geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: spdx on Wed, 02 March 2011, 16:56:21

Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Wed, 02 March 2011, 16:56:21
I was using a Filco FKB104M/EB brown MX switch keyboard. The noise caused by tapping the space bar annoyed one of my colleagues. I tried dental band approach by it didn't work out very well for space bar. Does anyone have a solution? Thanks
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 02 March 2011, 16:59:54
You'd better find a new job.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: ieatfish on Wed, 02 March 2011, 22:42:59
Tell them that when they stop doing [insert their annoying tendency that they can't/won't change] you will stop doing your job and typing on your keyboard.

I recently moved to a keyboard with browns and I am scared to think what your coworker would do if you had blue switches.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: dep on Wed, 02 March 2011, 22:57:03
I've been looking for a good mech board but all the ones I'm interested in are allegedly too stiff (blacks) or obnoxiously loud (everything else). Emphasis on obnoxious because there is no reason for keys to make that much god damn noise. LISTEN TO ME TYPE I AM SO GOD DAMNED IMPORTANT, LISTEN!!!!!
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: ieatfish on Wed, 02 March 2011, 22:58:59
It would be an interesting test to adhere a layer of felt on the plastic below the keys and see how much it dampens the sound.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Armando Penblade on Wed, 02 March 2011, 22:59:08
Browns might work (still moderately loud), but honestly, you might like Cherry MX Reds, insofar as they're linear and quiet like Blacks, but are much lighter in action.

Of course, they're also notoriously hard to come by in parts of the world. . .
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Brian8bit on Wed, 02 March 2011, 23:06:55
Cough every time you hit the spacebar. Not only will this mask the noise from the spacebar, but it'll piss off everyone in your work place so colonel complain a lot won't feel so bad that he's the only one annoyed by your typing.

Alternatively, shout swear words instead of coughing. Hiss like a pissed off cat whenever anybody approaches your desk and piss on the plant in the hall to mark your territory.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Oqsy on Wed, 02 March 2011, 23:31:15
File a sexual harassment complaint against this person. Just say something like, "the way he/she was looking at me and talking about my 'spacebar' seemed really inappropriate and made me uncomfortable.  I'd like to limit my contact with this person from fear of further harassment and/or retaliation for filing this complaint."

Problem solved. Now go buy a Model F and enjoy your ability to type uninterrupted. ;)
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: TurboDance on Wed, 02 March 2011, 23:34:09
Quote from: ieatfish;303939
It would be an interesting test to adhere a layer of felt on the plastic below the keys and see how much it dampens the sound.


I'm considering a purchase of a Cherry brown tenkeyless from Armygroup right now, and if I go for it, I might just have enough excitement in me to spend a night attempting to modify it in this way. I'm often on my computer all day doing sales and will be using mine on the phone, so I've got enough reason to try at least. I personally have always hated these rubber dome keyboards and have only recently seen the light that there is a better path.

I may be doing a review on the board I get, and if I do the modification I will try to post it for the world to laugh at with my horrifying do it yourself abilities in action. Hopefully it works.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Brian8bit on Wed, 02 March 2011, 23:34:38
Buy a model M. Wear this expression all the time while typing...

(http://i.imgur.com/GlZF5.jpg)
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: nanu on Thu, 03 March 2011, 04:41:14
Are you talking about the rattle from not necessarily pressing the spacebar, but by merely tapping its surface? If so, it's because of the (holes of the) stabilizers not being snug up against the stabilizing wire. The wiggle room lets the keycap bounce around.

Of course, it's been so long since I've used the OEM stabilizer. I use a paperclip. Yep. I've removed the rattle by slicing short lengths of thin heatshrink tubing lengthwise (to form C's rather than O's), to slip onto the stabilizers. That 1x tubing wall thickness snugs up a paperclip. I don't know about the original stabilizer wire, as it may be too thick. Maybe an even more careful application of tape would work.

Alternatively, or additionally, you can slather on a generous amount of thick grease onto the stabilizer holes.

Yeah, see, I'm not alone in sharing the opinion that mechanical keyboards are loud, even the quiet ones. The quickest way to dampen the sound is to type with a towel over your hands and keyboard. And get your coworker some closed-design headphones. Maybe even upgrade the fan in your computer to compete, noisewise.

