Custom Etched KPL Buttons

[zerop]

So, I know these are crazy expensive now, but I was considering getting some anyway if my hopes are correct....

 

I have two 6-button KPL's that I want to replace all the small buttons (8 total) with custom buttons.  I want to keep the large two buttons on each KPL standard, "On" and "Off".  I'm hoping I can purchase one custom etched 8-button KPL set and use them on my two 6-button KPL's?  Is this possible?  If so then I could essentially get two KPL custom button sets for $25 each. Not TOOOO bad (still pretty extravagant).  At least not $50 each. 

[Teken]

So, I know these are crazy expensive now, but I was considering getting some anyway if my hopes are correct....

 

I have two 6-button KPL's that I want to replace all the small buttons (8 total) with custom buttons.  I want to keep the large two buttons on each KPL standard, "On" and "Off".  I'm hoping I can purchase one custom etched 8-button KPL set and use them on my two 6-button KPL's?  Is this possible?  If so then I could essentially get two KPL custom button sets for $25 each. Not TOOOO bad (still pretty extravagant).  At least not $50 each. 

 

Sorry I don't follow what you're trying to do? If you intend to use the 8 button set on a 6 button KPL how are you going to activate the top and bottom button?

 

Are you actually going to use two fingers to press on the top & bottom keys?!?!

 

EDIT: After reading over your reply it sunk in. Your plan is to use the 8 button set and split them in two. Two sets of four for each KPL. Yes, that would be a much better value for sure.

 

NOTE: You should be aware that the OEM keys are green in color. Whereas the custom keys are a shade of gray so make sure you're OK with this.

[zerop]

EDIT: After reading over your reply it sunk in. Your plan is to use the 8 button set and split them in two. Two sets of four for each KPL. Yes, that would be a much better value for sure.

 

Awesome thanks, and yes, this is my intent.  Sorry if I wasn't more clear in my original post.

 

 

NOTE: You should be aware that the OEM keys are green in color. Whereas the custom keys are a shade of gray so make sure you're OK with this.

 

Hmm, I don't really understand this.  My KPL is white and the buttons are white (I think).  Do you mean the text on the buttons or are you referring to something else (the light/transparency of the button)?  Green!?!  I don't see green on my current KPL, although I am a little red/green color blind so....maybe that's my problem.

 

If I were to order these custom buttons I would order them in white which is the original KPL color.

[Teken]

Awesome thanks, and yes, this is my intent.  Sorry if I wasn't more clear in my original post.

 

 

 

 

Hmm, I don't really understand this.  My KPL is white and the buttons are white (I think).  Do you mean the text on the buttons or are you referring to something else (the light/transparency of the button)?  Green!?!  I don't see green on my current KPL, although I am a little red/green color blind so....maybe that's my problem.

 

If I were to order these custom buttons I would order them in white which is the original KPL color.

 

My apologies the plastic is indeed white if you selected that color. My comment was in regards to the font color which the OEM keys are a shade of green. The custom keys you will receive the font (words) will be a shade of off gray.

 

NOTE: Also depending upon when you purchased your Insteon KPL's the actual plastic when lit will either appear as white vs others will be a shade of yellow?

[builderb]

Someday I'll buy a 3D printer and make my own buttons. I'd love to make the top and bottom buttons on my 6-button keypads proud of the surface by a few 1/16s for tactile operation (or better yet, shaped like the upper and lower portions of the wedge shaped paddle on the normal switch links). And custom tactility for the center four buttons would be nice too.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Teken]

I believe the need and market demand is in someone making a KPL key frame that allows native wide button insertion. Doing so would avoid the center shadow from being seen. As many others have used the six / eight button frame as a 4 wide button arrangement.

 

It works quite well but for that professional look it would be best to avoid the center black ghosting effect. I've toyed with the idea for sometime but haven't gotten past the concept stage as the media per piece is still too much for such a small widget.

 

Not sure if someone will be willing to part with $15 - 20.XX for a 4 wide frame kit. But since others have payed $49.XX for just eight small plastic squares you never know!

[MikeF]

I found that you can make custom button labels by removing the "etching" from the button then applying Brother P-touch TZe clear 12mm labels.  IMO they look professional, are very easy to customize, and likely save money depending on how many buttons you need to do.

 

WARNING: USING THIS METHOD WILL SLIGHTLY DAMAGE THE SURFACE OF THE BUTTON.  However, the damage is not visible through the Brother label.  

