I like Topre and I wanted to start a thread on Topre modding!
Nice Tools to have:
- Screwdriver
- Spudger (I got mine from Norbauer)
- Keycap Puller
- Brush
Lubing:
I generally use Krytox 205g0 for all the rails and any plastic-to-plastic contacts. For the stabilizer wire, I use dielectric grease and give it a healthy coating. There are two rails that you want to lube within the Topre housing.
Lubing the PCB
“Lube the PCB, what?”.
When using BKE Redux or Des-Domes you can use Dielectric Grease. to lube the PCB. If you’re going to use OG Topre Domes use Krytox or Tribosys lubes. It will damage the domes when you use dielectric grease.
Yea, this really helps in limiting the spring crunch when pressing on the keys.
Opening Up the Board
Take out the silver screws and the black screws. The silver screws go into the holes that have the circles around them and the black screws go into the holes that have arrows pointing to them. I usually use two text books to prop my board up, but with the 660c the top half of the case works really well. I position my board like this and really works well.
Silencing Rings
This is a Type-s/Purple/Factory Silenced slider. These already come with silencing rings, but if you want to silence your topre boards, I recommend using Deskeys Silencing Rings because they offer a lot of different sizes that play with the sound-to-loss-of-tacility/travel ratios. I prefer Deskeys #3. I’ve also tried hyperspheres, which are nice, but really expensive when those were the only solution. I’m glad that silencing options are not as expensive anymore
Domes
I love 55g Topre domes. But there are a lot of options now from Des-domes and Keyclack.
Take your time in placing domes. You don’t want to keep opening up the board. I usually screw the silver screws first and then check if all the keys and domes have been seated properly. If they all work, I close it up, otherwise you don’t have to unscrew everything again. Be careful during this step, you don’t want to know it over and pick up all the springs and domes.
Other really helpful mods
Gasket Mod
There was another user on keebtalk that talked about using gasket maker to limit the rattling found on the board. I tried it and it worked wonders for my Realforce RGB. @anon81470386 and Unrealkeyboards has these in his shop and I highly recommend them, especially if you’re modding an RGB.
Before and after:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AExxFpPJlXH-smc3_1PpWIH1y6y3sS38/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u32Qs8AhePWaBtoLdSF0_KNuHq7iRg1M/view?usp=sharing
Stabilizer Heat-shrink
https://www.unrealkeyboards.com/Guides/topre-modifications/
This will help in limiting the stabilizers rattling.
Topre to MX Sliders
I’m not really a fan of these anymore but you’ll have to drill holes into the stabilizer housings or get novatouch housings.
Hasu Controllers
They make your keeb reprogrammable. KBDFans has a variant.
OG on top, Hasu on the bottom
Foam and Plumber’s Tape
I line the inside of my cases with acoustic foam (see picture above). Recently have bought the nice inserts that Norbauer offers. I also cut little strips and put them in my spacebar to fill in the deadspace. If you have rattle-y spacebar, I use plumber’s tape to fill in the gaps of the outer stems.
Cases
Norbauer offers some of the best bespoke Topre cases out there. Noxary has also started making after market Topre cases.
Useful Sites:
- UNREAL Keyboards ran by @anon81470386. He has a really good comprehensive guide in modding Topre boards with much better visuals. He streams pretty frequently and is really nice to talk to and answers all your questions in the realm of Topre. His Discord and his stream. Make sure to visit his shop for all your Topre modding needs!
- Hasu HHKB and Fc660c controllers
- KBDFans offers a lot of good options for keycaps, Topre-to-MX stems, and HHKB Controller
- Deskeys has a nice assortment of domes in different weights and an assortment of silencing rings in different thicknesses.
- Keyclack has their own set of aftermarket domes. They are slightly more sharp in tactility and offers different weights.
- The illustrious @norbauer and his cases are endgame. Make sure to check him out!
- Noxary cases are also very nice looking and have a different motif compared to Norbauer’s cases, but are still very respected and appreciated in the Topre world.
What are some of your favorite Topre mods?
