clickclack's custom keycaps =)

[British]

The one to the left almost looks like an ice cube!

Not at all !


That's not something I ever want to find in my glass (or my freezer, even)...

[RoboKrikit]

Cube has a ninja turtle face on his nose.

[washuai]

Yay, progress continues.  I still can't decide, HHKB iced/ocean or Déck 82 ice iced ClickClack style.  I think I'll take whichever comes first.

[Kira]

Me too! =P
It's definately doooooable, but it would cost me an arm and a leg to get my run of them started. And it would price out the vast majority of people who would want them. I am still working on options and tests to bring possible prices down.

Man I'd really like to order a full set of aluminum key caps for my Filco!!

[kriminal]

Man I'd really like to order a full set of aluminum key caps for my Filco!!

gl and hf

[clickclack]

Although the whiter one does look just like a man-made ice cube, I prefer the greener one because it looks more like real ice in huge glaciers, or old, undisturbed ice from some long-forgotten age.  

Damnit clickclack, I want to give you money!

Sounds good to me, I won't stop you! =D
haaahaaa
I like the green tinted ones too, but for a different reason. The green I picked tends to look a bit like the refraction through glass in person.

Hmmm. I not a fan of transparent gadgets at all... not even if they are frosted. I like brushed metal (greyish is also good) or matte black better.

Well then you should maybe take off your x-ray goggles! Lolz =)

Not at all !

Show Image

That's not something I ever want to find in my glass (or my freezer, even)...

LOLZ!

[clickclack]

.

Cube has a ninja turtle face on his nose.

Sure does, lol!
I used to love drawing the ninja turtles when I was a kid and that was the shape I would start out with.
But aside from that what an odd observation to make, haahaa.

Yay, progress continues.  I still can't decide, HHKB iced/ocean or Déck 82 ice iced ClickClack style.  I think I'll take whichever comes first.

Indeed progress continues =)
I am just stuck on some revisions and equipment fixes again.

Man I'd really like to order a full set of aluminum key caps for my Filco!!

Yeah that would be nice, but I still need to cut costs more.

$1,000 for a 104 key set?

Show Image

I don't know how much it would be yet.
But that pic with title was hilarous!!! omg, many lolz!
What are you, a poster savant? =P

gl and hf

I just found out what that mean't, haahaa.
More like gc and cm though.
get cash and call me =)

[clickclack]

...Unless MsKeyboard is better at molding plastic than ClickClack.  That dude takes FOREVER.

No kidding! Sheesh, he must be working on something amazing I guess...

[Parak]

Yeah that would be nice, but I still need to cut costs more.

[washuai]

ClickClack - you haven't decided your brand name?  or is '???' the brand name? (rhetorical).

I'll assume the time is spent perfecting your product and continue to be patient.  Thick juicy steak key does look nicer than uniformly lean strip steak keys.  I guess it is going to be a while before I can get a Topre GeekHack key.

[Nadger]

given his theme, and the fact hes making keycaps i may suggest a brand name...

Skullcap

[WhiteRice]

No kidding! Sheesh, he must be working on something amazing I guess...

Show Image

A challenger has appeared!

[ironman31]

That is very thick

[Oqsy]

Ahem, reading my profile again, ironman?

[Oqsy]

Another idea for the dialog bubble was, "More worky, less talky!"

[SmallWalrus]

These are really impressive, but do you happen to have something that's not a skull?

[washuai]

@SmallWalrus, What you missed the blank keys and the bunnies?

[TheSoundofTyping]

Hey clickclack you're still actually working on releasing these, right?

[Nadger]

Im looking at the thickness of those keys and wondering what effect it will have on the keyboard sound, namely the bounceback noise.

I would figure something thicker wouldnt vibrate as much when it springs back upwards perhaps quieting it some.

[zefrer]

Would definitely grab a bunch of the ice ones, plain blank, mostly clear, one that looks like ice looks amazing. Hope you ship internationally

[kriminal]

yeah ..
apparently ive acquired model ms of various makes (ssk, m13 etc) im salivating over some buckling spring key caps..

[kriminal]

man thats one sexy thick keycap (sigh i said "sexy" sigh).
reminds me of the doubleshots on my filco.. thicker is bettahhh

[clickclack]

ClickClack - you haven't decided your brand name?  or is '???' the brand name? (rhetorical).

