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Author Topic: Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2  (Read 12064 times)

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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:20:24 »
Hello All,

I'm aware this might be in the wrong forum, so apologies for that, but I wondered if anyone could suggest a good place to buy a set of replacement keys for my HHKB?

I originally got my board from stlensbar via ebay - who is a great seller by the way - but he seems to have shut up shop these days.

Geekstuff4u, BeNippon and the other usual suspects don't seem to carry them, and I'm having a hard time finding a Japanese URL that I could provide to J-Goods or one of the other shopping services.

I'm sure more than a few of you have been down this road already, so if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!
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Offline lam47

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:22:51 »
This might be better in the Wanted section.
I will join you though as I have been after some more keys.
May I ask what your reason is?
Mine is simply one of being fussy. My space bar has started to shine a bit in the middle and I would like to know I have a spare in the drawer :)
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline lowpoly

  • Posts: 1749
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:28:42 »
Quote from: Repoman;98727
Geekstuff4u, BeNippon and the other usual suspects don't seem to carry them, and I'm having a hard time finding a Japanese URL that I could provide to J-Goods or one of the other shopping services.
As far as I remember Crescent I didn't have to provide a URL, just some pics. They found the cheapest vendor then. A description should do as well.
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Offline majestouch

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    • http:///elitekeyboards.com
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:35:09 »
These can be special ordered at any time. Please send an e-mail to sales@elitekeyboards.com; just state color and printed/non-printed and your shipping address. Special order lead time varies depending on shipping cycle, but usually it is about 2 weeks.
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:39:12 »
Hey lam - nice to hear from you!

I was going to come up with some b*ll**** story here but decided to go with an honest answer instead :laugh:

I got the black version with key markings. I love it. It's fantastic. I especially love the sound it makes when I get up to speed and it's burbling away under my fingers. It's taken a while but I can honestly say I think I forgive PFU's designers for what they have done to my cursor key cluster. Well, almost.

But it seems that I am forever destined to need marked keys, because, as the sun goes down my typing accuracy drops through the floor and I end up switching back to my Filco with the XM switches... because I'm actually able to read the keys on that!

Now, I could of course turn the lights on, but that seems like an  insufficiently geeky solution to the problem to me.

In fact, in my mind it seems much more sensible to spend a small fortune getting a few bits of plastic flown halfway around the world on what is - let's face it - a whim.

And besides I've seen a few pics on here of black HHKB's with transplanted white/grey keys and they look pretty good.

So that's my excuse!
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:42:05 »
Hey Majestouch - I have been considering putting some business your way. How are your Blue Cherry stocks looking?

And could you give an approx price on the keyset?
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Offline lam47

  • Posts: 688
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:45:26 »
Has anyone got a picture of a black HH with the white keys on?
I would like to see that.
I think iMav has it on his so I should just check the gallery I know.
Also to derail further I wonder how his mothers are?
Back on topic now.

I would like to know a ruff price too. I think when I bought some before (direct through a friend) they worked out at about £50 shipped.
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:49:14 »
And thanks for the Advice lowpoly - BTW I have some cash set aside for one of your boards when you get it into production. That is some very good work there sir!
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Offline lowpoly

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 04:53:20 »
Thanks. :smile:
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 05:00:41 »
Wasn't there a thread on here people published pictures of their workspace?

I think iMav's two tone HHKB's were displayed with pride somewhere in there, as opposed to the keyboard gallery?

lam - I think I'll email Majestouch at the sales address and see if he can give me a price on the keys. As you are UK based, would you be interested in potentially splitting the shipping? Totally understand if you are not.
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Offline lam47

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 05:08:44 »
If you are in the UK mate then yeah of course.
Makes sense to me.
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 05:15:42 »
Thinking about it... what type of replacement keys were you interested in lam?

Seeing as I am about to have a spare black set in the not too distant future!
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Offline ch_123

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 06:49:37 »
Quote from: Repoman;98727
Geekstuff4u, BeNippon and the other usual suspects don't seem to carry them, and I'm having a hard time finding a Japanese URL that I could provide to J-Goods or one of the other shopping services.


