Image heavy page! Images are kept small to ease loading issues, thank you for your patience =)Clack Factory keys have arrived!!!
As of December 2, 2010 Available through
EliteKeyboards.com!!!! =)
This first limited quantity will help determine how I/we will proceed.
The collaboration with
Elitekeyboards has not only brought about higher quality keys, it has also been an integral part
in expanding possibilites and making them realized. I am excited to see how this goes, and if well,
the word "awesome" will be given new meaning
THE ARMY HAS ARRIVED!!!
From left to right
-Topre/HHKB compatible tri-colored skulls (equivalent to 3-shot)
-Cherry switch compatible Red, EK Yellow, and EK Blue
-Cherry switch compatible tri-colored skulls (equivalent to 3-shot)
I also plan on offering keys on ClackFactory.com through FXESC.com (both under construction atm) in order to cater to
a yet wider range of keyboards and styles.
For the moment though I am "testing the waters" and calculating different processes.
I want to thank everyone for the support, interest, and guidance!
I appreciate it more than I could possibly aknowledge in written form =)
I would also like to give a special thanks to
iMav (our fearless leader) for the above reasons and for the
confidence that was very much needed.
-clickclack =)
FAQ being updated at the bottom of this first post!
Hi everyone =)
I am posting some new prototypes as well as some ideas. A brief description will follow the pictures and I will continually
be uploading new prototypes and limited production runs.
Please feel free to ask questions as well as reference the FAQ at the bottom of this page. [strike]I am currently reconfiguring my equipment to enable a more consistent process.[/strike]
Enjoy =)
First up...
1) This keycap is dual molded or double molded (dual shot refers to a different process for the same result).
The thickness of the white plastic is the depth of the skull itself. When I have the GeekHack prototype out and ready
I will be trying to do an orange and charcoal version first =)
2) These three are gunmetal metallic bonded plastic. This is different than plating, it can be as thick
or as thin as plating but it is not "on top" of the keycap, it's in the actual plastic. I have not finished the plated ones
yet but I intend to soon (well... soon-ish). I have a bit more creative possibilities with bonding at the moment (many, many more colors, textures and designs). Taken under diffused lighting.
3) This is another example of the bonded metallic keycaps. The top three keycaps are metallic silver bonded
in different ways and places. The bottom keycap is metallic gunmetal but with a bolder application. These are the ultra lowprofile (flat-ish) skulls btw.
4) This is a low profile skull for model M styled key switches. This one is only the cap, I have not finished the prototype
for the full stem one. I also have prototypes of M keys with the original skull, as well as other larger keys.
5) Model M compatible key caps in the gunmetal metallic bonded style mentioned earlier. These are also in the low profile skull design. These are taken under more direct lighting giving them a more metallic POP!
6) Another M keycap but this one was detailed with silver teeth, gunmetal skull and gold metalic tooth. A kind of ghetto pirate look =D aaarrrrrr!
7) This model M keycap was dual molded in black and red for that cute menacing look, haahaa =)
Here are some prototype blank keys (some are in the wrong place), I figured I needed to throw up some color in this post! These are just some random colors that I had been testing, it has little relation to what I will be doing as standard or what I can do. Btw the white one in this picture is not bright white, it's a warm eggshell.
9) And for those who want that extra stealthy menacing look, here is a black original skull.
10) This is an aluminum keycap that I cast a long time ago, it's sandblasted with a heavy ruby aggregate. I am debating if I should/could sell these, in very, very limited numbers. I will give specs when I find notes for it.
11) I figured I would throw this pic up after ripsters post =)
12) This is another original skull keycap in a wicked chartreuse
13) This is an early prototype (when they were still very thin) and you can see how easily the TG3's LED's light them up. It's a red keycap and the brightness of the LED's was on the lower side in this pic (though not on the lowest setting).
14) This is another pic with the LED's on a brighter setting, same red keycap. (not on the highest setting). The new prototypes (for illuminated boards) will be either thinner in eyes or will be dual molded in a translucent red in the eyes.
15) This is also one of the original "thin" prototypes in white. This just illustrates how easily light penetrates the keycap in a lighter color. The keycap is backlit indirectly from a desklamp.
16) Same white original "thin" keycap backlit (lower setting) on a TG3.
17) This is a dual molded "SPLAT" design (other colors and combinations possible) for those "take no prisioner" gamers =P. I actually really, really like these keys and have been typing on them for quite a while now. I think a black keyboard and keys with multiple colors would be like a Jackson Pollock experience! Haahaa, seriously though they look really great =D
18) By popular demand here are some more examples of the Dual molded "SPLAT" keys. If you notice on the left hand side of both pictures I tried to emulate the charcoal base color keys on the HHKB and came pretty close. I am just a bit on the light and cool side though. I should be able to get reasonably spot on with more tests.
