Buckling spring silencing
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
I had a bit of silicone sealant, so I put a very small, 1-2mm diameter drop of it onto the far end of the barrel - between that "7" stamp and the edge.
Surprisingly, this made rebound practically silent.
SHOCK VIDEO
Don't know how long the sealant will hold before it starts crumbling or just peels off the barrel plastic. In video it looks like only the TWANG is missing - but actually it's much quieter, may be a bit louder than rubber dome keyboard I have. Comparable to the beamspring.
Click on keypress is also a bit quieter - because the paddle has less to travel now. Tactile feedback is mostly there. But the rebound is ALMOST SILENT!
Surprisingly, this made rebound practically silent.
SHOCK VIDEO
Don't know how long the sealant will hold before it starts crumbling or just peels off the barrel plastic. In video it looks like only the TWANG is missing - but actually it's much quieter, may be a bit louder than rubber dome keyboard I have. Comparable to the beamspring.
Click on keypress is also a bit quieter - because the paddle has less to travel now. Tactile feedback is mostly there. But the rebound is ALMOST SILENT!
- fohat
- Elder Messenger
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Main keyboard: Model F 122-key terminal
- Main mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse
- Favorite switch: Model F Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0158
What a staggering idea!
In the US there is a product called "Shoe Goo" made for repairing the soles of rubber shoes and it is amazingly strong and durable. I think that I will try your mod with that product on an F AT rebuild that I hope to do soon.
Presumably the key to success is getting a consistent size and shape of bumper on every barrel. I will use 2 dots to gain a wider contact area.
Too bad that barrels have become a precious commodity with lot_lizard's project, it will be with trepidation that I mess with them.
In the US there is a product called "Shoe Goo" made for repairing the soles of rubber shoes and it is amazingly strong and durable. I think that I will try your mod with that product on an F AT rebuild that I hope to do soon.
Presumably the key to success is getting a consistent size and shape of bumper on every barrel. I will use 2 dots to gain a wider contact area.
Too bad that barrels have become a precious commodity with lot_lizard's project, it will be with trepidation that I mess with them.
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
Reading about it I suspect it to be silicone-basedfohat wrote: ↑What a staggering idea!
In the US there is a product called "Shoe Goo" made for repairing the soles of rubber shoes and it is amazingly strong and durable. I think that I will try your mod with that product on an F AT rebuild that I hope to do soon.
Disclosure - I wasn't too careful with consistency and the effect was about the same, not much difference. May be even really tiny drops will work.fohat wrote: ↑Presumably the key to success is getting a consistent size and shape of bumper on every barrel. I will use 2 dots to gain a wider contact area.
I don't know why I didn't make a photo of actual barrels, and I'm too lazy to disassemble everything just for the photo
My biggest fear is that the bead unsticks from the barrel in a week of active use and jams the key, actually. Or will disintegrate into dust. Barrels themselves won't suffer.
Well, Ellipse can produce them so the supply is much less limited now.fohat wrote: ↑Too bad that barrels have become a precious commodity with lot_lizard's project, it will be with trepidation that I mess with them.
And for phase 2 this can be incorporated into design even.
Also that part is relatively unloaded (walls there are very thin), so you can probably even cut a slot there and not suffer.
Actually, you can probably just cut that part off - couple of mm of it, anyways - and let paddle hit the foam. Not sure how long the foam will withstand those hits though
- fohat
- Elder Messenger
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Main keyboard: Model F 122-key terminal
- Main mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse
- Favorite switch: Model F Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0158
Unless there is a problem with Shoe Goo adhering to the barrel, it is an amazing product. I have used it since the late 1980s.DMA wrote: ↑
My biggest fear is that the bead unsticks from the barrel in a week of active use and jams the key
I have re-surfaced soles of shoes with it and literally continued walking on them for years. If anything, it is sometimes stronger and longer-wearing than the originals.
- Techno Trousers
- 100,000,000 actuations
- Location: California
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F-122
- Main mouse: Mionix Naos
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Spring (Model F)
- DT Pro Member: 0159
Interesting! So the silicone dot just absorbs the impact and vibration of the flipper coming back up, right?
Lot_lizard had talked about mass producing barrels in the future for the "MF flat," and they would be backward compatible with current barrels. I think it would be worth an experiment to drill a small hole in that flat part of the barrel, and insert a slightly domed silicone plug that would serve the same function. That should last pretty much indefinitely, and the holes could be made a part of the barrels.
For those, like red and probably me, who prefer the full bodied original sound, we could simply leave out the insert and retain the "classic" noise level. I always like things that can be tuned to individual taste. Having a viable noise reduction method would definitely widen the appeal of the MF flat!
Lot_lizard had talked about mass producing barrels in the future for the "MF flat," and they would be backward compatible with current barrels. I think it would be worth an experiment to drill a small hole in that flat part of the barrel, and insert a slightly domed silicone plug that would serve the same function. That should last pretty much indefinitely, and the holes could be made a part of the barrels.
