X220 Blank Keycaps?

[projectdp]

Hi,

I'm a bit of a keyboard enthusiast and I love the Thinkpad keyboards. I've had about 5 myself. I'd like to know if there's a way to get a set of keys without the printed labels adhered.

I know you can purchase keyboards in other languages and I have purchased a German layout keyboard for my T41 perviously.

I asked support on the chat, spoke with sales, spoke with the parts replacement team. It seems like the option I have is to simply buy a keyboard from the list of parts found here: 

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product-and-parts/detail.page?DocID=PD013449

But is there a way to get a set of keys from the manufacturer? I don't even mind buying a new keyboard with all blank keys if I could.

Has anyone done this or heard of how to do so?

Thanks so much!

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

Lenovo dont sell such keyboard with blank key caps.

[projectdp]

Well clearly there isn't a part listed with blank keycaps, but the keycaps must exist at some point without the labels on them. I'm looking for a set of the keycaps before any standard labels are applied. Does anyone know how I might reach out to the manufacturer?

[HiVolt]

I think you'll probably be better off finding a way of removing the applied labels.

Use an old beat up keyboard and try a variety of chemicals to try to remove them.

[projectdp]

I guess I could do that, but it seems like a cheesy option... I don't want to damage the key coloring with chemicals or hard utensils like this:

http://www.gregschier.com/2011/04/remove-the-key-labels-from-your-keyboard/

I'll keep looking for some solutions. Still trying to determine the manufacturer of the keyboard parts. I'm sure I can find a lenovo dome switch key manufacturer for the X series.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

Chicony should be a major manufacturer.

[projectdp]

Hi Lead_org,

I phoned Chicony USA, they said they stopped manufacturing laptop keyboards. They make many desktop keyboards however.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

Try NMB and Alps, they are the other 2 major kb manufacturer for thinkpad keyboards.

[projectdp]

Yeah I didn't find anything at either of those places. They look like they make electronic components but not really manufactured ABS plastic key caps.

[ccl13]

I don't think you could get one. Keep in mind that keyboards are locale defined, which means keyboards will have to be labeled to show its language, that some of the keys will be different. So a serious manufacturer will not produce one without labels. So I think the only option for you is to remove the caps. It won't be very difficult, there are a variety of chemicals that will remove the printing but not harm ABS plastics.