[MO] The Geekhack Spring for switch modding (~50g)

[sixty]

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.

[msiegel]

i'm not a cherry modder, but i'm here to encourage you... BIG thumbs up, sixty!

[iMav]

I'd purchase a couple sets.

[taswyn]

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.

[laden3]

just asking, is it possible for them to make conical springs? or lighter springs for buckling spring keyboards?

[elbowglue]

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..

[Findecanor]

Two sets for me, please.

I am interested in testing modified Cherry MX clears.

[elbowglue]

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..

[sixty]

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.

[CeeSA]

2 sets for me - plz

[lowpoly]

I'd take 130 springs, if possible.

[TGM]

I'd be interested, might also ask a couple of friends if they would be interested.

[itlnstln]

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!

[db_Iodine]

I'd buy two sets. Fantastic work here sixty!

[laden3]

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

[itlnstln]

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.

[laden3]

Why make it round 2? We can have 2 orders at the same time.

[itlnstln]

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.

[HaaTa]

I'm interested Sign me up for one set.

Also interested in the light buckling springs.

[42.tar.gz]

I'm interested as well. I'd purchase at least one set, maybe two.

[turbocharged]

In for 2 sets.

[kriminal]

1 set for me

[woody]

Sixty, how would your selected spring change MX blues?

[PRISONER 24601]

in for at least one set. sixty is da man!

[Orphagn]

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".

[symphonic1985]

Very exciting!  I'm in for 1-2 sets as well.

All these MX Blacks in Germany may end up being godsends!

[lowpoly]

I'd take 130 springs, if possible.

What was I thinking. Two sets please.

[laden3]

clone these for lulz
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6861

[Soarer]

Model F springs buckle in a Model M but feels like crap.

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

[keyb_gr]

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.

[lowpoly]

I currently don't have a switch opening tool though.

A regular watchmaker's screwdrivers set will do.

[nanu]

in for a set

[sixty]

Model F springs buckle in a Model M but feels like crap.


I'm still holding out until I see results with a Cherry Blue or Brown stem.  And no offense but what is a "smooth" spring?    Cherry Browns are pretty smooth already to me.

They called it a "smooth pressure spring" when I asked to have them made. Apparently they also have "snappy pressure spring" which are snappy. Who knows. Spring business was at first making my head explode. So many dimensions and numbers.

[suka]

I'd also like 1 set !

[Nadger]

So from what i can tell you can just pop the top of the switch off with a small screwdriver, replace the spring and snap it shut again?

[sixty]

So from what i can tell you can just pop the top of the switch off with a small screwdriver, replace the spring and snap it shut again?

There are some better methods for opening switches than a screwdriver. Check this out for an example. There probably are some more detailed guides in our wiki too.

[Nadger]

Hmm from the sounds of that you cant replace the springs without opening it up and de-soldering them if its plate mounted which filcos and leopolds are...

Id hate to mess around with soldering as i have not done it in about 12 years and even then i was sloppy with it.  Not to mention voiding the warranty in the process.

If it can be done without resulting to soldering id be down for a set.

[CeeSA]

So from what i can tell you can just pop the top of the switch off with a small screwdriver, replace the spring and snap it shut again?

watch my video:

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:12790

[itlnstln]

Hmm from the sounds of that you cant replace the springs without opening it up and de-soldering them if its plate mounted which filcos and leopolds are...

Plate mounted Cherrys would be a big undertaking.  Some one in Asia figured out how to open them without desoldering, but I think it would still be cumbersome, though.

[laden3]

Plate mounted Cherrys would be a big undertaking.  Some one in Asia figured out how to open them without desoldering, but I think it would still be cumbersome, though.

Any links or hints? this is really interesting...

[turbocharged]

Plate mounted Cherrys would be a big undertaking.  Some one in Asia figured out how to open them without desoldering, but I think it would still be cumbersome, though.

I just replaced two of the plungers in my plate mounted TG3 last night...I honestly don't see how it would be possible to open up the switch without desoldering it first. If someone figured out a way, it would be amazing.

[itlnstln]

The guy used some really thin piece of sheet/spring metal that he could slide between the plate and the switch.  Again, I don't think I would want to mod a whole 'board like that, but it's out there.

[Manyak]

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!

THIS

I'd get a set if it's just a lighter cherry replacement, but probably like 3 or 4 sets if it's a lighter BS spring.

[JBert]

Just get a model F and be done with it... AT prices are coming down again, thank god.

[laden3]

is it possible to make lighter BS springs with materials that are more malleable?so... we still retain the number of coils n length

[MysteryOfTime]

Hmm from the sounds of that you cant replace the springs without opening it up and de-soldering them if its plate mounted which filcos and leopolds are...

Id hate to mess around with soldering as i have not done it in about 12 years and even then i was sloppy with it.  Not to mention voiding the warranty in the process.

If it can be done without resulting to soldering id be down for a set.

Does the Ducky 1087 have the same problem?

[laden3]

all plate mounted cherry mx switches have that problem, so... yes

[didjamatic]

I'd take 2 sets!

Didn't someone try brown springs on blue switches and have problems?  I'd love to try them in blacks though.

[elbowglue]

I'd take 2 sets!

Didn't someone try brown springs on blue switches and have problems?  I'd love to try them in blacks though.

Brown springs and blue springs are identical IMHO.  They are interchangeable.

[Orphagn]

If only Filcos didn't have to be re-soldered to change switches, i'd put my Reds in my tenkeyless