Least travel reduction for Topre silencing?

[alexjd99]

Between dental bands, and landing pads, what has least effect on travel distance?

[user 18]

I haven't done any silencing mods myself, but the consensus around here seems to be that ironed landing pads have the least effect on the overall feel of the board -- many don't even notice the difference.

[alexjd99]

I haven't done any silencing mods myself, but the consensus around here seems to be that ironed landing pads have the least effect on the overall feel of the board -- many don't  notice the difference.

Yeah, that was my guess.

[rowdy]

Using sliders from a Type S keyboard?  They are slightly thinner so as to lessen the impact of silencing material, right?

[alexjd99]

Using sliders from a Type S keyboard?  They are slightly thinner so as to lessen the impact of silencing material, right?

I'd love to use sliders from a Type S, but I'm gonna wait before I pick one up to accompany my regular pro 2.
I thought I saw just the dampeners from the Type S for sale, I think on amazon, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

[raymogi]

Seach for 'silencing rings' on ebay. It's made by a member from here, Hypersphere.

Used it on all of my non silenced board and I can barely feel the travel reduction.

[strict]

Unquestionably, the best silencing mod in my opinion is the OEM purple sliders + foam rings. No change at all in key travel/feel and does an outstanding job dampening sound. It's usually expensive and painful trying to get them but totally worth it if you can. Coupled with lube on the sliders this setup can be quieter than just about any other keyboard in the world worth using.

I've tried ironed landing pads and could never get them to work right. I tried on two separate times to iron out the pads and it seemed like no matter what I did I would always end up with some keys hanging and sticking. Key travel was mostly unaffected and they did decent at sound dampening. I've been wanting to revisit this method because I think maybe I ironed the pads out too much and that's why I had some hanging/sticking problems.

I've also tried using leather punches and a 0.020" silicon sheet to make my own rings and hated it, it made a very noticeable difference in travel. They didn't work very well on the modifier keys and didn't do nearly as good of a job dampening sound. This was extremely labor intensive and resulted in many rings getting trashed because I didn't line the two punches up perfectly. Unless you have some sort of mechanical aid I would avoid this method at all costs.

I've never tried dental bands because it seems like virtually everyone who has tried them eventually removed them due to the massive change in key travel. I've also been curious to try out Hypersphere's silencing rings but just haven't pulled the trigger yet, they seem to get pretty good reviews though.

[Hypersphere]

@strict: I am not seeking to self-promote, but I have spent considerable time and effort on silencing Topre switches. The best method I have found thus far is the "Silencing Rings". I have installed them on my HHKB Pro 2, RF87U, and Novatouch. I also have a Type-S HHKB Pro 2, and I actually prefer the sound and feel of my DIY silenced HHKB Pro 2. I do not notice any reduction in key travel when typing on any of these silenced boards.

If you do choose to install internal silencing rings, as long as you are inside the board, it is a good idea to use the opportunity to lube the stabilizers. Some people lube the switch sliders as well, but I have not found this necessary.

In addition, with respect to the Novatouch, I have found that to maximally attenuate downstroke noise, PBT keycaps in OEM profile work much better than Leopold or Cherry profile.

As a final touch, I sometimes put some self-adhesive foam strips (cut to about 6 mm square) on the top of the case on each side of the spacebar switch.

Good luck on your Topre silencing project!

[alexjd99]

Seach for 'silencing rings' on ebay. It's made by a member from here, Hypersphere.

Used it on all of my non silenced board and I can barely feel the travel reduction.

Oh awesome. Guess I'll have to pick some up 

[iss]

Hypersphere's rings are awesome and don't affect travel distance noticeably at all.