Drop + MiTo GMK Laser Novelty Keycap Set Available for Pre-order

[T0@st]

LASER IN ON THESE NOVELTIES - With an entrancing aesthetic that blends elements of vaporwave, cyberpunk, and outrun, GMK Laser is one our bestselling keycap sets of all time. It's easy to see why—and it's hard to get enough. Whether you have the set or not, you may find yourself wanting a little more Laser for your setup. Enter the Drop + MiTo GMK Laser Novelty Keycap Set.

Originally an available add-on kit for its namesake set, this Laser-focused collection of keycaps is now debuting in a standalone run to satisfy Laser fans new and old. Quickly scan the legends, and you'll find no shortage of thematic novelties, such as the iconic outrun sun, a sports car, a bowl of ramen, several different hazard signs, and much more. You'll also see arrow keys and a WASD cluster, both in alternate colorways from the GMK Laser's original Base Kit. If you're in search of the complete Laser look, this is the set to set your sights on.




SPECS

• Drop
• Designed by MiTo
• Manufactured by GMK
• Material: Doubleshot ABS
• Compatible with Cherry MX switches and clones
• Made in Germany

RETURNS—NO QUESTIONS ASKED
We get it. Sometimes what you ordered just doesn't work out. If that's the case for you, don't fret! All customers (both US and international) may return this item in new, unused condition within 30 days of delivery.

SHIPPING
Estimated ship date is June 6, 2023 PT. Payment will be collected at checkout. Cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours after checkout for in-stock items, or up until pre-order ships.

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[LabRat 891]

Every single time I see a 'premium' keycap(sets) advertised, I'm reminded that I still can't buy what I've been looking for since my first mechanical keyboard.

I keep seeing all these 'custom' and 'novelty' keycaps, often at 'premium' prices... Yet, I haven't seen any company take a stab at full metal keycaps, in years.
(Last attempts I'd seen use Zinc Alloy castings; I've yet to see any Aluminum or Stainless Steel stamped caps.)

 

[lostsupper]

Every single time I see a 'premium' keycap(sets) advertised, I'm reminded that I still can't buy what I've been looking for since my first mechanical keyboard.

I keep seeing all these 'custom' and 'novelty' keycaps, often at 'premium' prices... Yet, I haven't seen any company take a stab at full metal keycaps, in years.
(Last attempts I'd seen use Zinc Alloy castings; I've yet to see any Aluminum or Stainless Steel stamped caps.)

Milled aluminum: https://metalkeyboards.no/index.html#/
There have been groupbuys for cheaper aluminum sets too. If you're waiting for something like this to be advertised to you, you'll never see it.

 

[LabRat 891]

Milled aluminum: https://metalkeyboards.no/index.html#/
There have been groupbuys for cheaper aluminum sets too. If you're waiting for something like this to be advertised to you, you'll never see it.

I'd expected such a concept would be more desirable/popular.
(I'd also have thought more people would 'take issue' with spending premium-pricing on what are otherwise: keycaps made from sewer pipe (ABS))

Thanks for the link; hadn't heard of them.

Still, I'm hoping to find someone making 'stamped' metal keycaps to keep costs (any keycap mass) down. metalkeyboards.no's milled keycaps remind me of the custom metal keycaps LTT had made.
In other words: implicitly expensive as heck.

I can see in my head how to 'make' stamped keycaps, affordably; but, I have 0 access to laser cutters, sheet metal, and presses.
As shown by YouTuber-machinists, you can 'stamp and form' (softer) metal(s) using wood and plastic 'molds'. So, if one (already) had access to the tools and materials, I can't imagine 'start-up costs' and prototyping being all that expensive. Which, furthers my curiosity into why hasn't anyone done it yet?

 

[Scrizz]

Which, furthers my curiosity into why hasn't anyone done it yet?

Let us know when you start

There also probably isn't a huge market for "premium" stamped steel custom keycaps

 

[Space Lynx]

Let us know when you start

There also probably isn't a huge market for "premium" stamped steel custom keycaps

not when the masses are starting to feel month after month of food price increases, indeed, the niche markets will shrink harder than the other markets in this kind of an economy.

 

[Iain Saturn]

Every single time I see a 'premium' keycap(sets) advertised, I'm reminded that I still can't buy what I've been looking for since my first mechanical keyboard.

I keep seeing all these 'custom' and 'novelty' keycaps, often at 'premium' prices... Yet, I haven't seen any company take a stab at full metal keycaps, in years.
(Last attempts I'd seen use Zinc Alloy castings; I've yet to see any Aluminum or Stainless Steel stamped caps.)

Interesting. I would welcome that also at a reasonable price.

Is there a challenge with weight or getting them similar to normal ABS or PBT - most switches have springs tensioned specifically for the weight of those materials. Weird artisan kaycaps that are heavy don't snap back fast and feel sluggish and lethargic.

 

[LabRat 891]

Interesting. I would welcome that also at a reasonable price.

Is there a challenge with weight or getting them similar to normal ABS or PBT - most switches have springs tensioned specifically for the weight of those materials. Weird artisan kaycaps that are heavy don't snap back fast and feel sluggish and lethargic.

Exactly. The mass makes the milled caps too heavy.
Stamped aluminum (depending on the exact alloy) will be stiff and very light.
(Many alloys of) Stainless Steel can be thinner, and just as stiff, too.

The concept of stamping is to use as little material as possible to 'form' a sturdy keycap: laser cut the 'foldable-shape' and character/typeface, then stamp/bend into keycap shape, finally brazing or welding in a cast/MIM/extruded 'stem'.
(You could also 'backfill' with epoxy or plastic, but especially on aluminum, it'd be likely to separate over time)

I do have some ideas on how to DIY/small-batch, but the methods are totally different.
(Alu foil and epoxy layered composite, 3D printed 'clamping jig').

I'm sharing in the hope that "someone 'steals' my idea".
It wouldn't be the first time something I coincidentally-conceived of (eventually) becoming reality through another's work.