In the hobby of custom mechanical keyboards, once you start to build your knowledge base about their construction, mounting style will become a pivotal part in how they feel and sound. And of all constructions, gasket mounting has become increasingly popular due to its distinctive properties. So, what is a gasket mounting keyboard and in this scenario – what does gasket mean at all?
Gasket Definition
Gasket mount is a keyboard assembly method in which the plate (the metal or plastic part that holds the switches) relaxes against soft, compressible materials known as gaskets. These gaskets – usually, rubber, silicone or foam in nature – play the role of an intermediary between the plate and case. This approach intends to deliver a softer, smoother typing action over other, more stiff mounting designs.
What Do Gaskets Do?
The principal use of gaskets in a keyboard design is to offer isolation and damping. Gaskets absorb these vibrations, effectively isolating the plate from coming in contact with the case to allow for a pressure distribution across all parts of your keyboard. That translates to a number of advantages. The main job of a gasket is to minimize the harsh, clacky vibes that are often associated with stiffer mounting configurations. The dampening effect makes a deeper and more subdued tone that many enthusiasts are craving for. In addition to that, the slight movement provided by gaskets leads to a softer keystroke. This can reduce finger fatigue for long typing sessions and make the overall type experience more pleasant. And last, unlike some mounting styles where the typing feel can vary depending on key location, gasket mounting gives a more uniform feel across the entire keyboard.
Gasket Materials and Design
The right selection of the gasket material is important because it affects how a keyboard sounds. These are mostly made out of rubber, foam or silicone. Rubber provides superior vibration damping and longevity. Foam offers a softer cushion and it is easy to customize. This is a medium between the rubber and foam, with satisfactory dampening but some more resistance to movement – it is silicone.
Design can be different, too – some use thin strips around the whole plate edges, while another could involve thicker pads touching the surface of plate only at key locations.
Comparison to Alternative Mounting Styles
To truly appreciate gasket mounting, it’s helpful to compare it to other common mounting types. The cheapest by far (and also the simplest method of mounting a PCB) is tray mount. This literally involves screwing your PCB into the case directly in only a few spots. This can lead to an inconsistent and generally stiffer typing experience. With top mount, you screw the plate to the top of the keyboard case and it’s supposed to provide a more firm typing experience than gasket-mounted with better consistency compared with tray-mount. The sandwich mount actually sandwiches the plate between the top and bottom case halves, meaning you feel more solid, stiff typing. Gasket mounting gives the consistency of a top mount without the dreaded sound, and some extra flex.
Gasket Mount: Any Downsides?
Well, some just like it harder, or rather stiffer, but it just comes to preference. The intricacy of the gasket mount design, however, often translates into a more expensive keyboard. In true mechanical keyboard fashion, everything is very personal and the best way to find out if you like a gasket mount is by giving it a try.
