Making keycaps out of polyamide

[adhoc]

^--- is that a render or a product? I haven't seen it before lol

[damorgue]

Well, I have some experience with metal printers

It started here a long time ago. I stopped back then but I got a few requests recently which I will be making, and I might as well also sell some of my old prototypes.Here is a recent thread where I am collecting ideas

That is a render but I have a few real ones.

[adhoc]

Some of those designs are really cool damorgue!

[Icarium]

Where have I seen these skulls before?

[adhoc]

Nowhere, because it's my own design?

It's just for personal/fun use though, I do not intend to sell CC-similar caps, don't worry.

[Icarium]

I'm not worried I'm just pretty sure I have seen those before but I can't remember where. :p

[suka]

Looks similar to the 3D printed cherry mx keycap from keekstee

[Icarium]

You sent me one of those, didn't you? XD

[suka]

You sent me one of those, didn't you? XD

sssh!

[adhoc]

Yeah, the white skull was taken from thingiverse, I think I mentioned this before in this thread (but maybe it was on geekhack, not sure)! It was a makeshift before I could get a scanned cylindrical surface so it was perfect as original.

[suka]

Sneak peek of things to come: all are different variations of a symmetrical DSA variant

[Muirium]

Having tried earlier versions of your caps, I'm keen to see how these turn out. Are you ready to try larger sizes, to cover a whole standard layout?

Or dare I wonder Alps mount? The biggest problem with Matias switch customs is getting just the caps and layout that you want.

[matt3o]

Hey I spot a Matt3o keycap over there!

[adhoc]

Having tried earlier versions of your caps, I'm keen to see how these turn out. Are you ready to try larger sizes, to cover a whole standard layout?

Or dare I wonder Alps mount? The biggest problem with Matias switch customs is getting just the caps and layout that you want.

Not sure if you wrote this to me or somebody else, but right now I've put this project on a side. As it stands, I have a 100% fit Cherry model and a bit wobbly Topre model. ALPS model is actually also ready, but I would need at least a keycap to model the details after it.

The project is on hold a bit at the moment as I'm swamped with my academics and at work, while my friend who's helping me lost his job and is currently occupied with finding a new one. Once things settle down a bit, we will continue with this.

[Muirium]

It was to Suka. But I think I offered you an Alps cap to model. Offer still stands whenever you are above water again and can continue.

[suka]

Not sure if you wrote this to me or somebody else

Sorry for abusing this thread, will open a new one as soon as there is more to share, but this seemed like the best place.

Hey I spot a Matt3o keycap over there!

Wait and see for yourself Gotta work on the font cutouts, the tiny pieces really are a pain to get right - for backlit caps there is something much cooler coming.

Are you ready to try larger sizes, to cover a whole standard layout? Or dare I wonder Alps mount? The biggest problem with Matias switch customs is getting just the caps and layout that you want.

Size does not matter, contrary what some people believe Larger caps or other mounts are easy to create, I actually just ordered some Alps but have no access to a Topre, sadly.
I was just playing with the different shapes, and think I might go with the typewriter style rounded ones and the flatter candy shaped for a full board first, eliminating another 5mm of height compared to DSA.

The biggest issue I see is that the surface of the PA is quite rough when untreated, something I personally do not mind at all, and what actually seems to help in getting good colouring result through dyeing. There are possibilities of finishing the caps to get a smooth surface, but for example mechanical tumbling has limitations if there are embossments or tiny rounded details like in the masks or skulls.

[matt3o]

I've got a crazy idea for your keycaps... wait and see, you'll be mind-blown

[suka]

But first the boring stuff:
I think I'll go with the central square ones first.a After trowalization (barrel finishing) the surface is just smooth enough to feel very nice, will be interesting how the minimal height looks in a board.

[Muirium]

Mmm… I Iike the look of your candy store.

[suka]

Mmm… I Iike the look of your candy store.

How did you know that theme was coming? I was actually was aiming for "TRUVS - The Retro Unicorn Vomit Sweets"

Nice thing about the PA parts is that they can be dyed pretty nicely, albeit the outcome is not always what the color looks on other pieces or on the packaging, for that matter. Only very few colors don't seem to work, but especially when the surfaces are finished the result can be quite interesting: The end result is a lot darker/dirtier looking and more retro than shown on the flash images, but very even and only the slightest hint of the slices from 3D-printing can be seen on rounded areas after the tumbling.

Next up: more designs, larger keys and a dedicated thread...

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[matt3o]

what a funny candy store

the tint seems almost metallic, but maybe it's just the flash. I have something similar in mind for the samples you sent me, but I do hope to be able to completely smooth the surface.

[7bit]

Polyamide is lame!


I want pasta key caps!!!!

[matt3o]

pizza key caps! yeayyyy!

[matt3o]

There you go from lame to fame

Thanks suka for the caps!



Plaster



Sanding



More plaster and more sanding.



Silver!

[Muirium]

Alchemist! Wizard! Painter?

[matt3o]

it's a pain to level up these multi-class characters!

[suka]

Colored keycaps make you

* SMILE *

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Would be looking better on a darker board, I'm sure, but the minimal height is nice - will try to convert my HyperNano with them on the weekend for further testing.

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[matt3o]

what a funny looking keyboard

[cookie]

Those caps look like colored pepermints