Post by: mind_funeral on Wed, 04 May 2016, 10:12:01
On to the build! Here is the imgur album (http://imgur.com/a/dgJXy) formatted build if you prefer that.
Cutting the O-Rings: The dimensions I used are: 1/2" OD, 3/8" ID. I cut the OD first and found out that I could double layer the paper and cut about 20 at once and push the circles out of the punch. The ID has to be cut one at a time because of how dull and ****ty these Harbor Freight punches are (I even tried to sharpen them). I found that if I hammered the ID too hard, the ring would break -- too soft and it would only punch about 80% of the perimeter. The technique I settled on was a double tap with a medium-light blow. 104 rings were not fun to make...
(http://i.imgur.com/x3Ik9Ox.jpg)
Close up of the roofing tar paper I used. This is the stuff they put on the plywood of your roof before they put shingles down.
(http://i.imgur.com/k4fMTx5.jpg)
Wooden cutting surface. I used a piece of 1"x4" pine to serve as a cutting surface. I would have preferred having something less soft to get a cleaner cut, but this entire project was planned in about 15 mins.
(http://i.imgur.com/J1jIM8j.jpg)
The final o-rings. You can see the ring surface is kind of cone shaped. This is why I would have liked different cutting surface. Now that I think about it, a thick plastic cutting board would have been perfect...
(http://i.imgur.com/Sy1EezO.jpg)
Disassembling the Topre Type Heaven. Pretty easy to disassemble. Only three screws along the back edge of the case, then three or four tabs on the bottom edge. I used a medium-thick guitar pick and pushed the tabs open. Don't use a knife or screwdriver or you will **** the case. Then there are a handful of silver screws that set the PCB/plate distance and a **** ton of black screws that help hold the PCB to the plate.
(http://i.imgur.com/A8yBfga.jpg)
O-Rings Installed. I found that you don't really need to use a screw driver to remove the Topre sliders. I just pushed the top of the stem with the very tip of my finger until it released. Popped all the sliders back in and reassembled the board.
(http://i.imgur.com/CSjGyJY.jpg)
Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a video of how it sounded before I silenced it.
Here is a video I found of the sound of a stock Topre Type Heaven (with a much better mic than mine :'( ):
And here is the sound after silencing (my crappy video, Galaxy S6): Sorry about the end of the video, my desk is right next to the shredder :))
In conclusion this cost me $8.99 for the punches (which I will probably use in the future for projects) and took about 2.5 hours. I'm really happy with the way it turned out despite being really cheap and ghetto. I wanted to share this project with the community to promote thinking out of the box. I'm sure some very porous/low density paper will work too (think thick construction paper). I did not lube this board but I can see that being a possible problem for o-rings that have absorption properties (paper or foam). I think if I were to silence any other Topre that was a bit more high-end, I would use another material like gum rubber, silicone, or Dycem but for this keyboard that only cost me 50 bucks, this definitely works!!
My Type Heaven's name is now Roofus!
Post by: exitfire401 on Wed, 04 May 2016, 10:22:29
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 04 May 2016, 10:45:46
Post by: chuckdee on Wed, 04 May 2016, 10:49:06
You didn't ghetto silence it, you MacGyver silenced it! Good job. Sounds good too. I'm a huge backer of the O2dazone mod, and didn't think of looking for similar materials to try. May have to try this with my next hhkb
This, most definitely! Great job on that!
One question... why didn't you just ask Frank? :p I just ask because I have the same concern, and I just asked my cube mates, and they said it wasn't bad, so I saved myself some work. :))
Post by: mind_funeral on Wed, 04 May 2016, 11:00:46
One question... why didn't you just ask Frank? :p I just ask because I have the same concern, and I just asked my cube mates, and they said it wasn't bad, so I saved myself some work. :))
In my experience people often lie to be kind and then just end up getting fed up and bitter or passive agressive. This is true with a lot of situations especially roommates; dishes piling up, trash not getting taken out, smokers' habits, loud music etc. You tell your mate you're cool with it and you genuinely want to be but it eventually causes a fight. I've done it myself before. Anyway, I silenced it for my own peace of mind and I'm glad I did because the silenced Topre sounds soooo nice!
