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Gasket Mounts

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A gimmicky hype word, or purposeful implementation, gasket mounting has definitely changed the keyboard landscape. When looking for a new mechanical keyboard, one of the hot terms that come to mind is “gasket mounted”. It’s heavily advertised in the keyboard hobby, but what does it exactly mean? Why is it a buzz term, what are it’s benefits, and does it have any drawbacks? Today we do a deep dive in the world of gasket mount keyboards and what the buzz is all about.  Many have seen the keyboard mounting style infographic arranged by Thomas Baart. It’s a great resource, but isn’t quite reflective of the current market. If I had better technical drawing skills, I might attempt a new one. 
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As you can see in the image for the gasket mount, there are red gaskets identified. What isn’t accurate is that the screws for the case travel through the plate or that the plate is sandwiched between the top and bottom case. This would nullify any benefits that gasket mount provides.  Which brings us to the forefront of discussion, what are the benefits of gasket mounts?  Gasket mount simply means that there is a gasket material that isolates the plate of the keyboard, or pcb in a plateless configuration) from the rest of the case. This isolation is beneficial for a couple reasons. First is the isolation of the vibration from typing from resonating with the rest of the case. If your gasket mounted keyboard is well designed, the mounting style alone removes dreaded case ping from your board. Many top mounted board suffer from case ping which sounds like a resonating metal sound when you are typing. The easiest way to combat case ping is to use something like painters tape to act as a gasket between the top and bottom case with what’s called the Tempest Mod. The sound of the keyboard is affected by this isolation making the keyboard sound more dampened than if it had a static mount like top mount. However, it’s impossible to say a gasket mount is going to make a thocky or clacky keyboard because there are far too many elements that go into the sound profile of a board besides mount type. Plate material, plate flex cuts, pcb flex cuts, pcb material, switch choice, keycap profile, keycap material, case material, weight position, weight material, case design, and many more factors affect the sound of a keyboard. 
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Keycult's Gaskets
Aside from sound, the other main benefit from using a gasket mount is the feeling of the board. Gasket mount, when implemented correctly, allows for a slightly softer bottom out. There are gasket mounted keyboards that still feel quite firm, and that in and of itself, is one of the perks of gasket mounts. Gasket mounts, whether they be made of foam, silicone, or other material often have multiple types of gaskets to choose from. What separates these gaskets from each other is their durometer, or duro, which is the stiffness of the material. This is a measure of hardness on the A scale or the D scale. For keyboards, we typically measure on the A scale which is intended for softer materials. As an example, one of my favorite places to purchase O-Rings for o-ring mounted keyboards, which I consider a type of gasket mounted keyboard, is Graveshift. They offer o-rings from 30A all the way to 65A. Other makers have used gaskets topping 90A. There are benefits to using different hardnesses, especially when considering using screw-in stabilizers on o-ring mount boards vs traditional clip-in. Obviously the softer hardness that you use on your gaskets equates to a softer bottom out when you are typing. This may present itself in some flex while you are typing. This also is affected by factors such as plate and pcb material, plate and pcb flex cuts, as well as the specific type of gasket mounting. 
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Credit: Keychron
While we touched on O-Ring mount primarily, gasket mount traditionally sandwiches the plate between two gaskets, top and bottom, on a tab built into the plate. The hardness of the gasket material and the size of the gasket material is going to determine how much movement and softness you get when you type on the board. Traditional gaskets often use a type of high density foam to isolate the plate and pcb assembly. We’ve seen some brands like Meletrix use silica pads that clip into the pcb in order to suspend the assembly between the gaskets. Other boards like use gasket socks that fit over the plate and cover all sides of the mounting tabs which do a great job isolating the plate and pcb from the case. The OC-62 is a keyboard that uses press fit gaskets inside the case to achieve it’s gasket mount results.
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Gasket Socks isolate completely from case contact.
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The OC-62 uses press fit gaskets.
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Meletrix's Silica Gel Mount
Today, there are many different ways that a gasket mount can be implemented. The goal, however, is always the same, isolation. It’s probably my most used word in writing this article. Isolating the plate and pcb assembly from the case gives you more options to how you want your board to feel. When considering a gasket mount keyboard, take a look at the three largest factors for gaskets, the thickness, durometer, and material.  These are going to have the most effect on your experience with the keyboard. If your board has thinner gaskets, you probably won’t have a ton of movement available for the PCB and plate. If you have thick, hard gaskets, you won’t either. In order to achieve the feel you want in your keyboard, when purchasing a gasket mount board, if there are options for different types of gaskets, purchase a variety and test for yourself.After all, the point of a keyboard is for you to enjoy it and make it your own!  What are some of your favorite gasket mounted keyboards that you’ve tried? Are there any other mounts you’d like an indepth dive about? If so, leave them in the comments! 
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Today’s article was written with my Alchemy Labs Al.6. This board is finished in a unique battle hardened finish that I’ve fallen in love with. It features GMK Dolch R5 keycaps with novelties from NovelKeys recent set GMK Mars Cadet. I think the greys and gold pair perfectly with this board. It is a Uninkorn style o-ring mount 60% board that I’m using with a 35D o-ring for a softer typing experience. I used clip-in stabilizers and Keygeek Oat switches, which have become one of my favorite stock linears. 
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O-Ring 60% keyboards are my favorite! I'd say I'm a sucker for them. I think you understand my love for them as you have a few yourself! Great article, Cobertt!
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