Fix for Unicomp case-creak?

[ander]

I've often defended Unicomp's swell keyboards here—specifically against criticism of their cases, which tend to creak. I've pointing out that they creak only when you move them, not when you type on them.

Well, lately I've had reason to move my Unicomp from room to room. And you know, the creak is somewhat annoying.

At the risk of seeming like a hypocrite, then: Has anyone discovered a way to fix this? Some inner case reinforcement, etc.? Just thought I'd ask, as I figure you guys can do anything.

[fanpeople]

I've often defended Unicomp's swell keyboards here—specifically against criticism of their cases, which tend to creak. I've pointing out that they creak only when you move them, not when you type on them.

Well, lately I've had reason to move my Unicomp from room to room. And you know, the creak is somewhat annoying.

At the risk of seeming like a hypocrite, then: Has anyone discovered a way to fix this? Some inner case reinforcement, etc.? Just thought I'd ask, as I figure you guys can do anything.

Buy a HHKB, quickest fix.





Sorry, I have nothing of value to add to this.


I'll go now 

[ander]

Buy a HHKB, quickest fix.

LOL... I was sure someone would immediately reply, "Yeah, get an IBM!"

I must say, it never would've occurred to me to replace a 101-key buckling-spring board with a 60-key RD one. This is why I like GH so much—you guys are real creative thinkers.

[fohat.digs]

I pad the insides of most of my cases with felt and/or shelf liner. I lay down as many flat sheets as will fit (the inner assembly gets very close to the case bottom down near the space bar) and fill the other volumes with strips folded or rolled into cylinders - the most efficient way to fit each void fully and cleanly.

Someone, Terrapin I think, likes to add layers of duct tape inside the case and that is probably an effective way to settle it down.

Otherwise, placing it on a mat rather than directly on a hard desk surface is probably helpful, too. There are people who use folded towels ....

[1391406]

I honestly don't know if it's possible to remediate the creaking. I'm not sure what would act as an effective internal reinforcement against case flex, maybe aside from lining the lower half of the case with resin.

[0100010]

I'll see if I can find the thread - but one person fixed the creak with some black electrical tape on the edges of the bottom case, where it interfaces with the top case.

[1391406]

I'll see if I can find the thread - but one person fixed the creak with some black electrical tape on the edges of the bottom case, where it interfaces with the top case.

This one.

[ander]

I pad the insides of most of my cases with felt and/or shelf liner. I lay down as many flat sheets as will fit (the inner assembly gets very close to the case bottom down near the space bar) and fill the other volumes with strips folded or rolled into cylinders - the most efficient way to fit each void fully and cleanly...

I can see how that could reduce key noise in a "pingy" case, but I don't think it'd help much with case-creak itself.

Otherwise, placing it on a mat rather than directly on a hard desk surface is probably helpful, too. There are people who use folded towels ....

It doesn't creak when I type on it, though, just when I pick it up. When you type on them, they're solid as a rock. Maybe that's why Unicomp didn't think it was such a big deal.

I'll see if I can find the thread - but one person fixed the creak with some black electrical tape on the edges of the bottom case, where it interfaces with the top case.

This one.

See, I knew you guys could suggest something. I've got to turn in right now, but I'll try that ASAP. Thanks!

[ander]

Okay, I'm looking at that page again, and I notice kaotikb says (my emphasis):

So my unicomp case was pretty bad and would make creaky noises when typing. So I used some electrical tape where the top case goes into the bottom part. Now no more creak and case feels more solid at the front...

As I mentioned, mine doesn't creak when I type. The sides of the case creak when I pick it up. So I don't think kaotikb's fix will work here.

I now see I can press down on the top of the case at either end and there's 1/16" of vertical play in the middle. The case top actually bends—that's what's creaking. It looks like Unicomp's plastic isn't rigid enough, so the ends need extra support. Had the same top been made to IBM's standards, I'm guessing it would've been silent because it wouldn't bend like that.

It's funny, but my friend's Ultra Classic (which is black; mine's pearl) doesn't do that. I don't know if the top's more rigid or if Unicomp added supports to their mold (which would be easy enough to do).

I'll try attaching a couple of small wood supports to the case bottom's side walls, thin enough to fit between the case and the assembly, and just the right height for the top to rest on them. I could get fancy and match the supports' top edges to the case top's curve... I'll try this as soon as there's time and post some pictures here. I'd do a video so you could see and hear the before/after, but I don't want to embarrass anyone at Unicomp.  :?)

