DIY Topre(HHKB) Red Control Key

[whiskerBox]

Hey guys,
I have been lusting after a red control key for quite some time and just couldn't stand it anymore and decided to make my own. I am still working out some of the kinks in the casting process, but I am getting there little by little. Anyways enough talk here are some pics.

Keep in mind that these are just the first ones. Still working out the bubbles and getting the stem to fully form.





I also was working on making a key cap out of a rock lol but that is another story all together here is a pic (Still in progress)

[guilleguillaume]

That ROCK key is a rare idea

You're improving the keys. Hope you end up with nice samples.

I managed to copy the key top pretty easily with Green Stuff but can't find a good way to reproduce the stem, maybe I can sculpt myself.

[whiskerBox]

I made a two piece mold using alumilite products, but the stem is still very hard to get perfect

[whiskerBox]

I was able to get the stem fully formed woo whooo!! Only problem was that the key was a little darker red then I was going for so I will keep trying until I run out of resin.

[webwit]

Nice going. When can we be expecting skulls?

[whiskerBox]

Hahaha I am a long way from anything that cool, Plus I doubt my GF will let me do anything like this on the kitchen table again lol

[sixty]

That actually looks really nice. Things like these would work out better if your girlfriend also had a crazy passion, that table really is a mess.

[Findecanor]

You need to cover the table more. Silicone can be really vile; hard to get off. Urethane can be very hard to remove from wood because it seeps in.

[dirge]

Have you tried using Polymorph?

[rodtang]

Those look pretty damn good.


Do you have carpet under the kitchen table? That must suck...

[whiskerBox]

Have you tried using Polymorph?

I had never heard of that until you posted about it. After a quick google search I see how this material could be beneficial. Although it looks like it may be hard to manipulate especially because I lack any basic sculpting abilities lol.

[whiskerBox]

You need to cover the table more. Silicone can be really vile; hard to get off. Urethane can be very hard to remove from wood because it seeps in.

Yes, I found that out the hard way. Although for the most part when the resin drys it comes right off pretty much anything. Still a pain though.

Those look pretty damn good.


Do you have carpet under the kitchen table? That must suck...

Yes carpet in the little apartment, Luckily I was able to keep the carpet nice and clean

[dirge]

You can force it into a mold too. Its cheap and handy.

[whiskerBox]

You can force it into a mold too. Its cheap and handy.

I wonder if you can dye it as well. Also I wonder how malleable the material is as well since some of the undercuts in the mold are so tiny.

[Icarium]

Very cool work.

[huttala]

Very nice!
Is it possible to do this with black caps? Or does the color get all dark and ugly if I do that on my black topre keys?

[Icarium]

You must absolutely write a tutorial!

[dirge]

[quote="whiskerBox]I wonder if you can dye it as well. Also I wonder how malleable the material is as well since some of the undercuts in the mold are so tiny.[/quote]

Yes you can colour it, just acrylic paint mixed into it when forming.

You looked at release sprays for your moulds?

[whiskerBox]

You must absolutely write a tutorial!

There is a pretty good guide on GH found here http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:23722

[off]

Sooo, any updates? Like on that heavy control ?

[whiskerBox]

Sooo, any updates? Like on that heavy control ?

No, I have kind of been taking a break from molding and casting so that I could make some cables. I have been trying to raise money to go to DEFCON in Vegas so this has been my new venture

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2934 ... Cable-Shop

[off]

Funny, I just ran into that through dan's dual review on that mousepad and your cabling venture
Don't need one myself, but GL, looking good!
edit: Incidentally, what's with all the GH attachments that you need to log in for, it's not with every one, but for instance yours on that cabling thread I'd have to- and I don't have an account there (health reasons) though long-time lurker..

[mkeeley]

Impressive, surprised the stem came out as well as it did.