Need help with HHKB Pro2 reassembly

[Macsmasher]

I disassembled my HHKB Pro 2 to lube the switches. My wife was standing behind me babbling about something. Something about me not ever listening. I don't know exactly because I wasn't paying attention.

Anyway, there are four springs that sit on top of the rubber domes. Unfortunately, I didn't make note of which keys those four springs are for. Can anybody tell me where they go?

[MJ45]

I have never seen any springs on top of the domes on HHKB or Realforce Topre's. There is a conical spring under each dome (between pcb and dome) for each switch but thats all I've ever seen. Plus the one spring under the spacebar, that should all the springs there are.

[Lurch]

My wife was standing behind me babbling about something. Something about me not ever listening. I don't know exactly because I wasn't paying attention.

*cringes*

I have never seen any springs on top of the domes on HHKB or Realforce Topre's. There is a conical spring under each dome (between pcb and dome) for each switch but thats all I've ever seen. Plus the one spring under the spacebar, that should all the springs there are.

Quoted for truth. I would do the following:

remove all the domes from the PCB (make sure to not lose any springs or domes!)

lay the top half of the hhkb case keycap side down

lay the domes in the underside of the top half of the hhkb, and fill in the domes with the springs

screw the pcb back on

doing this will make sure all springs are where they need to be.

[Macsmasher]

I wondered about the four springs on top of the domes the last time I disassembled it to lube. I just assumed that was the way it was supposed to be. If I had thought more about it, all I had to do was find the domes missing springs under them. Thanks for the advice.

And you guys all missed the reference to the original movie Dumb and Dumber...

It's a sad day indeed when GH regulars don't pick that up, especially fellow Topre'ers. What has the world come to? Come on guys, pull yourselves together!

[Lurch]

And you guys all missed the reference to the original movie Dumb and Dumber...

It's a sad day indeed when GH regulars don't pick that up, especially fellow Topre'ers. What has the world come to? Come on guys, pull yourselves together!

Wow, I actually feel bad now. I can't believe I missed that reference.

[Macsmasher]

And you guys all missed the reference to the original movie Dumb and Dumber...

It's a sad day indeed when GH regulars don't pick that up, especially fellow Topre'ers. What has the world come to? Come on guys, pull yourselves together!

Wow, I actually feel bad now. I can't believe I missed that reference.

That you should my friend. Classic movie!

Sure enough, I found four domes with no springs under them. When I took this HHKB Pro 2 apart the first time, those four springs were on top of the domes. I thought it odd, but assumed they were on top for a reason. Now I'm thinking those domes didn't get their springs during assembly. That would've then come out in testing. But rather than peel the rubber off of the PCB, they just added the springs on top of the domes. Honestly, I never felt a difference in the actuation. But for a keyboard in this price range, I think they could have put forth a bit more effort. Still a great keyboard.

However, I like my RF 87Us better. Maybe it's the plate mounted switches. They just feel better built and nicer on which to type. And as a coder with three displays constantly using keyboard shortcuts to move windows between displays, I like the dedicated arrow keys. I still use the HHKB regularly and like the form factor for regular stuff, just not for coding.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

[Jersern]

But they're all plate mounted?

[rowdy]

But they're all plate mounted?

HHKB is case-mounted

[Jersern]

Fine.