HHKB Pro 2 Love

[Ovrclck]

Anyone know where I can find a replacement shift key? I dropped a heavy pen and nicked the corner. Doh!! and I just got this yesterday lol

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I must say it looks pretty minor, but I can see your frustration. Ouch!

I'm not sure about separate key caps, but you can buy a whole replacement set from elite keyboards if you want the original PBT caps. If you are not bothered by that, you can buy replacement ABS shift keys in colors from them.

I'm super OCD when it comes to expensive equipment.

EK is about 10 minutes from my house. Maybe it will be cheaper if I bought a set via proxy? $80 is hard to swallow but then again I did just buy 3 HHKB's from EK. Sigh

Anyone know where I can find a replacement shift key? I dropped a heavy pen and nicked the corner. Doh!! and I just got this yesterday lol

damn. Is it that pen in the background? Must've been pretty heavy to do that or you dropped it from on high.

Yes! Basterd pen!

You bought three? Wow nice.. Which ones and why??

I can see the OCD.. When I see dust or crumbs near or on my kb I go full retard. My GF eats ABOVE her black HHKB. Seeing that just hurts inside..

I bought my first one in black non printed and immediately fell in love with Topre. Then 3 days later I decided I wanted a white one. Purchased the white one then decided I wanted the Type-S instead. EK was nice enough to allow me to upgrade to the S (living so close has it's perks). My brother's birthday is coming up and he mentioned he liked the way the HHKB felt. So I gave it to him and bought a replacement.

I think we all go full retard with Topre. Must be the metal in those springs that mess with our minds :D

[derb2k2]

EK is about 10 minutes from my house. Maybe it will be cheaper if I bought a set via proxy? $80 is hard to swallow but then again I did just buy 3 HHKB's from EK. Sigh

[Ovrclck]

EK is about 10 minutes from my house. Maybe it will be cheaper if I bought a set via proxy? $80 is hard to swallow but then again I did just buy 3 HHKB's from EK. Sigh

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 :p

I found a new set on Ebay for under $60. This is actually a good thing since I'm venturing into making custom keycaps for Topre. This will be my play set  :)

Edit:Being single has it's perks right?

[derb2k2]

EK is about 10 minutes from my house. Maybe it will be cheaper if I bought a set via proxy? $80 is hard to swallow but then again I did just buy 3 HHKB's from EK. Sigh

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 :p

I found a new set on Ebay for under $60. This is actually a good thing since I'm venturing into making custom keycaps for Topre. This will be my play set  :)

Nice bro. This is actually pretty interesting news considering the dearth of topre sets.

[Ovrclck]

EK is about 10 minutes from my house. Maybe it will be cheaper if I bought a set via proxy? $80 is hard to swallow but then again I did just buy 3 HHKB's from EK. Sigh

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 :p

I found a new set on Ebay for under $60. This is actually a good thing since I'm venturing into making custom keycaps for Topre. This will be my play set  :)

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Nice bro. This is actually pretty interesting news considering the dearth of topre sets.

Thanks man.

[Bucake]

checky my latest post on Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

I believe the cracky sound coming from the steel stabilizer/wire that actually hits on plastic stabs or stabs have some loose either
Remove spacebar and touch stabs and see if it feels loose or not
There is nothing you can do, the best its lube, add some piece of foam under spacebar, on those ''shock absorbers'''

They need to be very slim
check here
https://deskthority.net/help-f53/silencing-rings-for-topre-rf-or-hhkb-t10051-390.html

I have little modded mine: you can put some 3M tape adhesive, foam, piece of your belt, felt cloth, whatever that is thin enough and can soften it, under PCB

https://imgur.com/a/OBpxQ

Here are some pictures

Credit to Valff which has succeded to silent entirely his spacebar (i failed on mine but it sightly quieter than before)

For the lube, use Kritox 502/503, not sure about the full ref

thanks a lot, i'll definitely look into it!
krytox 502/503, though? do you mean 203/205? i have never even seen 500+

I must say it looks pretty minor, but I can see your frustration. Ouch!

i have some damage inside the case. it actually bothers me a lot, lol..

Have you sound deadened the case? Doesn't help that much with upstroke clack, though.

i would, but i don't really know what material i should get..
some kind of foam?