For those, like red and probably me, who prefer the full bodied original sound, we could simply leave out the insert and retain the "classic" noise level. I always like things that can be tuned to individual taste. Having a viable noise reduction method would definitely widen the appeal of the MF flat!
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
It does something! I don't know what, exactly. May be it just reduces the contact area and metal (well, metal probably won't - ABS) ball will work just as well.Techno Trousers wrote: ↑Interesting! So the silicone dot just absorbs the impact and vibration of the flipper coming back up, right?
I doubt they will be. If you look closely, the "horizontal" part of the barrel is bent upwards. Like sneaker soles, y'know. But that doesn't matter much - Ellipse can bake more, just needs to be persuaded to sell them cheaper.Techno Trousers wrote: ↑barrels [snip] for the "MF flat," and they would be backward compatible
Silicone plug idea is good - I'll probably do it by pouring silicone into that hole and leaving it to dry. No much difference between 1 and 0.5mm I think, so precision is not needed I'm not sure about silicone longevity though - poured or separately fabbed.
I will also leave my home copy loud. The office one, on the other hand.. I'll also try foam layer BELOW the PCB so that activation click is also dampened. But that will only be possible with MF - you just can't do it with F122 or XT.
- just_add_coffee
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Model F AT, Batwing Ergodox
- Main mouse: Microsoft Trackball Explorer 1.0
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
Seconded.__red__ wrote: ↑I strongly disapprove of this thread
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
-
- Location: New Jersey
- Main keyboard: Ergodox
- Main mouse: Razer Naga
- Favorite switch: Box Jade
- DT Pro Member: -
I for one would love a quieter buckling spring keyboard, as I would like to use it at work.
-
- Location: United Kingdom
- Main keyboard: IBM Bigfoot + Arduino
- Main mouse: Kensington Orbit Trackball
- Favorite switch: IBM Model F buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: -
I work in an open-plan office, with lots of very noisy phone conversations all around, all day long. I have no compunction to silence the Kalashnikov clatter from my IBM 5291 in such an environment!
- ramnes
- ПБТ НАВСЕГДА
- Location: France
- Main keyboard: KMAC LE
- Main mouse: Zowie AM
- Favorite switch: GPL 104 lubed 62g nixies
- DT Pro Member: -
This.
It's almost the same principle than Hypersphere's rings, and I like it.
Could we imagine a group-buy of pre-silenced barrels (or pre-silenced hammers)?
Then you could eventually put them on Ebay, at a fair price…
- just_add_coffee
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Model F AT, Batwing Ergodox
- Main mouse: Microsoft Trackball Explorer 1.0
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
Because FIVE would be lunacy.DMA wrote: ↑ Gentlemen. It only silences the rebound. Why do you even need TWO clicks on every keypress?
Seriously, I'm interested in giving this a try before dismissing it and appreciate you telling us about this.
- Techno Trousers
- 100,000,000 actuations
- Location: California
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F-122
- Main mouse: Mionix Naos
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Spring (Model F)
- DT Pro Member: 0159
Replace the spring with a wet noodle!Laser wrote:How about the complete heresy ? (silencing a buckling spring *completely*)
Maybe even by replacing the spring with something else
- paecific.jr
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F 122
- Main mouse: Logitech Performance MX
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Springs
- DT Pro Member: -
How dare you modify a terminal board like that!
- Laser
- emacs -nw
- Location: Romania
- Main keyboard: Plum TKL \w Topre domes (work) / Novatouch (home)
- DT Pro Member: 0180
Well I guess a noodle peut boucler, but can not buckleTechno Trousers wrote: ↑Replace the spring with a wet noodle!Laser wrote:How about the complete heresy ? (silencing a buckling spring *completely*)
Maybe even by replacing the spring with something else
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
That's done already. It's called "rubber dome". Super-quiet. If you want it less quiet - ALPS white, MX clear.. lots of them.Laser wrote: ↑How about the complete heresy ? (silencing a buckling spring *completely*)
Maybe even by replacing the spring with something else
A guy I know actually made a single key switch from those neodymium magnets - one ring and two pucks, to be exact. Absolutely quiet, great tactile response. He never moved to make an actual keyboard though
But single switch was very pleasant. Hall sensor was pretty easy to read too.
- Techno Trousers
- 100,000,000 actuations
- Location: California
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F-122
- Main mouse: Mionix Naos
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Spring (Model F)
- DT Pro Member: 0159
Ooh, now that's very interesting to read. Do you have the design, or can you reproduce it? If so, I think you should give it straightaway to XMIT in his brand new Hall Effect keyboard revival, round 2 keyboard thread. I'm not a fan of linear switches, so I didn't get in on XMIT's round one. But I know you like capacitive buckling spring as I do, so if you liked the tactile response of that Hall effect switch, I'm betting it would be awesome to have an entire keyboard full of them!DMA wrote: ↑A guy I know actually made a single key switch from those neodymium magnets - one ring and two pucks, to be exact. Absolutely quiet, great tactile response. He never moved to make an actual keyboard though
But single switch was very pleasant. Hall sensor was pretty easy to read too.