[Snowdog993]

Okay, I'm looking at that page again, and I notice kaotikb says (my emphasis):

So my unicomp case was pretty bad and would make creaky noises when typing. So I used some electrical tape where the top case goes into the bottom part. Now no more creak and case feels more solid at the front...

As I mentioned, mine doesn't creak when I type. The sides of the case creak when I pick it up. So I don't think kaotikb's fix will work here.

I now see I can press down on the top of the case at either end and there's 1/16" of vertical play in the middle. The case top actually bends—that's what's creaking. It looks like Unicomp's plastic isn't rigid enough, so the ends need extra support. Had the same top been made to IBM's standards, I'm guessing it would've been silent because it wouldn't bend like that.

It's funny, but my friend's Ultra Classic (which is black; mine's pearl) doesn't do that. I don't know if the top's more rigid or if Unicomp added supports to their mold (which would be easy enough to do).

I'll try attaching a couple of small wood supports to the case bottom's side walls, thin enough to fit between the case and the assembly, and just the right height for the top to rest on them. I could get fancy and match the supports' top edges to the case top's curve... I'll try this as soon as there's time and post some pictures here. I'd do a video so you could see and hear the before/after, but I don't want to embarrass anyone at Unicomp.  :?)

Why not try something like the wedge foam inserts that IBM did use to support the mechanism?  You can use foam inserts.  Let me see if I can find a picture of one....

 

[1391406]

Okay, I'm looking at that page again, and I notice kaotikb says (my emphasis):

So my unicomp case was pretty bad and would make creaky noises when typing. So I used some electrical tape where the top case goes into the bottom part. Now no more creak and case feels more solid at the front...

As I mentioned, mine doesn't creak when I type. The sides of the case creak when I pick it up. So I don't think kaotikb's fix will work here.

I now see I can press down on the top of the case at either end and there's 1/16" of vertical play in the middle. The case top actually bends—that's what's creaking. It looks like Unicomp's plastic isn't rigid enough, so the ends need extra support. Had the same top been made to IBM's standards, I'm guessing it would've been silent because it wouldn't bend like that.

The case flex and case creak go hand in hand, and I think that has everything to do with the change in the clamshell cover material back '99. I'm not sure what material IBM used but it's definitely rigid, which is why their cases don't creak, in my opinion.

[1391406]

Okay, I'm looking at that page again, and I notice kaotikb says (my emphasis):

So my unicomp case was pretty bad and would make creaky noises when typing. So I used some electrical tape where the top case goes into the bottom part. Now no more creak and case feels more solid at the front...

As I mentioned, mine doesn't creak when I type. The sides of the case creak when I pick it up. So I don't think kaotikb's fix will work here.

I now see I can press down on the top of the case at either end and there's 1/16" of vertical play in the middle. The case top actually bends—that's what's creaking. It looks like Unicomp's plastic isn't rigid enough, so the ends need extra support. Had the same top been made to IBM's standards, I'm guessing it would've been silent because it wouldn't bend like that.

It's funny, but my friend's Ultra Classic (which is black; mine's pearl) doesn't do that. I don't know if the top's more rigid or if Unicomp added supports to their mold (which would be easy enough to do).

I'll try attaching a couple of small wood supports to the case bottom's side walls, thin enough to fit between the case and the assembly, and just the right height for the top to rest on them. I could get fancy and match the supports' top edges to the case top's curve... I'll try this as soon as there's time and post some pictures here. I'd do a video so you could see and hear the before/after, but I don't want to embarrass anyone at Unicomp.  :?)

Why not try something like the wedge foam inserts that IBM did use to support the mechanism?  You can use foam inserts.  Let me see if I can find a picture of one....

 

The wedges are a sound dampener but won't prevent the case from flexing, which is the source of the creaking. I actually have some acoustic foam (Auralex) and it does little to nothing to stop the creaking(and it's really difficult to fit much of it into the case). In fact, it's not really effective at muffling the metallic pinging either, in my opinion.

[Olumin]

Buy a HHKB, quickest fix.

LOL... I was sure someone would immediately reply, "Yeah, get an IBM!"

I must say, it never would've occurred to me to replace a 101-key buckling-spring board with a 60-key RD one. This is why I like GH so much—you guys are real creative thinkers.

Yea... I mean, how about... you know... getting an IBM? I don't know why anybody would even put up with the unicomp ones if IBM's are plenty available.

[1391406]

Buy a HHKB, quickest fix.

LOL... I was sure someone would immediately reply, "Yeah, get an IBM!"

I must say, it never would've occurred to me to replace a 101-key buckling-spring board with a 60-key RD one. This is why I like GH so much—you guys are real creative thinkers.

