Help me with my Filco fingers!

[ministry88]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, and I must say you have a nice thing going here.  In fact, you helped steer me towards a mechanical keyboard in the first place.

I went ahead and bought a Filco Majestouch Ninja with red switches and my first impression was, "Wow!"  The build quality was superb, and I couldn't believe how heavy/solid it was.

But then I began typing.  Now, I've tried out all the Cherry switches at a local computer store and found that reds were closest to my liking, so I expected everything to be fine.  Unfortunately, within about 10 minutes I started getting slight pain/tenderness on my fingertips (especially on my right hand).  Not so much joint pain, more just a kind of pre-blister feeling. 

For some reason, the keys just felt like razor blades to me.  They were more raised and spaced apart than my old dome/membrane keyboard and I wasn't expecting that.  Plus the bottoming out was pretty intense: like bare feet slamming on concrete.  "Harsh and unforgiving" would be the best description of typing on this keyboard, frankly.

Then today I saw a small blister formation on my right thumb from hitting the sharp and angular space bar the night before.  My fingertips are also now tender to the touch, and my middle and index finger on my right hand are starting to get slight joint stiffness at the first joint (near the fingernails).  Not good.

Am I just doing something wrong here?  I mean, I really want to love this keyboard, but if it's not for me, it's not for me.  I've been using the same posture/ergonomics that I've used at my desk for the last 7 years (keyboard on desk slightly elevated,  elbows at a 90 degree angle, no wrist rest) and this is truly the only keyboard that's given me these symptoms.

Should I try those o-rings from WASD?  I've heard they help with shock absorption.  Maybe another Cherry switch will help?  Maybe there's some kind of "break-in" period for mechanical keyboards?  Anyone else experienced this kind of thing with a mechanical?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Topre]

You are going from rubber domes (usually 65g to 75g) to Cherry MX Reds (45g). The actuation force required in the switches are a lot lighter than rubber domes and you will either need to adjust to it, or get heavier switches. Even with heavier switches, you may need to adjust to the change the way the switch and keyboard feels.

[Puddsy]

Try the blue o-rings, and/or try and find some POM keycaps (not sure if they exist, so don't go crazy looking for them). Avoid PBT keycaps, as they've very brittle and hard. Try flipping your spacebar around as well, as that might solve your blister-on-your-thumb problem (If you're not sure what I mean, I can take a picture).

It took me a few weeks to get settled with my first mech, so don't freak out.

Don't buy anything unless the problem persists for another week or so.

If I missed anything, or you just have more questions, just ask.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Sorry that your first post is so distressing.

First off it sounds as if you are really pounding the keyboard.  With MX reds there is really no need to do that.  I am using a KeyCool with MX reds to type this, and reds are so light that the slightest touch is enough to register the key presses.

Next you have OEM keycaps on there, which are taller than, say, Cherry profile.  You can fairly easily replace the keycaps with some that are not as tall, which might help.

For the space bar - although it may sound silly, a lot of people like to turn their space bar around.  It does look weird, like it is trying to leap off the keyboard, but apparently improves the feel considerably.

O-rings will dampen the bottom of the downward stroke slightly, and reduce the impact, although it is probably better if you try to type more lightly.  MX switches will register halfway down, about 2mm, so there is no need to press the keys all the way to the bottom.  With practice this might improve (although I haven't seen any change to the way I type heh).

Finally there are a few threads in the ergonomics area about RSI and similar - have a browse there and you might find some more ideas.

Good luck!

[Sniping]

Reverse that spacebar man! If you've ever typed on one of those Dell membrane keyboards that's basically what you'll be doing to your spacebar.

[ministry88]

Well, I went ahead and reversed the spacebar as suggested.  It didn't go as smoothly as I'd like -- one of the pieces that holds the stabilizer in place snapped off because the reverse orientation wouldn't quite fit right.  BUT in the end it's now working in the reverse orientation.  And it feels MUCH better.  Nice and rounded.  Got knows why Filco installed the spacebars in the original orientation.

I've attached a pic of the spacebar mod at the end of the post.  It really does look like it's "leaping off the keyboard" as Rowdy put it, but it does work.  Hopefully this orientation won't cause undue stress to the board.

As for my fingertip pain/tenderness: after I reversed the spacebar, it truly felt like the keyboard "opened up" so to speak.  It felt more forgiving and I felt more "in the zone" with it.  I could definitely enjoy the majesty of the typing experience more.

However, my right middle finger still remains stubbornly painful (not much, maybe a little better) whenever it hits the "k" or "i" keys at a certain angle.  But I've noticed if I ease off with my Samsonite Gorilla hands and FEEL the keyboard's incredibly light response and type lighter, it doesn't hurt as much.

Never thought a keyboard could take this much of an adjustment, but here we are!  I'll give this another 7-10 days and see if the fingertip issue resolves itself.

Thanks again everyone!

[Topre]

Well, I went ahead and reversed the spacebar as suggested.  It didn't go as smoothly as I'd like -- one of the pieces that holds the stabilizer in place snapped off because the reverse orientation wouldn't quite fit right.  BUT in the end it's now working in the reverse orientation.  And it feels MUCH better.  Nice and rounded.  Got knows why Filco installed the spacebars in the original orientation.

I've attached a pic of the spacebar mod at the end of the post.  It really does look like it's "leaping off the keyboard" as Rowdy put it, but it does work.  Hopefully this orientation won't cause undue stress to the board.

As for my fingertip pain/tenderness: after I reversed the spacebar, it truly felt like the keyboard "opened up" so to speak.  It felt more forgiving and I felt more "in the zone" with it.  I could definitely enjoy the majesty of the typing experience more.

However, my right middle finger still remains stubbornly painful (not much, maybe a little better) whenever it hits the "k" or "i" keys at a certain angle.  But I've noticed if I ease off with my Samsonite Gorilla hands and FEEL the keyboard's incredibly light response and type lighter, it doesn't hurt as much.

Never thought a keyboard could take this much of an adjustment, but here we are!  I'll give this another 7-10 days and see if the fingertip issue resolves itself.

Thanks again everyone!

It doesn't look like you put the spacebar on correctly. Did you reinsert both stabilizers facing the same direction, the longer edge towards the back of the keyboard? It should be straight.

[rowdy]

The space bar does look a little crooked - it shouldn't be.

And no, it won't damage the board at all (if it is installed correctly).  You should see what some of the guys put on their keyboard - like solid brass keycaps!

Let us know how you are going after a week or so - if nothing else the info will help anyone else who has similar problems.

[PointyFox]

Cherry mx blacks will help.  You'll bottom out less and with less force.  I went from mx blacks to reds and they are kind of painful since I bottom out 100% of the time because I play games.