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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: krumpelstiltskin on Tue, 07 March 2023, 11:16:26
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Hello folks,
Does lubing switches really get rid of 100% of the ping? I've seen that written in places, but one person's idea of 100% may not be another's.
I just received my first set of non-MX switches. I'm used to the MX clears so I ordered the boba u4 silent (68g) switches for my work setup (I share an office). The stem rails that are composed mostly of soft plastic absorb most of the impact noise. So the remaining sound that I hear, when I put the switch up to my ear, is the spring ping.
The consensus seems to be that lubing the springs will get rid of the ping:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70182.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106465.0
I've tried lubing the springs (not just the ends, but the whole thing) with both krytox 205g0 and with dielectric grease. Neither gets rid of the ping truly 100%, meaning, if I put the switch to my ear I still hear a very faint spring ping happening. If I put an earbud in and touch the switch housing to my earbud, I will hear the ping very clearly.
In summary, I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if my expectations are just to high for lubing. In the end, when I get them in the keyboard, I'm guessing it won't matter because the very faint ping noise may not transfer.
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What you're probably hearing is leaf ping, rather than spring crunch, the U4 along with other hyper-tactile MX switches will suffer from leaf ping, it's a stiff leaf with a plastic flicking on it, it's bound to make some noise, especially after long use when the factory oil will wear off.
More so, the U4/T switches are supposed to come with the springs donut dipped already.
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Ahhh, yes. That makes sense. Thanks for the tip. I probably cannot avoid the leaf spring ping.
I've opened up about 30 or so and found that most (not all) of the springs were dipped on the side that touches the bottom housing. For some reason the top side of the springs were not dipped. I can definitely hear the difference after lubing the entire spring and leaving a bit more on the top side. I'm also adding a tiny bit of krytox to the stem rails and it feels smoother.
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The leaf shouldn't be able to ping (or is at least severely limited as it's always (or almost always) being touched by the stem.
Never heard MX leaf ping, but it would be a different tone if it is.
Coil springs on the other hand are free to just vibrate as long as they wish. Can lube can help, yes, but it's a bandage, the best solution is springs less known for ping and lube.
Originative has SPRIT which are on sale for cheap, I've had good luck with the stainless ones.