I'll assume the time is spent perfecting your product and continue to be patient.  Thick juicy steak key does look nicer than uniformly lean strip steak keys.  I guess it is going to be a while before I can get a Topre GeekHack key.

"" many lawlz=P
Indeed more filling yet less fat! =D
t b a... =)

given his theme, and the fact hes making keycaps i may suggest a brand name...
Skullcap

If you only knew how many times that has come up XD
haahaa

A challenger has appeared!

And apparently it's a "thick juicy steak" =P

That is very thick

Ahem, reading my profile again, ironman?

LoL

[audioave10]

I'm not getting any younger. Later you will be able to use my face as a mold...

[clickclack]

Show Image

Another idea for the dialog bubble was, "More worky, less talky!"

;)

These are really impressive, but do you happen to have something that's not a skull? :)

Indeed I do and I will continue to =)
Please feel free to check the first posts as was mentioned.
I plan on many designs even beyond what I have posted. Wish me luck =)

@SmallWalrus, What you missed the blank keys and the bunnies?

Yay the bunnies XD
I am happy you mentioned that commission.

Hey clickclack you're still actually working on releasing these, right?

Yup! And by "yup" I mean totally! And by "totally" I mean... TBA =)

Im looking at the thickness of those keys and wondering what effect it will have on the keyboard sound, namely the bounceback noise.
I would figure something thicker wouldnt vibrate as much when it springs back upwards perhaps quieting it some.

It depends on the board but many switches and board combos exhibit a slightly lower pitch with my keys.
There have been some exceptions, but I will get to those later, when I have more substantial data.
=)

[NewbieOneKenobi]

Great work there!

Yeah, I think getting a whole set done would be great.

As far as suggestions go, if you could make more heavily sculpted keys for Model M and with a smoother surface (factory shined, so to say), it could resemble the XT keyboard more.

I also think a full set of gun metal keys would look great. Man's man's keyboard, so to say.

Hah, if only Fallout faces and other such Fallout conceptual art didn't have a copyright on them.

[clickclack]

...  I make these whittling solid blocks of Aluminum while waiting for ClickClack.  If he  doesn't list anything by Christmas I'm gonna fly to Bali and employ whole villages to start carving.

LoLz!!! Classic XD
TBA before X-MAS, foe sheezy =)

Would definitely grab a bunch of the ice ones, plain blank, mostly clear, one that looks like ice looks amazing. Hope you ship internationally

I have a post coming up you might dig =)

yeah ..
apparently ive acquired model ms of various makes (ssk, m13 etc) im salivating over some buckling spring key caps..

"apparently" many lawls =P
Yeah keyboards tend to gravitate towards us now...
I should have some more interesting "M" keys up soon.
=)

man thats one sexy thick keycap (sigh i said "sexy" sigh).
reminds me of the doubleshots on my filco.. thicker is bettahhh

werd !

[clickclack]

I'd be interested in just plain metal buckling spring caps. Sort of like the titanium one I saw, but I think that'd be too expensive to do a whole board in.

That all depends on how many small countries and islands you own.
Indeed for right now it is too cost prohibitive to do full metal sets, but I am not giving up the idea and prototypes, tbc...
=)

Nah, I expect them to come in at $30 for a 104 key set.  Child labor in India is cheap.

rofl

I'm not getting any younger. Later you will be able to use my face as a mold...

Hey, I finally got the picture to work and let me just say that I am positive you don't look that bad. But even then it would be quite unsuitable for making keys. Hmmm... maybe the splat keys? =P

Great work there!
Yeah, I think getting a whole set done would be great.
As far as suggestions go, if you could make more heavily sculpted keys for Model M and with a smoother surface (factory shined, so to say), it could resemble the XT keyboard more.

I also think a full set of gun metal keys would look great. Man's man's keyboard, so to say.
Hah, if only Fallout faces and other such Fallout conceptual art didn't have a copyright on them.

Thanks =)
I must admit I don't quite understand what you mean in that first paragraph.
Do you mean making the keys on the buckling spring keyboards more angled (per row) or do you mean the "stepping" of certain keys, namely the moddifiers?
Indeed the gun metal ones look like they belong to men who would use steel wool for a tissue!

