Hey guys,
I've read SpiceBar's write up on the soft landing pads mod and decided that I'm going to pull the trigger on this project. I currently own a HHKB Type-S, Leopold 660c and 55g Realforce 87UB. I purchased the 55g because I heard good things about how robust and "punchy" the keys were. Though I absolutely love the 55g, I still find myself preferring the Type-S. The Leopold, on the other hand, just feels "hollow" compared to the other two.
So here are my questions for those who have performed the soft landing pad mod:
- How much actuation distance will I actually lose with this mod?
- How thin can I iron the pads until their structural integrity is compromised?
- How will the 55g with silencing mod compare to the Type S?
- Is it even worth modding the 660C if I'm already in love with my HHKB?
- How much will the resell value of the 660C decrease if I were to perform this mod?
Sorry if this seems long winded. Input and advice is greatly appreciated. Below is a picture of my collection. (Attachment Link)
Nice to hear that you are going to do the mod!
You will not lose any actuation distance if you iron the pads correctly. There is a little bit of play on top of the sliders inside the switch housing, and the pads are just going to fill this space. If you don't believe it, mod just a few keys are reassemble the keyboard. Beware that you will be influenced by the sound, so you could test the difference while wearing headphones playing loud music. Hey, there is no difference!
How thin? You must go as thin as you can. They end up being very thin, the thickness of strong paper. I have never been able to destroy any landing pad, maybe it's because my clothing iron could not go above their melting temperature. That's the limit actually: if the pad melts, the iron is too hot. Reduce the temperature just below the melting point. Press hard when you iron them. Iron them on a
HARD SURFACE (wood board for example).
You must use a sheet of paper to avoid direct contact between your iron and the landing pads.
My opinion is that it is worth it to mod the FC660C. I love my silenced FC660C.
Its value will not decrease! It will increase! I have been asked several times to do the mod for someone else (and always politely declined), so I believe there is some demand for silenced FC660C. The Type-S version of it simply does not exist. If you want one, you must do it yourself. Or you have to purchase it at a premium from someone who has done it.
Looking forward to your impressions, once you have done the mod!
