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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Leopard223 on Thu, 30 December 2021, 14:47:18
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I've tried 2 Alps like switches by Outemu that says Matias on them, from research it seems like they're the Matias linear with the red dampened slider and the clicky with white slider, probably says Outemu as I guess they're the manufacturer for Matias.
They're sound pretty good, and feel pretty interesting, so I'd like to make a board with the XD64 PCB by KPRepublic with the clicky ones and have couple of question:
1. They're pretty pingy, would lubing the spring solve it or is it inherent due to the leaf?
2. Speaking about lubing, I've seen Chyrosran22 video about lubing Alps and in his conclusion, one of the best lubes is Tribosys 3203, would 3204 work too?
3. Should I even bother to lube them apart for the spring?
4. Now there's the question of keycaps and stabilizers, I know Alps has different stabilizers, and some use cherry stabs with alps switches, acquiring old keyboard for the keycaps is not possible, what is the common modern keycap type in terms of stabilizers?
5. Do I need to make special cutouts on the plate to be able to open Alps without desoldering?
6. Does Alps build have the same dimensions as MX? keycap size as Cherry? meaning Alps custom build can be inserted into MX type cases?
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1. Lubing the spring helps reduce ping, it does not stop it, only different springs will, and yes those springs are terrible.
2. Any plastic compatible lube with similar viscosity will work, not sure on that exact formula/viscosity, but that brand works.
3. Up to you, the nice thing on Alps is you can always lube them later or change springs later.
4. Once in a while someone does a group buy, occasionally you can find something on Amazon or something. Alps caps are just quite limited and expect to fight for some. I ended up finding some Dell101 dye-sub PBT for mine. Stabs you will need someone better informed but you can get most stabs to work okay with some effort.
5. They open from the top without any special cutout (except Montereys, never open Montereys).
6. Different holes entirely from MX. You can get plates that fit both MX and Alps, but they are different for each switch.
One last thing,
The common consensus is that Matias switches are fickle AF... The housings on them are polycarbonate and do not grip the prongs very well, that means they move and if they move it alters the feel. With linears it's probably less an issue but on the tactile and clicky it seems only Matias can make a board that is consistent, other brands just can't seem to get them right, probably just slapping them together as if they were MX switches. On my KBP I actually went so far as to source white Alps switches for it and replaced the Matias for this reason. Similar feel, less ping, and more consistent.
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1. Lubing the spring helps reduce ping, it does not stop it, only different springs will, and yes those springs are terrible.
2. Any plastic compatible lube with similar viscosity will work, not sure on that exact formula/viscosity, but that brand works.
3. Up to you, the nice thing on Alps is you can always lube them later or change springs later.
4. Once in a while someone does a group buy, occasionally you can find something on Amazon or something. Alps caps are just quite limited and expect to fight for some. I ended up finding some Dell101 dye-sub PBT for mine. Stabs you will need someone better informed but you can get most stabs to work okay with some effort.
5. They open from the top without any special cutout (except Montereys, never open Montereys).
6. Different holes entirely from MX. You can get plates that fit both MX and Alps, but they are different for each switch.
One last thing,
The common consensus is that Matias switches are fickle AF... The housings on them are polycarbonate and do not grip the prongs very well, that means they move and if they move it alters the feel. With linears it's probably less an issue but on the tactile and clicky it seems only Matias can make a board that is consistent, other brands just can't seem to get them right, probably just slapping them together as if they were MX switches. On my KBP I actually went so far as to source white Alps switches for it and replaced the Matias for this reason. Similar feel, less ping, and more consistent.
Thank you, I appreciate the reply.
Another question I forgot to ask, I've read about Matias switches reliability, and it seem like earlier switches had chattering problem, do you happen to know if modern made switches are reliable?
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Thank you, I appreciate the reply.
Another question I forgot to ask, I've read about Matias switches reliability, and it seem like earlier switches had chattering problem, do you happen to know if modern made switches are reliable?
You're welcome,
I'm not sure on that, there are people who would know far more than me on that, hopefully they will chime in.