Geekstuff4u seems to have them.
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Offline lam47

  • Posts: 688
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 13:52:42 »
I want blank black ones :)
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 14:09:51 »
There has to be a plastic or other material that can have a texture applied to that won't wear out over time (at least as quickly).  If you're spending a small fortune on a keyboard, it shouldn't look well-used after about a month or two.  Carbon Fiber is the key.  I guess if you start out with keys with a glossy surface, it wouldn't be too much of a problem other than finger prints, but you would probably lose any grip you might have gotten from some texturing.
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 14:20:10 »
Out of interest Ripster - can I ask where you got your Topre red escape?
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Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 14:34:17 »
is there a way to buy just the red esc key for topre boards?
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Offline o2dazone

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 14:34:20 »
Quote from: ripster;98913
I sell them here.


you're so gay, I got excited for a moment :/
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 14:36:48 »
Of course you do...
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Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:02:02 »
« Last Edit: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:03:37 by vils »
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Offline lowpoly

  • Posts: 1749
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:02:29 »
Quote from: itlnstln;98902
There has to be a plastic or other material that can have a texture applied to that won't wear out over time (at least as quickly).  If you're spending a small fortune on a keyboard, it shouldn't look well-used after about a month or two.  Carbon Fiber is the key.  I guess if you start out with keys with a glossy surface, it wouldn't be too much of a problem other than finger prints, but you would probably lose any grip you might have gotten from some texturing.
Glossy means more grip (my theory).
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Offline o2dazone

  • Posts: 953
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #21 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:10:30 »
Quote from: ripster;98924
At least I don't rub my body parts on my trackball. ;-)


jealous
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:26:21 »
Of course! It's from the bleedin' realforce. Should have realised earlier.
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Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:32:06 »
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:36:24 »
Thanks Vils - apparently Majestouch can order them in even though they are not standard items on the elitekeyboards website, so I plan on getting them from him!
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Offline lam47

  • Posts: 688
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #25 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:37:04 »
If anyone is going to do an order from Fujitsu I am in for a set of blank black ones.
I can't get geekstuff4u to load no matter what browser I use :(

LMK if you get a price repoman.
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #26 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:38:48 »
Quote from: lowpoly;98929
Glossy means more grip (my theory).


thats crazy talk, matte is more grip. crazy germans. ;)
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using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #27 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:39:29 »
Quote from: lam47;98953
If anyone is going to do an order from Fujitsu I am in for a set of blank black ones.
I can't get geekstuff4u to load no matter what browser I use :(

LMK if you get a price repoman.


is that for a red escape key for a BMW? I'd be interested in a price too.
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #28 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:41:14 »
whats 4,000 yen in english?

also out of curiosity, is it possible to get a whole 86-key set for topres? anyone know approximate price? just curious.
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #29 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:41:58 »
Mailed elitekeyboards this morning (which was about 3 am California time) asking for a price.

Not heard back yet, but the last post he made to this forum would have been pretty late for the Sunshine state so I guess he does most of his KB selling in the evening. Hopefully there will be something in my mailbox in the morning.
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #30 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:43:31 »
Quote from: wellington1869;98958
whats 4,000 yen in english?

also out of curiosity, is it possible to get a whole 86-key set for topres? anyone know approximate price? just curious.


Isn't that what this thread is about? ;)
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Offline Repoman

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  • Posts: 77
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #31 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:44:09 »
Quote from: Repoman;98963
Isn't that what this thread is about? ;)


Ooops - not quite!
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Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #32 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:46:34 »
Quote from: Repoman;98964
Ooops - not quite!


lol i'm having trouble tracking what prices and availability are being tossed around for what combination of key(s)
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #33 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:46:54 »
Quote from: lam47;98953
If anyone is going to do an order from Fujitsu I am in for a set of blank black ones.
I can't get geekstuff4u to load no matter what browser I use :(

LMK if you get a price repoman.


I'm on my way to order a set of keys from Crescent-shop, but the 2000 yen broker fee is disturbing. Group buy? Shipping from sweden to UK should be easy to bear.

