There's just been a little bit of progress, I took a break when covid was starting to spread and focused on other things. I'm slowly getting back to it though.
I've got a small POM block for a 2x2 switchtester, it's cut to size but I haven't milled it yet.
There's also been some nice cnc upgrades; software spindle control and lots of new endmills. I need to make some CAM adjustments.
As I mentioned earlier I was planning to make a rigid stem for casting future caps, even before the stems ripped they'd bend:
judging by the circular tooling marks I imagine the original mold construction was something like this:
Seems like a good way to do my own molds, the circular cutout should be more precise and less prone to damage than a rectangular one.
I milled a 6mm D-shaft to turn/polish custom knobs a few years ago from a polished steel rod, pretty much the same. I'd definitely make some effort to improve the surface finish though
(click for larger)
A bit of a tangent:
Ever wondered what even taller Beam/Selectric caps would look like? Well...
Grey: Original mid row deepdish (F/J)
Red: Original top row
Black: Remington lock, shift, space
I picked up a Remington typewriter with some mechanical issues that headed for recycling, it looked very similar to Selectrics so I assumed it was a licensed clone with just a different (plastic) outer case. I figured I could use the keycaps and spare parts for my Selectric.
The different font I can understand, but I really didn't expect a several mm taller profile with weird rear cutouts to clear the row behind them. The internal keycap structure and tooling marks look identical to IBM caps, as do the mechanical typewriter internals. Seems like an incredibly unnecessary tooling investment, they must've really wanted that profile for whatever reason.
Gallery
https://imgur.com/a/S2J0U1g
I also printed a 2.32 scale (to fit an o-ring I had) version of my original switch model a while ago, anyone who wants a desk toy could do the same using my models
(click for larger)
I thought I'd add a stencil sheet to my next PCB order with both original and larger spring sizes for a functional big beam switch. I printed a few PETG springs in various thicknesses and while they did work they weren't great.
I'd also like to have a go at making custom coil springs,
like so
Coincidentally a "new" lathe with a proper gearbox just showed up, no more disassembly required for changing thread pitch/feed rate
It also has T-slots on the cross-slide, useful for mounting custom fixtures and such.
