Author Topic: Sound damping a Model M? (Read 5487 times)

spremino · « **on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 06:38:50 »

Hello,

has anyone tried sound dampening a Model M by lining it inside with a sound dampening sheet? I know about the greasing solution, but it seems time consuming (and messy).

Thanks.

didjamatic · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 06:43:01 »

I've been thinking about it. I love the feel and click, don't like the micro-gong effect that follows.

spremino · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 06:49:28 »

Quote from: didjamatic;137962

I've been thinking about it. I love the feel and click, don't like the micro-gong effect that follows.

I love the click too, but I'd like to disturb my colleagues less, albeit they are not complaining at all (just making some funny remarks).

itlnstln · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 08:14:35 »

I tried this with my Northgate awhile back with pretty much no improvement. It might be different with the Model M, so it might be worth a shot. I would try applying some material to the metal plate iteself to help stop the resonance. You also might want to look into Sandy55/Ripster's nut and bolt mod as Ripster said that pretty much killed the pinging sound. It is a lot of work, but Ripster said it's well worth the time.

ch_123 · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 09:26:25 »

On the Unicomps there is a rubber sheet between the upper plate and the membrane.The problem here is that you would need to cover the barrels with the rubber to get the maximum effect. That is going to be slightly problematic...

ch_123 · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 09:55:15 »

Foam doesn't snap like plastic rivets =P

itlnstln · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 09:57:08 »

Has anyone tried anything like Dynamat? I would imagine you could put some on the mounting plate with some success. There is a cheaper alternative in the roofing section of a place like Home Depot or Lowes. Basically, it's an alumninum sheet with a sticky, tar backing, and it's fairly heavy for it's size. It comes in a 6" high roll and looks similar to this (it's a little different, though, but you get the idea). I used this to deaden vibrations in cars when installing car audio equipment, and it's very effective (and much cheaper than Dynamat).

itlnstln · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 10:04:34 »

This is the exact stuff. Home Depot carries a "name-brand" version called "Protecto-Wrap" which is what I used to use. I agree, ripster, it is hard to work with for precision work, but it should be no problem to slap a strip on the mounting plate.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 02 December 2009, 19:01:08 »

Don't start wrapping me in Protecto-Wrap...

spremino · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 21 December 2009, 08:36:11 »

Quote from: ripster;137981

I just ordered a sheet of sorbathane (like that stuff you put in your sneaker heels). Will see if that helps dampening too.

Ripster, any news? Thanks.

ch_123 · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 21 December 2009, 08:44:58 »

Has anyone pointed out that the Welly grease treatment kills the ping?

keyb_gr · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 22 December 2009, 15:09:40 »

Quote from: ripster;144183

Maybe I'll try it with a Model F AT first. That's the sucker that really needs it.

In more than one way, actually - it's noisy AND it's got a sheet of original Crumblofoam[tm].

ch_123 · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 22 December 2009, 19:30:45 »

It's funny how Ripster who is always giving out to people for spreading myths is responsible for one of the most pointless ones going - i.e. that the crumbling foam around the edge of the Model F assembly constitutes some catastrophic design flaw...

msiegel · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 22 December 2009, 21:31:08 »

Quote from: ch_123;144620

the crumbling foam around the edge of the Model F assembly constitutes some catastrophic design flaw...

i think the use of foam was a good piece of engineering.

it's just too bad the materials available at the time were not more durable...

ch_123 · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 23 December 2009, 04:09:18 »

Quote from: ripster;144632

Well, it's more than just the edge that will eventually give out.
Show Image

Another reason that I got a NIB one in a plastic bag.

That's an XT one.

msiegel · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 23 December 2009, 11:52:25 »

Quote from: ripster;144765

Well, MSiegel took his apart.

I thought the foam layer in the AT worked the same way?

the AT's foam has a rubber backing (instead of paper?), and maybe a smaller cell size, but it works the same. mine sheds a lot of crumbs

ch_123 · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 23 December 2009, 12:17:26 »

Quote from: ripster;144765

Well, MSiegel took his apart.

I thought the foam layer in the AT worked the same way?

Take a look at my disassembly pictures in the modding section... The foam is between the two plates.

nowsharing · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 23 December 2009, 20:28:41 »

Could someone please point me in the direction of a good Model M greasing/sound dampening how-to? My searches haven't turned up the right guide yet.

spremino · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 24 September 2010, 04:18:01 »

Well, are there any news?

It seems to me that resting the keyboard over a sound-dumping sheet helps a little bit.

ch_123 · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 24 September 2010, 04:30:26 »

I think the dental floss in the springs thing worked the best. It is described elsewhere.

NewbieOneKenobi · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 24 September 2010, 09:18:45 »

I think at least the space bar needs damping, it's awful. If you use the right amount of paper tape or something similar (description)--and this may mean more on the one side than on the other (surprisingly, the placement is somewhat uneven)--then the space bar can work more or less like a normal clicky key. I think most of the noise is created by the spacebar actually. Plus, the spacebar promotes bottoming out.

News:

Author Topic: Sound damping a Model M? (Read 5487 times)