Ripster: how do you order from Leopold?
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Offline o2dazone

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #34 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:49:20 »
If shipping charges weren't so ridic, it would be worth getting a service to ship that single red esc key for you. By the time it gets to the states, it's probably quadrupled in price.

MsKeyboard should tell the Fentek engineers "Hey theres a bunch of nerds who want red esc keys - spend a ton of money retooling to make them" lol
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #35 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:49:34 »
I'm happy to broker a group shipment for a few of us to the EU and then arrange shipping from there. Might as well add a blue cherry tenkeyless whilst I'm at it...
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Offline lam47

  • Posts: 688
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #36 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:51:38 »
I can't believe nobody has a friend or relative in Korea or Japan.
Come on research those family trees!
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline Repoman

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  • Posts: 77
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #37 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:52:02 »
Quote from: o2dazone;98969
If shipping charges weren't so ridic, it would be worth getting a service to ship that single red esc key for you. By the time it gets to the states, it's probably quadrupled in price.


I think Ripster is right. Could Majestouch get a reasonable deal on a bulk order, if there was a decent estimate for demand? He carries the Topre boards already
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Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #38 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:55:46 »
Quote from: ripster;98971
4,000 yen.

Sorry, being silly.  It's $42.  Why does Leopold list in Yen anyway, I tried Won first and that couldn't be right - $3.  Or could it.  It cost 2 cents US to make.


Dear God!!! They want $42 for a single keycap?! It IS the bmw of keys.
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #39 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:56:06 »
I for one appreciate the sacrifice ripster!
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #40 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:56:43 »
Quote from: wellington1869;98975
Dear God!!! They want $42 for a single keycap?! It IS the bmw of keys.


If that was true you'd have to send it back to Topre to be fitted!
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Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #41 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 15:58:22 »
The quote I got for a set of HHKB keys from crescent was $78.31 (without shipping).
I can also commit to arrange a EU group buy.
But thats for normal key caps, the red esc is elusive. $3 is a quite humble price, but as  o2dazone pointed out, shipping an charges could be a killer.
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Offline vils

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« Reply #42 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:00:43 »
Quote
4000 South Korean won = 3.11600 U.S. dollars


http://www.google.se/search?hl=sv&q=4000+won+in+usd&btnG=S%C3%B6k&meta=
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Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #43 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:02:59 »
Quote from: ripster;98980
No, it's $4.  Ya gave me the wrong currency!  Don't blame the Topre either.


phew, thats a relief.  But let me guess- shipping is $150, right? :-P


Quote

Ya gave me the wrong currency!


well, I thought I could read korean - turns out I cant! ;D
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline vils

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #44 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:03:02 »
This thread is spinning to fast, every new post gets outposted...
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Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #45 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:08:06 »
vils - to be clear, I am going to be buying a set of caps from majestouch, as long as the price isn't crazy. How about I PM you and lam47 when I get a quote?
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Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #46 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:11:33 »
Quote from: Repoman;98988
vils - to be clear, I am going to be buying a set of caps from majestouch, as long as the price isn't crazy. How about I PM you and lam47 when I get a quote?


repo I'm curious about the price too, though i wont be buying it.
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #47 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:16:14 »
Soon as I hear anything I'll let you know - but I suspect Majestouch will...be in touch in the not too distant future.
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Offline vils

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #48 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:24:28 »
Quote from: Repoman;98988
vils - to be clear, I am going to be buying a set of caps from majestouch, as long as the price isn't crazy. How about I PM you and lam47 when I get a quote?


That would be perfect. My crescent shop idea was more directed towards Lam47.
If I resided in the US I to would prefer buying from Majestouch.
Customs here are very keen on checking packages from the US.
I have never been forced to pay VAT for japanese packages though.
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It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline Repoman

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Replacement Keys for my HHKB Pro2
« Reply #49 on: Wed, 24 June 2009, 16:36:24 »
Had a response from Majestouch and I'm waiting for a bit of clarification before I can go into any more detail, but other than vils and lam47, is there anyone else EU based interested in a full set of replacement HHKB Pro2 keys?

No idea about the red escapes yet!
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