[iLLucionist]

I bought my first one in black non printed and immediately fell in love with Topre. Then 3 days later I decided I wanted a white one. Purchased the white one then decided I wanted the Type-S instead. EK was nice enough to allow me to upgrade to the S (living so close has it's perks). My brother's birthday is coming up and he mentioned he liked the way the HHKB felt. So I gave it to him and bought a replacement.

I think we all go full retard with Topre. Must be the metal in those springs that mess with our minds

Spread the Topre-love brother!

[DAVYtm]

Here's the thing: HHKB Pro v2 is the best stock keyboard to ever exist.

[Altis]

Here's the thing: HHKB Pro v2 is the best stock keyboard to ever exist.

It is. Unless you count the Realforce 87U. 

[DAVYtm]

Here's the thing: HHKB Pro v2 is the best stock keyboard to ever exist.

It is. Unless you count the Realforce 87U. 

I've yet to try a plate-mounted Topre board. If I can find a 55g full-size RF I will be on that for work

[Altis]

Here's the thing: HHKB Pro v2 is the best stock keyboard to ever exist.

It is. Unless you count the Realforce 87U. 

I've yet to try a plate-mounted Topre board. If I can find a 55g full-size RF I will be on that for work

I've found that the 87U (both 45g and 55g) seem smoother and have a more consistent sound. My HHKB makes a much clackier sound in the center than the outter keys, and is just louder in general.

[grav3serker]

I love this thread. I want to try one of these guys so bad.

[rowdy]

@LSB dat hipro hhkb looks amazing! (can't forgive the flipped spacebar, however.)
did the high profile ABS caps change the sound a lot?

My space bars are flipped due to the height of my desk 

When I get the $$ for a wrist rest from inanis then they can go back to being classy

Your first move should be to get a new desk!

[bocahgundul]

I love this thread. I want to try one of these guys so bad.

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Here's the thing: HHKB Pro v2 is the best stock keyboard to ever exist.

It is. Unless you count the Realforce 87U.  :cool:

I've yet to try a plate-mounted Topre board. If I can find a 55g full-size RF I will be on that for work

I've found that the 87U (both 45g and 55g) seem smoother and have a more consistent sound. My HHKB makes a much clackier sound in the center than the outter keys, and is just louder in general.

Yep its more uniform feeling and sound. and yeah its smoother

But hhkb is a really fun board to use

[Altis]

I've found that the 87U (both 45g and 55g) seem smoother and have a more consistent sound. My HHKB makes a much clackier sound in the center than the outter keys, and is just louder in general.

Yep its more uniform feeling and sound. and yeah its smoother

But hhkb is a really fun board to use

Aye. I'd say that the Realforce is technically better, but the HHKB has character that many find more appealing.

[ajx]

checky my latest post on Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

I believe the cracky sound coming from the steel stabilizer/wire that actually hits on plastic stabs or stabs have some loose either
Remove spacebar and touch stabs and see if it feels loose or not
There is nothing you can do, the best its lube, add some piece of foam under spacebar, on those ''shock absorbers'''

They need to be very slim
check here
https://deskthority.net/help-f53/silencing-rings-for-topre-rf-or-hhkb-t10051-390.html

I have little modded mine: you can put some 3M tape adhesive, foam, piece of your belt, felt cloth, whatever that is thin enough and can soften it, under PCB

https://imgur.com/a/OBpxQ

Here are some pictures

Credit to Valff which has succeded to silent entirely his spacebar (i failed on mine but it sightly quieter than before)

For the lube, use Kritox 502/503, not sure about the full ref

thanks a lot, i'll definitely look into it!
krytox 502/503, though? do you mean 203/205? i have never even seen 500+

I must say it looks pretty minor, but I can see your frustration. Ouch!

i have some damage inside the case. it actually bothers me a lot, lol..

Have you sound deadened the case? Doesn't help that much with upstroke clack, though.

i would, but i don't really know what material i should get..
some kind of foam?

Felt cloth, something as thin as possible, most likely as thin as ironed landing pads but i warn you, it will reduce sightly spacebar travel and make it also little harder to push it
I suggest you using Kritox 205 similar grease/lubricant

[kurukato]

Just got mine off amazon. Coming from blues it's weird. but I love it.
I've read a lot about using novatouch sliders(just wanna add some keys to the top row)
Has anyone tried to use BTC sliders?

