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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Stn on Thu, 31 May 2012, 21:41:30

Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Stn on Thu, 31 May 2012, 21:41:30: Hey guys,

I finally got my first mechanical - CM Storm Trigger.

(http://i.imgur.com/tmJrP.jpg)

The MX Browns are a little too noisy for me at night. I was thinking about getting these: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-accessories-2/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html - the 0.4mm ones, I wouldn't mind a reduced key press.

Just wanted to check with you experts if this would be compatible with my keyboard, or if there are better options?
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: N8N on Thu, 31 May 2012, 21:45:15: Those or the elite keyboards soft landing pads are pretty much the two standard options for your situation.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: reaper on Fri, 01 June 2012, 00:55:42: Personally I like the o-rings better than the pads. They're more bouncy. lol
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: TheProfosist on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:13:15: Same 40A orings fro wasd for me. I actually have an extra set of the and the 50As if your interested.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Djuzuh on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:22:39: How do you compare both Theprofosist?
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: TheProfosist on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:26:02: I prefer the 40A the 50As are just a tad too hard.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Tony on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:32:49: I tried O-ring on my Filco brown. It reduced the noise considerably, but somehow I miss the clicky sound of brown switches.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: TheProfosist on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:38:24: Quote from: Tony;605386
I tried O-ring on my Filco brown. It reduced the noise considerably, but somehow I miss the clicky sound of brown switches.

Browns dont click its blues and greens that do. It was probably you bottoming out.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Djuzuh on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:40:28: Quote from: Tony;605386
I tried O-ring on my Filco brown. It reduced the noise considerably, but somehow I miss the clicky sound of brown switches.

It's not the clicky sound, it's you botttoming the **** out of your caps sound :D
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Djuzuh on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:41:14: Quote from: TheProfosist;605383
I prefer the 40A the 50As are just a tad too hard.

Ahh man !

I asked on IRC which one I should take and somebody said 50A. Now I regret :(
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: TheProfosist on Fri, 01 June 2012, 02:46:09: Id you have 50A and want 40As try the new 40A-L one they shouldnt reduce travel by that much.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Djuzuh on Fri, 01 June 2012, 03:08:05: Quote from: TheProfosist;605402
Id you have 50A and want 40As try the new 40A-L one they shouldnt reduce travel by that much.

I think I'll wait a bit. I'm already spending too much as is :s.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Enki on Fri, 01 June 2012, 12:36:41: Where are you gents acquiring your O-rings (if not from WASD)?
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Djuzuh on Fri, 01 June 2012, 12:37:50: WASDkeyboards.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Stn on Fri, 01 June 2012, 13:17:30: Thanks guys, I got the 40A-R's. Wouldn't mind a reduced key travel.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 01 June 2012, 13:46:07: When is kaiserreich going to come through with more cheap-ass o-rings?

Even if he raised his price to $5 he could still sell a bunch.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 01 June 2012, 14:14:05: Quote from: fohat.digs;605758
When is kaiserreich going to come through with more cheap-ass o-rings?

Even if he raised his price to $5 he could still sell a bunch.

I'd love to buy some "cheap-ass o-rings"

it seems the only place you can get 40A is WASD, 50A are easy to find
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: TheProfosist on Sat, 02 June 2012, 03:39:33: Their more expensive because their edpm which is a good thing.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: OddOne on Sat, 02 June 2012, 06:36:09: Quote from: TheProfosist;606097
Their more expensive because their edpm which is a good thing.

I ended up getting some 50A Buna N o-rings from Amazon. I've seen a few people note that EPDM is better, but never saw a good explanation why. I've had no problems with the Buna N, but also have nothing to compare to. Can anyone explain why EPDM is the material of choice?

Thanks.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: Djuzuh on Sat, 02 June 2012, 06:39:58: OddOne: It holds better with the time I believe.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: OddOne on Sat, 02 June 2012, 07:20:23: Thanks Djuzuh.

A quick google search netted me this article on ehow: http://www.ehow.com/about_6190466_epdm-vs_-nitrile-rubber-washer.html

It seems to agree with your assumption that EPDM will hold up longer in a vibration dampening or mechanical environment. Though I think this article is more comparing the two in industrial applications.

I would bet neither are a bad choice for what we are using them for, but it does appear EPDM would be the better choice if you had to choose. I'll stick with the Buna N for now and report back on the wear over time.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: The_Beast on Sun, 03 June 2012, 14:53:35: I don't know what the amazon ones are made of buy EPDM is used a lot in window manufacturing because it hold's it's shape and doesn't compress

Source: I design window systems, we used millions of feet of EPDM gasket a year
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: REVENGE on Sun, 03 June 2012, 15:29:14: http://www.amazon.com/Orthodontic-Elastics-Bands-Inch-Medium/dp/B002GCNZMU

These or other ortho elastics also work, although I'm not sure whether they're more or less economical. They work well, but I hate the reduced key travel, so it's a no-go for me.
Title: Rubber Dampners
Post by: OddOne on Sun, 03 June 2012, 15:43:45: I ordered these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051XWXCE/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00) from Amazon. They are Buna N, 50A hardness, and are the same thickness as the original o-rings from WASD keyboards.

After about 2 months of use, I notice no difference between the used ones and the few spares of unused ones I have. I'll make a post later on if I notice any issues with them after more use...