[IC] $10 Topre Keychain

[kmiller8]

CLiB and I were discussing in IRC how easy it would be to destroy a $300 Realforce board to make a bunch of Topre keychains for everyone to enjoy! So I've decided to do something about it!

This IC will obviously be packed with people, so I'm not sure if I just want to use this as more of a development thread to figure out the best way to attach a keychain to a topre switch. I already have some ideas but I really need to see a switch in-hand in order to make some final designs.

I'm shooting for a price of $10, ($3 topre switch/key + $7 keychain things + R&D), However the price will probably be lower to $7-$5 for the final product (Overestimate and come in under budget!)

If someone has a Topre switch they can lend me, so I can get exactly what I need from it, that'd be greaaat.

More Ramblings:

I've seen the MrInterface bag, and the way he gave out sample topre switches, is by pulling out the shafts, cutting the rubber, and moving the springs, and hold it all together with a piece of plexiglass on the bottom, this would be something easy to do, I'm just not 100% on how he did the plexi on bottom, glue, screws, or some mrinterface witchcraft!

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rf104 <- that's the cheapest price/switch I can see, if you know of a cheaper source of topres, hit me up!

Ok, so that's about all I got.

[jwaz]

In for one, I think the clear plexiglass would be awesome.

cheapest you would most likely be able to get one is on ebay but that might take some patience.

[MissMurd3r84]

In for one, I think

[asdf]

check to see if this guy is still selling.
Topre 87u for $200 http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37820.msg724271

[kmiller8]

check to see if this guy is still selling.
Topre 87u for $200 http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37820.msg724271

He's in Canada, and I'd prefer to use new board pricing just so that it could keep consistent pricing.

[Shadovved]

See whether you can grab the old boards from everywhere

[jwaz]

You'd prefer to spend more?

[kmiller8]

You'd prefer to spend more?

Personally, yes I'd prefer to spend more to get a brand new board to harvest from instead of used, but thats what this IC is for I guess, If everyone agrees to save $.35/chain (sans shipping the board to me) I see no reason to get a new board.

New 104u: 275/104 = $2.64

Used 87u: 200/87 = $2.30

[jwaz]

A used fullsize would be ideal, as long as they come out looking clean, what about caps for them?

[boost]

I'm in for 2.


I got a ton of precut Plexiglas for a project that I was working on that is the right size. I'll post pics of it when I get home

[kmiller8]

A used fullsize would be ideal, as long as they come out looking clean, what about caps for them?

I figured the easiest thing would be to sell each individual key on the 104 board, so you'd get the exact switch and cap from the board, (since iirc, the 104u has 35g, 45g, and 55g switches)

[kmiller8]

I got a ton of precut Plexiglas for a project that I was working on that is the right size. I'll post pics of it when I get home

I'm pretty sure I have access to a plexiglass laser cutter, which would cut costs dramatically, being able to do it myself instead of having to get it shipped around the country. That's why I put the IC price so high, $10 would definitely be a worst-case scenario, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it be $4 + shipping

[elton5354]

That's some huge profit.

[kmiller8]

That's some huge profit.

As mentioned, the $10 is a worst-case scenario, I'm not doing this for a profit and plan on being 100% transparent with what every cent is going towards. The whole $4+shipping, that is what YOU will pay, because that is what I am paying.

[Batmann]

Good idea guys,
In for one (2 if there is enough for everybody)
Destruction is always good, punk's not dead!

[Turbo Slaab]

I'd be down for a couple. If you did go for a realforce with different springs, I'd get a 45g and the 55g. Options are always nice!

[nar]

If you get a forwarding service for Japan you can get the 108UBK for about $190 US, though you'll need to add international shipping.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00133BGF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356216606&sr=8-1

[The_Beast]

I'd be down to buy 45g and 55g weighted topres

[Halverson]

Definitely in for one of every topre weight! Not sure the best method for attaching them to a base though.

[Zwi]

I'm in for 2

[kmiller8]

Definitely in for one of every topre weight! Not sure the best method for attaching them to a base though.

Yeah, I need to get my hands on a topre board, to see how the switch mechanism works, and how easy it would be to take everything apart while keeping the switch mechanism functional.

Just need a board....

[Fallout2x]

I'd buy a 55g one.

[zhuangqdcn]

In for one.

[jeroplane]

Sounds dangerous for the wallet to be getting a sample of Topre! But nonetheless I'd be in for one

[dorkvader]

I'd be in for one or more ofcourse.

Incidentally, I've been wanting to do this for a while, but finding broken RF's proved to be too hard.

[TheQsanity]

Hehe. Defacing a keyboard to the next level...

[el2k]

I'd be in for 45 and 55g.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Awesome idea. I'd be in for one or two. Maybe get 2 boards with different spring force so we'll have more than one to choose from?

[kmiller8]

Awesome idea. I'd be in for one or two. Maybe get 2 boards with different spring force so we'll have more than one to choose from?

