Interest CheckKeycaps

Besides Studio Alu Metal Keycaps set - GB 23rd July 2021

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Description

Are you ready for a keycap revolution ?
DISCORD LINK - Join to see our progress
GB Post HERE
https://forms.gle/AZLv5yJJ5gJPyjru7

It is happening! Pre production samples have arrived CLICK HERE

Hi fellow keeb and cap lovers, I'm helping a friend out with their upcoming project that they are keen to seek your feedback!

Introducing Besides Studio - 5 truly nerdy old boys who worked in the computer peripheral industry for many years, we designed computer cases, keyboards, gaming mouses, and headsets. Currently, we have two industrial designers, two mechanical engineers, and one electronic engineer.

Inspiration
The inspiration of creating a full set of machined aluminum keycaps was at one stage just some drunk talk between the 5 of us since we already have full aluminum custom keyboard cases why not go all out and have a full set of metal keycaps to match.

While we are not the first to think, design, and make CNC aluminum keycaps but at the price point ($30 – 50 USD per 1u keycap) has restricted full sets to only be enjoyed by a few, on a commission basis. With a madman’s (that is me

) encouragement, we set a goal to make them more accessible at a somewhat obtainable price.

The first round of samples

Design
The full sets of keycaps will be based on the popular cherry profile (R1 – R2 – R3 – R4 – Space) with some design tweaks added for better user experience. During our first prototype we found that at fast typing situations, fingers can hit the edge of higher row keys, with plastic material (ABS or PBT) this is not much of a big deal. With much harder material it can be unpleasant therefore during our second prototype we decided to round the edge off the front-facing surface to lower the possibility for that to happen. The same applies to the space bar as well (no more thumb resting marks!)

The first round of samples

Kitting v1.2 - UPDATED FEB 2021 (MOD & BAR kit pricing will be updated)

Blank Set

Legend Set

Kitting v1

At the moment with kitting, we have taken a leaflet out of KAT Refine kitting style to cater for different keyboard layouts. We aim to be compatible with 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL and full 104 keys

We plan to introduce Alpha, F Row, Function Numpad, Arrow, Modifiers and Space bar - 7 separate kitS so no matter how serious or sceptical you are there is a kit that you can purchase at various price points to give them a try.

Blank Set

Alpha - $199 USD

Modifier - $150 USD

F Row - $89 USD

Numpad - $95 USD | Function - $29 USD | Arrow - $19 USD

Space bar - $55 USD

Legend Set

Since many people have request caps with legends, we thought about offering a laser engraving service rather than opening up another IC. (Laser engraving cost is EST to be $35 USD for a full set)

Colours

Black, Silver, Pale gold, Red, Navy,

Render Gallery

Red with Black on M60-A - case file courtesy of RAMA WORKS

Black and Gold, never grow old - case file courtesy of proto[Typiest]

Silver with Navy on U80 - case file courtesy of RAMA WORKS

Black with Gold on SP-111 - case file courtesy of TKC

Black with Silver on Klippe T R3 - case file courtesy of Mekanisk

Laser etched samples

Delivery time frame

Estimated 1.5 months for 100 full kits (TBC)
We are working very closely with our manufacturing partners to ensure capacity can be met and finish product quality is up to standard.

Material
The full set will be made of 6063 Aluminum, different colour sets will be achieved through anodizing. Caps’ cross stem is MX switch compatible (tightness can be easily adjusted)

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1u cap weight = ~2g
2.25u cap weight = ~4.5g
2.75u cap weight = ~5.5g
6.25u space bar weight = ~12.5g

We engineered the cap to be light so that (to us) there is little need to change to heavy spring weight switches or spring swap. So far it has been tested on 62g Everglide Teal v2.5 linear switches and 42g Oreo tactile switches.

Potato sound test setup with Cyberboard & Banana Split 62g Switches

More prototype pictures can be found here

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[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=109843.0][img width=501 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/Iy6UWy6.png][/img]

To do list:

Renders for all 5 available colours - Uploaded (100% completion)
Laser engraving sample - Uploaded (100% completion)
Final Kitting update - completed (100%)
GB! - Soon

Update Log
26 Feb 2021 - Kitting update
21 Jan 2021 - Pre production sample photo added
14 Jan 2021 - Laser etched sample photo added
07 Jan 2021 - renders ++
02 Jan 2021 - More renders added
29 Dec 2020 - All colour render added, To do list updated
21 Dec 2020 - Legends sets render uploaded, added To do list
15 Dec 2020 - Tidy up post, Sound Test uploaded
13 Dec 2020 - Caps render, Kitting, Prices uploaded. Discord link and IC form link available