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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: fishfalcon on Tue, 22 April 2014, 17:29:24

Title: O-rings, bottoming out, and 'thicker' mx keycap questions...
Post by: fishfalcon on Tue, 22 April 2014, 17:29:24
Hi guys, so I've owned the WASD CODE TKL with MX Greens for almost a month now, and it came preinstalled with o-rings (40A-L). This is my first non BS keyboard, and it took some time getting used to having a difference between having, well buckling springs, and a cherry switch with noticably different actuation and bottom-out distances.  I got used to bottoming out, or at least bottoming out as much as I could, with the o-rings already installed. The problem was that the keys felt mushy... I am an aggressive typist, and the mushiness, which got in the way of bottoming out, messed up my typing flow. I removed the o-rings and immediately felt much better fully bottoming out the keys, but when they hit the plate on which the switches are mounted... well. it's horribly noisy!

As I said, this WASD keyboard is my first MX keyboard, and I've browsed google and GH a bit to understand that different mx keycaps, depending on plastic used and thickness, can create different sounds... Is it in my interest to get PBT keycaps/thicker ABS/doubleshots? will they help make the keyboard less loud when i bottom out? or are o-rings the only way to deal with the tinny clack of bottoming out on the plate? all input would be greatly appreciated :)
Title: Re: O-rings, bottoming out, and 'thicker' mx keycap questions...
Post by: Lastpilot on Tue, 22 April 2014, 17:33:17
I would recommend oiling your springs, but that would require opening switches which would also require desoldering for your CODE. If you are interested in doing all that work, I would say it would be about 50-70% silent compared to stock bottom out noise.
Title: Re: O-rings, bottoming out, and 'thicker' mx keycap questions...
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 22 April 2014, 17:34:43
Different caps (like the ones you mentioned), drawer liners in the case, and soft landing pads are other options. Also you can try putting a large mousepad or EDPM underneath your keyboard to help reduce the noise.
Title: Re: O-rings, bottoming out, and 'thicker' mx keycap questions...
Post by: fishfalcon on Tue, 22 April 2014, 17:49:01
thanks for the quick replies! The cheapest quick fix seems to be landing pads on EK... but when you suggested drawer liner: did you mean a lining you apply directly to the board between itself and the keycaps?
Title: Re: O-rings, bottoming out, and 'thicker' mx keycap questions...
Post by: Lastpilot on Tue, 22 April 2014, 17:51:47
Landing pads will affect bottom out since they are in the same position as the o-rings. Drawer liner, on the other hand goes under the PCB and lies inside the casing so it will not affect bottom out feels.

And then the mouspad or EDPM [or some even just use a kitchen towel] goes directly under your board on top of your desk.
Title: Re: O-rings, bottoming out, and 'thicker' mx keycap questions...
Post by: fishfalcon on Tue, 22 April 2014, 18:05:51
LOL... i thought drawer liner was some sort of specific keyboard accessory XD.
That actually sounds like a way better idea. I may have to whip out my xacto knife and some liner this weekend.