[clickclack]

[ironman31]

Oooo, the mystery excites me...

[HaaTa]

*Checks the date* nope not a significant date to pull pranks (as you could've easily pasted a stem with some red putty or something).

Baaaht, from the thickness of the keycap, and slight unevenness of the plastic. I'm guess you created a doubleshot mold for Topre keycaps :biggrin:

[Paddywagon]

Show Image

*Checks the date* nope not a significant date to pull pranks (as you could've easily pasted a stem with some red putty or something).

Baaaht, from the thickness of the keycap, and slight unevenness of the plastic. I'm guess you created a doubleshot mold for Topre keycaps :biggrin:

Doubleshot?! Are you mad? It's obviously a SUPER awesome fantastic TRIPLE-shot.....?????? Dontcha think? 'Cause that would make me one happy camper =)

It's thick, luscious, lovely and impossibly enticing...check is in the mail, cough 'em up now, buddy. (And I mean it.)

[clickclack]

Oooo, the mystery excites me...

*Checks the date* nope not a significant date to pull pranks (as you could've easily pasted a stem with some red putty or something).

Baaaht, from the thickness of the keycap, and slight unevenness of the plastic. I'm guess you created a doubleshot mold for Topre keycaps :biggrin:

LoLz!
Sure looks that way

If I stare at it long enough it looks like a nubian nipple.
But then if I stare at anything long enough that tends to happen.

good to know XD

Doubleshot?! Are you mad? It's obviously a SUPER awesome fantastic TRIPLE-shot..... Dontcha think? 'Cause that would make me one happy camper =)

It's thick, luscious, lovely and impossibly enticing...check is in the mail, cough 'em up now, buddy. (And I mean it.)

That's what she said!
Could you send another check? I seem to have missplaced that one =P
haahaa

More to come!!!
All of my pics in this thread are also available in the first 2 posts =)
FAQ section is also updated!

[clickclack]

For the people who asked about those blank ice keys and those just curious here are some sample pics,
enjoy... =)







These keys are direct fit, size, and shape for Filco boards. In the photos they are on a Cherry board though, so don't be fooled.
When I make keys for a particular board and switch type they are direct replacements to those keys. Same shape and size but different thickness and weight.

2nd post updated with this info =)

[WhiteRice]

If you could make a variable weight cherry board those caps would even be more awesome!

[washuai]

Just what I needed on this summer feeling day - some ice.

[ironman31]

I hope I don't go broke when all these caps are available

[clickclack]

Oh good.  Now I can buy a Cherry Red Switch keyboard because.....uh....
it's Red and definitely the most erotic looking.  Now THAT'S a nub there.

Icing your nub's does sound kinda kinky!

If you could make a variable weight cherry board those caps would even be more awesome!

I don't know why you couldn't. Take a black stem, grey stem, and a red stem for variation (and a favorite color combo of mine too) under the clear keys and put a black, red, and grey spring in them and... voila! I suspect the grey spring would be too stiff so I would probably use a red/brown spring, black spring, and a cut down black spring. I bet that would be great =D

Just what I needed on this summer feeling day - some ice.

No kiddin! My cramped studio has been consistently between 90-100 deg lately =S
Damn, now I'm thirsty...

I hope I don't go broke when all these caps are available

I hope I don't go broke making them available!
 

[keyboardlover]

Since keycaps change the feel of a keyboard, they must be able to change the weighting as well. Have people found that changing keycaps can make a big difference in the weighting of your keyboard? Is it possible you could tailor your keyboard's weighting exactly to your liking by simply changing the keycaps?

[itlnstln]

Usually not enough to tell, but I think some of the folks that have the metal caps said that it changes the feel a little.  Cherry vs. Filco, for example, doesn't change the feel (from a weight perspective) at all, but other aspects, like sound, change due to the thickness differences.

[zefrer]

Hey clickclack, lovely keys

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the first 'ice' caps you posted were, err, icier? As in foggier



I like the foggier style better personally but sans skull like the new ones.

[kip69]

TITANIUM!!!  start carving me a full keyboard outa it.  I love the stuff more than a ricer loves Carbon Fiber   My wedding ring is Ti.

Could you do a full set with laser or blasted letters on them?  How much we looking for a set?

