Author Topic: Possible blank keycap group buy (Signature Plastics) (Read 8349 times)

iMav · « **on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 18:01:14 »

I've been in contact with Signature Plastics and they can do blank keycaps for Cherry-equipped Filco 'boards. But it is price prohibitive for a single order.

Just like the t-shirt thread, let's get some preliminary commitments to see if we can't swing a group buy and make these reasonable.

ozar · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 18:05:24 »

I'd probably be interested in a set, depending on the final price.

bigpook · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 18:11:45 »

Same as ozar.

zwmalone · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 18:14:41 »

I'd be interested if they were ALPS interface but... since there isn't a decent layout ergo 'board with browns or blues (other than the ErgoPlus, way out of my price range) I'm going to have to pass...

o2dazone · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 18:24:07 »

Quote from: ozar;28701

I'd probably be interested in a set, depending on the final price.

.

FKSSR · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 18:38:02 »

I'd be interested. I also want a set of light gray (or white) keys, if possible...

FKSSR · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 21:06:00 »

iMav, can you also see if you can get red Esc keys included in that order?

bigpook · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 13 April 2009, 21:53:20 »

ditto, red escape keys would be nice.

FKSSR · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 06:40:31 »

Quote from: zwmalone;85300

I'd be interested if they were ALPS interface but... since there isn't a decent layout ergo 'board with browns or blues (other than the ErgoPlus, way out of my price range) I'm going to have to pass...

Just out of curiosity, do you know if they can make ALPS compatible keycaps, iMav? If I get a Filco with white-alps, I will want to try and get blank keys if I can.

Thanks!

itlnstln · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 06:42:37 »

I'm in for blank black keys and a red Esc key.

Mercen_505 · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 10:36:10 »

I'm convinced someone could make a modest profit if they could find an outfit to produce a large quantity of black M compatible key caps (with white lettering, of course). Buy a few hundred sets of keys, then sell them to individual users until the supply dries up.

I wish.

cmr · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 13:59:21 »

i'd be interested in 104-key US sets in black or dark gray. red ESC would be a bonus. dependent of course on the price.

FKSSR · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:04:28 »

I think we definitely have enough people on the board to buy blank black keys and red Esc keys. If anything, I'd buy a couple sets to stow away, for later.

cmr · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:33:46 »

i don't have any filco boards, by the way, only an M10 and a das iii. any idea whether the keycap sets under consideration would fit on either?

itlnstln · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:34:37 »

Quote from: cmr;85484

i don't have any filco boards, by the way, only an M10 and a das iii. any idea whether the keycap sets under consideration would fit on either?

Yes.

dougy · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 14 April 2009, 18:57:48 »

I'd be interested in both a beige and a black set.

cmr · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 17 April 2009, 13:08:00 »

so, any news?

ozar · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 17 April 2009, 19:18:26 »

If it should turn out that we can't get an affordable deal with Signature Plastics, we could also check with Fentek Industries about a quote for blank keys. They do all kinds of custom keys so they might also be a viable option for red escape keys, purple WASD keys, and any others. I'd like to know if they could make blank key sets for the Realforce and HHKB Pro 2 keyboards.

Of course, someone here might have already checked with them about such key sets.

Edit: never mind, it appears that Fentek Industries might get their custom keys from Signature Plastics, as they are shown to be a customer on the Signature Plastics website.

FKSSR · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 17 April 2009, 20:53:34 »

I would be surprised if they had molds to make keys as specialized as Topre, but I could be wrong. I can't imagine we don't have enough people to make an order through Signature Plastics.

iMav · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 18 April 2009, 07:04:30 »

If we ordered 20 sets, the cost would be around $45 per set. They would all have to be the same (blank, black). If someone wanted an ivory/white set, they'd have to get at least 20 folks that wanted that color.

Majestouch is making some progress in possibly getting these from Diatec, so it might be better to see how that pans out.

ozar · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 18 April 2009, 07:27:58 »

iMav... have you seen their work with keycaps before? I'm just wondering if they are of good quality?

I agree that if Majestouch can get them, it might be better to wait just a bit to see how that deal would work out.

cmr · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 19 April 2009, 14:32:22 »

US$45 would definitely be out of my price range

lowpoly · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 20 April 2009, 12:51:09 »

What kind of mechanics do the Costar 'boards use for the level wires under backspace, shift, etc?

neva · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 22 April 2009, 03:31:12 »

Hi there,

I own a das keyboard v1 and I wanted to change so I started searching and found this great forum.
After hours of reading, I've finally found my future keyboard: The Filco FKBN104M/EB
But I really like my das keyboard's blank keys and hate that filco windows key so lucky me, I've found this thread.
Brown switches + blank black keys = perfect for me.