If it's only the spacebar, maybe you can get away with swapping out the switch. Maybe an MX Black.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 03 March 2011, 06:07:39
Do you have a rattly spacebar? Maybe this is responsible for the spacebar noise.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: BartVB on Thu, 03 March 2011, 06:25:12
I just put two pieces of packing foam in the spacebar. This seems to significantly improve the 'accoustics' of this key. My main gripe was with the sound that the spacebar makes when it returns after being tapped. Much quieter now and this was 2 minutes of work :)

The foam was from a little box that contained a USB thumbdrive:

(http://boktimg.nl/upload/1/skitch/filco-foam-20110303-132312.jpg)

Don't have a picture of the innards of the spacebar but it was easy, just cut out two bars and make sure you keep the center 2 cm free to leave some room for the stabilizer.

I do need to figure out what exactly nanu is talking about :) Having a quieter board would be nice...
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 03 March 2011, 06:29:31
Nice job!
You should probably look for a low-noise Realforce model, or mod the original one with a rubber ring.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Thu, 03 March 2011, 12:35:00
Quote from: RiGS;304072
Do you have a rattly spacebar? Maybe this is responsible for the spacebar noise.


Nope. The spacebar is doing good in its place. This could be a common issue for keyboards that click/clack noise level: spacebar > enter, shift, backspace > alpha/numerical keys.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Thu, 03 March 2011, 13:34:51
Quote from: RiGS;304084
You should probably look for a low-noise Realforce model, or mod the original one with a rubber ring.


Bought a 86UB recently.  It's a high quality keyboard. However, I really miss the feeling of typing and rolling on MX brown switches.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Oqsy on Mon, 07 March 2011, 00:08:33
(http://www.wackypackages.org/realproductsscans/3rd_2005/speedstick.jpg)

Comes to mind every time I see a spdx post.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: pitashen on Mon, 07 March 2011, 02:52:13
i just stick a couple of pieces of Blue-Tacks under the space bar to damp out the clacky sound
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Brodie337 on Mon, 07 March 2011, 03:30:15
What you need is a Model M and a set of earplugs. Works for me with my SIIG MiniTouch in the library at uni.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 07 March 2011, 05:05:28
Quote from: spdx;304377
Bought a 86UB recently.  It's a high quality keyboard. However, I really miss the feeling of typing and rolling on MX brown switches.


Give it some time.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Tony on Tue, 08 March 2011, 04:42:28
Brown is very quiet, so you should bring a model M and annoy your colleagues like hell  for a week.

After that, they will be happy and grateful when you bring back your brown.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Tue, 08 March 2011, 05:42:59
Guess there are three factors contributing to the noise:
1. The rattling stabilizer mechanism in Filco key caps: spacebar, enter, backspace...etc.
2. The acoustics due to shape (or volume)  of those key caps
3. The force tapped on these keys is usually by powerful fingers.

While editing document, spacebar, enter and backspace are frequently tapped a couple times in a row, the noise level is more significant than typing regular content on alpha/numerical keys.

Yesterday afternoon, I received a G81-1800 and found tapping on its spacebar is pretty quiet. I'm wondering if it could have a better stabilizer design comparing to Filco's.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Tue, 08 March 2011, 05:45:05
Quote from: Oqsy;306648
Show Image
(http://www.wackypackages.org/realproductsscans/3rd_2005/speedstick.jpg)


Comes to mind every time I see a spdx post.


:rofl:  good one
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Tue, 08 March 2011, 05:53:17
Quote from: Tony;307472
Brown is very quiet, so you should bring a model M and annoy your colleagues like hell  for a week.

After that, they will be happy and grateful when you bring back your brown.


After the issue was raised to senior managers, I need to give up brown cherry at work. Too bad, the switch seems to work best for me. I hope Filco could improve the spacebar stabilizer design and make it as quiet as or quieter than G81-1800's.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Tony on Tue, 08 March 2011, 05:57:35
Wow too bad. I am using a Filco brown at work and no one seemed to notice. Last week I brought a Filco blue and no one noticed either.

What is your profession then?
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 08 March 2011, 06:18:30
Here's another great mod for your sound sensitive colleague

Stage 1: Ear plugs can either be on you or on him.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Disposable_foam_earplugs.jpg/266px-Disposable_foam_earplugs.jpg)

Stage 2: Pacifier - Should keep him quiet for a while
(http://thefreeman.net/journal/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/pacifier-210x300.jpg)

Stage 3: Medication - Better effect combined with a shrink
(http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/help_pills_c.jpg)
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Tue, 08 March 2011, 06:19:03
I used to have a model M at work for two years and had no problems. Filco brown cherry had worked for me more than a year without complains from anyone until recently. As an engineer, I'm interested in resolving problems and  it seems to be pretty challenging this time.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 08 March 2011, 07:02:43
Quote from: spdx;307503
As an engineer, I'm interested in resolving problems and  it seems to be pretty challenging this time.