Post by: mind_funeral on Wed, 04 May 2016, 11:03:06
$1 brazillion dollars
huehuehuehue brbrbrbr
(http://flaglane.com/download/brazilian-flag/brazilian-flag-medium.png)
Post by: Olumin on Wed, 04 May 2016, 11:47:56
Post by: mind_funeral on Wed, 04 May 2016, 13:31:51
A bit unrelated, but what knife was that in the 5th picture?
Kershaw Chill. Probably my favorite EDC due to the size, weight, and price. 3 inch blade, steel liners, and only 2oz. 8Cr13MoV steel is not bad at all. One of the better Chinese steels.
Post by: derb2k2 on Wed, 04 May 2016, 15:16:28
Nice job! :thumb:
Post by: mind_funeral on Wed, 04 May 2016, 15:49:53
Post by: 0100010 on Wed, 04 May 2016, 17:56:20
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 04 May 2016, 19:10:29
Post by: romevi on Wed, 04 May 2016, 19:17:22
One question... why didn't you just ask Frank?I just ask because I have the same concern, and I just asked my cube mates, and they said it wasn't bad, so I saved myself some work. :))
In my experience people often lie to be kind and then just end up getting fed up and bitter or passive agressive. This is true with a lot of situations especially roommates; dishes piling up, trash not getting taken out, smokers' habits, loud music etc. You tell your mate you're cool with it and you genuinely want to be but it eventually causes a fight. I've done it myself before. Anyway, I silenced it for my own peace of mind and I'm glad I did because the silenced Topre sounds soooo nice!
Exactly what I thought. They won't say so to your face until it absolutely drives them over the edge.
Post by: mind_funeral on Wed, 04 May 2016, 21:33:55
Hate to ask - but does your board smell like tar now?
Nope! Smells normal.
One question... why didn't you just ask Frank?
In my experience people often lie to be kind and then just end up getting fed up and bitter or passive agressive. This is true with a lot of situations especially roommates; dishes piling up, trash not getting taken out, smokers' habits, loud music etc. You tell your mate you're cool with it and you genuinely want to be but it eventually causes a fight. I've done it myself before. Anyway, I silenced it for my own peace of mind and I'm glad I did because the silenced Topre sounds soooo nice!
Exactly what I thought. They won't say so to your face until it absolutely drives them over the edge.
And then it's too late.
Post by: Bucake on Wed, 04 May 2016, 21:54:43
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 04 May 2016, 22:46:15
Being that it is cut out and will be on a moving part it seems like there is a chance it could eventually fall apart making a mess.
Maybe I'm thinking of different roofing material.
Post by: mind_funeral on Thu, 05 May 2016, 07:58:13
sounds great, nice work! this was my plan in the first place but i couldn't find the right sizes for punchers around here
Try to look for hollow punches or leatherworking punches. You may actually have a better time finding the right sized punches because the actual dimensions you want are: ID=8.2mm, OD=11mm. I had to go with 3/8" and 1/2" because of 'murica. :/
.
Will the roofing material deteriorate with use?
Being that it is cut out and will be on a moving part it seems like there is a chance it could eventually fall apart making a mess.
Maybe I'm thinking of different roofing material.
It's 100% possible. This is an experiment. Although it's some pretty tough stuff. It's heat and water resistant. As far as being part of a moving part, the ring itself should only be taking movement in the normal direction so I don't think it will be falling apart. I will let you guys know if this ends up being a disaster haha.
Post by: SBJ on Thu, 05 May 2016, 09:38:16
You didn't ghetto silence it, you MacGyver silenced it!I have to agree with this!
I hope this thread inspires me to think out of the box for my future projects. I am still trying to learn all the customizations you can do to a mech, depending on what you want.
Now I just need to figure out what I want!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 05 May 2016, 09:40:23
A bit unrelated, but what knife was that in the 5th picture?
