Chicago Designer Interested in Making Keycaps

[jakejake]

I just ordered a mechanical keyboard for work and quickly stumbled upon the world of Artisan keycaps. I love the idea of a diverse market limited production runs of handmade keys, and the highly sought after rare ones like Clack.

I'm interested in picking up a few artisan keycaps for my keyboard. Also, seeing that synth kit got the gears turning on possibilities for different keycaps, so I think I'll take a stab at making one, even if it's not that great and just for myself.

3d printing is one of my hobbies, something I do at work and with free time. I'd like to try 3d printing, resin casting, and even hybrids to see if I can make something new. I'd probably put up cad for the printed caps on shapeways and free on my thingiverse page, here:

http://www.thingiverse.com/jakejake/

I look forward to meeting you guys!

[reaper]

I look forward to meeting you guys!

And we're looking forward to your first keycaps! 

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

What keyboard did you order?  You can't say you ordered one and then not tell us what it is

A few people have tried 3D printing keycaps with mixed results.  I think the main factor in 3D printed keycap quality is the capability of the printer.  A good printer will usually result in better keycaps.

You could certainly mix and match something cast with, say, the :~$ynth and 3D printed.

Be interesting to see what you come up with

[jakejake]

Oh yea good point! I went with the das professional, I loved the aesthetics of it and since I'm the dedicated music guy at work, that slick volume knob will get plenty of use. I also ordered that minivan keyboard that was floating around on mass drop, I can't wait to build it!

Yea I'm pretty familiar with the step pattern that makes the fdm printed caps not as appealing. Im hoping to prototype a bunch of ideas on my printer and try out the resin casting to see what kind of keycap abominations I can create.

[xtrafrood]

3D Printing .. oh man. People seem to think that 3D printers are like microwaves

btw - what's up with the avatar?

[jakejake]

3D Printing .. oh man. People seem to think that 3D printers are like microwaves

btw - what's up with the avatar?

That's because if you know how to 3d model, they are extremely useful, just like a microwave actually.

The avatar? Yea it's small for some reason, I still need to fix that

[xtrafrood]

3D Printing .. oh man. People seem to think that 3D printers are like microwaves

btw - what's up with the avatar?

That's because if you know how to 3d model, they are extremely useful, just like a microwave actually.

The avatar? Yea it's small for some reason, I still need to fix that

/shrug welcome aboard

[jakejake]