Yea... I mean, how about... you know... getting an IBM? I don't know why anybody would even put up with the unicomp ones if IBM's are plenty available.

I think it's because Unicomp's are new, come with a warranty, and have Windows keys. But honestly, it's like comparing a used Gibson Les Paul to a new Epiphone Les Paul.

[ander]

Yea... I mean, how about... you know... getting an IBM? I don't know why anybody would even put up with the unicomp ones if IBM's are plenty available.

Thanks, but for sure, I do have an IBM. And I'm hardly the only person here who enjoys various types of MKs.

Unicomp's cases may not be as rock-solid as IBM's, but their boards look, feel and sound different enough to be desirable and enjoyable in their own right, IMHO. I also think it's a good thing for us to support anyone with the imagination and dedication to produce BS boards in the 21st century.

I appreciate your suggestions about trying acoustic foam, etc. However, I do believe I've isolated the problem, as described it: It's the slight vertical play in the center of the case top at either end. And it can be fixed by epoxying a piece of a wooden craft stick (or other rigid material of your choice), cut to the right length and top angle, to each inside edge of the case bottom so there's a solid connection between the top and the case's bottom surface.

Now that I've figured that out, though, I've decided my Ultra Classic's creak isn't important enough to bother modding it. I'll leave it in its original configuration. Nothing's perfect—not KBs, and certainly not people—and it's often the imperfections that make things interesting.

[1391406]

Nothing's perfect—not KBs, and certainly not people—and it's often the imperfections that make things interesting.

Not to quibble, but sometimes it's the imperfections that make things less desirable, too.

[fohat.digs]

Nothing's perfect—not KBs, and certainly not people—and it's often the imperfections that make things interesting.

Not to quibble, but sometimes it's the imperfections that make things less desirable, too.

Yes, there is a world of difference between "endearing quirks" and "annoying traits" but everybody has his own idea of which is which.

[Elrick]

Nothing's perfect—not KBs, and certainly not people—and it's often the imperfections that make things interesting.

Not to quibble, but sometimes it's the imperfections that make things less desirable, too.

One way to stop the creaking noise is to apply liquid expansion foam inside the case, of course you'll need make internal masks to prevent seepage onto circuits and the pcb section but that can definitely stop anymore noises emanating from your keyboard.

You'll also need to drill holes underneath your keyboard to allow the expansion foam to escape so as not to distort the casing.  We use to do that with electrical boxes with loose pcb's but of course once you apply the foam there is no chance of opening up the casing but at least you'll never here creaking again.

[SamirD]

I didn't think much of the creak either until I had to move my dad's Unicomp to add a second monitor and replace his computer with a newer one.  I can definitely see how moving it regularly and it creaking regularly would be a bit annoying.

So I have a different solution--buy a second Unicomp so you don't have to move the one you have.

[vanwinkey]

LOL... I was sure someone would immediately reply, "Yeah, get an IBM!"

Buy a IBM.

 

[SamirD]

LOL... I was sure someone would immediately reply, "Yeah, get an IBM!"

Buy a IBM.

 

But see, he already has IBMs.  So my solution was to buy another Unicomp.

[merlin64]

What I've done in the past is to coat the seams and corners from the inside with a thin layer of epoxy, let it dry. If it still creaks, put another thin layer on. The trick is to go thin, use a paintbrush/foambrush

[SamirD]

What I've done in the past is to coat the seams and corners from the inside with a thin layer of epoxy, let it dry. If it still creaks, put another thin layer on. The trick is to go thin, use a paintbrush/foambrush

This idea got me thinking--if there's a groove type of design around the board, a thin piece of rubber acting like a gasket can probably do the same trick.  In fact, depending on how hard it would be to manufacture these gaskets, someone could even start producing them as a mod.

[Snowdog993]

Is it the bottom or top part?  It must be the bottom part you are talking about?
If it creaks, I'm confused.
I can't duplicate it with my Unicomp 103.
Not that I would want to.

[1391406]

Is it the bottom or top part?  It must be the bottom part you are talking about?
If it creaks, I'm confused.
I can't duplicate it with my Unicomp 103.
Not that I would want to.

Flex the assembled case. If it doesn't creak, consider yourself lucky.

[Snowdog993]

Is it the bottom or top part?  It must be the bottom part you are talking about?
If it creaks, I'm confused.
I can't duplicate it with my Unicomp 103.
Not that I would want to.

Flex the assembled case. If it doesn't creak, consider yourself lucky.

I'm lucky.  I guess.  No creak.