If Europe can be shipped to, count me in !
(Sorry for my rough english)

joneslee85 · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 22 April 2009, 10:05:05 »

I am in, I want red ESC, blue or purple ASD, yellow F1-F12. Let me know if order can be made for Topre Realforce 87U, I really really want all blank keycap for that model.

FKSSR · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 22 April 2009, 10:17:53 »

We are waiting to see if EliteKeyboards.com can get blank black keys from Filco (and possibly black and white replacement keys w/ legends).

As far as the special red Esc, blue/purple WASD, and yellow function keys, I think the best bet is from a place like Signature Plastics, but I imagine the cost will be high, even if we get 20+ people.

As far as Topre, your best bet is ordering those from a distributor overseas. The HHKB blank keys should work, as far as I know.

sixty · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 06 May 2009, 23:00:33 »

First post here, sorry for bumping an old topic instantly, but I would be interested in a set of blank keys as well, if the price is around $45 and you can ship it over to Europe.

PS: I noticed my Majestouch from EliteKeyboards.com also came with a red ESC key - what a pleasant surprise. So did EliteKeyboards work something out with Filco or where did my red key come from?

ozar · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 07 May 2009, 17:08:26 »

Quote from: sixty;89646

First post here, sorry for bumping an old topic instantly, but I would be interested in a set of blank keys as well, if the price is around $45 and you can ship it over to Europe.

Welcome aboard!

This topic died off a bit, I think while we wait to hear from Majestouch about any blank keys sets that he might be able to get, but I'm not sure.

majestouch · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 08 May 2009, 21:11:54 »

Quote from: ripster;89662

Welcome to Geekhack!

I think Majestouch is just being kind and must have gotten a supply.

- Ripster

Kindness is all that matters.

Not to worry, I have not forgotten this thread. I hope to have news soon.

majestouch · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 20 May 2009, 15:24:09 »

Filco brand blank keycaps for cherry switches will be available in the beginning of July 2009 (tentatively). One thing to note, however, the unique rough coating that Diatec uses on their stock keyboards will not be available on the loose blank keycaps since this coating is normally applied once the keycaps are mounted on the switches.

itlnstln · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 20 May 2009, 15:33:16 »

Quote from: majestouch;91808

Filco brand blank keycaps for cherry switches will be available in the beginning of July 2009 (tentatively).

Sweet. I will be picking up set.

Quote from: majestouch;91808

One thing to note, however, the unique rough coating that Diatec uses on their stock keyboards will not be available on the loose blank keycaps since this coating is normally applied once the keycaps are mounted on the switches.

It's not like the coating lasts any longer than a couple of weeks, anyway. The coating on my Filco has already worn off. It is a little weird, though, that they apply the coating after the caps are on the switches.

jjinjjin · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 21 May 2009, 00:09:44 »

RED esc keycap is quite cool...I had a couple of red keycap which was released by Diatec Co., Ltd..
And as ripster told, Sanding is another good way to make own blank keycap. And then you can make wrapping with some paint. ;-)

You can find some pictures from here(http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/?mid=review&search_target=title&search_keyword=%EB%8F%84%EC%83%89&document_srl=587687)
He wrote in korean, but you can find some picture under the article.

chimera15 · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 24 May 2009, 18:48:42 »

Quote from: FKSSR;85358

Just out of curiosity, do you know if they can make ALPS compatible keycaps, iMav? If I get a Filco with white-alps, I will want to try and get blank keys if I can.

Thanks!

Yup. I'd be in on a set of alps compatible keys too. I have a sun yellowed siig minitouch I tried to lacquer the keys, but it didn't work as well as I had hoped. I'd definitely love a set of blanks for it.

jelly · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 29 May 2009, 10:20:16 »

interested to get a set if the price is right.

but im staying at singapore ):

TheSoulhunter · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 31 May 2009, 10:30:49 »

Heh. I`d be also interested in some (5) blank black keysets for Filcos!

TheSoulhunter · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 31 May 2009, 11:33:26 »

Quote from: ripster;93515

Soulhunter, 5! Can't wait to see your next mod.

Can you post any tips sometime on how to open a Filco up? I know the screw part but want to know if you used a special tool to pop the case.

When the Blue Cherry board comes out I'll be ready to void the warranty on the Brown Cherry board. I'll take some pics while I'm poking around.

Yep, I`ll post a guide with pictures in ~2 weeks, after my vacation, because I forgot 2 of my tools at work, duh!
I`ll include the "case popping" part as well as macros etc. of the "mechanics" under the non 1x1 keys...

Btw, I still try to find some good coating (damn keys get shiny so fast, meh!)
One idea I got is to add super fine silicon particles to clear shiny vanish (like metal particles are added to car paint to give it metallic look).
Should turn it from shiny -> silk matte and make it much more durable as silicon is kinda hard. Someone with a spray-pistol around who can test this?

majestouch · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 07 June 2009, 18:31:31 »

Quote from: ripster;94639

OK, I'm reviving this one to ask a question to Majestouch.

