Author Topic: Key Cap Creation (Topre Fn) (Read 57414 times)

Synjin · « **on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:24:38 »

Giveaway Time!!!!
Hello folks,

It is now time for the giveaway! I will list the rules for winning some caps.
RULES:
1) You can only win once
2) There will be two winners
3) Each winner gets to pick either two solid caps or two trans caps from the ones I've made before.
4) The winner of the challenge will get first pick on the caps. (You can update your post with the newer score since you can try as many times as you would like. This will make it easier for me to go through all the entries.)
5) The second randomized winner will be chosen from all entries and will get second pick.
6) Only accounts made before March with a post count of 20 or more will be eligible.
7) I will cover the shipping for the winners even if it is international.

This will be open for entries for 3 days before the winners are selected.
9) Have fun.

CHALLENGE
Who ever can post the highest WPM here from http://play.typeracer.com/ with your username prior to the giveaway ending will be the challenge winner. I will try to clean the imperfections prior to sending but do take note that these are prototypes and aren't perfect.
here is an album of what you can choose from
http://imgur.com/a/G9bY3#0

More

Hello GeekHackers,

I will be hosting a giveaway within the next two weeks.

http://m.imgur.com/a/FgqOw
Messed up these keys. Posted mormore info on the thread for the explanation .
First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Synjin and I have been a member of GH since August 10, 2014. I haven't been here long though I have had quite the journey in learning a lot of things starting from the basic stuff like types of switches up to custom switches, lubing, springs, and artisan key caps as well as rare custom keyboards. I started getting in to artisans when I first found out about them which would be around November if I remember correctly. These two key caps I will be showing are the ones that I currently made today. They are simply prototypes and are not the perfect product that I desire yet they are quite satisfactory in my opinion. I started experimenting on casting about a month ago though it has been difficult due to a very busy schedule.

I am still currently testing other fillers. I have successfully created several caps where in they have a different feeling as well as texture ranging all the way from porcelain, metallic as well as wood. I am currently focused on making topre Esc and Fn keys though I can definitely do MX. The reason I chose topre is because of the lack of custom key caps out there that are manufactured for topre and those key cap sets can get quite pricy yet they do not have a wide color variety.
These Key Caps were not polished and are the raw outcome of my casts.

These are the two caps I created that turned out quite decent

The top is textured and the sides are smooth. The glitters are embedded in to the cap and can't be felt when touching it.

These images are color correct and are accurate to how the caps look. There is some flashing occurring on the bottom edges though I am currently fixing that problem by redoing the mold and using the proper keys to prevent it.

Bottom shot of the Topre FN's. I have not tried mounting them on to an actual topre keyboard to see how they sit because all my Topre boards either have Novatouch sliders or are disassembled. I did try putting it onto just a topre slider and it clicks on and stays on.

I realized that some of the fillers I used to enhance the cap floats so it ended up showing on the bottom instead.

Side shot to display the angle of the key cap

One of the colors I was working with. I created a wide variety of colors today and I realized that based on what you add to the resin, curing time is largely affected. This cap was an FN that I made but I decided to stress test it and this is what happened. It did cure completely in the end.

Major screw up. No explanation

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Clack Man

Bro Caps - for showing me that artistic talent deserves time and attention and that the maker shoud stand behind his product no matter what happens even if someone plants them and grows them in Vietnam or any where else in the world.

Krytone - For being there to answer some of my questions as well as by supporting me and helping me learn everything I did when i was starting out. I love you man, maraming mraming salamat tol.

.

Mandolin - Thank you for supporting me as well and for helping me learn when i started this path. You were willing to help me out and answered my questions when I was clueless. Looking forward to our future projects together.

Punks Dead - For helping me understand color more so than I did before.

Binge Caps

Nubbinator - Your dolly was the very first artisan cap I have ever owned. Glad I won that dibs sale.

Martinyeah

If I forgot you, let me know and I will definitely add you to this wonderful list of inspirations.

daviswalkers · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:35:00 »

Very good for your first prototypes, do you plan on going into more "artisan" esq. caps that have more than just a different look to them than normal topre Fn, or trying to stick to just making unique colorways of the Fn/Esc cap? Either way I'm sure you'll be successful as there is always a high demand for quality Fn keys.

