Springs - differences

[phinix]

I was wondering - what do longer springs add to teh actual feel of the switch?
If longer, do they make switch go back up faster? Stronger bounce back?
Not looking at spring weight, just length.

I like linear Oil Kings, but need to swap springs as stock ones are too light for me, so always order 85g TX springs XL (18mm).
I was wondering, is length make them more responsive, bounce back faster so I feel like switches are snappier?
Or is is still just weight and lenght does not make any impact on that? If not, what does it do then?

[Rhienfo]

from my experience longer springs do have a more snappier bounce back cause the upstroke returns stronger yeah, it also has more weight at the top of the spring so it takes more force to actuate (that's why a lot of people lower spring weight when they go to a higher length)

I tend to not like those things and prefer something more neutral like 15mm so Medium tx but I can understand why someone would like that.

[phinix]

from my experience longer springs do have a more snappier bounce back cause the upstroke returns stronger yeah, it also has more weight at the top of the spring so it takes more force to actuate (that's why a lot of people lower spring weight when they go to a higher length)

I tend to not like those things and prefer something more neutral like 15mm so Medium tx but I can understand why someone would like that.

Yeah, cool, so you think same that length and weight will have affect on it then.
Weight will have main influence on the force needed to press and length to actual key return plus some extra force as well.

I just like snappy and heavy keys, so picked 85g XL long (18mm). I do not touch type with all fingers, that is why 85g is fine for me
Otherwise, my pinkies would break on that 18mm 85mm spring!

[Leslieann]

All things being equal, a longer spring allows a flatter curve, a shorter spring will create a steeper curve.


A long spring starts harder making it feel stiffer (and snap back better) than it is for the bottom out rating which is why you then often have to go down in spring weight to make the start feel the same as it was with a shorter spring.

[phinix]

All things being equal, a longer spring allows a flatter curve, a shorter spring will create a steeper curve.


A long spring starts harder making it feel stiffer (and snap back better) than it is for the bottom out rating which is why you then often have to go down in spring weight to make the start feel the same as it was with a shorter spring.

Thanks, yeah, so sounds like 18mm 85g is for me then

[phinix]

Can't buy 85g TX springs anywhere
I mean ony US has them, but its like $10 for springs and $60 for delivery to UK

Can you guys help me getting them?

[phinix]

So I still couldn't get 85g TX Springs 18mm long, so ordered 75g 22mm long TX Springs.
Should 22mm 75g feel like shorter but heavier ones? Lets say 85g 18mm?
Longer springs give more tactile feeling, pushes caps straight up faster, so feeling should be as heavier than 75g?

[zegonix]

well in some sense. as far as i know, switch springs are rated by the force at key activated, or fully pressed. a long spring just reduces the difference in force between start and end of the keypress (because of the reduced spring constant). so for a longer spring the start of the keypress is heavier than for a shorter spring of the same rating, but at activation (or bottom out ..) the force is the same. due to the force at the start of the keypress being higher for longer springs, the keycap comes back quicker which many describe as snappier.

[phinix]

well in some sense. as far as i know, switch springs are rated by the force at key activated, or fully pressed. a long spring just reduces the difference in force between start and end of the keypress (because of the reduced spring constant). so for a longer spring the start of the keypress is heavier than for a shorter spring of the same rating, but at activation (or bottom out ..) the force is the same. due to the force at the start of the keypress being higher for longer springs, the keycap comes back quicker which many describe as snappier.

Right, so it will still be 75g, just starting point would be already heavier.

[zegonix]

well in essence yes (theoretically). if you want to know more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(device)#Physics. the hooke's law passage in the english article seems short and comprehensible enough, just know that equilibrium refers to the uncompressed state.