Does anyone have any experience creating custom keyboards or keycaps? I recently purchased a mechanical keyboard and have been browsing through websites such as geekhack.com.
I am actually wanting to try to build a custom keyboard case out of acrylic and maybe some keycaps. The keycaps I can make at home but will need direction on the best materials to use. I have been through the geekhack forums, but thought I would ask here.
Can anyone recommend any materials for making custom molds?
Hi Robert,
Welcome to the Mechanical Keyboard users in the DMS. I’ve been using 2 cherry MX green keyboards for nearly a year now and love them. As for custom key caps, I have a full set coming in tomorrow from http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/ . I designed a full set of keys and can’t wait to get them. WASD keyboards is a great source if you want a few colors and custom printing. if your more so talking about molding custom shaped keys, I would suggest building silicone molds and casting in a resin. For more information on that you should check out Reynolds Advanced Material http://www.reynoldsam.com/ . They are 2 blocks from the DMS and the staff there is super helpful.
Good luck,
Nick Sainz
I have a quickfire rapid tkl with cherry mx red’s and a IBM model M. I painted my QFR case with plastidip and ordered white blank PBT keycaps from china. One of my project goals is to assemble a custom mechanical keyboard with acrylic and PCB layout and Teensy controller. There’s quite a few keyboard geeks at DMS. I second the WASD keyboards custom caps, they have a direct printing method that would be easier than molding your own, plus you get a standard profile. I’ve 3D printed keycaps before and it’s really not recommended.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I have heard of WASD keyboards.com but see so many custom molded ones… even ones that go for $160 or more just for 1 key! This is mainly why I want to try to custom mold one.
Like this one:
My recommendation would be to design the specialty key then have it printed with SLA 3D printer to get the detail, then make a mold and cast it from resin. Hayley had a mold making class that would be good for that.
Definitely, if you create a custom key I’ll buy and use one on my board.