Oh.  And zippy has made some prototypes you could "show 'omage too"
The first is English with some parts left out.
The second is odd Chinese, old and formal.  The back space is actually a Taiwanese phrase for "to go back"
And the last is Norwegian runes.  I guess summoning Thor is more important than writing LotR IV.
Zippy keys

[washuai]

Of course people have a strong reaction to skulls, not necessarily positive.  I think it is more about culture around death, than Singaporean culture, specifically.  People in general have a strong reaction to someone wearing all black even non goth/punk/etc., which is a lot less scary than say someone carrying around a skull.

Eh, I'll just conjecture people with an issue with skulls don't like people or fear death or something.  
At least we know Latin culture likes skulls.
Dia de los Muertos etc.:


True, I don't want a whole keyboard full of skulls, but accents are fine and the skulls provide interesting tactility.  Also, given Clickclack makes more than skulls, if you don't like them, don't buy them, there are clearly going to be plenty of other options.

Me personally, I am highly amused at people looking aghast at blank boards.  People afraid of my skull keys, will be amusing, too.

[clickclack]

Since keycaps change the feel of a keyboard, they must be able to change the weighting as well. Have people found that changing keycaps can make a big difference in the weighting of your keyboard? Is it possible you could tailor your keyboard's weighting exactly to your liking by simply changing the keycaps?

They can but by what degree is debatable.
Off the top of my head I would say the average mechanical key cap is around 1g and mine are 2g
So even if you have a 45g rated mechanical switch the effort your fingers notice will be very subtle at best. However your ears do indeed play a part in your perception of a switch as well as the subtle vibration difference in your finger tips. Once you get to about 3g-4g like metal (aluminum) keys and 7-9g like my Heavy metal keys you notice it more. But at that point it's more like driving 10 penny nails into your keyboard haahaaaa! XD
I hope some of that helps =)

Usually not enough to tell, but I think some of the folks that have the metal caps said that it changes the feel a little.  Cherry vs. Filco, for example, doesn't change the feel (from a weight perspective) at all, but other aspects, like sound, change due to the thickness differences.

spot on =)

I think I will post some numbers soon regarding relative weights in this thread for ease of reference.

[clickclack]

Maybe not from a RipOmeter viewpoint but definitely ...feels different AND sounds different.[/URL]
I should mention that this WILL become apparent after the DoubleShot group buy of Signatures keys as well.  Signatures are thinner/lighter than the Filco/Das.
And the Metal ones MAY have some inertial effects.  Feels just a bit "deader" to me.
Is it Xmas yet?

Indeed good observations, and I agree that "deader" is a good way to describe the heavier metal keys. Perhaps more appropriate than clunkier compared to clacky, clicky, and thocky. hahaa =P

Hey clickclack, lovely keys
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the first 'ice' caps you posted were, err, icier? As in foggier
I like the foggier style better personally but sans skull like the new ones.

Thanks =)
Inded the first ones were a tiny bit more "frosted" because they had a slightly more rough texture. But after feedback and test runs people seem to prefer the smoother ones for the feeling and to discern the switch type underneath more easily while still looking icy/frosted. So that is what I will probably go with initially. But if you look closely at those original skull ice keys they are mostly more frosted looking because of the textured skull on top. Another thing worth noting is that after I received the feedback on the original blank ice keys (more frosted) people also thought they looked more sandblasted then frosty/icy because the surface was more uniform on a blank key.
I however personally think that in person the new ones look a little bit more like ice, especially under varied lighting and they still look and feel refreshing I promise =D
I hope that wasn't too confusing, I kinda lost my place there a few times =S
haahaa

TITANIUM!!!  start carving me a full keyboard outa it.  I love the stuff more than a ricer loves Carbon Fiber   My wedding ring is Ti.

Could you do a full set with laser or blasted letters on them?  How much we looking for a set?

Oh.  And zippy has made some prototypes you could "show 'omage too"
The first is English with some parts left out.
The second is odd Chinese, old and formal.  The back space is actually a Taiwanese phrase for "to go back"
And the last is Norwegian runes.  I guess summoning Thor is more important than writing LotR IV.
Zippy keys

I too have quite the love for titanium it has always fascinated me =)
"more than a ricer loves carbon fiber"? I dunno thats some devotion right there! I have been working on a new Ti ring for myself for a while now but it has taken a backseat to making keys atm =P

I could indeed do a full set in Ti with legends even, but I am still working on a way to make it affordable to non-billionaires. =S
I know how much it would cost to get setup and do 1 or 2 initial one off runs, but I don't think many could afford it.

