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[Help] Looking for thick PBT keycaps

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 00:03
by Karkuro
Hi,

I recently bought a Filco Majestouch 2 TKL (non-ninja) with MX Blues, and I really love it. I wanted to custom it a little bit, and I found a layout that I like : http://i.imgur.com/FFSW4UY.jpg

For this, I need some thick PBT keycaps in grey and white. I found the grey one here : http://www.ebay.com/itm/KBC-Grey-Blank- ... 4d0e2c9f86 (didn't buy yet, so if you have better deal, I take every piece of advice) But I can't find the white ones. I've contactes imsto but he said he had no more white in stock and didn't know when he will have them back.

So if you could help me to find some thick PBT keycaps, I'd appreciate ! (Sorry if already asked, I'll delete the subject if so)

Thanks a lot.

PS : I'm new to this forum, so if I did something wrong, just tell me.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 01:14
by Muirium
Welcome. I can tell you're new because DT regulars don't worry about duplicate threads and other nonsense. The worst we'd do is give you a link to the answer, if we knew. You've got a fair question and you've already talked to Imsto, so you now know more about thick PBT availability than I do! I'm too wrapped up in Round 5.

Sure thick doubleshots aren't what you're really after?

Anyway, your Filco is a very standard physical layout so you should be in luck soon enough.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 08:49
by Karkuro
I really want thick PBT, but thanks anyway !

I guess I'll have to wait, I found this : http://www.originativeco.com/collection ... ssic-beige which is quite the layout I want, but the modifier keys do not match my Filco.

Should I buy the greys on ebay and wait for the whites ? Or you think key sets with a mix of white and grey like the one above will come out ?

I missed this one on GH : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50055.0
The keys are from feng/imsto, the same as the ebay link above, I think he bought them separately but it's quite expensive.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 13:28
by Muirium
You're after US ANSI keys, I assume? Ducky Nordic does some very nice dual tone thick PBT blanks that would go right on a Filco or a Ducky, but they're ISO and more expensive as a result. (ISO has a different L-shape Return key so cap sets are not compatible with ANSI.) ANSI should be pretty easy to find somewhere, but I've not looked into it.

Your Filco takes 1.25 unit mods (they're 1.25x as wide as they are tall) which is the same as Ducky, CM, and most modern full size and TKL boards on the market. Originative's sets are for classic winkeyless Cherry keyboards. So the mods are indeed the first thing to look at on any set you're considering.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 13:37
by Karkuro
Forgot to say, yes, US ANSI. If I'm able to find some thick PBT white blanks in ISO, I'm okay with it, since I don't need a white return key, I'll just use the white for the letters. I could buy the blank grey in ANSI to match the layout I showed above.

Will it works then ?

EDIT : Saw this from imsto : http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z ... 6466008966
But don't know if it's THICK Pbt.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 14:24
by Muirium
Here's a graphic I prepared earlier. TKL is exactly the same as full size, minus the number pad.

ANSI US
Honeywell Kit.png
Honeywell Kit.png (112.26 KiB) Viewed 7554 times
ISO UK (from memory, could be a few swapped legends somewhere)
Honeywell Kit ISO.png
Honeywell Kit ISO.png (141.53 KiB) Viewed 7554 times
The physical differences you care about (because blanks obviously ignore all the legends) are:
  • The Return key's shape.
  • Backslash is a normal single unit key on ISO instead of ANSI's larger size.
  • The shorter left Shift on ISO. It's 1.25 units wide instead of 2.25 on ANSI. This smaller key allows the last difference.
  • ISO has one extra alpha key.
So an ISO set would leave you without a replacement for Return, backslash and left Shift. And you'd have one spare key kicking about. Otherwise all sizes are identical. Just be sure to get 1.25 unit mods.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 14:35
by Karkuro
Thank for the awesome graphic !

It seems ok then, if I buy the grey ones in ANSI for what is grey and black in your graphic, and an ISO in white for every part in white in your graphic. I just need to worry about the quality of the keycaps.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 14:54
by Muirium
Yeah, although for good thick caps that could get quite expensive. One other thing to look out for is that top left key (under Escape). If you're going blank you'll be fine, and can choose which colour you want it. If you want legends, though, it depends on what language keyset(s) you get.

Anyway, this is the material you're after. Real thick PBT.
Image

Kayvee from Ducky Nordic is pretty active on his thread. The keysets that are currently in stock are likely listed here. (Beware of Teraset's expensive shipping. It's high for everything in and out of Scandinavia.) Maybe Kayvee knows where you can find a local source, and ANSI too. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 15:14
by Karkuro
Thanks again for all the information you gave me, that really helped me. I wrote to Kayvee, I'm gonna wait his answer.

Hope I'll have my keyset soon !

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 15:55
by IvanIvanovich
I just finished shipping 2tone white/beige grey imsto thick PBT keycap set from my groupbuy. Unfortunately I don't have any extra to sell you. As usual I will expect some people to be selling them soon, you should keep an eye in the classifieds or even post a WTB if you like any of these specific sets.

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 16:47
by Karkuro
Well, I posted a WTB, let's see. Thanks for the advice.

imsto answered me and said this : http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z ... 6466008966 was thick PBT.
55$ + 10$ shipping, the only downside is the caps lock key.

Posted: 06 Nov 2013, 17:47
by IvanIvanovich
All the white/beige 2tone set is that way. Apparently the keymold with the fulltouch caps lock is grouped with the alpha homing keys and numpad zero which makes it come out the same color as the alpha section.