Typewriter MOD - Prototype Custom Typewriter Keycaps!

[SonicRevolution]

It's been several months on my journey to make my Version 3 "Mark III" vintage typewriter MOD.  Here is an early prototype pic, testing out FONT size, materials, paint color, etc. 

I'm just a dude with a $70 dremel tool and not much else and it's been an incredibly challenging and rewarding creative journey.  I'm pretty excited to share this with you guys because well... to be frank, no one in my circle of friends/co-workers/family could care-less about what I do with modding keyboards.

But I know YOU guys do!  What an awesome community!  Anyway, I've got major obstacles to overcome but at least the keycaps are coming together.

[SonicRevolution]

BTW, those are Cherry MX compatible!

[Yzeets]

hope you take pictures every step of the way! this is something I'd really like to see from start to finish

[lcs]

They are really nice! Put pictures of the process!

[SonicRevolution]

I TOTALLY AM!  I'm also making a video of it just for therapy sake.  You can hear me cursing and screaming in frustration! haha!  I'll definitely post everything once it's completed!

[funkymeeba]

So how long until we can all get our hands on the GH60 Steampunk Edition?

[Photoelectric]

Awesome!!! Those would go with my steampunk-themed Filco Copper so well!!

[SonicRevolution]

Here is another angle, showing of the MX back. 

This has the OLD font, which is too small and the paint color isn't doing it for me.  too "copper" I'll make sure FONT is bigger and I'm going to do my best to keep the "chrome" look for the keycaps over the fake "copper" look.

I guess I could get real copper.  Still researching...

[Techno Trousers]

Those are really cool looking. How much wobble do they have when mounted on switches, or have you gotten that far yet?

[SonicRevolution]

Oh yeah. that "Wobble" was a HUGE problem for me but I believe I have it solved. The reason for "wobble" at least to my experience is that it's either..

1. too top heavy because of the vintage key using real glass and metal.
2. The shaft of the switch is too long.

I found that when I took out the metal round 'cap" container inside the vintage typewriter keycap (I realize this is hard to understand unless you've worked with actual vintage typewriter keycaps) the weight is MUCH lighter keeping the wobbling to a minimum.  But this presents a whole other challenge! /sigh I'll address this later.

The shaft has to be cut.  Very carefully I say like 1/16 of an inch or so for the TOP row keys, like the FN and the number keys above QWERTY. (as you know, MX keycap shaft length's vary based on which row it sits)  The lower ones with short shafts haven't been an issue with the cutting out the weight by removing the metal cap that houses the paper font.

[Techno Trousers]

It's sure a big project, so we'll root you on. I love the look of the white on black Esc key. Very classy looking.

[pasph]

The shaft has to be cut.  Very carefully I say like 1/16 of an inch or so for the TOP row keys, like the FN and the number keys above QWERTY. (as you know, MX keycap shaft length's vary based on which row it sits)  The lower ones with short shafts haven't been an issue with the cutting out the weight by removing the metal cap that houses the paper font.

Make them all cut to the same length, like DSA keys?

[fohat.digs]

Nice work. I would love to do this but I have too many projects and too little time.

In this one, I thought that the mix of white and black keys was distracting, but it might help in low-light situations.

http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml

[SpAmRaY]

Interesting work, steampunk FTW!!

[SeriouSSpotS]

That is a really cool idea, I look forward to seeing more pictures

[tipo33]

That is an awesome idea,  I look forward to your progress.  Any plans of a case to match?

[SonicRevolution]

Yes! This will be a fully "vintage" remington inspired keyboard mod with Cherry Blue MX switches.  The host keyboard most likely at this point will be the Noppo Choco Mini for various reasons.  Most likely.

It will have a custom 3D printed base-case and "some" salvaged parts from several vintage typewriters!

Fairly challenging to keep the cost low but I really wanted to take advantage of the 3D printing technology.  It's really a boon to those of us doing one-off prototypes!

This has forced me to learn 3D tools like Blender/Maya but I'm getting some help from a few digital artist friends.