The "Cash Money" Weight Mod

[RESPRiT]

So I just got my HHKB, and I absolutely love it, the thing is phenomenal. I had tried Topre before, even typed on it a bit, but actually using it as a daily driver feels amazing. When the board is on a surface and I'm typing, I feel like a supreme typist, in complete control of my computer. HHKB circlejerk aside, however, when I carry the board around I can't help but be bothered by the fact that it's so light. I know for a lot of people that's one of the benefits of a HHKB, but for me, personally, I like a heavier board. I mean, I know  that this thing is really just a PCB inside of a plastic case with some caps on it, but I want it to feel like more than that. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I decided to take weight into my own hands and came up with this brilliant HHKB mod:



I call it the Cash Money weight mod, and it's more or less exactly what it looks like: $5.40 worth of Singaporean coins and 300 Yen taped to the inside of my board. Surprisingly, there's no rattle when I move the board around, and the coins fit inside the case just fine, there was plenty of room inside. I may find a more elegant way of doing this, but for now, I'm rather content with my now 25% heavier HHKB.

Thoughts? Or am I just slowly going insane from the shock of having 24/7 Topre?

[SpAmRaY]

Nice!

demik here is your answer to your question!

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Does it work with paper currency? )

#sarcasm

[bueller]

I've actually been toying with the idea of making a set of drop in weights for the more common boards. Instead of going with the smaller weights I'd make it an extra plate that runs the length of the board and slots in around the various standoffs/rails for security. Just needs to take some measurements on cases and see how much room is inside, I know my Filco isn't that roomy.

[RESPRiT]

I've actually been toying with the idea of making a set of drop in weights for the more common boards. Instead of going with the smaller weights I'd make it an extra plate that runs the length of the board and slots in around the various standoffs/rails for security. Just needs to take some measurements on cases and see how much room is inside, I know my Filco isn't that roomy.

Making a plate was definitely one of my first thought when considering a less makeshift method of doing something like this, my only concern would be random technicalities and possibly cost as well.

[scottfree]

Brilliant idea, just as suggestion to for an alternate source of mass.

Half oz. wheel weights (like they balance tires with).

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-oz-wheel-weights-67226.html

[SpAmRaY]

Brilliant idea, just as suggestion to for an alternate source of mass.

Half oz. wheel weights (like they balance tires with).

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-oz-wheel-weights-67226.html

I tried wheel weights and they were too tall and could only be used in certain parts of the case and could not be distributed evenly at all.

[ime1729]

Reminds me of my pinewood derby car in the one year that I was a cub scout -- the car wasn't heavy enough I used a couple of coins to weigh it down.

My participation ribbon said 'most creative use of money'

[jdcarpe]

Reminds me of my pinewood derby car in the one year that I was a cub scout -- the car wasn't heavy enough I used a couple of coins to weigh it down.

My participation ribbon said 'most creative use of money'

Most hobby stores sell pinewood derby weights, FYI. Would make an effective HHKB case weight, no?

[Findecanor]

Way to go to make your HHKB even more expensive!

[Lu_e]

You may want to consider better tape, or perhaps hot glue... You'll probably be ok, seeing as the kb shouldn't be moved around too much, but what if they came off inside and shorted things out?

[neunelfer]

You may want to consider better tape, or perhaps hot glue... You'll probably be ok, seeing as the kb shouldn't be moved around too much, but what if they came off inside and shorted things out?

I was going to say exactly this - that Scotch tape looks like it's already about to fall off.

[ianxblog]

Was it the purpose of making it heavier? Obviously it would feel (but only feel) more solid, but if the keyboard doesnt slide when used I don't really see the point.
My main concern would be it taking extra damage from a fall (Considering you said you carry it)

[eddie]

Was it the purpose of making it heavier? Obviously it would feel (but only feel) more solid, but if the keyboard doesnt slide when used I don't really see the point.
My main concern would be it taking extra damage from a fall (Considering you said you carry it)

"HHKB circlejerk aside, however, when I carry the board around I can't help but be bothered by the fact that it's so light. I know for a lot of people that's one of the benefits of a HHKB, but for me, personally, I like a heavier board. I mean, I know  that this thing is really just a PCB inside of a plastic case with some caps on it, but I want it to feel like more than that.
"

[BucklingSpring]

I tried wheel weights and they were too tall and could only be used in certain parts of the case and could not be distributed evenly at all.

Hum... Some of them are fairly small.

[ianxblog]

Was it the purpose of making it heavier? Obviously it would feel (but only feel) more solid, but if the keyboard doesnt slide when used I don't really see the point.
My main concern would be it taking extra damage from a fall (Considering you said you carry it)

"HHKB circlejerk aside, however, when I carry the board around I can't help but be bothered by the fact that it's so light. I know for a lot of people that's one of the benefits of a HHKB, but for me, personally, I like a heavier board. I mean, I know  that this thing is really just a PCB inside of a plastic case with some caps on it, but I want it to feel like more than that.
"

Did you even read the second part of my post, brah?

