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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => DIY Discussions ARCHIVE => Topic started by: didjamatic on Mon, 02 August 2010, 14:15:16

Title: Force Gauges for Key Switch Resistance
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 02 August 2010, 14:15:16

The Ripometer (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6189) is by far the most accessible, reliable (no moving parts) and inexpensive way to accurately measure the resistance of a key switch.  But I wanted to find a gauge that could be used to do the same thing.   At first I wanted a digital gauge, but they are at too high of a price point.  I toyed with modding a $10 digital scale but then discovered you can get these gauges that are normally very expensive for a good price if you keep your eyes open.

I've been using these tension/push/force gauges for a while now and they are very reliable and accurate.  There are many manufacturers and any should be fine, just be sure you get a 100g version.  Preferably 10-100g.

Here's an ebay search (http://business.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=gauge%20(tension,%20correx,%20arpo,%20scherr,%20hasler,%20seiki,%20somfy,%20chatillon,%20haag,%20streit,%20bern,%20halda,%20haldex)&_sacat=12576&_sop=15&_odkw=gauge%20(tension,%20correx,%20arpo,%20scherr,%20hasler,%20seiki,%20somfy,%20chatillon,%20haag,%20streig,%20%22haag%20streit%22,%20bern,%20halda,%20haldex)&_osacat=12576&bkBtn=&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH) you can save that will show you some good ones.  It's pretty broad so it will show a lot of things you don't want but most things you do should be there.  If you look often you'll find they pop up in the $5-20 range frequently.  And those are the Swiss/German/French gauges that are a few hundred retail.  There are some new ones from China that go for $45.

(http://www.helmut-singer.de/img/correxfederwaage.jpg)


Here's a 10-100g Sherr Tumico (http://cgi.ebay.com/SCHERR-TUMICO-TENSION-GRAM-GAUGE-10-100-GRAMS-/120581863831?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c133d3997#ht_646wt_1137) like one of my gauges and an Arpo (http://cgi.ebay.com/ARPO-TENSION-GRAM-GAUGE-10-100-GRAMS-/120581864044#ht_660wt_1137) that looks good.

Title: Force Gauges for Key Switch Resistance
Post by: British on Tue, 03 August 2010, 05:18:45

Do they have some way to memorize the point at which the "pression" is released, or do you have to stare at it to measure the force ?

Title: Force Gauges for Key Switch Resistance
Post by: didjamatic on Tue, 03 August 2010, 11:56:44

Some models have a needle you can adjust to stay in place at the max measurement.

I've found the same thing varying on boards Ripster, I just went through a Mint, unused blue ALPS board and it varies 60-63g.  Dirty boards can really vary as the switches binding can ad a ton of resistance, or well used boards can be weaker on overused keys vs. less used... or the opposite if the switches bind from overuse.