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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tehsprayer on Sat, 10 March 2012, 08:49:51

Title: O-Rings
Post by: tehsprayer on Sat, 10 March 2012, 08:49:51

Okay well I heard about these and I just got $20 in paypal yesterday. So what are these? I mean first of all, what exactly is bottoming out? (I Think its when you press the key all the way down) << If that is it then I bottom out.

Please explain what these do and if they are (not) worth it.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: Djuzuh on Sat, 10 March 2012, 10:31:26

So you heard the word, have no idea what it is, and want to buy some? x)

I try to work the other way around. If I feel I need something, I look around, and buy what makes the job. I don't look around, think it might be cool to have, and buy it.

It helps not to spend too much :p.

And to answer your question, It's to reduce noise afaik.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: chel- on Sat, 10 March 2012, 10:52:02

They also reduce key travel slightly which may or may not be an annoyance to you. They come in varying degrees of hardness... I tried 50A and really disliked it personally. http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-accessories-2/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html

Title: O-Rings
Post by: oldCrow on Sat, 10 March 2012, 11:22:00

FWIW, I just went to Home Depot and bought a few packs of Danco O-rings, size 47.  They fit my WASD keycap posts perfectly and they dampen the loud "tap" sound that my Cherry MX Reds generate when I bottom them out.  They also reduce the travel ever so slightly - I am guessing I went from 4 mm to 3 mm (or perhaps a hair over 3 mm) - just the thickness of the O-ring, I assume.  These are the very two goals I wanted to reach by installing the O-rings.  I am very happy with the results.

It made my Reds feel slightly lighter (probably because of the reduced travel, since I am not experiencing the heavier force required for the last 1 mm of travel - remember the force increases as the switch travels down) - so now I'm thinking Blacks with O-rings would be the bomb, but still, I love these reds with O-ring mod.  Best keyboard I ever had - it feels great, sounds great.

If you're looking to dampen (or even amplify) the sound when your keys bottom out, consider the surface they board is on - even inserting/removing cloth under the board makes a big difference in the sound.  Desktop surface (thickness, material, hollow or solid, etc.) makes a big difference too.

The Dancos at my Home Depot are Danco part number 96761, size number 47, and are specified at 11/32 inch outer diameter, 7/32 inch inner diameter, by 1/16 inch thick.  There are 10 rings to a pack, and I think each pack cost about $2.50

Title: O-Rings
Post by: sordna on Sat, 10 March 2012, 11:55:54

o-rings are a FANTASTIC ergonomic upgrade for me, typing becomes less jarring on the fingers and noise is reduced too. I highly recommend 40A durometer o-rings like these pink ones from wasdkeyboards.com:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-accessories-2/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html

Title: O-Rings
Post by: Autolyze on Sat, 10 March 2012, 12:01:51

I prefer the feel of Cherry MX switches without O-rings, but they're worth a shot if you're looking to make bottoming out softer and quieter. Keep in mind that it's slightly harder to avoid bottoming out when you're using O-rings though, due to the reduced travel.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Sat, 10 March 2012, 14:56:58

OP, try it to see if you like it or not. It's one of the mods that has a relatively large effect on the feel of the keyboard. And if you decide you don't like them, then you didn't waste too much (unlike getting a whole keyboard just to try out the switches).

Title: O-Rings
Post by: fossala on Sat, 10 March 2012, 16:11:22

In my experiance nothing feels like a topre.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: ReAzem on Sat, 10 March 2012, 16:13:13

Quote from: ripster;541109

Welcome to Geekhack,

$20 can buy some mighty fine O-rings but the steak would be a bit tough.

Ruth's Dubai.

Show Image

(http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4/4411810-Filet_onion_rings_and_potatoes_au_gratin_at_Ruths_Dubai.jpg)

I'm in.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: fstop on Sat, 10 March 2012, 18:24:14

Quote from: dante;541409

is it true that the 40A + reds / browns can make a board feel more topre like?

No, topres have a distinct feedback that cherry switches can't replicate.

I hates my o-ring mod on reds. Took away the feel of reds for me.  Then again, I don't mind the sound of bottoming out and just bought then to try bbecause they were cheap.  Just trying to point out its not for everyone!

Title: O-Rings
Post by: Tony on Sun, 11 March 2012, 07:06:20

I have put the O-rings on my Filco brown and it makes less noise but less satisfaction too. It makes you type with less force and therefore good for your hands.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: anselben on Thu, 15 March 2012, 02:21:27

I bought some o rings just from home depot, unfortunately they only had 70 in stock but i was able to put them on all the keys I use normally so it hasn't had any negative affect with not being able to modify all of them. I'm still getting use to it but I really like the different feel they add typing.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: irjoe on Thu, 15 March 2012, 03:54:20

@anselben, do you have the specific item code #? I want to goto my local home depot (which is literally a block down) and see if I can stock up on some :P)

Title: O-Rings
Post by: sordna on Thu, 15 March 2012, 09:43:10

o-rings found in local stores are most probably the common 70A durometer variety, which is not as effective as the softer 40A or 50A ones.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: anselben on Thu, 15 March 2012, 12:06:40

Quote from: irjoe;546558

@anselben, do you have the specific item code #? I want to goto my local home depot (which is literally a block down) and see if I can stock up on some :P)

Yes, I got the info from this thread http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28440-First-impressions-WASD-with-Cherry-MX-Reds
They're Danco #47, worked great for me :)

Title: O-Rings
Post by: irjoe on Fri, 16 March 2012, 04:21:01

Just checked my local home depot. They charged around $2.50 for 10 rings. I quietly said 'thank you' and promptly walked out.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: Tony on Fri, 16 March 2012, 04:26:47

In my country, I paid 2USD for 100 rings, so if you guys like it, I may give you some when you visit my city.

Title: O-Rings
Post by: irjoe on Fri, 16 March 2012, 05:56:31

what city would that be?

Title: O-Rings
Post by: Tony on Fri, 16 March 2012, 06:31:40

Quote from: irjoe;547661

what city would that be?

Hochiminh City