One of these days I want to cut holes in the barrels and put rubber in place to make a truly quiet M. It'd take a ton of work, but it'd be neat (and hopefully still tactile).
One of these days I want to cut holes in the barrels and put rubber in place to make a truly quiet M. It'd take a ton of work, but it'd be neat (and hopefully still tactile).
I'm having trouble visualizing what you're describing here. Care to elaborate?
Isn't half the point of having a Model M about the noise it makes?
Someone once posted about an IBM Wheelwriter (IIRC) that had factory o-rings outside the barrels, that lessened the click from the spring inside the barrel when it buckled.
could always do a floss mod
Floss/grease mod are the usual ways to quiet it up a little. They dampen / absorb the vibrations of the spring as it hits the wall of the barrel.Is there a particular make/model of floss you'd reccommend?We might already have some.
One of these days I want to cut holes in the barrels and put rubber in place to make a truly quiet M. It'd take a ton of work, but it'd be neat (and hopefully still tactile).
could always do a floss modFloss/grease mod are the usual ways to quiet it up a little. They dampen / absorb the vibrations of the spring as it hits the wall of the barrel.Is there a particular make/model of floss you'd reccommend?We might already have some.
One of these days I want to cut holes in the barrels and put rubber in place to make a truly quiet M. It'd take a ton of work, but it'd be neat (and hopefully still tactile).
A quiet M is like a quiet Porsche... You really want that? ;DIt's not what I want - I have to not keep people awake with my typing at night.
The spring hits a very small area on the barrel. My idea was to cut a hole in the barrel where that position is and replace the loud (dense) plastic with something softer and quiet.Are you sure that the spring hits the barrel? Did you know that the click sound comes from the spring itself?
The spring hits a very small area on the barrel. My idea was to cut a hole in the barrel where that position is and replace the loud (dense) plastic with something softer and quiet. But having thought about it, I think it'd take a lot of work to perfect. I completely forgot about that odd wheelwriter and now want to give that a shot first.
Well there exists Model M "Soft Touch" (http://deskthority.net/wiki/IBM_Enhanced_Keyboard#8184692) but those are rare and the price tends to be unpredictable. The springs in those were factory greased so greasing should help a little.
I would combine such an effort with a floss mod (or something similar).The spring hits a very small area on the barrel. My idea was to cut a hole in the barrel where that position is and replace the loud (dense) plastic with something softer and quiet. But having thought about it, I think it'd take a lot of work to perfect. I completely forgot about that odd wheelwriter and now want to give that a shot first.
I had an idea similar to this, but with using a thin piece of tape lining that "column" of the barrel. Tried electrical tape/duct tape/thin foam tape. It worked a little, but seems a lot of the noise actually comes from the spring. I think it carries through the plastic like a speaker on a wood table and gets amplified. I wonder if you wrapped the outside of the barrel in something like a thin foam tape it would damped the noise a bit.
(jacobolus's post showed up while I was typing this, hits on some of the same thoughts)
Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
I envy you.Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
Every time I see this animation, I have to get my Model M out and slowly press the keys, imagining each spring buckling and bouncing back into shape.
Typed on my Model M :D
Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
I envy you so much right now.Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
Every time I see this animation, I have to get my Model M out and slowly press the keys, imagining each spring buckling and bouncing back into shape.
Typed on my Model M :D
I envy you so much right now.Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
Every time I see this animation, I have to get my Model M out and slowly press the keys, imagining each spring buckling and bouncing back into shape.
Typed on my Model M :D
Placing the keyboard on an extra large mouse mat helps reduce much of the noise that actually penetrates walls. The table-top of the desk acts as a drum, with the area beneath as a resonating chamber, as well as the sound traveling through to the floor. A soft mat cuts down that aspect of the noise of any keyboard.. it even makes a difference on my little Apple aluminum keyboard.I already use the Perixx DX 2000 XXL, so I have that one down already.
Ultimately the best option is to only use the Model M when the noise isn't as much of an issue, then rotate as needed. Don't let it stop you from experiencing it!
I already use the Perixx DX 2000 XXL, so I have that one down already.
My current keyboard (Cherry G80 3000 MX Blues) was too loud so I put O-rings on it and it's it's still too loud.I already use the Perixx DX 2000 XXL, so I have that one down already.
You'll be fine then. To be honest, I think the noise of a Model M is pretty over-stated. My other mechanical boards are about as loud, some are even louder. In fact, if it weren't for my rattly spacebar, I'd say it's one of the quieter boards because it doesn't make a heavy bottom-out sound.
How is it compared to MX Blues?
We need to summon Ripster to find out.How is it compared to MX Blues?
In my opinion, blue Cherry switches emit a very high and annoying "tinkling" sound.
Buckling springs are deeper and more solid. Model Fs have significant overtones, Model Ms do not.
Which is higher in actual decibels? I don't know.
I already use the Perixx DX 2000 XXL, so I have that one down already.
You'll be fine then. To be honest, I think the noise of a Model M is pretty over-stated. My other mechanical boards are about as loud, some are even louder. In fact, if it weren't for my rattly spacebar, I'd say it's one of the quieter boards because it doesn't make a heavy bottom-out sound.
FYI, that is not a regular Model M but a "Brother Switch" (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Buckling_spring#.22Brother_Switch.22_-_5576-003.2FA01).Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
FYI, that is not a regular Model M but a "Brother Switch" (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Buckling_spring#.22Brother_Switch.22_-_5576-003.2FA01).Show Image(http://plope.com/Members/chrism/bucklingspring_mov.gif)
Also, the point where the spring would hit the wall is obscured by a part of the wall itself.
Before you try anything, I'd put a mat or a magazine under it. That usually helps to absorb some of the noise.