Synjin · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:37:35 »

Quote from: daviswalkers on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:35:00

Very good for your first prototypes, do you plan on going into more "artisan" esq. caps that have more than just a different look to them than normal topre Fn, or trying to stick to just making unique colorways of the Fn/Esc cap? Either way I'm sure you'll be successful as there is always a high demand for quality Fn keys.

I currently want to focus on different finishes as well as colors and combinations for esc and FN's though I might possibly do artisan caps in the future. I do have several projects in the line of artisan caps wherein I will be working in partnership with Mandolin. One of my favs is the wood grain color with a wood grain texture FN key =)

daviswalkers · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:40:54 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:37:35

Quote from: daviswalkers on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:35:00
Very good for your first prototypes, do you plan on going into more "artisan" esq. caps that have more than just a different look to them than normal topre Fn, or trying to stick to just making unique colorways of the Fn/Esc cap? Either way I'm sure you'll be successful as there is always a high demand for quality Fn keys.
I currently want to focus on different finishes as well as colors and combinations for esc and FN's though I might possibly do artisan caps in the future. I do have several projects in the line of artisan caps wherein I will be working in partnership with Mandolin. One of my favs is the wood grain color with a wood grain texture FN key =)

Nice to hear, like I said I'm sure you wont have a problem finding interest, I mean look at KBK Fn's there's so many classified posts for them and they're just normal Fn keys in a single/double colorway, if you can provide unique colors and textures without going to weird I think it will be great. Interested on seeing how one achieves a wood grain feel w/o being a wood keycap though.

Synjin · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:42:51 »

I have the cap in hand though I might use it for a giveaway so it will eventually be up to them if they want to post it or even do a review of it.

heedpantsnow · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:50:36 »

Wow dude those look great! And good colors for Easter :-)

Looks like you have done well with bubble control. Are you using vac, pressure, or both?

Synjin · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:54:10 »

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:50:36

Wow dude those look great! And good colors for Easter :-)

Looks like you have done well with bubble control. Are you using vac, pressure, or both?

I use a sonicator (Sonic Vibrator) to get rid of the bubbles after mixing the components. I posted them because it is almost easter so these were the coors that matched it the most out of the ones I made. Pastel pink looks really cute though ^_^.

daviswalkers · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:56:29 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:42:51

I have the cap in hand though I might use it for a giveaway so it will eventually be up to them if they want to post it or even do a review of it.

Good stuff, I'll try to keep an eye out for it, will you be posting updates in here, or will you make a post in the artisan/keycap sub-forms?

Synjin · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:58:16 »

I will keep them posted here since I don't think my item quality is up to par to be up there yet.

byker · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:59:25 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:54:10

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Sat, 28 March 2015, 19:50:36
Wow dude those look great! And good colors for Easter :-)

Looks like you have done well with bubble control. Are you using vac, pressure, or both?

I use a sonicator (Sonic Vibrator) to get rid of the bubbles after mixing the components. I posted them because it is almost easter so these were the coors that matched it the most out of the ones I made. Pastel pink looks really cute though ^_^.

They look really good considering you are just starting down the artisan cap creation path! That pastel pink FN looks great!

dustinhxc · « **Reply #10 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:00:14 »

Wow man, those look pretty good! Good job! That's cool you're in Wisconsin.

Synjin · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:02:18 »

Yeah haha. Are you in WI too? I was actually in Hoff's meet since I live an hour away from him approx.

Thanks byker, the pink turned out better than I thought since I'm still doing some color curing tests because my resins all cure differently so I have to keep track of what cures a specific way with what.

Do you folks think it would be better to create color matching Esc and FN or do you prefer the FN to match the color of the key directly above it?

Mandolin · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:06:50 »

Well done Sinjin.

Your first casts are really good, but the best stuff is yet to come.

I expect great things to come off you in the future.

Synjin · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:10:42 »

Quote from: Mandolin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:06:50

Well done Sinjin.

Your first casts are really good, but the best stuff is yet to come.

I expect great things to come off you in the future.