[whiteduck]

I approve of this thread

[RESPRiT]

Was it the purpose of making it heavier? Obviously it would feel (but only feel) more solid, but if the keyboard doesnt slide when used I don't really see the point.
My main concern would be it taking extra damage from a fall (Considering you said you carry it)

"HHKB circlejerk aside, however, when I carry the board around I can't help but be bothered by the fact that it's so light. I know for a lot of people that's one of the benefits of a HHKB, but for me, personally, I like a heavier board. I mean, I know  that this thing is really just a PCB inside of a plastic case with some caps on it, but I want it to feel like more than that.
"

Did you even read the second part of my post, brah?

When I say carry I'm not like prancing around my house with my HHKB, I mean putting it in a bag. And the coins + tape is just a makeshift invention haha, it's not meant to be long term.

[aref]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

[Reckthor]

Now this is some innovation! 

[ITzMeYaKnow]

Why haven't i though of this... 

[SpAmRaY]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

^^ that would have been perfect IF they would not have been so thick.

[eddie]

Was it the purpose of making it heavier? Obviously it would feel (but only feel) more solid, but if the keyboard doesnt slide when used I don't really see the point.
My main concern would be it taking extra damage from a fall (Considering you said you carry it)

"HHKB circlejerk aside, however, when I carry the board around I can't help but be bothered by the fact that it's so light. I know for a lot of people that's one of the benefits of a HHKB, but for me, personally, I like a heavier board. I mean, I know  that this thing is really just a PCB inside of a plastic case with some caps on it, but I want it to feel like more than that.
"

Did you even read the second part of my post, brah?

Yes, I did.

[RESPRiT]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

(Attachment Link)

^^ that would have been perfect IF they would not have been so thick.

How much weight extra was that?

[LechnerDE]

Haha, nice idea

Isn't there another weight mod that uses molten lead to fill the open space under the case (after it is cooled down)?

[SpAmRaY]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

(Attachment Link)

^^ that would have been perfect IF they would not have been so thick.

How much weight extra was that?

I'm thinking it was 1lb and it was awesome but all the weight in the bottom half had to come out for the case to close

And trying to just use the weights in the top half around the controller etc was just a very uneven distribution and not nearly enough weight.

[RESPRiT]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

(Attachment Link)

^^ that would have been perfect IF they would not have been so thick.

How much weight extra was that?

I'm thinking it was 1lb and it was awesome but all the weight in the bottom half had to come out for the case to close

And trying to just use the weights in the top half around the controller etc was just a very uneven distribution and not nearly enough weight.

1lb is quite a bit, but I can see why you'd want that much with the HHKB just being so freaking light Distribution seemed kind of tricky, it would be really interesting to have a plate cut to have a perfectly distributed weight inside there. Or maybe a metal case one day haha

[Jixr]

EASIEST WAY

modeling clay.

Cheap, dense, and easy to do.
you can easily add 1/2 a pound to a keyboard.

( I always put some cardstock between the clay and PCB just in case )

[SpAmRaY]

EASIEST WAY

modeling clay.

Cheap, dense, and easy to do.
you can easily add 1/2 a pound to a keyboard.

( I always put some cardstock between the clay and PCB just in case )

Now I'm going to have to try this

[aref]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

(Attachment Link)

^^ that would have been perfect IF they would not have been so thick.

How much weight extra was that?

Self-adhesive wheel weights that I've seen are 1/4 ounce each. 18 ounce packets cost about $10 on Amazon. I'll paste the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0455-Black-Weight/dp/B002KQY92W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393348410&sr=8-1&keywords=wheel+weights

[SpAmRaY]

Smart move. This gave me an idea: one could also use self-adhesive wheel weights: the weights used to
balance mag-like auto rims. Regardless, good thinking and a practical approach to adding weight to your HHKB.

(Attachment Link)

^^ that would have been perfect IF they would not have been so thick.

How much weight extra was that?

Self-adhesive wheel weights that I've seen are 1/4 ounce each. 18 ounce packets cost about $10 on Amazon. I'll paste the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0455-Black-Weight/dp/B002KQY92W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393348410&sr=8-1&keywords=wheel+weights

Those are the ones I used but they are too thick to use anywhere but the back half of the case around the controller.

[aref]

Interesting comment re wheel weights; you make a good point. Available space is an important consideration.
Not owning an HHKB, I had no idea of how much or little room is available for a mod. I'd check a hardware store,
HD, or Lowe's to see what kinds of weighty things might be available. Actually, taping coins is a pretty good fix;
the only change, no pun intended, I'd have made would have been to use a dielectric tape to affix the coins to
the keyboard. Nonetheless, RESPRiT came up with a good and common-sense fix. Kudos.

[Jixr]

told ya man, modeling clay, you can make it fit in any space, and weighs more than your pocket change does for the size. and it also won't come loose or potentially short something out like metal wheel weights or whatever.
1lb at a hobby store was $2.

[aref]

told ya man, modeling clay, you can make it fit in any space, and weighs more than your pocket change does for the size. and it also won't come loose or potentially short something out like metal wheel weights or whatever.
1lb at a hobby store was $2.

This is another good way of adding weight along with dampening a keyboard's sound; and one doesn't have to be concerned about the material's conductive properties--what conductive properties? Exactly!
This will also add to creating a solid thock-like sound to heavier key strikes for those of us who bottom-out, like me. So it adds weight and takes the, reported by some, hollow sound out of an HHKB. It's a solid, slight pun intended, idea! Good thinking.