geekhack

geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: mike-y on Sat, 03 February 2018, 19:15:00

Title: Making Jailhouse Blues for my DZ60
Post by: mike-y on Sat, 03 February 2018, 19:15:00

Made a quick video on using J-spacers from TheVanKeyboards to make a set of jailhouse blue switches for my DZ60.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImayRHg7na4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImayRHg7na4)

it's pretty easy actually.  I ended up using a bunch of Outemu blue switches I stole from a cheap keyboard I had lying around, and used them for my DZ60 project with the Jailhouse mod.  I used a gateron switch in the video, because they are easier to open, but otherwise the mod works the same way.

Typing feel changes quite a bit.  the mod turns the clicky switch into a tactile switch that has the bump at the very top of the stroke.  There is little to no freeplay, as the click jacket position is lower on the stem after the mod.  The spacer also decreases the travel a little bit, and cushions the bottom-out feel.  It makes the switch feel a bit like a topre switch to me actually.  The mod also makes the switches a lot quieter, as the j-spacer acts as a damper when the key bottoms out.

I actually like it quite a bit, but it is a different feel than a normal cherry switch, so I can see that it's not for everyone.

Title: Re: Making Jailhouse Blues for my DZ60
Post by: tex_live_utility on Thu, 08 February 2018, 23:12:00

Cool video, but what is that horrible noise in the background?

Title: Re: Making Jailhouse Blues for my DZ60
Post by: mike-y on Fri, 09 February 2018, 18:16:46

I mounted the camera right next to an LED strip light, and I think the camera mic pics up the hum from the voltage regulator in the light.  I didn't notice it until after I recorded the video.  it was the first time I tried that mounting location, so I guess I'll have to figure out something else.

Title: Re: Making Jailhouse Blues for my DZ60
Post by: noSatellite on Sun, 18 February 2018, 17:04:52

Glad I ran across this! I just grabbed a $35.00 81-key board off Amazon, to see what the layout is like. It came with Otemu blues - so, of course I thought that it would be a good opportunity to try the jailhouse mod!

The switches that came with this board are pretty loose - lots of wobble in the stem. Were yours similar? Did the mod help with it at all?

Title: Re: Making Jailhouse Blues for my DZ60
Post by: mike-y on Sun, 18 February 2018, 21:30:21

Actually the mod does help a bit with the wobble.  I did notice they were a little tighter feeling afterwards.