Thank you sir. THank you for everything you have done to help me out as well as to inspire me.

sethk_ · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:17:07 »

These are nice, and the colors are nice, if you need someone to test them out, I am here ; )

Synjin · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:18:25 »

I was thinking of doing a giveaway quite soon

dustinhxc · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:54:17 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 20:18:25

I was thinking of doing a giveaway quite soon

That would be awesome!

Air tree · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:05:25 »

I offer my self as tribute for the testing of said keycaps.

It's a grueling task, but it must be done!

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:13:30 »

I had no idea you were experimenting with this, synjin. Very cool to see!

Looks like you're off to a solid start, looking good so far.

Synjin · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:14:05 »

Quote from: Air tree on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:05:25

I offer my self as tribute for the testing of said keycaps.

It's a grueling task, but it must be done!

Or you can tune in and join the free raffle giveaway. Only requirement is an account must be 1 month old and that they post on here.

Synjin · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:17:32 »

Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:13:30

I had no idea you were experimenting with this, synjin. Very cool to see!

Looks like you're off to a solid start, looking good so far.

Thanks man. Yeah, I have been experimenting on it to see what possibilities there are. How come no one answered my question on what other keyes I should color match with the FNs I make T_T

trizkut · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:17:59 »

Looks like you're making decent progress! Good to see someone experimenting with pink/purple topre caps

Air tree · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:18:03 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:14:05

Quote from: Air tree on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:05:25
I offer my self as tribute for the testing of said keycaps.

It's a grueling task, but it must be done!

Or you can tune in and join the free raffle giveaway. Only requirement is an account must be 1 month old and that they post on here.

Or that.

really good work thus far. Way better than what I could do.

How long have you been going at this, anyways? Keycap making has intrigued me.

Synjin · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:19:29 »

Quote from: Air tree on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:18:03

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:14:05
Quote from: Air tree on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:05:25
I offer my self as tribute for the testing of said keycaps.

It's a grueling task, but it must be done!

Or you can tune in and join the free raffle giveaway. Only requirement is an account must be 1 month old and that they post on here.
Or that.

really good work thus far. Way better than what I could do.

How long have you been going at this, anyways? Keycap making has intrigued me.

Around 1 month total time but I've researched it for a lot longer than that. THe best part about it is all the types of additives and fillers that can be used when casting and injecting resins in.

Quote from: trizkut on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:17:59

Looks like you're making decent progress! Good to see someone experimenting with pink/purple topre caps

There are a lot more colors though those are for future sneak previews right before the giveaway happens.

dustinhxc · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:37:04 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:17:32

Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:13:30
I had no idea you were experimenting with this, synjin. Very cool to see!

Looks like you're off to a solid start, looking good so far.
Thanks man. Yeah, I have been experimenting on it to see what possibilities there are. How come no one answered my question on what other keyes I should color match with the FNs I make T_T

Caps lock / control, left shift, arrows, WASD.

Synjin · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:39:12 »

Can't do all

probably around 5 caps

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:49:58 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:39:12

Can't do all probably around 5 caps

WASD, control, esc

Synjin · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:50:31 »

Hmm, no FN love?

sethk_ · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:55:43 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:50:31

Hmm, no FN love?

FN is pretty cool, I have never had one, only ESC rows.

HoffmanMyster · « **Reply #29 on:** Sat, 28 March 2015, 23:11:24 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:50:31

Hmm, no FN love?

Quote from: Synjin on Sat, 28 March 2015, 22:17:32

with the FNs I make

byker · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 01:32:00 »

If you want to stick with topre, I would also love a matching FN set for the bottom row 1u units.