If you get the keyboards WITH blank keys will they have the matte finish sprayed on. That's what the pic looks like.

If you get the blank keys SEPARATELY in July (like in a bag or box), they will not have any coating and are presumably fairly shiny.

Am I getting all this right??

Will help me decide which version of the Blue Cherry board to get.

Yes, this is correct, the matte coating is applied only after the keycaps are mounted on the keyswitches. The "loose" blank keycaps will not have this coating; at this time I have not been offered coated loose caps. However, there is a benefit in that this keeps the price on the loose caps low, so I'm sure we'll see more mods and experimentation.

jelly · « **Reply #37 on:** Sat, 20 June 2009, 00:53:31 »

is blank keys caps for filco here yet?

neva · « **Reply #38 on:** Fri, 10 July 2009, 01:01:56 »

Blank keycaps are available !
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,keycaps#keycaps

jelly · « **Reply #39 on:** Fri, 10 July 2009, 10:58:41 »

so any grp buy for it?

o2dazone · « **Reply #40 on:** Fri, 10 July 2009, 12:42:59 »

blank black cherry keycaps are on Elitekeyboards
for alps though, you'd still need to GB from signature plastics

o2dazone · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 10 July 2009, 13:16:13 »

just like blank unicomps right

sixty · « **Reply #42 on:** Sat, 11 July 2009, 00:49:31 »

Quote from: ripster;101984

By the time you do transhipment group buy doesn't uh, buy you anything in terms of cost savings for a bunch of boxes.

Now if someone can sneak into the Topre factory and get a bucket of Red ESC keys - we're talking big bucks!

Red Topre ESC keys are always available through Leopold. I'm going to order some stuff from Leopold soon (prolly around next month), so if you want some Red ESCs let me know. Even though Leopold is pretty expensive.. shipping from Korea->Germany->USA would probably make it even worse. Maybe its not worth it afterall.

o2dazone · « **Reply #43 on:** Sat, 11 July 2009, 12:38:32 »

Quote from: ripster;102084

Well, I'd go into a group buy for that one. If you're willing to buy a bunch and send me let's say 10 in a box I'd take care of distributing in US. Even if it does make mine less elite.

PM sent.

so do I just contact you or Sixty lol

jelly · « **Reply #44 on:** Sun, 12 July 2009, 00:20:31 »

will be interested if the shipping to singapore is reasonable and the price of the red esc keys.

timw4mail · « **Reply #45 on:** Sun, 19 July 2009, 16:12:22 »

Hmm...I'd really like a blank set of letters for my Scorpius M10... do you think these would work?

timw4mail · « **Reply #46 on:** Sun, 19 July 2009, 17:06:44 »

Quote from: ripster;103310

Looks like the Scorpius has slightly larger CTRL and ALT keys.

I just care about the letters, I actually want to keep the rest of the labels, except for the Windows keys, but that's the same size as the main letter keys. So that would be 36 blank, letter-sized keys.

timw4mail · « **Reply #47 on:** Sun, 19 July 2009, 17:26:49 »

Quote from: ripster;103319

Letters shouldn't be a problem as long as Scorpius didn't mess with key sizes/spacing (trust me, it happens). To double check measure TILDE to BACKSPACE and LCTRL to TILDE using the TOP of the keycaps. If you get 11" and 3.5" you're ready to roll.

Filco keytops are a little scooped ya know - some people don't like em.

Well, since the keycaps are the right size for the Vtech keyboard with the similar SMK switches, I'd say the letter spacing isn't too unusual...

But here's what it measures: 11" by 3.5" in those said dimensions. Aren't the Model M keycaps slightly scooped, too? Just to a lesser degree?

timw4mail · « **Reply #48 on:** Sun, 19 July 2009, 19:05:32 »

Quote from: ripster;103338

Yep, that looks to be true.

I don't think I'll have that much trouble with them, then. Now are we actually going to still mass-order these, or have we decided its easier to get them from Majestouch (or whatever that brand is)?

Manyak · « **Reply #49 on:** Sun, 19 July 2009, 22:26:37 »

Quote from: timw4mail;103340

I don't think I'll have that much trouble with them, then. Now are we actually going to still mass-order these, or have we decided its easier to get them from Majestouch (or whatever that brand is)?

I already ordered a set from majestouch, and I think most others who wanted it for filcos did the same.

BUT.....I'd like to get a set of caps for backlighting and install LEDs in. Black with clear lettering. Two-shot molded if clear letters are possible with it.

News:

Author Topic: Possible blank keycap group buy (Signature Plastics) (Read 8349 times)