Author Topic: HHKB - Flex / Creak?  (Read 4345 times)

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Offline Exoverture

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HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 20:56:31 »
Hi guys,

I have a FC660C that I love, but it does flex/creak a bit (not as many places as my MX board, but worse where it does). I don't think I could ever get use to a HHKB layout and will probably stick with the FC660C, but I was curious anyway, does the HHKB creak or flex at all?

I have heard the quality was really good on the realforce/HHKB boards, but can't find much on this.

I was going to buy a 87u but really do not need all those keys.

Offline Puddsy

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 21:08:10 »
The case on mine is slightly warped around the spacebar area, but that's about it. I don't think I've sued it enough to give you accurate info, however.
QFR | MJ2 TKL | "Bulgogiboard" (Keycon 104) | ctrl.alt x GON 60% | TGR Alice | Mira SE #29 | Mira SE #34 | Revo One | z | Keycult No. 1 | First CW87 prototype | Mech27v1 | Camp C225 | Duck Orion V1 | LZ CLS sxh | Geon Frog TKL | Hiney TKL One | Geon Glare TKL



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Offline tehsprayer

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 21:08:43 »
I'm receiving the 87u on monday and I can report back on quality. The realforce keyboards have a higher quality plastic than the hhkb but both great quality boards, something you would expect for paying that premium price.

REΛLFORCE 87U - uniform 55g

Offline Michael

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 21:10:41 »
I have owned several HHKB's and none of them had the flex or squeaking that the FC660C had.

Offline Photoelectric

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 21:13:50 »
I assume that is because of Leopold's standard design of the top cover fitting tightly against the bottom, where flexing a case results in rough plastic rubbing against plastic.  All of my keyboards of similar design can make a creaking sound if I flex / squeeze them, including Filcos and Ducky.
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Offline ValerieV

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 22:14:50 »
I have both the HHKB and the Leopold and neither creaks. They sound great and they look fine as well. I remember being a little concerned when i got my Leopold because there were some complaints about the casing but i didn't have that problem. I was lucky i guess. I would see if you can exchange your Leopold. If you got it from Elitekeyboards they may do that for you. Good luck.  :D

Offline jabar

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 22:16:56 »
If you're getting anything like this


then it's defective.

My case doesn't have this issue. It's damn sturdy.
Leopold FC660C - Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8 - Ducky DK9008 Shine II 78 Edition - Noppoo Choc Mini - Cherry G80-2100HDD - Cherry G80-8113HDPUS - Plu-M87 - Leopold FC700R Ergo Clears - Deck Legend Frost 105 - IBM F PC Keyboard - IBM M 122 (Lexmark) - Apple Extended Keyboard II

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Offline Photoelectric

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 02 August 2013, 22:22:23 »
Oh, that's definitely not what I was describing in my earlier post!! That's definitely odd sounding.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 03 August 2013, 02:02:22 »
Mine has a very slight plastic creak if you squeeze or twist it enough - most plastic things do.

Nothing like in that video though.

It is very light, but is actually surprisingly stable.  Maybe as the Topre switches are so nice to press, I haven't found that it slides across the desk at all.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

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Offline Exoverture

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 05 August 2013, 14:55:58 »
Thanks for the info guys.

I also had another question. My FC660C (like my MX board) sounds a lot better off my desk. The thing is, my desk is really thin, and it kinda gives almost every switch an unpleasant noise each keystroke.

I placed the FC660C ontop of my macbook and it sounds so much different and much nicer.

Is there any sort of thing I can put under my FC660C ontop of the desk to make it not sound cheap while on it? I have the Gallant desk from Ikea.

Offline rowdy

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 05 August 2013, 17:03:42 »
Tea towel?
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

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Offline Photoelectric

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 05 August 2013, 17:04:25 »
Also perhaps a black rubber mat cut to size?  Or like a thick black mousepad?
- Keyboards: LZ-GH (Jailhouse Blues)M65-a, MIRA SE, E8-V1, MOON TKL, CA66
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Offline Cafeine

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 05 August 2013, 18:27:12 »
Mine is built as a tank, almost (I said ALMOST) as solid as my Realforce and Filco. Not a sound when moved around!
Own : HHKB Type-S | Leopold FC660C (x2 - 1st Gen & 2014 silenced) | RealForce 87U TKL (55g uniform) | RF 23U | Minila Air MX Blue
Sold : RealForce 88UB 45g | Leopold FC660M (MX Clear) | Filco MJ2 TKL (MX Brown) |  KeyCool 84 (MX Black) | CodeKeyboard TKL (MX Clear)

Offline Hypersphere

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 13:51:09 »
I have a white HHKB Pro 2, and the case creaks when I press on the lower left-hand corner. It appears that the top and bottom pieces of the case have more of a gap on the left side than on the right. It would be good if the case could be held together with screws.

In comparison, my black RF 87u 55g feels more solid overall, although it has a slight creak when I press or tap on the top center of the case.

The winner in the solid case department is my IBM XT. No creak or flex at all.

Offline rowdy

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 15:14:40 »
I have a white HHKB Pro 2, and the case creaks when I press on the lower left-hand corner. It appears that the top and bottom pieces of the case have more of a gap on the left side than on the right. It would be good if the case could be held together with screws.

In comparison, my black RF 87u 55g feels more solid overall, although it has a slight creak when I press or tap on the top center of the case.

The winner in the solid case department is my IBM XT. No creak or flex at all.

LOL I never noticed that - mine creaks if I press the lower left corner!

It sounds like a frog.

Doesn't bother me, as I don't tend to lean my hands on the edge of the keyboard.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 15:17:32 »
it's almost hard to spot the necro....but its there.....

Offline Hypersphere

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 16:11:18 »
I have a white HHKB Pro 2, and the case creaks when I press on the lower left-hand corner. It appears that the top and bottom pieces of the case have more of a gap on the left side than on the right. It would be good if the case could be held together with screws.

In comparison, my black RF 87u 55g feels more solid overall, although it has a slight creak when I press or tap on the top center of the case.

The winner in the solid case department is my IBM XT. No creak or flex at all.

LOL I never noticed that - mine creaks if I press the lower left corner!

It sounds like a frog.

Doesn't bother me, as I don't tend to lean my hands on the edge of the keyboard.
You are right! I just pressed the lower-left corner of my HHKB Pro 2 and indeed, it sounds like a frog!

I sort of like frogs, so now the creak -- or the potential to creak when pressed -- doen't bother me so much.

Offline Novus

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 16:24:46 »
it's almost hard to spot the necro....but its there.....

Executing phase shift

Offline absyrd

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 16:25:24 »
Is this the new "ping"?

I'm on board.
My wife I a also push her button . But now she have her button push by a different men. So I buy a keyboard a mechanicale, she a reliable like a Fiat.

Offline keyton

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 16:31:37 »
No metal plate.

Offline rowdy

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Re: HHKB - Flex / Creak?
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 27 August 2014, 17:30:50 »
it's almost hard to spot the necro....but its there.....

We're all time- travellers anyway :p
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