55g HHKB-S [PICS]

[ekw808]

So I decided to go ahead and make a HHKB-S......






Doubt you can tell but the only difference between the Type S and a regular HHKB is that there are some rubber landing pads above the switch dampening the sound when the switch comes back up.


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Finished Product

[sth]

How does it feel? And did it look like it would be possible to add your own landing pads to a non-TypeS?

[ekw808]

It feels really good, it is almost if not identical to the topre 87U; I really wish HHKB actually made these as I think this is the ideal topre force. It is definitely possible, but its a little difficult to remove the switch from the top housing, I've seen a few threads with people making silent mods;
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34972.0

Most of the threads I've seen are people using O-rings, but I think the HHKB-S uses landing pad ring cutouts instead of actual rubber rings making the feel more subtle. I forget where I saw it, but it was on a Japanese forum where some guy took a thin rubber mat similar to a really thin mousepad and made tiny rings. I almost wanted to try that but given that it is tax season I definitely don't have that much free time, it definitely looked like the most accurate replica to the type S.

[hashbaz]

Very nice!  Thanks for posting pics.

[tsangan]

Whoops sorry to influence you into such a spendy mod haha

[WhiteFireDragon]

That little rubber sheet is what adds the $100 premium huh? If only we can source a rubber manufacturing company to make a bunch, then people can buy a normal HHKB + $10 rubber sheet to make the type S.

[sth]

That little rubber sheet is what adds the $100 premium huh? If only we can source a rubber manufacturing company to make a bunch, then people can buy a normal HHKB + $10 rubber sheet to make the type S.

nah topre probably has some crazy patent on it just like their keycap mount )

[jwaz]

That dark purple skull is sick!

[lazerpointer]

Hopefully by the time I decide to get a HHKB for work, they will have a 55g version. I wanna have a 87u at home and a HHKB at work, but not if they will be weighted differently...

[sth]

Hopefully by the time I decide to get a HHKB for work, they will have a 55g version. I wanna have a 87u at home and a HHKB at work, but not if they will be weighted differently...

don't count on it

[Wildcard]

If you ever take this apart again, could you shoot a photo of the rubber landing pad

[mkawa]

55g is definitely the best weight of topre switch. not really sure how toshiba-pfu settled with the 45g..

[o2dazone]

Wow nice job. 55g AND type s? you've got minerals dude. Did you end up just swapping the 45g domes out the HHKB into the realforce? And does 45g with the metal realforce plate make them feel mushy? And would you say 55g is ideal for the hhkb? I always worried that anything more than 45g, and the plastic mounting surface (or lack of a metal backplate) would be too much force for the hhkb.

[mkawa]

looks like he swapped domes and springs? 55g is really light, even on the realforces; i'm actually surprised they have a metal backplate at all.. do you know offhand how thick is it?

[ekw808]

Wow nice job. 55g AND type s? you've got minerals dude. Did you end up just swapping the 45g domes out the HHKB into the realforce? And does 45g with the metal realforce plate make them feel mushy? And would you say 55g is ideal for the hhkb? I always worried that anything more than 45g, and the plastic mounting surface (or lack of a metal backplate) would be too much force for the hhkb.

Thanks, I only swapped only the domes since the springs are all the same, the 45g on the RF definitely don't feel mushy like the 30g or 35g does. I do think that 55g is pretty perfect for topre in general, but I've also never had a problem with my fingers getting tired; not even on stock clears, so I can't speak on behalf of everyone, but the lack of a backplate doesn't create a significant weight difference for the HHKB.

[absyrd]

I saw you write that you were going to do this. Nice follow-through! And thanks for the photos.

[boost]

Nice mod, what did you do with your donor board?

[ekw808]

It's in the classifieds

[o2dazone]

Wow nice job. 55g AND type s? you've got minerals dude. Did you end up just swapping the 45g domes out the HHKB into the realforce? And does 45g with the metal realforce plate make them feel mushy? And would you say 55g is ideal for the hhkb? I always worried that anything more than 45g, and the plastic mounting surface (or lack of a metal backplate) would be too much force for the hhkb.

Thanks, I only swapped only the domes since the springs are all the same, the 45g on the RF definitely don't feel mushy like the 30g or 35g does. I do think that 55g is pretty perfect for topre in general, but I've also never had a problem with my fingers getting tired; not even on stock clears, so I can't speak on behalf of everyone, but the lack of a backplate doesn't create a significant weight difference for the HHKB.

Fingers of steel, dude. Well nice job

[Michael]

Nice job. I always felt that 55g felt the best. At least on a RF. Wasn't sure about it on an HHKB, but I think if I can find a relatively cheap donor board, I might make the switch.

[mkawa]

55g on a realforce is godly. no ifs ands or buts.

[lazerpointer]

I do have to admit, anything lighter than my current 55g would make me bottom out 90 if not 100% of the time... the springiness of the 55 helps move to the next key quicker.

[ekw808]

I do have to admit, anything lighter than my current 55g would make me bottom out 90 if not 100% of the time... the springiness of the 55 helps move to the next key quicker.

I agree 100%, thats why when I used stock clears I NEVER bottomed out and actually typed faster..