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
That could be tough to do with a bunch of magnets. They might interfere with the Hall sensors, we'd need to pick sensors carefully to make sure there were no issues. Neodymium magnets are really strong - watch out for nearby credit cards...
DMA do you have any photos of this contraption?
DMA do you have any photos of this contraption?
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
I don't like the idea of "Hall effect keyboard" just for the sake of using Hall effect sensors. They're complex, power-hungry, expensive versions of a reed switch.Techno Trousers wrote: ↑If so, I think you should give it straightaway to XMIT in his brand new Hall Effect keyboard revival, round 2 keyboard thread. I'm not a fan of linear switches, so I didn't get in on XMIT's round one. But I know you like capacitive buckling spring as I do, so if you liked the tactile response of that Hall effect switch, I'm betting it would be awesome to have an entire keyboard full of them!
I mean for restoration of a historical keyboard you can do it - but to produce new devices using THAT?
The design was easy. Cross-section looks like this:
Code: Select all
-|-----
=====0 0
-|-----
Simple, really. Not sure about longevity - magnets crammed into place can demagnetize over time. Testing is needed.
- rsbseb
- -Horned Rabbit-
- Location: In the heart of the Ozarks
- Main keyboard: Varies
- Main mouse: logitech 570 trackball
- Favorite switch: I dream of a silky smooth Izot
- DT Pro Member: 0112
DMA wrote: ↑I don't like the idea of "Hall effect keyboard" just for the sake of using Hall effect sensors. They're complex, power-hungry, expensive versions of a reed switch.Techno Trousers wrote: ↑If so, I think you should give it straightaway to XMIT in his brand new Hall Effect keyboard revival, round 2 keyboard thread. I'm not a fan of linear switches, so I didn't get in on XMIT's round one. But I know you like capacitive buckling spring as I do, so if you liked the tactile response of that Hall effect switch, I'm betting it would be awesome to have an entire keyboard full of them!
I mean for restoration of a historical keyboard you can do it - but to produce new devices using THAT?
The design was easy. Cross-section looks like this:Where "-"is a thin-walled plastic tube, "0" is a disc and "|" is a part of a ring. He used ~3(2?)mm thick ~5-6mm hole diameter rings, with fitting disc magnets. I remember he needed to sand the ring from inside to fit a thin-walled tube as a guide.Code: Select all
-|----- =====0 0 -|-----
Simple, really. Not sure about longevity - magnets crammed into place can demagnetize over time. Testing is needed.
Just make them all electromagnetic with programmable resistance. Then someone could put together some prank code that drops all the keys whenever a specific key was pressed. Think of it, dancing keys instead of dancing back light colors, It could just be the next biggest thing in keyboards. Every key switch could function as a seloniod for those interested in maximum feedback.
- rsbseb
- -Horned Rabbit-
- Location: In the heart of the Ozarks
- Main keyboard: Varies
- Main mouse: logitech 570 trackball
- Favorite switch: I dream of a silky smooth Izot
- DT Pro Member: 0112
What are you using as a background in your photo?DMA wrote: ↑I had a bit of silicone sealant, so I put a very small, 1-2mm diameter drop of it onto the far end of the barrel - between that "7" stamp and the edge.
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
Ask Ellipse, it's his photo, I pulled it from The Internet. But, if my eyes serve me well, that's your standard styrofoam packing block.rsbseb wrote: ↑What are you using as a background in your photo?
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
And I searched for a while on the picture for some hint where you put the sealant
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
Because it's time to test macros, had to reassemble keyboard in "all keys" configuration. Snapped a photo!
As you can see, the bead can be pretty large or pretty small - the effect is about the same
As you can see, the bead can be pretty large or pretty small - the effect is about the same
- Techno Trousers
- 100,000,000 actuations
- Location: California
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F-122
- Main mouse: Mionix Naos
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Spring (Model F)
- DT Pro Member: 0159
I'd really like to hear a recording of typing on that at full speed!
- DMA
- Location: Seattle, US
- Main keyboard: T420
- Main mouse: Trackpoint
- Favorite switch: beamspring
- DT Pro Member: NaN
- Contact:
I reviewed the original video and it really looks to me that the phone records everything at the same sound level. So video won't probably be impressive.Techno Trousers wrote: ↑I'd really like to hear a recording of typing on that at full speed!
iphone's sound meter, right next to the key, shows 66dB keypress and 75 vs 63dB key release sound. 12dB is 4x difference, IIRC.
This is with no foam though - probably with foam added it will be much less dramatic.