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Author Topic: [MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)  (Read 14492 times)

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Offline sixty

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 01:06:42 »
THIS TOPIC IS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY - PLEASE KEEP ACTUAL ORDERS IN THE ORDER TOPIC.


Hey guys,

I had a lot of time to waste recently and learned how to calculate springs and related stuff thanks to the help of a local spring company. I got this idea when I received some third party springs from Korea and a few from red MX switches.

Now the spring I came up with has a total force of 50g, but obviously activates earlier when used in a linear switch. Due to being based on the Cherry red spring the feel is very similar to Cherry reds, but still a tad smoother. I have a few of the first prototype springs and they feel great in black switches. Smooth as butter and activating at around 42g in actual usage. I have not yet tried them in browns or blues, but I assume they will make the switch a bit smoother too. They turn clears into "light browns" with a slightly more tactile point. Very interesting.

If you always wanted a ghetto Cherry red board but were too poor/greedy to sacrifice 87/104/105 Cherry browns, here is your chance.

Anyway, would anyone else be interested in a massorder on these?

The price would be around $12~15 for a set of 120 springs including worldwide shipping. I calculated out 120 to fit most boards and allow for some damaged/lost springs.
Production time is 2-3 weeks and shipping would be from Germany.
Ideally we would need around 30 people, but we can also order with less since I'm willing to cover more of the cost on my own since I love the feel of these and need more than the few prototypes I have.

If you are interested in purchasing a set of springs please reply with how many sets you would want. Due to limited internet access I will edit the post whenever I am able to do so.
« Last Edit: Mon, 03 January 2011, 13:46:04 by sixty »
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Offline msiegel

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 01:20:49 »
i'm not a cherry modder, but i'm here to encourage you... BIG thumbs up, sixty! :D :D
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Offline iMav

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 01:26:54 »
I'd purchase a couple sets.
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Offline taswyn

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 01:41:28 »
That's cheaper than killing my 8963 for switches =O

I don't currently have a board for them to go into, but a tentative yes on one set.

Out of curiosity, can they do springs with ~40g of force for about 2/3 of the spring, increasing to ~70+ (possibly growing) for the last thirdish? Basically, light until after the actuation point, then increased/increasing to give some tension before bottoming out. Trying something like that seems like it could be very interesting.
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Offline laden3

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:04:42 »
just asking, is it possible for them to make conical springs? or lighter springs for buckling spring keyboards?
« Last Edit: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:28:10 by laden3 »
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Offline elbowglue

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:43:39 »
YES.  I would need about 2 sets.

Sixty, would these have more turns than a cherry brown spring, or less? or even the same?

How are the spring parameters in comparison to regular cherry red springs, less steep of force/mm slope?

I don't think conical springs would fit the cherry stem and base correctly..
« Last Edit: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:50:07 by elbowglue »
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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline Findecanor

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:49:20 »
Two sets for me, please.

I am interested in testing modified Cherry MX clears.
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Offline elbowglue

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:53:32 »
Actually one other question, would it be possible to make the same springs as are found in cherry greens?  You could change a whole cherry blue board into a cherry green board with this..
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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline sixty

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 02:58:11 »
Quote from: elbowglue;258526
Actually one other question, would it be possible to make the same springs as are found in cherry greens?  You could change a whole cherry blue board into a cherry green board with this..

Yeah, its possible. They can make any type of springs and even clone existing ones. The problem is that small orders are not cost effective at all.

100 springs = $240 usd if you were to only order 100.

If this first order for the "smooth springs" as I like to call them works out we can do other orders too, as long as we reach a decent minimum (1000 total springs or more). The whole thing is not cost effective before a minimum of 1000 springs, since they are all not in stock and totally custom made. Most people seem to dislike greens, might be hard to find enough interested people.
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Offline CeeSA

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 03:14:41 »
2 sets for me - plz
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Offline lowpoly

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 04:49:40 »
I'd take 130 springs, if possible.
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Offline TGM

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 04:57:38 »
I'd be interested, might also ask a couple of friends if they would be interested.
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Offline itlnstln

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:18:25 »
I'm surprised no one has asked this, but for round 2, how about some lighter BS springs.  I might be in for some of those.  Good job, sixty!
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Offline db_Iodine

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:44:17 »
I'd buy two sets. Fantastic work here sixty!
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Offline laden3

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:45:36 »
Quote from: itlnstln;258586
I'm surprised no one has asked this, but for round 2, how about some lighter BS springs.  I might be in for some of those.  Good job, sixty!


#5, good to know someone is interested in lighter BS spring too
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Offline itlnstln

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:59:42 »
Contrary to what I use every day, I love buckling springs.  They're just too heavy (and loud for my new office) to use every day.  Something around the 45-50g range would be great.
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Offline laden3

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 08:11:00 »
Why make it round 2? We can have 2 orders at the same time.
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Offline itlnstln

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 08:13:39 »
I would definitely want to test it first.  IBM, in their infinite wisdom, may have picked heavier springs for a reason.  Lighter springs may not buckle correctly, or something.
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Online HaaTa

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 09:00:39 »
I'm interested :D Sign me up for one set.

Also interested in the light buckling springs.
« Last Edit: Tue, 07 December 2010, 09:54:36 by HaaTa »
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Offline 42.tar.gz

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 09:26:39 »
I'm interested as well. I'd purchase at least one set, maybe two.
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Offline turbocharged

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 09:44:09 »
In for 2 sets.
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Offline kriminal

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 10:02:43 »
1 set for me
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woody

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #22 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 10:53:42 »
Sixty, how would your selected spring change MX blues?
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Offline PRISONER 24601

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 10:58:20 »
in for at least one set. sixty is da man!
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Offline Orphagn

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 12:29:32 »
I'm in for one set, if these springs work out as well as I like, I might just get a White Filco tenkeyless w/ Black and and swap the black springs out with these "smooth springs".
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Offline symphonic1985

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 12:40:01 »
Very exciting!  I'm in for 1-2 sets as well.

:D All these MX Blacks in Germany may end up being godsends!
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Offline lowpoly

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #26 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 12:54:58 »
Quote from: lowpoly;258553
I'd take 130 springs, if possible.


What was I thinking. Two sets please.
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Offline laden3

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #27 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 13:00:45 »
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Offline Soarer

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #28 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 13:24:10 »
Quote from: ripster;258833
Model F springs buckle in a Model M but feels like crap.


What's a Model M spring like in a Model F?
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Online keyb_gr

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[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)
« Reply #29 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 16:49:51 »
Quote from: ripster;258833
Cherry Browns are pretty smooth already to me.

As are blacks.

I have two boards with blacks gathering dust for the usual reason (too stiff), so one set would seem tempting. I currently don't have a switch opening tool though.
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