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Author Topic: Quieter alternative to Model M?  (Read 7137 times)

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Offline papnap

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:27:10 »
Having learned to type on an IBM Selectric. I've long been a fan of their keyboards.

Lately though the noise of me banging away on the model M has become a problem for my family. The light sleepers are kept up by the clicking.

My question is what do people like as a tactile but quiet replacement for the M?

I've read the wiki, and listened to some samples. My sense is that a cherry brown board might be a good choice, but listening to some sound samples it wasn't clear that the brown based boards are all that much quieter than the M.

As a personal point of reference I find the keyboard on my thinkpad T43 to be almost as good as the model M.

Thanks
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Offline Minskleip

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:36:41 »
Even the blue's are more quiet than buckling springs!
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Split Tipro keyboard with R3 keycaps

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:38:09 »
You can grease the springs.  There is an entry in the mods forum on how to do this.
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Offline keyb_gr

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:52:54 »
Quote from: Minskleip;238910
Even the blue's are more quiet than buckling springs!

Quite true, certainly for PCB-mounted blues.

If "banging away" is to be taken literally though, I'd rather look at clears, uncommon as they may be. They are very hard to bottom out, and while the tactile bump is not nearly as sharp as on blues, I found them to be a good compromise between feel and noise. Browns are similar but lighter, so more easily bottomed out.
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This message was probably typed on a vintage G80-3000 with blues. Double-shots, baby. :D

Offline papnap

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:58:00 »
Yes you can take banging away literally. My daughter says "Daddy don't hit the computer"

Apparently I'm a heavy handed typist.

The MX clears sound interesting. Anyone know how to find/buy a board with them?
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Offline MissileMike

  • Posts: 280
Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 10:58:10 »
The dental floss mod works very well for quieting the M
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BS: 5 Space Savers  ||  9 42H  ||  10 1391401 or similar  ||  1x 1390131  || AT&T 305b  ||  Dell Model M
Cherry: Leopold FC200RC/AB  ||  3 Ducky 1087  ||  PLU ML87 ||  Cherry G80-8113LUVEU-2  browns
Alps: Filco Zero Tenkeyless (fukka)  ||  ABS M1  ||  3x Dell AT101w  ||  Ancer KF-191  ||  6 Vivanco Compact
Misc: NMB RT6855T+  ||  NMB RT101 Space Invader  ||  Dell Quietkey  ||  Ge Fanuc Industrial Metal

Offline steeef

  • Posts: 156
Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 11:09:48 »
How about dry teflon spray? Serves the same purpose as grease without the greasiness.
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Cherry MX Blue: Filco Majestouch Tenkeyless. Cherry MX Black: TG3 KBA-BLTD-5RBUVS (Police Cruiser keyboard). Cherry MX Clear: KBC Poker (modded with Ergo Clears) Cherry MX Brown: Goldtouch GTC-077 USB numpad. Buckling Spring: IBM Model M 1391401 (1989-01-03 and 1991-11-21).

Offline Findecanor

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 11:09:59 »
O-rings around the drums to catch the "clack". Line the case with sound-absorbant material. Line the case just underneath the key caps with sound-absorbant material with holes cut for the drums. Place the keyboard on a soft pad instead of directly on a hard table.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 11:46:11 »
Quote from: papnap

The MX clears sound interesting. Anyone know how to find/buy a board with them?


Here's one with nkro that I've been interested in but never bought one. Someone else on this board has at least one, but I forget who.
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Offline keyb_gr

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:17:06 »
The 8113s may have either clears or browns, depending on how old they are. For a new board available in the US, check the Deck Legend.
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Hardware in signatures clutters Google search results. There should be a field in the profile for that (again).

This message was probably typed on a vintage G80-3000 with blues. Double-shots, baby. :D

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:20:15 »
It was deplorable.

He tossed it like an old hooker.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:26:39 »
Quote from: keyb_gr
The 8113s may have either clears or browns, depending on how old they are. For a new board available in the US, check the Deck Legend.