19) The two photos above are dual molded skulls (original style) but with red eyes.
20) This is another dual molded skull but this one is the flat profile skull design.
21) This photo is to illustrate the contrast of a few previously shown keys.
22) This is a dual molded black and white MX compatible keycap.
23) This is a dual molded white and red MX compatible skull keycap and will also be the prototype for the illuminated board keys. So the eyes will still be illuminated red even if the backlight happenes to be white.
24) This was the first picture I posted of my custom skull esc key, and was the prize for the "Guess how many keys" contest.
25) These are how the first individual prototype keys were sent off. Yes, I sold the first baches of prototypes to help fund this endevour... and what a wacky journey it has become! =P (previously posted picture)
26) The above two pictures are of a setup I was using for a while when I was in one of my more Zen, feng shui, red dot notan moods apparently. (previously posted pictures)
27) These are some purple-ish test keys I had made long ago and I gathered them up and posted a pic in response to an inquiry. (previoulsy posted picture)
28) The above two pictures are of a key that was one of the first keys I had made. It is bonded metalic plastic, and was one of the first prototypes that I had made. I posted these pictures as a April FOOLS stating they were real gold plated silver. I "CAN" actually make them in gold plated silver, and perhaps if there is enough interest it might be feasable to make a short run. It doesn't have to be this design either. (previously posted pictures)
29) The above two pictures are some prototypes that I am calling ICE or Glass skulls (I can also make them in plain blank versions). The one on the left is a dead ringer for actual ice, and I am trying to replicate frosted glass. These look really, really refreshing on a keyboard. Just Imagine all the keys like this!!! I am also working on very smooth and clear keys that I might call Crystal. These all started when I made an actual glass key, It came out kinda wonky though so I decided to go this route with the plastic. The glass keys I think would be just too cost prohibitive, at least at the moment. BTW these keys are sick when they are illuminated via a backlit keyboard! YEEOWZA!
30) This is a comparison sample for a recent inquiry. I will update this explanation soon. =)
31) The above two photos are the aged metallic silver and gold bonded technique. These ones happen to be for MX compatible switches.
32) The above two photos are aged purple and white skulls. This was a commission many months back and is done with a slightly different bonded technique. The dual tone purple goes about as deep as a dye sublimated key.
Pictures and descriptions continued in 2nd post! Enjoy =)I will be continually updating the pictures.
Thanks again everyone for the interest =)
FAQ section:
updated Dec/2/2010Q: When will these be available?
A: December 2, 2010 !!!
Available through EliteKeyboards.com
updated Dec/2/2010Q: How much do these or will these cost?
A: Please check EliteKeyboards.com for current pricing.
Please keep in mind that these are not only limited and made by hundreds of
gnomes in the Clack Factory but the prices
will fluctuate.
updated Dec/2/2010Q: Which keyboards/switches are they available for?
A: This
FIRST run includes Cherry and Topre compatible keys
updated Dec/2/2010Q: Which keys will you be making, and will you be making blank keys?
A: I intend to make many different types (first up are the original top row skulls) as well as blank "standard-ish" keys.
updated Dec/2/2010Q: Do your keys weigh more or less than the old 2-shot keys.
A: My standard as well as designed keys weigh considerably more than 2-shot keys and way, way more than "standard" keys. They are also substantially thicker and feel more robust =)
Measurements will be updated soon as well as comparisons
updated Dec/2/2010Q: Will you be making legends on the keys?
A: I would like to do some, but complete sets regardless of what process I choose would be daunting, so I am focusing on more unique designs and aspects of the keys.
updated JAN/2/2011Q: Will you make custom stuff?
A: I thought that's what I was doing!?!?! =P Yes, I will take custom commissions and I have for both keys and boards. Currently I am backed up with production but feel free to drop a line if you have something
"specific" in mind. =)
CURRENTLY NOT TAKING CUSTOM OR COMMISSIONED ORDERSupdated Dec/2/2010Q: What colors and/or styles can you make them in?
A: Waaaaay to many to list outright, however I am working on a "key" (no pun intended) for reference.
updated Dec/2/2010Q: Are you going to make a GeekHack key?
A: Yes, I already have but I was not satisfied with the results. I am currently redoing some prototypes.
Q: Are these keys your "Project Board Chow"?
A: Nope (well... not entirely) that project just inspired me to pursue these keys and to find this forum.
Q: Are you taking suggestions on what stuff to make?
A: No, I am too cool! Of course I am, and I love to hear the interest, it keeps me motivated! =)
The FAQ will be updated continually =)