Best Topre Silencing Yet!

[Hypersphere]

I've been tweaking my method for silencing Topre-switch keyboards, using a combination of Hypersphere Silencing Rings and lubing of stabilizers and switches. This most recent "ring job and lube" produced the best silencing yet.

Previously, I had lubricated only the stabilizers. My earlier method was to use relatively thick grease,such as MechLube2 from EK. However, all of the greases I had tried seemed to dry up after a time.

My current method is to install Silencing Rings in all the switches and then to lubricate the stabilizers and switches using SuperLube 51010 Oil. The oil is applied with a small paintbrush on friction points such as articulations of stabilzer wires and the slider rails of switches. I've reproduced an image showing a similar procedure on the switch slider rails of a HHKB Pro 2 keyboard:

DQyf2Sa.jpg (155.93 KiB) Viewed 7808 times

https://i.imgur.com/DQyf2Sa.jpg

I also put a two-layer square of self-adhesive anti-skid strips on each side of the spacebar switch to serve as downstroke dampers for the spacebar.

This method produced the best silencing I have experienced to date, as demonstrated in the following video/audio clips and audio waveforms. Keystrokes were 3 each of Tab, Backslash (HHKB Delete/Backspace), CapsLock/Ctrl, Return/Enter, Left Shift, Right Shift, and Spacebar, followed by 3 each of "This is this." (without quotation marks), ending with 3 each of Return/Enter and Spacebar.

RF87UB55

rf87ub55-125.jpg (88.38 KiB) Viewed 7808 times

Before Silencing:

RF-Before.jpg (47.77 KiB) Viewed 7808 times

After Silencing:

RF-After.jpg (22.84 KiB) Viewed 7808 times

I hope that these tips will help others who are interested in silencing their Topre-switch keyboards. The same principles should apply to any Topre-switch board, including RF87U/104U, HHKB Pro 2, Leopold FC660C, CM Novatouch, and others.

[XMIT]

Merry Christmas!

Interesting. For those who don't know Super Lube 51010 is a packaging of Synthetic Oil With PTFE (High Viscosity) which is available in other quantities for rather less money. http://www.super-lube.com/synthetic-oil ... zp-56.html. This is a synthetic oil with embedded Teflon.

I'd like to try this on Chinese Topre clones such as the Noppoo EC108 and Royal Kludge RC930 to see if this helps with their scratchiness at all.

[Madhias]

Wow, that is really silent after the mod! First of all I will wait for the silencing rings I have ordered from Muirium, and maybe later make a more sophisticated mod! I'd only do that on the HHKB, and not on the Realforce. I love the Realforce how it sounds, and feels. The HHKB is a little bit like MX Blues or Greens compared to Buckling Springs, but a little bit - not that big difference - just as a comparison.

In general the Realforce sounds for me perfect. For example today I tested the Cooler Master Rapid-SI with MX Browns I won at the DT awards, and I have to say I really like the MX Browns with that plate - it feels good and also the sound is OK. I will change the caps and use it! But then... I switched to the Realforce again and it was like an eargasm and also the feeling was perfect.

[infodroid]

My current method is to install Silencing Rings in all the switches and then to lubricate the stabilizers and switches using SuperLube 51010 Oil.

Is there a risk that, over time, the oil will drip down onto the PCB?

[Hypersphere]

My current method is to install Silencing Rings in all the switches and then to lubricate the stabilizers and switches using SuperLube 51010 Oil.

Is there a risk that, over time, the oil will drip down onto the PCB?

I suppose so; however, I have seen posts elsewhere regarding using synthetic oils to lube Topre swtiches and I do not recall seeing any posts indicating problems resulting from the oil seeping past the domes and reaching the PCB. In any event, oil should be applied sparingly.

[face]

Why shouldn't one lube the plungers too? So sliders and plungers? Are there any downsides to this?

[Hypersphere]

I recommend lubing only the rectangular slider rails, not the cylindrical slider (aka plunger) itself or the cylindrical housing. I was also given similar advice by EK.com. I also recommend synthetic oil for the slider rails. Grease could be used to lube the stabilizers.

[face]

Alright, thank you!

[Manjusri]

Can you compare the relative benefits of lube vs rings vs both?

[Hypersphere]

Can you compare the relative benefits of lube vs rings vs both?

The two are difficult to separate, but I would say that the benefit with respect to sound is greater from the rings. Lube alone does little for the sound, but it has some effect on sound and more of an effect on feel. Doing both seems to have a synergistic effect on both sound and feel. I recommend doing both -- installing rings and lubing the switch rails and stabilizers.