Kershaw Chill. Probably my favorite EDC due to the size, weight, and price. 3 inch blade, steel liners, and only 2oz. 8Cr13MoV steel is not bad at all. One of the better Chinese steels.
I really like mine as well. Definitely handy as hell to have around the workbench and day.
Hate to ask - but does your board smell like tar now?
I kinda wish it did :))
Post by: TopreFan333 on Thu, 05 May 2016, 11:31:00
It's 100% possible. This is an experiment. Although it's some pretty tough stuff. It's heat and water resistant. As far as being part of a moving part, the ring itself should only be taking movement in the normal direction so I don't think it will be falling apart. I will let you guys know if this ends up being a disaster haha.
Not an expert here, but I would imagine that anything that can survive a decade or more installed on a roof will do pretty well in a place where exposure to heat/cold/water/UV light is at an absolute minimum. And the mild stress of being lightly compacted between relatively soft pieces of plastic with 45g of force sounds pretty managable. But who knows, maybe after tens (hundreds?) of thousands of key presses, it could start to flake or something...
Post by: Hyde on Sat, 07 May 2016, 22:43:54
Post by: Belfong on Sat, 07 May 2016, 22:58:45
crap, I didn't think to ask my co worker about the MX Blue and HHKB that I am rotating to use at work. I just assume people are ok with it. I mean, this is an office and it's open space and people are suppose to talk, make noise and what not. A few key stroke wouldn't bother anyone, would it? Anyway, sounds like I am subconsciously being selfish. Ugh, not good. I will go ask them tomorrow :eek:One question... why didn't you just ask Frank? :p I just ask because I have the same concern, and I just asked my cube mates, and they said it wasn't bad, so I saved myself some work. :))
In my experience people often lie to be kind and then just end up getting fed up and bitter or passive agressive. This is true with a lot of situations especially roommates; dishes piling up, trash not getting taken out, smokers' habits, loud music etc. You tell your mate you're cool with it and you genuinely want to be but it eventually causes a fight. I've done it myself before. Anyway, I silenced it for my own peace of mind and I'm glad I did because the silenced Topre sounds soooo nice!
Cool mod. It's something I could see myself doing as well.
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 08 May 2016, 19:22:41
crap, I didn't think to ask my co worker about the MX Blue and HHKB that I am rotating to use at work. I just assume people are ok with it. I mean, this is an office and it's open space and people are suppose to talk, make noise and what not. A few key stroke wouldn't bother anyone, would it? Anyway, sounds like I am subconsciously being selfish. Ugh, not good. I will go ask them tomorrow :eek:One question... why didn't you just ask Frank? :p I just ask because I have the same concern, and I just asked my cube mates, and they said it wasn't bad, so I saved myself some work. :))
In my experience people often lie to be kind and then just end up getting fed up and bitter or passive agressive. This is true with a lot of situations especially roommates; dishes piling up, trash not getting taken out, smokers' habits, loud music etc. You tell your mate you're cool with it and you genuinely want to be but it eventually causes a fight. I've done it myself before. Anyway, I silenced it for my own peace of mind and I'm glad I did because the silenced Topre sounds soooo nice!
Cool mod. It's something I could see myself doing as well.
Typically I'm not worried about Topre because the loudness is about in line with typical rubber dome in any office anyway.
However MX Blue I'd ask to be sure. :P
Post by: cyd3r on Tue, 19 July 2016, 06:56:50
Post by: mind_funeral on Tue, 19 July 2016, 07:37:15
I'm interested if the type feeling changed at all?
Not much. Maybe just lifted the tactile point a bit.
Post by: mind_funeral on Fri, 01 March 2019, 13:47:14
I took the Topre Type Heaven home and was using it for a while before deciding to de-silence it.
I can say there was no smell, residue, breakage, jamming, deterioration, etc from the tar paper rings after almost 3 years of daily use (6-9 hours per day).
(https://i.imgur.com/fT9LWoA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jIPO4v0.jpg)
Post by: Sintpinty on Sun, 03 March 2019, 07:02:28