The one I posted was confirmed to have clears.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:35:29 »
The seller has more than 10 available. Are you saying that it's not likely that they all have clears? Or just that it's possible?
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Offline itlnstln

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:36:59 »
We have seen a little of both.  Probably clears, but it wouldn't be out of the question to see browns.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:54:34 »
Ain't nuttin like a Realforce BABAY
Oneness with cup rubber drives me CRAZAY
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Offline itlnstln

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 13:59:24 »
There's something about "nuttin'" and "cup rubber" that seems apropos.
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Offline Pylon

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 14:00:44 »
I''m going to get flamed for suggesting a rubber dome, but what about the RT7D5JTW-model Dell Quietkeys? (they're actually quite loud though for rubber domes despite their name) The tactility is unusually good for a rubber dome, and they're really cheap used. I actually use one in spite of the fact that I currently own an M.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 14:03:33 »
Quote from: Pylon
I''m going to get flamed for suggesting a rubber dome, but what about the RT7D5JTW-model Dell Quietkeys? (they're actually quite loud though for rubber domes despite their name) The tactility is unusually good for a rubber dome, and they're really cheap used. I actually use one in spite of the fact that I currently own an M.


Actually I agree that some rubber domes are quite good. Keytronics are another good choice. And, they're really cheap new which is a bonus.

Edit: wouldn't an appropriate Model M mechanical alternative be a heavy, quiet alps switch? Like a Dell AT101W or something with Alps Black Type 1 Simplified - "Fukkas" (I have no idea what type of keyboard would have these switches).

Dell AT101W's are pretty decent overall. Only thing that annoyed me about them was having to train myself to hit every key exactly on center. And they're quite inexpensive used.
« Last Edit: Tue, 26 October 2010, 14:13:13 by keyboardlover »
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Offline Pylon

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 14:25:43 »
Most black Alps boards bottom out quite hard and give a lot of clacking. Not exactly that quiet.

My particular Quietkey has very little wobble by the way, though my previous HP (Kb-9970, which I later killed for its cable) had even less.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 26 October 2010, 14:29:17 »
Quote from: Pylon;239044
Most black Alps boards bottom out quite hard and give a lot of clacking. Not exactly that quiet.

Quieter than a model m though...
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Offline papnap

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 09:59:28 »
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I tried the dental floss mod as it was cheap and offered instant gratification. A nice improvement. One thing I noticed was that if the floss extends above the top of the spring it completely ruins the key action. That's easily avoided though. I may try picking up some rubber washers as well to try and dampen the clack from me bottoming the keys.

I like the idea of a good performing dome, or scissor board. The home computer for which the noise issue is greatest is shared between me and my kids, and they are not keyboard freaks like me. My son who likes to write has started to notice the value of the M though.

Any recommendations on a scissor switch board?
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Offline frvrngn

  • Posts: 113
  • Location: Upstate, SC
Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #21 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 10:13:05 »
The Logitech Illuminated is one of the nicer scissors out there.  It has their "PerfectTouch" design which Ripster posted about.  Super quiet with a nice key action.  They can be bought around $40 most of the time.  The K800 is the newer wireless version.

If you like Macbooks, the Apple Aluminum is not a bad keyboard.  I liked mine for a while, but for long sessions I start getting weird finger joint pains from the short throw I think.

If you want cheap - the Rosewill RK-7300 is a decent keyboard.  $10 - $15 from Newegg or Chief Value (Neweggs "other" company).  It has scissors with a longer throw than most (they claim 3.5mm) so it feels closer to a normal keyboard.  It is definitely not as solid as the Logitech and certainly the Apple, but for $10 shipped it is a nice scissor switch keyboard to keep around.  Oh, dont pay attention to the pics.  They are older and the newer ones shipping now have the normal Enter Key and \| key location.  the Home/End/Del keys are still funky though.
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Currently using: Cherry G80-1800 Ergo Clears, HHKB Pro 2, RF 87U Silent

Offline KillerBee

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Quieter alternative to Model M?
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 11:29:26 »
you can allways get smartrex rubber dome model m



funky grass not included with purchase

Pictures courtesy of ripster
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IBM Model M 1386304 Nov. 1985
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