source of quality extra tall MX-compatible keycaps?

davkol · 20 Sep 2014, 21:14

I've just put some function keys (the extra tall row on some vintage OEM stuff) from an old Chicony KB-5191 on my ErgoDox' thumb clusters and OMG it feels good!!!1! It's only thin ABS though and doesn't play too well with off-center presses (it's cylindrical after all). This leads me to my question: are there any similar keycaps, but thick and PBT if possible, that could be purchased separately? I can't think of anything but SP's left-over SA… they have only row 3 though…

Nuum · 20 Sep 2014, 21:22

There exists an old Cherry profile (I think it's called F) which has been used on some keyboards for the function keys, they are really rare, though. These are higher and more angled forwards than the normal Cherry E Profile for the function keys and number row. I think GMK can make them.

davkol · 20 Sep 2014, 21:30

I knew about them, but discarded this option due to availability. Thanks for mentioning GMK though, because it gives me a chance in case another round of Ivan's GB happens.

Nuum · 20 Sep 2014, 21:35

In Ivan's Dolch GB there was a pack called F'n'A pack, which contained a F-profile F-row, but I don't if it reached MOQ: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58608.0
Seems like it didn't make it.

Findecanor · 20 Sep 2014, 22:18

Signature Plastics has DCS row 5 which should be similar to Cherry/GMK row F. SP sells single keycaps from their overstock supply.

I have got a function row in a similar profile, but old yellowed ABS keys. Pad-printed, thicker than DCS but thinner than Cherry/GMK.

davkol · 20 Sep 2014, 22:59

Unfortunately, SP's leftovers are free of PBT DCS row 5 and any SA but row 3. However, I've been running around with a calliper for a while and it looks like SA row 3 is only about 0.2 mm shorter than these OEM top row keycaps, which shouldn't be a big deal.

7bit · 20 Sep 2014, 23:58

The best extra-tall key caps are sphericals from SP:
http://deskthority.net/group-buys-f50/d ... t6732.html