This isn’t necessarily specific to R2, but the RGB model is the worst offender of any Topre keyboard without question. I’ve individually sealed each housing with gasket maker on every board I have (FC660C, HHKB, R2, etc.) though. It’s the most time-consuming mod I’ve ever done to a keyboard, but it’s always worthwhile once you hear the results.
2 Likes
I’ll have to do some experiments too then, I got my R2 in today and it sounds like I’ve got a month or two until the cases will be ready 
I would definitely be happy to improve the sound and I’m always happy to make my novatouch sound better
The packaging is done and has arrived, along with the breakout PCBs and hardware.
6 Likes
What’s the anticipated ship date of these boards again? Was is late Feb/March?
1 Like
That’s my operating assumption and we seem to be on track for that.
1 Like
Even for veracity? Between this and murmurings of HHKB offerings 2020 is looking to be a VERY good year.
1 Like
The steel ones will likely trail the other parts by a few weeks due to the hand-polishing, but March is still quite feasible. The machining on the aluminum parts and rear cover plates is done and the steel ones are up next.
1 Like
I guess I’ll have to find some other means of self defense, lol. Thanks so much for the timely updates!
1 Like
Quick question: for the Mark II will the extra washers for holding in the PCB be necessary? I remember them helping on the Mark I.
1 Like
Not for the 87U family. I solved that issue by shortening the screws.
However, two washers are required on the R2s due to the wonky way the plate tabs work on those.
1 Like
Perfect! Thanks so much for the quick response.
Does the use of gasket sealer address the awful noise on the key’s upstroke? Can you tell me a brand name of the gasket sealer that you are using?
The deskey rings silence the upstroke you are referring to
2 Likes
Please please please consider another run of that absolutely stunning polycarbonate case sometime in the near or very distant future.
My norbatouch r1 with gold backplate is one of my top 3 keyboards to type on period and I don’t want to have this lowkey grudge against my family and friends for keeping me distracted on Christmas! :3
1 Like
Is there a good video or photo tutorial of the process of applying gasket sealer?
Similarly, is there any good video or photo tutorial of lubing the plate like this?
I’m planning to dome swap mine, and I’d love to try one of these rattle reducing mods while I’ve got it taken apart.
Well, when I did this to my R2 RGB a few months ago — I failed to throughly document my process. However, in that album, I did include a “before-and-after” sound comparison of the plastic housings in the plate.
I’ve done this mod to all of my Topre boards, but frankly, I never thought people cared enough to meticulously go through the necessary steps.
4 Likes
You have underestimated the lengths to which we will go as a community 
1 Like
It looks like a clear caulk 
How could we not after hearing that huge difference between before and after? 
Thanks for taking the time to record and post that.
1 Like
Kind of, right? Haha. It’s actually this stuff mixed with small dabs of (plastic-safe) Gorilla Glue. I didn’t have a method for measurements, so I pretty much just eyeballed it — using more of the sealant as the base.
Then, I just let the plate + housings ventilate (and cure) for a day to prevent discoloration from the fumes.
1 Like