It's hard to get uniform spring topre boards, so that's why I planned on just getting a 104u, which has something like, 30g or 35g,  40g or 45g, and one or two 55g keys (I can't find an official force chart). There will just have to be some sort of lottery style in order to see who gets what key

[Turbo Slaab]

Reaper has one of those realforce topre keychains. Maybe he can tell how it was made? I believe those are acrylic as well.

[kmiller8]

Reaper has one of those realforce topre keychains. Maybe he can tell how it was made? I believe those are acrylic as well.

I know how those are made. From the pictures, it seems like they just custom-molded the 'barrel' part to be translucent instead of the normal black color. If I could get access to a barrel, I could probably make some custom molds and mold them whatever color, but then I'd still have the problem of no source of the spring/rubberdome :s

I'm not sure what I'll do, I'll probably break down and just buy a 104u in the upcoming weeks, destroy it, and hope whatever I produce sells.

[BossBorot]

just sent you a pm.

[kmiller8]

just sent you a pm.

This guy. Is a pretty cool guy.

[longweight]

In for one of each weight I would have something to put my clacks on that didn't sell!

[Sifo]

Would be in for one... I'd need a key cap.

[CPTBadAss]

I'd be in for 1 of each weight; the 45g and 55g. Great idea.

[danielucf]

I have always been interested in trying topre consider me interested in 45g and 55g

[kmiller8]

Ok guize, here's whats going down, someone has offered me some spring of varying weight, as of right now it's mostly 45g, with a few 40g, 35g, and 30g. I'm thinking this would be OK for a first round, and try to get 55g springs for a later round. However I'm not sure how long it will take to build some usable chains, and if it ends up taking too long, we could easily just get 55g + some other weights added on.

This was just a lil' update, hopefully I'll have something functional by the end of this year, or super early next year. I'll be sure to keep you all updated!

[Shadovved]

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIN! 

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I'm automatically in for one, right? ) )

[CPTBadAss]

Ok guize, here's whats going down, someone has offered me some spring of varying weight, as of right now it's mostly 45g, with a few 40g, 35g, and 30g. I'm thinking this would be OK for a first round, and try to get 55g springs for a later round. However I'm not sure how long it will take to build some usable chains, and if it ends up taking too long, we could easily just get 55g + some other weights added on.

This was just a lil' update, hopefully I'll have something functional by the end of this year, or super early next year. I'll be sure to keep you all updated!

Oooo, those weights are still great ^_^.  This is still an awesome idea and I'd still like to get two.

[Lu_e]

These are OEM springs or something from another company?

[kmiller8]

These are OEM springs or something from another company?

These will be OEM springs/rubberdomes from a Topre Realforce board.

[HolidaySHRIMP]

Blasphemy!    (only because I paid too much for this RF keychain.  Thanks Dan!)

Maybe these will help out with some ideas.

[rowdy]

^ That's neat.

[kmiller8]

^ That's neat.

That's what we're striving to hit, however, current prototypes are looking to be more black than clear like what's shown in the pic.

Once I get some 'stems' in hand I'll be sure to get you guys some pics ASAP so we can decide on some final designs.

[The_Beast]

I should be able to laser cut the bases relatively cheap out of aluminum or stainless steel. My guy does do acrylic, but he doesn't like to since he has to raise the laser head so the focal point isn't what it should be so the cuts aren't that nice


If that's something you want to do, lemme know

[kmiller8]

I should be able to laser cut the bases relatively cheap out of aluminum or stainless steel. My guy does do acrylic, but he doesn't like to since he has to raise the laser head so the focal point isn't what it should be so the cuts aren't that nice


If that's something you want to do, lemme know

Cooooool. What kind of thicknesses could one get with aluminum or stainless steel?

As for the acrylic, I know for sure I have access to an acrylic laser cutter, and it seems to produce some pretty quality cuts. (A friend did a project with cut acrylic, and it came out pretty spiffy)

[The_Beast]

I should be able to laser cut the bases relatively cheap out of aluminum or stainless steel. My guy does do acrylic, but he doesn't like to since he has to raise the laser head so the focal point isn't what it should be so the cuts aren't that nice


If that's something you want to do, lemme know

Cooooool. What kind of thicknesses could one get with aluminum or stainless steel?

As for the acrylic, I know for sure I have access to an acrylic laser cutter, and it seems to produce some pretty quality cuts. (A friend did a project with cut acrylic, and it came out pretty spiffy)

1/16" to 1/2" on aluminum or stainless

[CPTBadAss]

I should be able to laser cut the bases relatively cheap out of aluminum or stainless steel. My guy does do acrylic, but he doesn't like to since he has to raise the laser head so the focal point isn't what it should be so the cuts aren't that nice


If that's something you want to do, lemme know

Not to derail the the thread but I'm so jelly you have access to all these fun toys. Laser cutter?? Good stuff.