Septimaeus

6 years ago I set out to create a full size tactile that was completely silent. Turns out that was over-ambitious but almost got there. Daily driver since then.

In the process learned that 95% of the potential sound reduction for any build came down to part selection and simple construction choices, which could likely also be applied inexpensively to most prebuilts and have the same effect, so sharing them here. In order from greatest to least effect:

1. Low-noise switches (I went with Zeal Zilents)
2. High-viscosity synthetic to lube switches (I used Super 51010)
3. Lining resonant materials with butyl rubber
4. Filling cavities with high density foam (lots of X-Acto whittling)
5. Localizing noisy contact surfaces (free db meter) and buffering with silicone tape, gaskets, o-rings, “bandaid trick,” etc
6. Using soft neoprene rubber sheet instead of feet to dampen conduction to desktop (same effect as common keyboard/mouse pads, only attached to keyboard to work on any surface)
7. Heaviest PBT doubleshot caps you can find (paint inner cavity with silicone to reduce resonance further)

Additional reductions were IMO too much effort or cost for the effect achieved, so I wouldn’t recommend, but included stuff like using Plasti-dip to coat case exterior and exposed switch surfaces (which occludes rgb). Surprisingly, though backplate is often chosen to achieve a deeper/softer tone or muted thocking sound, it makes actual elimination of sound more difficult by adding a resonant surface that could otherwise be filled with dampening material.

Unfortunately, the sound of fingers brushing against the keycap surface itself turned out to be the hardest to eliminate without big compromises in feel (e.g. untextured or vulcanized rubber caps, which ultimately can make noise just from your skin sticking to the surface). Ceramic keycaps are a new thing I’ll eventually test.

That’s where I left off. The key-brushing sound remains with trace thumping on some surfaces, so not silent but I got close.

IIRC he spent a good deal of childhood in Bordeaux or thereabouts, so it would seem you’re both right.

Looping on voyager 🎸

They’re $150?? E: holy shit you weren’t kidding

You have upset your Ferengi masters!

Most who have pursued a PhD, and all who attain it, are the lost ones.

These poor souls live only a half life now. He was right to fear her.

I’m going to use “festively slutty” in my introductions from now on

So tired of the audience participation in these endless phone wars. Oh you have a smart phone? Dope! They’re cool and useful. Anyway