which is often the opposite of what people want in a keycap.
Shapeways offers pre-polished nylon keycaps with a smoother finish but these are run through a machine and the polishing process obliterates much of the detail - I've had better results ordering them unpolished and sanding them by hand with 800 or 1200 grit sandpaper.

I find frosted plastic to be a far superior material for 3D printed caps. Naturally smooth finish, weightier and much better detail, but unfortunately only available in a clear almost see-through finish. They are also fragile if dropped and arrive with a grimy residue that should be cleaned before using them. The various metals are another option too but can be quite pricey.

[MiTo]

I find frosted plastic to be a far superior material for 3D printed caps. Naturally smooth finish, weightier and much better detail, but unfortunately only available in a clear almost see-through finish. They are also fragile if dropped and arrive with a grimy residue that should be cleaned before using them. The various metals are another option too but can be quite pricey.

So it seems that Frosted Plastic is the best material to use in order to 3D print a resin casting master.

[_joe_king]

The attitude in this thread is very off putting... Please, share your work for what you have made so we can all critique it. I think they look cool and bought one to try out. Keep up the good work!

[romevi]

The attitude in this thread is very off putting... Please, share your work for what you have made so we can all critique it. I think they look cool and bought one to try out. Keep up the good work!

Criticism can be a good thing. The point of a product is to sell it. If people aren't going to buy it, it's wise to listen to any productive and constructive feedback and make any necessary changes that seem to improve the product. You don't need to be a designer to know what you're talking about.

As a small-time writer and actor, I always welcome feedback from those produce and those who receive. The point of the arts is to entertain and please, and if I'm not doing either then I need to change some things.

[_joe_king]

The attitude in this thread is very off putting... Please, share your work for what you have made so we can all critique it. I think they look cool and bought one to try out. Keep up the good work!

Criticism can be a good thing. The point of a product is to sell it. If people aren't going to buy it, it's wise to listen to any productive and constructive feedback and make any necessary changes that seem to improve the product. You don't need to be a designer to know what you're talking about.

As a small-time writer and actor, I always welcome feedback from those produce and those who receive. The point of the arts is to entertain and please, and if I'm not doing either then I need to change some things.

There is a HUGE difference in constructive criticism and crapping on someones work.