(...)

"Guess there are three factors contributing to the noise:
1. The rattling stabilizer mechanism in Filco key caps: spacebar, enter, backspace...etc.
2. The acoustics due to shape (or volume) of those key caps
3. The force tapped on these keys is usually by powerful fingers."


To add to your challenge, I see one more factor that might contribute to the sound level.

The switches on that filco are mounted on a metal plate.
The spacebar is probably the heaviest key, thus packing the biggest punch on the plate when
it returns to its upper position.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Brian8bit on Tue, 08 March 2011, 07:08:10
Quote from: spdx;307489
After the issue was raised to senior managers, I need to give up brown cherry at work.


You mean someone actually went to management, instead of coming to you first and asking if you wouldn't mind using a quieter keyboard?

Your place of work must be full of absolute ****ing bellends.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 08 March 2011, 07:15:40
Quote from: Brian8bit;307528
Your place of work must be full of absolute ****ing bellends.


LoL... Or he works in a callcenter, a library or a church.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Armando Penblade on Tue, 08 March 2011, 08:22:25
To be fair, the space bar on my Filco w/ blues is absurdly loud. . . this likely because my work keyboard has trained me to smash the space bar very hard, because the one at work is almost, but not completely, broken. It seems like both the left and right stabilizers on the cheapo Dell I've got there are gone or broken, so it's extremely hard to get it to actuate, lol.

After 3 months of whacking that thing, I can't seem to untrain the habit now!
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Tue, 08 March 2011, 10:33:31
Quote from: Armando Penblade;307563
. . . this likely because my work keyboard has trained me to smash the space bar very hard...
After 3 months of whacking that thing, I can't seem to untrain the habit now!


This could be one of the factor that I didn't notice for years. The first keyboard I started working on is the one came with a DEC VT-100 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT100) , which required programmers punch real hard to get key registered.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: db_Iodine on Tue, 08 March 2011, 11:00:39
Quote from: Brian8bit;307528
You mean someone actually went to management, instead of coming to you first and asking if you wouldn't mind using a quieter keyboard?

Some people are just too cowardly to face the person producing "too much noise" themselves. People like that aren't usually the most liked people around the workplace...
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Tue, 08 March 2011, 12:28:25
It is suggested in
4
Tips to Handle Irritating Colleagues, Noisy Office Environment (http://www.jobsdb.com.ph/MY/EN/V6HTML/jobseeker/116_career.html)
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: ieatfish on Tue, 08 March 2011, 16:33:41
Now you need to get one of those mice with the loud springy clicks with every mouse button.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: canon.tk on Tue, 08 March 2011, 17:22:47
The other tech I sit 10 feet from in an open office doesn't mind the sound of my Blackwidow Ultimate.  He actually likes the keyboard, looks, backlite and feel of the switches... but would never spend $104 bucks on one.  His loss.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Dr.Pepper on Sat, 12 March 2011, 21:18:48
I got complaints Thursday about my keyboard being loud, even though it was a cheap rubber dome hp keyboard, I just told them about my model m, and they said so? Every keyboard can be loud. I brought it in Friday, and everyone hated me... but my teacher thought we were working really hard on our code lol.

Personally I don't care all to much about noise, If someone is complaining they're usually not the ones getting their work done, as they obviously don't have enough to do if they're worried about noise.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 12 March 2011, 21:22:22
Which one were you using at work? The Das with blues?
Title: Problem solved
Post by: spdx on Tue, 24 January 2012, 19:52:14
Just some updates after almost a year. I tried the following:

1. orthodontic band mod
2. o rings mod
3. a realforce keyboard
4. a KBC poker mx red and a mx brown
5. a noppoo choc mini mx black and a mx brown
6. a G84-5200
7. a IBM travel keyboard

Some of them reduce the noise and all of them change the typing experience. Therefore, none works for me.

Finally, I figured out a solution after spending 800+ dollars.


- moving to a new cube far away from those colleagues and keep typing on my filco mx brown.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Hamblet on Tue, 24 January 2012, 22:42:10
Yes, you'd better find a new job.
Or, take the membrane and leave the mech board.

All and every mech board has its own specific/unique/natural sound.

Ten things you could do to reduce unwanted/noisome noise.