[Ovrclck]

Why does HHKB make you want to sell your MX based boards? Tried going back to my Pok3r with Browns + DSA Dolch and can't stand it anymore. I'm actually slower when typing on the browns versus Topre.

[Ovrclck]

Just got mine off amazon. Coming from blues it's weird. but I love it.
I've read a lot about using novatouch sliders(just wanna add some keys to the top row)
Has anyone tried to use BTC sliders?

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Nice HHKB! Welcome to the club!

[appleonama]

Why does HHKB make you want to sell your MX based boards? Tried going back to my Pok3r with Browns + DSA Dolch and can't stand it anymore. I'm actually slower when typing on the browns versus Topre.

topre is just too perfect its a weird thing

I type 90+ on my hhkb but on any other board it is around 70

[Ovrclck]

Why does HHKB make you want to sell your MX based boards? Tried going back to my Pok3r with Browns + DSA Dolch and can't stand it anymore. I'm actually slower when typing on the browns versus Topre.

topre is just too perfect its a weird thing

I type 90+ on my hhkb but on any other board it is around 70

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Welp that confirms it. Selling the Pok3r.  :thumb:

[derb2k2]

I type 90+ on my hhkb but on any other board it is around 70

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[robbles]

It finally happened. I started bringing my HHKB home with me on weekends. Those two days a week without it are torture. I understand this will inevitably result in me getting 2, one for home and one for work. And it will probably be a white one with blanks...*looks at bank account*

[bocahgundul]

Just got mine off amazon. Coming from blues it's weird. but I love it.
I've read a lot about using novatouch sliders(just wanna add some keys to the top row)
Has anyone tried to use BTC sliders?

Show Image

No please god No let them hhkb be virgin

Why does HHKB make you want to sell your MX based boards? Tried going back to my Pok3r with Browns + DSA Dolch and can't stand it anymore. I'm actually slower when typing on the browns versus Topre.

Ya just sell the remaining board and get anothre topre

It finally happened. I started bringing my HHKB home with me on weekends. Those two days a week without it are torture. I understand this will inevitably result in me getting 2, one for home and one for work. And it will probably be a white one with blanks...*looks at bank account*

The more hhkb the better!

[Ovrclck]

Just got mine off amazon. Coming from blues it's weird. but I love it.
I've read a lot about using novatouch sliders(just wanna add some keys to the top row)
Has anyone tried to use BTC sliders?

Show Image

No please god No let them hhkb be virgin

Why does HHKB make you want to sell your MX based boards? Tried going back to my Pok3r with Browns + DSA Dolch and can't stand it anymore. I'm actually slower when typing on the browns versus Topre.

Ya just sell the remaining board and get anothre topre

It finally happened. I started bringing my HHKB home with me on weekends. Those two days a week without it are torture. I understand this will inevitably result in me getting 2, one for home and one for work. And it will probably be a white one with blanks...*looks at bank account*

The more hhkb the better!

 I could get another White non S with blanks to complete my HHKB collection. :p

[frogthejam19]

My other Keyboards barley see use. I can see what all the thock about Topre is about. It looks goofy when I bring it out to type on in class but my fingers and ears could careless because it all just sweet feels and joyous music in my ears/

[Altis]

My other Keyboards barley see use. I can see what all the thock about Topre is about. It looks goofy when I bring it out to type on in class but my fingers and ears could careless because it all just sweet feels and joyous music in my ears/

I certainly understand the desire, but does the noise not bother anyone?

I only occasionally bring my HHKB to work due to the noise. My 87U sounds much more conspicuous, even though they're both sound deadened.

[lootbag]

Spent a week with a lubed 68g gold spring vintage MX black Duck Viper and... I am happy to be using my HHKB again today.
Boy was the Duck Viper quiet compared to my HHKB.
Most likely because I could barely bottom out the heavy vintage blacks and my HHKB is not silenced.

[qazeqaz]

I just got the HHKB type S in the mail! Testing it at work. It is pretty silent minus the space bar, any recommendations on how to silence that bad boy?!

[derb2k2]

I just got the HHKB type S in the mail! Testing it at work. It is pretty silent minus the space bar, any recommendations on how to silence that bad boy?!