 

Supplies required:

• Brother Label Maker that can use 12mm TZe tape and print at least three lines.  I use a PT-2030, now discontinued.  I believe it has been replaced by the PT-D400
• Clear 12 mm TZe tape
• Acetone
• Q-tips
• Scissors
• Isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol)
• Tweezers

Procedures:

1. Remove the button set from the switch.  
2. Using a Q-tip quickly dipped in acetone, carefully remove just the etched label.  Turn the Q-tip a bit every second or so to an unused part otherwise the etching paint on the Q-tip will begin to smear on the surface.  You will notice a slight "melting" of the plastic surface.  I use both ends of one Q-tip for each button.
3. Using the Brother label machine, type your labels.  With the PT-2030, I found that if you use the narrow margin setting, you can get a label .8 inch in length on the button.  I have used 12 pt., 9 pt., and 6 pt. sized print depending on text and number of lines.
4. Cut the label to size and apply with tweezers.  Rub the label with a finger and / or the edge of your finger nail.
5. Replace the button set on the switch.

Note: if the buttons are not new, it would be a good idea to clean them with isopropyl alcohol before applying the label.  

 

 

Mike

[bgav]

Photos?

[elvisimprsntr]

I simply purchased some clear buttons and printed labels on an inkjet.

 

http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2401clb-6-or-8-button-change-kit-for-keypadlinc-clear.html

[io_guy]

Same here, looks fine.

[Algorithm]

Welcome, Mike.  I've used exactly that procedure with a PT-1230, and concur with your opinion of the results.

 

When I started with Insteon (2006?), I used an inkjet printer to make labels for the clear buttons that came on the KPLs at that time.  In my opinion, the Brother clear-tape labels look much more professional (and they are very durable.)  But more recently, rather than remove labels from pre-etched buttons, I've just bought the blank white buttons and applied the clear-tape labels.

 

The downside is that you can print only one colour per tape, so if one likes colourful labels, then the inkjet has an advantage.

 

[jerlands]

[2 * Wrong != Right]

 

I'm trying to understand this?  Is that the path to hell or a reflection on our political system

 

 

Jon...

[Algorithm]

[2 * Wrong != Right]

 

I'm trying to understand this?

 

 

Have you not heard the expression "Two wrongs don't make a right?"

 

Al

[jerlands]

Have you not heard the expression "Two wrongs don't make a right?"

 

Al

 

I wasn't familiar with (!=) but <>..  I was reading that as Wrong (bangs)

 

 

Jon...

[stusviews]

But two negatives, when multiplied, make a positive.

[rccoleman]

I found that you can make custom button labels by removing the "etching" from the button then applying Brother P-touch TZe clear 12mm labels.  IMO they look professional, are very easy to customize, and likely save money depending on how many buttons you need to do.

 

WARNING: USING THIS METHOD WILL SLIGHTLY DAMAGE THE SURFACE OF THE BUTTON.  However, the damage is not visible through the Brother label.  

 

Supplies required:

 

<snip>

• Acetone

<snip>

 

Mike

 

I did the same with acetone-free nail polish remover (drug stores have both kinds, acetone and acetone-free), and it doesn't damage the buttons.  It probably takes a little more effort, but I was pretty happy with the result.  Add some clear PTouch labels and the buttons look great!

 

Rob

[Algorithm]

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights make a left (if you're driving around the block.)

 

Al

[MikeF]

Photos?

bgav,

photo below.

 

 

Welcome, Mike.  I've used exactly that procedure with a PT-1230, and concur with your opinion of the results.

 

When I started with Insteon (2006?), I used an inkjet printer to make labels for the clear buttons that came on the KPLs at that time.  In my opinion, the Brother clear-tape labels look much more professional (and they are very durable.)  But more recently, rather than remove labels from pre-etched buttons, I've just bought the blank white buttons and applied the clear-tape labels.

 

The downside is that you can print only one colour per tape, so if one likes colourful labels, then the inkjet has an advantage.

Al,

thanks for the info regarding the blank buttons. 

 

 

I did the same with acetone-free nail polish remover (drug stores have both kinds, acetone and acetone-free), and it doesn't damage the buttons.  It probably takes a little more effort, but I was pretty happy with the result.  Add some clear PTouch labels and the buttons look great!

 

Rob

Rob,

being the only male in a house with four females, I should have known there was acetone-free polish remover, but didn't.  Maybe that is what my wife is talking about when she says I don't pay attention 

 

Thank you.

 

Mike

 

[bgav]

Thanks Mike. I bit the bullet for 2 sets of custom etched keys but will go DIY from here on in.

[gweempose]

Some great ideas in this thread! I can't believe how much Smarthome charges for the custom etched buttons. It's basically highway robbery.

[rccoleman]

Here's mine:

 

Pretty easy to do, and easy to change out if you want to rename them.

 

Rob

[builderb]

My inner electrician wants to give all your screws a quarter turn.

[rccoleman]

Heh, that was on purpose. For whatever reason, I turn them north-south on single boxes and east-west on bigger ones. Feel free to disagree, but at least it's not random

[stusviews]

All equally horizontal or all equally vertical, just not in random directions

[mwester]

  I blame you all for my OCD on wall plate screws.  Until someone on this forum mentioned, I didn't used to care... now all of them are properly vertical, and there's a little screwdriver in the kitchen junk drawer just in case I come across one that isn't "just right"...