1. Hit the spacebar more gently
2. Glue thin layer inside spacebar keycap to prevent (to absorb) sound wave reflection
   (try not to stuff all the empty space there. Because it makes spacebar keycap heavier, finally downward/upward striking sound far louder)
3. Glue thin damping layer onto plate socket. Damping material is located between plate socket and keycap sokets to prevent sudden striking sound and shock.
4. For metal wire, i guess, not much thing to do (Teflon taping ? nah, just let it go).
5. Lots of grease. At contact areas such as between both sockets and between socket/wire.
6. Stuff something which can reduce echoing/trembling, between steel plate and PCB. Too much stuffing will make a side effect, so try to keep moderate. (Sometimes you have to dismantle the soldering of switch or not.)
7. There is empty space too between switch lower housing and PCB, if you want to stuff it, you must dismantle the soldering of switch.
8. Stuff empty space between PCB and keyboard lower casing. (and keyboard upper casing has its own empty spaces too)
9. Put thick cloth between keyboard bottom and your desk
10. Pick the more suitable desk to reduce noise.

Some more (stupid) things, I am not count on.
-O-ring job (dumb)
-damping deep inside the switch. First, between slider bottom and switch lower housing bottom (dumbing down strike). Second, between slider shoulder top and switch upper housing inside ceiling (dumbing up strike as in Realforce dumber edition).
-Other crazy *ucking big money wasting jobs, such as Kryptonite-Metallic casing etc., etc..
-In regard to key spring force, the lighter the louder, the heavier the harder to use.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: Tony on Wed, 25 January 2012, 01:30:40
It's time to start a new business for your own. Your keyboards need respect and encouragement, not complaint.
Title: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: spdx on Wed, 25 January 2012, 12:02:29
Quote from: Hamblet;498233

All and every mech board has its own specific/unique/natural sound.

Ten things you could do to reduce unwanted/noisome noise.

1. Hit the spacebar more gently
2. Glue thin layer inside spacebar keycap to prevent (to absorb) sound wave reflection
   (try not to stuff all the empty space there. Because it makes spacebar keycap heavier, finally downward/upward striking sound far louder)
3. Glue thin damping layer onto plate socket. Damping material is located between plate socket and keycap sokets to prevent sudden striking sound and shock.
4. For metal wire, i guess, not much thing to do (Teflon taping ? nah, just let it go).
5. Lots of grease. At contact areas such as between both sockets and between socket/wire.
6. Stuff something which can reduce echoing/trembling, between steel plate and PCB. Too much stuffing will make a side effect, so try to keep moderate. (Sometimes you have to dismantle the soldering of switch or not.)
7. There is empty space too between switch lower housing and PCB, if you want to stuff it, you must dismantle the soldering of switch.
8. Stuff empty space between PCB and keyboard lower casing. (and keyboard upper casing has its own empty spaces too)
9. Put thick cloth between keyboard bottom and your desk
10. Pick the more suitable desk to reduce noise.


This is very informative. Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: yaeger77 on Tue, 21 February 2017, 10:46:22
Wow thanks for this! Putting a towel under my keyboard made a world of difference for acoustics. I also put o-rings on my blue switch but with the towel, I feel like I can isolate just the pleasing click and reduce the other chatter.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: hwood34 on Tue, 21 February 2017, 11:37:57
Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to hit the classifieds.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 21 February 2017, 11:48:41
Wow thanks for this! Putting a towel under my keyboard made a world of difference for acoustics. I also put o-rings on my blue switch but with the towel, I feel like I can isolate just the pleasing click and reduce the other chatter.

You got a link for the towel? Does the color match your keyboard? Don't leave us hanging.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: MandrewDavis on Tue, 21 February 2017, 14:24:21
Sixty one month necro, this has to be a new record. 
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 21 February 2017, 18:34:26
Sixty one month necro, this has to be a new record.
No way. There are still plenty of unbumped 2007 threads I'm sure.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: MandrewDavis on Tue, 21 February 2017, 18:54:36
Sixty one month necro, this has to be a new record.
No way. There are still plenty of unbumped 2007 threads I'm sure.
BrB
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: yaeger77 on Fri, 24 March 2017, 15:08:34
Wow thanks for this! Putting a towel under my keyboard made a world of difference for acoustics. I also put o-rings on my blue switch but with the towel, I feel like I can isolate just the pleasing click and reduce the other chatter.

You got a link for the towel? Does the color match your keyboard? Don't leave us hanging.

I just used a home towel to test. I'm sure a keyboard mat could do the same.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: 1swt2gs on Fri, 24 March 2017, 15:10:36
I'm glad I can hammer away on my mx blues at work and no one complains.

Edit: just get a new board, mx reds should be a lot quieter.
Title: Re: How to reduce space bar noise?
Post by: DuckNorris on Fri, 24 March 2017, 15:11:26
The issue is not with your keyboard but with your coworker.

Have you tried modding your coworker? Tell the company to switch replace him :)