With regards to that link you provided, I don't know exactly who I would pay "homage" to. Did someone make keycaps in that thread? I see a couple of keyboards where someone had some keys laser etched, is that what you mean? Sorry if I missunderstood, google translate can be a fickle *****.

[squarebox]

The Ti caps are truly beautiful.

ESC, WASD, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Spacebar and Arrow keys are enough for me. Full set are too shiny for me.

[kriminal]

those key-caps..........   jizzzzzzzz
jizzzzzzz
jizzzzzzz

[Arc'xer]

They can but by what degree is debatable.
Off the top of my head I would say the average mechanical key cap is around 1g and mine are 2g
So even if you have a 45g rated mechanical switch the effort your fingers notice will be very subtle at best. However your ears do indeed play a part in your perception of a switch as well as the subtle vibration difference in your finger tips. Once you get to about 3g-4g like metal (aluminum) keys and 7-9g like my Heavy metal keys you notice it more. But at that point it's more like driving 10 penny nails into your keyboard haahaaaa! XD
I hope some of that helps =)

That's something I was always wondering myself, but never bothered to post. If by adding enough grams does it reduce the resistance of the switch. In other words does enough weight correlate to reduced switch resistance.

Like say a 6g triple-shot PoM key cap would it literally reduce switch resistance by 6g.

And titanium isn't there some health hazard to using that? or any of the other metals as well in some way shape or form? I guess the same can be said to plastic but still.

[clickclack]

Singaporeans don't like the skulls.  Must be a cultural thing.
72 days until Christmas.
No pressure.

No pressure??? You gotta be kidding! lawls
That person also posted in this thread a little while back. Indeed that first post is overun by skulls. These started as part of a sculpture a long while back but I like that they show off the textures colors and techniques over just blank keys. They must have missed the other things that I have made and have talked about. I am bummed that they are disturbed by it though. Hopefully they understand the rational behind it and that it wont be that way for all other displays.

Of course people have a strong reaction to skulls, not necessarily positive.  I think it is more about culture around death, than Singaporean culture, specifically.  People in general have a strong reaction to someone wearing all black even non goth/punk/etc., which is a lot less scary than say someone carrying around a skull.

Eh, I'll just conjecture people with an issue with skulls don't like people or fear death or something.  
At least we know Latin culture likes skulls.
Dia de los Muertos etc.:

True, I don't want a whole keyboard full of skulls, but accents are fine and the skulls provide interesting tactility.  Also, given Clickclack makes more than skulls, if you don't like them, don't buy them, there are clearly going to be plenty of other options.

Me personally, I am highly amused at people looking aghast at blank boards.  People afraid of my skull keys, will be amusing, too.

Haahaa nice post =)
I certainly can understand some peoples aversion towards skull overload.
They are just up there in that abundance to show off techniques as I thought it was a good medium to do so.
But as you said there will indeed be many more designs, skulls happen to be a small but popular part thus far.


Semi-related note,  I happen to love skulls and I am a thanatophobe, but I find them to be amazing, beautiful, tough, and just plain fascinating as being the hub of many of our senses.

=)

[clickclack]

I've got details in the Key Reference wiki including weights.
I'm going to start Wiki testing soon on everyone.

I like that wiki and I hope I get the reference for that video as it was priceless.

Quick comparison key weights for those who have inquired-

These weights are taken from the top row keys (tallest) in grams.
Filco: .96g
Signature 2-shot: .88g
Cherry 2-shot: 1.19g
Cherry thick: 1.43g
My Filco compatible key: 2.22g

The Ti caps are truly beautiful.
ESC, WASD, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Spacebar and Arrow keys are enough for me. Full set are too shiny for me.

Sunglasses?
Thanks! =)
 I will continue to work out ways to make them somewhat more affordable =)

those key-caps..........   jizzzzzzzz
jizzzzzzz
jizzzzzzz

Not on the key caps! Be respectful please, here is a towel.