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Nice!

use lube maybe? You may have to open it up. Not too difficult with HHKB.

[qazeqaz]

I just got the HHKB type S in the mail! Testing it at work. It is pretty silent minus the space bar, any recommendations on how to silence that bad boy?!

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Nice!

use lube maybe? You may have to open it up. Not too difficult with HHKB.

With the opening up of it. They appear to be the same size, with that said. Think I can place the Type S body into the black case of the normal Pro 2? Also what type of lube do you guys recommend?

[xondat]

I just got the HHKB type S in the mail! Testing it at work. It is pretty silent minus the space bar, any recommendations on how to silence that bad boy?!

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I have no idea but that's pretty.

Also your picture doesn't work at first so change the link from http://imgur.com/EgqGSW4 to http://i.imgur.com/EgqGSW4.jpg

[Bucake]

With the opening up of it. They appear to be the same size, with that said. Think I can place the Type S body into the black case of the normal Pro 2? Also what type of lube do you guys recommend?

yep yep, same cases, can easily swap them if you want.
as for lube, for hhkb stabilizers i definitely recommend thick lube, not the thin/oily stuff.
i used krytox 205 myself, because that's what i had, but there are probably many dozens of different lubes that would work just as well well.
for more recommendations you could just do a few google searches. i think that deskthority, geekhack and reddit all have a big amount of threads on the matter.

oh, one thing, if you screw the PCB back in place: be gentle!
as soon as the screws start giving any resistance, just stop. i've damaged a few screw-holes because i gave that extra twist at the end.

[qazeqaz]

With the opening up of it. They appear to be the same size, with that said. Think I can place the Type S body into the black case of the normal Pro 2? Also what type of lube do you guys recommend?

yep yep, same cases, can easily swap them if you want.
as for lube, for hhkb stabilizers i definitely recommend thick lube, not the thin/oily stuff.
i used krytox 205 myself, because that's what i had, but there are probably many dozens of different lubes that would work just as well well.
for more recommendations you could just do a few google searches. i think that deskthority, geekhack and reddit all have a big amount of threads on the matter.

oh, one thing, if you screw the PCB back in place: be gentle!
as soon as the screws start giving any resistance, just stop. i've damaged a few screw-holes because i gave that extra twist at the end.

Damn that is no good! But I appreciate the feedback and heads up. Definitely do not want to damage my babies!!!

[derb2k2]

oh, one thing, if you screw the PCB back in place: be gentle!
as soon as the screws start giving any resistance, just stop. i've damaged a few screw-holes because i gave that extra twist at the end.

this is great advice especially since the thockiness of the HHKB is dependent on a nice tight fit between the pcb and domes/caps. I also messed up several of these by over-tightening the screws.

[edb5s]

So the only problem I had when switching from my Poker II to the HHKB was the lightness of the keyboard itself. It seemed insubstantial compared to the plate-mounted Poker. I did some thinking and was reminded of the lead weights I once used as a kid to increase the weight of a Pinewood Derby car. Did some searching and found a couple of posts about people putting these weights into their keyboards.

I bought these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015KLJE0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00 and just put them in the board. Opened up the case and just put them in groups of two (each individual section of weight is very small) symmetrically on the bottom of the case. The weights have adhesive backing so they stuck to the case very easily.

The board now feels much more substantial. It makes a great deal of difference. Would recommend for those of you, like me, who wanted a heavier feel to the board.

P.S. Lead isn't as harmful as the state of California would have you believe. As long as you're not touching it directly constantly it is fine.

[edb5s]

And if anyone really wants to see pictures, I'll open it back up and take some. I forgot to do it while I had it open.

[qazeqaz]

And if anyone really wants to see pictures, I'll open it back up and take some. I forgot to do it while I had it open.

Always down to see a project!

[edb5s]

And if anyone really wants to see pictures, I'll open it back up and take some. I forgot to do it while I had it open.

Always down to see a project!

Okie doke. You only need to unscrew the three screws on the bottom of the case:



Next, carefully prop open the case. I had this tiny screwdriver to hold it open:



You can see all of the weights now. I didn't get them quite symmetrical due to the placement of the controller and the standoffs, but the weight difference is not noticeable from side to side. These images give an idea of the size of each weight:





And all back together, with Pexon cable:

[qazeqaz]

Hot damn that is nice!

