Waterproof keyboards?

[julianf]

So yet another keyboard on the CNC machine has failed over the Christmas break.

Has anyone used one of those silicone flexible ones? Like this -

Silent Foldable Silicone USB Keyboard Waterproof Rollup Keyboard for PC Laptop | eBay

Brand New and Quality Foldable Silicone USB Keyboard Wired Waterproof Rollup Keyboard for PC Laptop <br> <br>Flexible, Soft, Foldable, Roll-up, Silent, Waterproof, Dustproof, Lightweight, Portable and easy to store. <br> <br>Multiple functions make it an extraordinary computer keyboard...

www.ebay.co.uk

Loads of places sell them. They're all the same. Evidently some factory in China has been knocking them out for years (or made millions in one batch and they've been sitting in a warehouse ever since!)

I somtimes modify code at the machine so I want a keyboard rather than a hardware controller, and am just wanting to know how bad these silicone things actually are?

Thank you

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Well, they're cheap enough to take a punt on.

 

[awemawson]

I had three (I think) over the years, but back in my last workshop. All looked the same but two of them were very flaky - you were never sure if it had taken the key press.

I was putting TurboCNC into control of a Denford TRIAC mill and an ORAC lathe as MACH3 wasn't then available so that shows it was ages ago - they may have improved - just maybe !

 

[hotponyshoes]

I have had a few of those over the years as well,
Echo of awemason really,
Pot luck how great they work/feel out of the box. They are certainly waterproof and they are flexible enough to roll up and stick into the pocket of a pair of overalls.
They just don't seem to last very long before key responses become erratic or they just stop working completely.
They last a lot better if you can glue them down to a flat surface and provide some strain relief for the cable as well.
To be fair, they probably last just as well (if not longer) than a normal cheap keyboard in the same environment though.

Another alternative might be a extension cable (or a cheap wireless keyboard) so you can just keep it out of the way of any splashes or metal dust.

If you want to spend the money on something longer lasting then have a look at the ones used in medical/vetinary equipment.
They are easy enough to find with splash proof covers on. Basically just a standard dell/hp/etc keyboard with a custom moulded silicone cover over the top surface.
Expensive for what they are but you do get the benefit of a proper keyboard that feels nice to use and you can just pop the cover off if you want to clean it.
Or, look for an old ultrasound machine or something. They have very nice keyboards with low profile buttons (for wiping clean) they are waterproof and industrial quality.
Normally the same thing is re-packaged and sold for marine use but they are even more expensive than the medical ones.
Most of the medial ones will need to be surface mounted though as it's only normally the front side that is sealed.

Give me a shout if you want me to have a look for one as I think I have a few types hear from vetinary kit.

 

[awemawson]

When Aids first came on the scene the company that I worked for had quite a few PCs installed it hospital intensive care units, and they made specially covered splash proof keyboards for them. When they failed and were replaced the old ones were incinerated but could have been 'rescued' . Never fancied them though somehow even though I needed something similar in the workshop!!!

 

[Hood]

I used them years ago on my CNC machines, they were ok as far as being waterproof and they lasted fine for me but the feel to them was not great and I now have stainless keyboards.

 

[droopsnoot]

As above, we used to sell computer systems to veterinary and dental practices and would often be asked for "keyboard gloves", which were a plastic snug cover. The only problem we had was that PC keyboards weren't particularly standard - certainly not standard enough for these very close-fitting things to go on - so for a lot of the time we'd sell a standard relatively low-cost Cherry keyboard at the same time.

Of course, when I search for "keyboard gloves" now I get a load of photos of gloves for people who use keyboards, which is not what I meant. Unfortunately a quick search for the company we used to use - "Inpace Ltd" - doesn't come up with anything I recall.

 

[James1979]

As above, we used to sell computer systems to veterinary and dental practices and would often be asked for "keyboard gloves", which were a plastic snug cover. The only problem we had was that PC keyboards weren't particularly standard - certainly not standard enough for these very close-fitting things to go on - so for a lot of the time we'd sell a standard relatively low-cost Cherry keyboard at the same time.

Of course, when I search for "keyboard gloves" now I get a load of photos of gloves for people who use keyboards, which is not what I meant. Unfortunately a quick search for the company we used to use - "Inpace Ltd" - doesn't come up with anything I recall.

I know the Logitech keyboard takes a bit of abuse in a CNC environment and they do a latex cover for it.

I never put one on from new and when I found out about it it didn’t seem worth it. Lasted 2 years.

After a Stainless one now

 

[droopsnoot]

As I recall it the keyboard gloves were about £20-£25, and with the price of a new keyboard it's hardly worth it financially.

Of course in the market we were in, it was more for cross-infection than to protect the keyboard from spills. Remembering "cross-infection" brings up a few if you search "keyboard cross-infection covers", including this one which is pretty much what we were selling: https://www.steritype.com/steritype-keyboard-covers/

 

[MattH]

I find the Kiosk type keyboards are best as they extremely well built and can be had now for a fraction of what they used to cost new:

Kiosk Keyboard for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Kiosk Keyboard. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk