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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:35:25

Title: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:35:25
I'm looking for a good set of rubber feet. I know most boards come with them, but not all boards, and the ones that don't tend to slide around.

Any recommendations?

It's not that I can't find them (Amazon, Tiger Direct, New Egg: pretty much everyone carries them), it's that I'm not sure which are serviceable and which aren't.

Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:36:15
By the way, if this thread belongs elsewhere, feel free to move it. I wasn't totally sure where to put it.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:38:26
This stuff has AMAZING sound damping properties.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#sorbothane/=qqpjsq

Just as a reference the softest stuff is only slightly firmer than a standard gummy bear.  But has amazing properties to not permanently deform.  The link I provided is for the 4"x4" piece of 1/8" thick.  I have been thinking of getting a bit myself.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 22:58:22
Thanks for the link, Melvang!

How much sound dampening are we talking about? Are MX blues still going to sound more or less like MX blues, buckling springs more or less like buckling springs, and so on?
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: PolaBurrr on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:02:07
Thanks for the link, Melvang!

How much sound dampening are we talking about? Are MX blues still going to sound more or less like MX blues, buckling springs more or less like buckling springs, and so on?

you will hear more of the clack and click, rather than a hollow resonance upon bottoming out.  Imagine typing on cherry mx blues on top of concrete :D
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:03:05
Thanks for the link, Melvang!

How much sound dampening are we talking about? Are MX blues still going to sound more or less like MX blues, buckling springs more or less like buckling springs, and so on?

Yes they will still sound like they are supposed to but will all but eliminate transferring vibrations from the keyboard to the your desk so it will mostly deaden the bottom out sound.  The click of the switch should remain intact.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:09:47
Thanks, PolaBurrr!

Now if only I had a concrete desk.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:10:33
That sorbothane will be much cheaper.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:17:29
Sounds like you've both bought these before.

Any preference as to softness?

And is the adhesive on the version with an adhesive back good?
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:19:08
I honestly can't tell you.  I have never had it in my hands.  Mkawa has though.  He was the one that turned me onto it.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:19:49
You're right, Melvang. The sorbothane is a much better value proposition.  ;D
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: aref on Mon, 17 February 2014, 23:21:56
Alternative to Rubber Feet

I use self-stick felt pads from Home Deport, Lowe's, or hardware stores. These pads are traditionally used under table-top lamps, vases, and the like. They come in beige and brown and in different diameters and are ~1/4" thick. Perfect for arranging the height of a keyboard. My keyboards don't move with the felt pads in place; yet the keyboards slide with ease when I move them under the elongated shelf that holds my monitor. and other desktop items. Also, using felt pads gives one latitude with respect to the increments one can raise both the F-key and even space-bar edges of a keyboard, some I know raise their entire KB.  Also, felt pads are available in ~1/10" in different diameters.

On my recently 'reacquired' Corsair K65, my preference is one felt pad under each space-bar corner; and three columns of three felt-pads under the F-key edge.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 18 February 2014, 07:52:32
I wish that Sorbothane was cheap enough to buy a sheet to put under the entire board, but even a 12" square is $40+

A silicone baking sheet from the kitchen supply house works pretty well, and is half that price.

And for half of even that price, there are always my mats, ha ha ha.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54414.msg1219030#msg1219030 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54414.msg1219030#msg1219030)
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Neo.X on Tue, 18 February 2014, 08:46:40
I got all rubber feet from old Switches/Routers in my office, I just peel them off.  ;) They are high quality and really durable.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 18 February 2014, 08:51:47
Amazon has all sorts of Sorbothane items also.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 18 February 2014, 08:53:51
I have 3M Bumpons (http://www.3m.com/product/information/Bumpon-Protective-Products.html) on my Epsilon. Works nice. I'll be using them on my GHPad too. The one's I have are similar to these (http://www.shop3m.com/3m-bumpon-blister-pack-sj5302-clear-0-312-in-x-0-085-in-96-bumpons-per-blister.html) but I think they're cheaper on Amazon.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: spuriousgeorge on Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:22:00
Thanks for all the suggestions!  :thumb:

If I were to go the rubber route, and the rubber didn't come with an adhesive, which adhesive would you recommend? I'd need something that worked well with rubber (the feet) and plastic (the keyboard chassis).
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Melvang on Wed, 19 February 2014, 22:43:03
a drop of super glue gel on the corners only.  Gel is usually designed to fill a gap.  Thats why it works better when gluing quarters to the sidewalk.
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: cmadrid on Thu, 20 February 2014, 17:17:30
a drop of super glue gel on the corners only.  Gel is usually designed to fill a gap.  Thats why it works better when gluing quarters to the sidewalk.

Glue many quarters to the sidewalk for people watching entertainment? lol
Title: Re: Rubber Feet
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 20 February 2014, 17:43:24
a drop of super glue gel on the corners only.  Gel is usually designed to fill a gap.  Thats why it works better when gluing quarters to the sidewalk.

Glue many quarters to the sidewalk for people watching entertainment? lol

Ohh yeah.  My best none was a dollar coin in the change return on a change machine in the break room at work.  If you live in a state that has banned smoking in public buildings the sidewalk in front of bars is a real good place to do this.  Malls are fun as well.