[Bucake]

i think your hhkb is sick. just look at that spacebar.
maybe you should set it on fire.
or just cure the case of crazy-spacebar that it has.

[edb5s]

i think your hhkb is sick. just look at that spacebar.
maybe you should set it on fire.
or just cure the case of crazy-spacebar that it has.

To each his own. I actually have only had mine for a few weeks and have tried it both ways. I don't have a strong preference either way, but I favor the flipped spacebar a bit.

[qazeqaz]

i think your hhkb is sick. just look at that spacebar.
maybe you should set it on fire.
or just cure the case of crazy-spacebar that it has.

WHY DO YOU GOTTA HATE?! Ha, I personally have flipped both my HHKB space bars. But I use them for gaming and I rage pretty hard usually.

[derb2k2]

Okie doke. You only need to unscrew the three screws on the bottom of the case:

thanks for the pics! I actually thought about doing this when I initially got mine but portability would diminish and I do carry mine around a lot. I think it was due to the MX boards I previously had having had a metal plate. PCB mount > plate mount doe.

[robbles]

i think your hhkb is sick. just look at that spacebar.
maybe you should set it on fire.
or just cure the case of crazy-spacebar that it has.

To each his own. I actually have only had mine for a few weeks and have tried it both ways. I don't have a strong preference either way, but I favor the flipped spacebar a bit.

I always have to ask when I see a flipped spacebar. Do you use a wrist wrest? If your wrists are elevated properly, you won't feel the need to flip the spacebar. In fact, with correctly elevated wrists, flipped spacebars feel really bad and can even stick a little. A wrist wrest is absolutely a requirement with any mechkb IMO. Rubber dome keyboards and scissor keyboards can be lower profile where a wrist rest isn't required, and they have conditioned us away from wrist wresting! Sincerely, a lover of wrist rests 

[whmeltonjr]

Seriously thinking about getting a second HHKB just to use at work. I don't want to take mine back and forth from home. Maybe I'll try to sneak $200 out of my tax return and hope my wife doesn't see it.  )

[Altis]

i think your hhkb is sick. just look at that spacebar.
maybe you should set it on fire.
or just cure the case of crazy-spacebar that it has.

To each his own. I actually have only had mine for a few weeks and have tried it both ways. I don't have a strong preference either way, but I favor the flipped spacebar a bit.

I always have to ask when I see a flipped spacebar. Do you use a wrist wrest? If your wrists are elevated properly, you won't feel the need to flip the spacebar. In fact, with correctly elevated wrists, flipped spacebars feel really bad and can even stick a little. A wrist wrest is absolutely a requirement with any mechkb IMO. Rubber dome keyboards and scissor keyboards can be lower profile where a wrist rest isn't required, and they have conditioned us away from wrist wresting! Sincerely, a lover of wrist rests 

Some good advice right here, although I would note that you should always have your wrists lifted off of the wrist rest while typing.

But yes, when typing with proper form, the flipped spacebar actually feels pretty wrong.

Having said all that, the edge of the spacebar on the HHKB seems awfully harsh and digs in to my thumb. It could use to be a little bit more rounded, or the spacebar slightly less angled forward; it isn't a key that's pressed with your fingers so it doesn't need the forward slant of the rest of the bottom row as it is currently.

[qazeqaz]

Seriously thinking about getting a second HHKB just to use at work. I don't want to take mine back and forth from home. Maybe I'll try to sneak $200 out of my tax return and hope my wife doesn't see it.  )

Do it, YOU WON'T! Haha I loved the Pro 2 and I used it quite a bit, but I too did not want to bring it back and forth. So the type S is pretty sweet. Not to mention it sounds like a GD dream!!!!!

[whmeltonjr]

Seriously thinking about getting a second HHKB just to use at work. I don't want to take mine back and forth from home. Maybe I'll try to sneak $200 out of my tax return and hope my wife doesn't see it.  )

Do it, YOU WON'T! Haha I loved the Pro 2 and I used it quite a bit, but I too did not want to bring it back and forth. So the type S is pretty sweet. Not to mention it sounds like a GD dream!!!!!

I want to try a Type S, but honestly have nothing to complain about with the noise of the normal HHKB.

[demik]

HHKB!