How about Metal Keycaps?

Introduction

Today, this article mainly talks about the metal keycaps, which will involve the development of meta keycaps, their workmanship, the pros and cons, and some things you should know.

When it comes to how to make your keyboard more personal and different? The fancy custom keyboards are definitely a well-deserved first choice. For ordinary gamers, they can show themselves by adding some personalized keycaps to their keyboards. So what are personalized keycaps? Obviously personalized keycaps are different from the ordinary keycaps on the keyboard, they look more unique, are more difficult to produce, and can play the role of the finishing touch for the entire keyboard.

Now the popular personalized keycaps on the market can be divided into plastic, resin, wood and metal keycaps according to the material. Among them, metal material plasticity, and surface treatment texture is good, in many players’ favor.

Generally speaking, when it comes to metal keycaps, aluminum anodized personalized keycaps are the most common, and some titanium alloy and other precious metal material keycaps. Metal keycap is expensive, and the process of keycap bottom of the slot is difficult to control. If it is too tight, it is easy to hurt the mechanical switch, while if it is too loose, it is easy to fall off through forcibly typing. So players who like metal keycaps are best to replace only the very keys, slightly embellished effect is rather better.

Basic Information

Metal keycaps have a long history that can be traced back to the early days of typewriters. They are known for their durability and tactile feedback and are often used in high-end keyboards. However, they are also more expensive than other types of keycaps and can be difficult to work with.

Metal keycaps are made from a variety of metals, including aluminum, brass, steel and so on. They can be purchased in a variety of colors and finishes, and are often custom-made to order. They look cool and personalized, improving your keyboard’s level greatly.

Development

The history of metal keycaps can be traced back to typewriters. Metal keycaps were used on typewriters because they could provide a more positive feel and were less likely to wear down quickly. However, metal keycaps posed several disadvantages as well. They were prone to rusting, and the metal often caused an unpleasant sound when typing.

In the early days of computing, metal keycaps were also used on keyboards. However, they were eventually replaced with plastic keycaps due to their negative effects on both sound and durability. In recent years, however, metal keycaps have made a resurgence due to their tactile feel and perceived durability.

Manufacturing Process

Metal keycaps are a type of keycap that is made out of metal. They are generally made out of brass, aluminum, or titanium. They are heavier than other keycaps, but they offer a different feel and sound when typing.

The working process of metal keycaps is generally the same regardless of the metal that is used. The metal is cut into small pieces, which are then stamped into the desired shape. The stamping process causes the metal to become thinner and take on the shape of the keycap. The metal is then given a coating to protect it from corrosion.

Pros and Cons of Metal Keycaps

Why are metal keycaps only commonly found on custom keyboards, and rarely appear in sets? Here is the answer, let’s take a look together.

Pros:

Durable. Needless to say, the material–metal itself is stronger and more durable than plastic, wood, ABS, or PBT. In addition, usually, the outer layer of metal keycaps will be coated with a layer of paint to prevent the keycaps from rusting. Therefore, in terms of use time, metal keycaps last longer and are more durable.

Personalized. The reason why metal keycaps are commonly used in custom keyboards is that it can show the user’s personality. Both its color and its style are different from the common keycaps. For example, ZOMO transparent cat claw keycaps, ZOMO rotating hat keycaps about One Piece, Varmilo Hercules Cup, etc., just a few personalized metal keycaps can raise several grades for the ordinary keyboard, which make the keyboard look more comfortable and interesting.

In summary, metal keycaps are a great choice for people who want a durable and distinctive-looking keyboard.

Cons:

Expensive. Metal keycaps will cost you more than other common keycaps. Why? Its material is more expensive and its workmanship spends too much time and energy, which improves its cost. In addition, they also require more regular cleaning and maintenance than other types of keycaps, which means you need to spend extra on them.

Heavy. There is no doubt that metal is heavy. If you are a mobile office worker, it is inconvenient for you to carry your keyboard anywhere. Your keyboard with a set of metal keycaps will be heavier than other types of keycaps and can be more difficult to transport.

Uncomfortable. Metal keycaps will bring you a not-too-pleasing hand feel. They will make noise and if you cannot adjust them well, it will make you annoyed. In addition, the metal keycap is cold. If you use it in winter, you will be too comfortable to decrease your working efficiency.

In summary, if you don’t have too much budget, if you always carry your keyboard out, if you don’t have too much time to maintain them, you’d better buy a common keyboard and install several metal keycaps instead of a set of them.

Things you Should Know

You should know these several things when choosing metal keycaps.

One of the most important is the material from which the keycap is made. There are three primary materials used in keycap construction: aluminum, brass, and steel. Each material has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks.

Aluminum is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal. This makes it a good choice for keycaps that will be exposed to moisture or humidity. Brass is a heavier metal that has a warm, golden color. It is also more resistant to corrosion than aluminum. Steel is the heaviest of the three metals and has a very shiny finish. It is also the most durable, but it is also the most susceptible to rusting.

Another thing to consider is the type of finish applied to the metal keycap. The two most common finishes are plating and enameling. Plating involves coating the metal with a thin layer of another metal, usually chrome or gold. Enameling involves painting the metal with a layer of glass-like paint. Both finishes have their own set of pros and cons.

Plated finishes are generally more durable than enameled finishes, but they are also more prone to scratching and chipping. Enameled finishes are more prone to fading and chipping, but they are less likely to scratch than plated finishes. Ultimately, the type of finish you choose will depend on your personal preferences and how you plan to use your metal keycaps.

Finally, you will need to decide what switch type your keyboard uses. Not all switches are compatible with metal keycaps, so you will need to do some research before making your purchase. There are three primary switch types: Cherry MX, Alps SKCL/SKCM, and Matias ALPS-style switches.

Conclusion

Metal keycaps are often more expensive than other types of keycaps, and they can be more difficult to work with. They also require more regular cleaning and maintenance than other types of keycaps. In general, metal keycaps are a great choice for people who want a durable and distinctive-looking keyboard. However, they may not be the best choice for everyone. If you are on a budget or if you prefer a simpler keyboard, you may consider it.

If you are looking for a unique keyboard that will last for many years, metal keycaps may be the right choice for you. However, if you are on a budget or are not familiar with working with metal, you may want to consider other options.

In a word, several personalized metal keycaps are better than a whole set. Metal keycaps are great as well.