Synjin · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 07:27:53 »

I just realized what I said there Hoff. I could do that too byker.

psyEDk · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 10:01:50 »

These look great! If/when you start designing MX caps and selling, i'll grab one for sure

Synjin · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 10:04:10 »

Quote from: psyEDk on Sun, 29 March 2015, 10:01:50

These look great! If/when you start designing MX caps and selling, i'll grab one for sure

I have some MX prototypes that I might be releasing in the future. I might do an MX giveaway as well but that isn't guaranteed.

ghostjuggernaut · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 10:21:36 »

Looking great synjin. I'm always interested in pink caps.

exitfire401 · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 10:25:53 »

Looks good! Can't wait to we them finalized

Synjin · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 10:31:54 »

I still have to thicken the cap inside as suggested by one of my friends

TheBinary · « **Reply #37 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 12:58:27 »

I just wanted to share my support - it's always great to see new people getting into key-cap creation! Just a couple years back there were essentially just a couple people trying to make their own caps well, & today we are all happier thanks to the efforts of people like you & those you mentioned in your first post, Hipster aka Punks Dead, Binge, Nubbs, Bro & others.

Thank you for putting in the effort to make more diverse goodies & sharing you efforts with the appreciative community!

I excitedly look forward to what we will be seeing from you in the future!

Last but not least: Keep Up the GOOD Work!!!!

Synjin · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 13:13:35 »

Thank you for everyone's support. I will be casting other caps today and willb e posting them tonight if I am successful.

TheBinary · « **Reply #39 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 18:51:48 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sun, 29 March 2015, 13:13:35

Thank you for everyone's support. I will be casting other caps today and willb e posting them tonight if I am successful.

Looking forward to seeing what the results are like!

Sed8op8 · « **Reply #40 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 20:05:27 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sun, 29 March 2015, 13:13:35

Thank you for everyone's support. I will be casting other caps today and willb e posting them tonight if I am successful.

Can wait synjin ! These are great please stick with this we need more artists and artisans

Synjin · « **Reply #41 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 20:20:07 »

Or maybe there is already too many.

Synjin · « **Reply #42 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:04:42 »

http://imgur.com/a/FgqOw

My cast tonight. I was casting in peace carefully loading the resins into the injector when the damn resin started boiling up and curing. It sucks when you ruin your injector because you didn't know that one of the filler compoundsbyou use ends up accelerating cure time from 30 minutes to 2 minutes...

Injector got ruined and I had to rush the process so here are the pics of the partially cured material that was squeezing through.

Joey Quinn · « **Reply #43 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:06:21 »

That space actually looked ok despite the cure time issues. Excited to see more.

Synjin · « **Reply #44 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:07:12 »

Lol. It was going through partially cured so it ended up having some air bubbles on the underside and running the mold.

byker · « **Reply #45 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:07:29 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:07:12

Lol. It was going through partially cured so it ended up having some air bubbles on the underside and running the mold.

It looks pretty good regardless!

Synjin · « **Reply #46 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:08:42 »

Thanks for the positive reinforcement. BTW sorry if they are all pink, I'm trying to get color accuracy and improve my recreation of colors.

daviswalkers · « **Reply #47 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:11:40 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:04:42

http://imgur.com/a/FgqOw

My cast tonight. I was casting in peace carefully loading the resins into the injector when the damn resin started boiling up and curing. It sucks when you ruin your injector because you didn't know that one of the filler compoundsbyou use ends up accelerating cure time from 30 minutes to 2 minutes...

Injector got ruined and I had to rush the process so here are the pics of the partially cured material that was squeezing through.

You know how to target the topre market for sure, first Fn, then Spacebar, seems to be two things most HHKB users have been looking for. What plastic are you using btw?

Synjin · « **Reply #48 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:15:03 »

It is a resin composite which is a mixture of resin and ceramic which I add other fillers into in order to change certain properties. I'm thinking of doing. Soon. I will post the jelly key cap I made which actually has a jelly property but has decent shore hardness although I'm unsure how durable they would be.

daviswalkers · « **Reply #49 on:** Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:19:44 »

Quote from: Synjin on Sun, 29 March 2015, 21:15:03

It is a resin composite which is a mixture of resin and ceramic which I add other fillers into in order to change certain properties. I'm thinking of doing. Soon. I will post the jelly key cap I made which actually has a jelly property but has decent shore hardness although I'm unsure how durable they would be.

sounds interested maybe something whoever was having issues making squishy boobie caps would be interested in, unless they figured it out and I just haven't been keeping up!

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Author Topic: Key Cap Creation (Topre Fn) (Read 57414 times)