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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: f4d3 on Fri, 06 April 2012, 11:45:23

Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: f4d3 on Fri, 06 April 2012, 11:45:23: Is there anyway to make a HHKB more quiet besides buying the type-s, is it possible to o-ring mod them or do topres work differently?
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: limmy on Fri, 06 April 2012, 17:28:32: You could do the o-ring mod / sponge mod to make similar structure with type-s.

I didn't do those mods, but when I applied some lube to the switches my HHKB became quieter. It seems if you use thicker oil, the dampening effect is greater but it would at the same time change the feel. If you are interested in the sound samples, you could download sound samples in http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/3857844 (look for HHKB typing sounds.zip) However, the silent version is significant quieter than the lubed one. (I just received RF silent version and am comparing it with my lubed HHKB)
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: f4d3 on Fri, 06 April 2012, 17:31:00: Do topres make that thuck when it springs back up or when it bottoms out? I can't figure it out.
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: limmy on Fri, 06 April 2012, 17:40:41: Both. They are however different in the sense that the collision is between plastic and rubber when bottoming out, plastic and plastic when springing up.
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: hasu on Sat, 07 April 2012, 06:23:14: This has some links about Topre silencing.
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?18935-New-HHKB-The-HHKB-Pro-Type-S/page3&p=364477#post364477

My result is not so significant but still the difference is recognizable.
[video=youtube;Km2G8vdLXmw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km2G8vdLXmw[/video]
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: limmy on Sat, 07 April 2012, 08:22:31: This is how Realforce silent version silences bounding up sound. The sponge is about 0.5mm when not depressed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]47697[/ATTACH]

You also see some lube on a relatively new board. This is why RF and HHKB are smooth. It looks to me the lube used is some kind of grease with very low viscosity. That is my best guess.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]47698[/ATTACH]
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: f4d3 on Sat, 07 April 2012, 18:04:49: Quote from: hasu;569705
This has some links about Topre silencing.
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?18935-New-HHKB-The-HHKB-Pro-Type-S/page3&p=364477#post364477

My result is not so significant but still the difference is recognizable.
[video=youtube;Km2G8vdLXmw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km2G8vdLXmw[/video]
Anymore info on that? I haven't gotten my HHKB but I already got loads of plans for it.
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: guilleguillaume on Sat, 07 April 2012, 19:56:19: Not my video:

[video=youtube;G7RaGXm27QA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7RaGXm27QA&list=FLLW4WlCwh1x33Yo9rr_50yw&index=18&feature=plpp_video[/video]
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 07 April 2012, 22:15:24: Quote from: guilleguillaume;570211
Not my video:

[video=youtube;G7RaGXm27QA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7RaGXm27QA&list=FLLW4WlCwh1x33Yo9rr_50yw&index=18&feature=plpp_video[/video]

I am amazed that this dude was able to cut such perfect circles, wonder what tool he used.
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: hxu1 on Sat, 07 April 2012, 22:55:50: Quote from: guilleguillaume;570211
Not my video:

[video=youtube;G7RaGXm27QA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7RaGXm27QA&list=FLLW4WlCwh1x33Yo9rr_50yw&index=18&feature=plpp_video[/video]
how's your hhkb jp? ^.^
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: seferphier on Sun, 08 April 2012, 02:39:26: wish it would be easier to make those silencers.. would be interested in some if someone could produce them.
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: fossala on Sun, 08 April 2012, 02:41:59: Quote from: seferphier;570439
wish it would be easier to make those silencers.. would be interested in some if someone could produce them.

Some one does, PFU. They are $500 a set but you get a free HHKB.
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: seferphier on Sun, 08 April 2012, 03:48:03: Quote from: fossala;570441
Some one does, PFU. They are $500 a set but you get a free HHKB.

sounds like a deal to me. hahaha
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: limmy on Sun, 08 April 2012, 05:11:25: I think silicone thermal pads along with hollow hole punches could do the job.

I found some silicone pads in digikey. It is a little pricey(I am guessing you would need two of those), but whole lot less than type-s.
http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/H48-2K-150-150-0.2-0/1168-1206-ND/3042035
The pad is made of silicone, has thickness of 0.2mm, is without adhesives on both sides and has shore A measurement of 60A.

Also, here are hollow punches in different sizes:
http://store.harryepstein.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=HolePunches
(the video above says the diameter of cylinder shape measures about 8.4mm)
so, you might want to purchase 5/16", 6/16", 7/16" punch to try out. I am guessing 5/16"(7.94mm) and 7/16"(11.11mm) will be enough assuming the silicone pad stretches out a bit.

Hmm.. but this is a lot of investment for a mod. The mod will require two silicone pads, 8mm, 9mm, 12mm punching tools. Including shipping and all it would be something like $40 and the tools purchased are not likely to be used elsewhere, unless you have many Topre boards to silence. Finally there is no guarantee of success....
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: f4d3 on Sun, 08 April 2012, 19:43:34: If I were to buy nylon washer, does anyone have the sizes or a site that sells them?
Title: Anyway to mod a HHKB to make it quieter?
Post by: hasu on Mon, 09 April 2012, 03:33:14: Washers whose inside diameter is 8.2mm and outside diameter 12mm are suit for this purpose.
But 8.2mm is a bit small for plungers, you might need to file inside of washer.

Most washers available in Japan is metric system size, I don't know about US size.