55g HHKB & 55g UK layout Topre

[TheSven]

Hey there people of GH!
I've been wondering about Topre lately, specifically two things. The first thing is there a Happy Hacking Keyboard with 55g switches? I've decided that 45g would be too light for me, as I generally prefer heavier keyboards. So does a HHKB with 55g exist or would I have to somehow mod one? The second thing is there a Realforce 88U (ISO) with 55g switches? Or would I have to mod them again?
Thank you.

[exitfire401]

I've only seen an 87u with 55g, but I wouldnt doubt that there's an 88 out there with 55g. As for the HHKB, you would have to swap the domes in from a 55g Realforce.

[Hypersphere]

I have a RF 87ub 55g, and I really like the solid sound and feel of the heavier plate-mounted switches.

The HHKB Pro 2 has uniform 45g Topre switches that are case-mounted. You can do a dome swap from a RF 55g donor board to get heavier switches, but you cannot make the switches plate-mounted like they are in the RF boards.

I go back and forth between the HHKB and RF. My favorite form factor is 60% and my favorite layout is that of the HHKB, but I also prefer the more solid sound and feel of the 55g plate-mounted Topres in my RF.

Sometimes I think that the perfect keyboard would be a HHKB with plate-mounted 55g switches, but this might throw off the unique sound and feel of the HHKB Pro 2.

[Khers]

.

[Joey Quinn]

I just bought an HHKB and I'm currently trying to find 55g domes to add without buying a Realforce as a donor.

The HHKB Pro 2 has uniform 45g Topre switches that are case-mounted. You can do a dome swap from a RF 55g donor board to get heavier switches, but you cannot make the switches plate-mounted like they are in the RF boards.

Do you have pictures of this? I didn't know there was a plate/ case mount thing with topre.

[exitfire401]

I just bought an HHKB and I'm currently trying to find 55g domes to add without buying a Realforce as a donor.

The HHKB Pro 2 has uniform 45g Topre switches that are case-mounted. You can do a dome swap from a RF 55g donor board to get heavier switches, but you cannot make the switches plate-mounted like they are in the RF boards.

Do you have pictures of this? I didn't know there was a plate/ case mount thing with topre.

I'm pretty sure he just means like they are in the RF. You can't use a plate in the HHKB, you just have to use the case as your only mounting method.

[Joey Quinn]

I just bought an HHKB and I'm currently trying to find 55g domes to add without buying a Realforce as a donor.

The HHKB Pro 2 has uniform 45g Topre switches that are case-mounted. You can do a dome swap from a RF 55g donor board to get heavier switches, but you cannot make the switches plate-mounted like they are in the RF boards.

Do you have pictures of this? I didn't know there was a plate/ case mount thing with topre.

I'm pretty sure he just means like they are in the RF. You can't use a plate in the HHKB, you just have to use the case as your only mounting method.

Ok so the RF has the barrels mounted to a metal plate while the HHKB has them cast in one piece with a plastic plate?

[TheSven]

I've only seen an 87u with 55g, but I wouldnt doubt that there's an 88 out there with 55g. As for the HHKB, you would have to swap the domes in from a 55g Realforce.

I have a RF 87ub 55g, and I really like the solid sound and feel of the heavier plate-mounted switches.

The HHKB Pro 2 has uniform 45g Topre switches that are case-mounted. You can do a dome swap from a RF 55g donor board to get heavier switches, but you cannot make the switches plate-mounted like they are in the RF boards.

I go back and forth between the HHKB and RF. My favorite form factor is 60% and my favorite layout is that of the HHKB, but I also prefer the more solid sound and feel of the 55g plate-mounted Topres in my RF.

Sometimes I think that the perfect keyboard would be a HHKB with plate-mounted 55g switches, but this might throw off the unique sound and feel of the HHKB Pro 2.

A 55g 88u is not available directly, but iirc Keyboardco had some sort of an interest check a while back for a 55g 88u. Don't know if any were actually produced though.

Thanks for all of your help guys. Looks like I'll have to mod then, or just stick with an 87U.

[SpAmRaY]

Ok so the RF has the barrels mounted to a metal plate while the HHKB has them cast in one piece with a plastic plate?

Yes on the RF the barrels/sliders mount in a metal plate but on the HHKB the barrels/sliders mount in the top of the case, see below pic.



https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46805.msg990835#msg990835

realforce photos here

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=21952.0