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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nilzie on Tue, 09 August 2011, 13:13:07

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: nilzie on Tue, 09 August 2011, 13:13:07

I was wondering if keeping a key depressed for a long term could cause any damage to a cherry mx switch spring? Also, how about pushing/hitting the keys sideways? Is it bad for the stabilizer?

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: Asp on Tue, 09 August 2011, 13:45:59

Being depressed for a long time is sure to cause permanent damage. Hire a good psychotherapist ASAP.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: Bird on Tue, 09 August 2011, 13:46:38

You could also ask if pressing of the buttons during regular usage does any damage to the springs over time. Some kind of wearing out of the springs...

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: Bird on Tue, 09 August 2011, 14:32:18

I don't know what a congress is, neither do i know what the FAA is and what it's budget is for. I'm really sorry. Is it about metal fatigue on planes? :D

EDIT: http://www.dot.gov/budget/2012/budgetestimates/faa.pdf will have to work through this one as soon as i lose my occupation.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: nilzie on Tue, 09 August 2011, 14:36:39

Thanks. My question is if keeping a key pressed down would damage the springs.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: nilzie on Tue, 09 August 2011, 14:53:51

My bad I didnt mean for a short period of time, lets say having one key pushed down for 8 hours straight.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: Bird on Tue, 09 August 2011, 14:53:56

You should avoid high temperatures while executing your holding down plans,  high temperatures accelerate ageing effects. You could end up having mushy Keys after only 13 years of depressing.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: Arcanius on Tue, 09 August 2011, 15:51:25

If you're going to hold down the W key for 8 hours, you're running too much! Stop and take a breather!
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwasdwsswwaawwwwwwwwwwwwww    wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww  ybunny hopping rocks

But no, don't worry about the switch. It's meant to last. A spring would fatigue more by moving than by staying still.
If you're not going to have it down for a month at a time, it'll be just dandy.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: nilzie on Tue, 09 August 2011, 16:04:42

Quote from: ripster;395992

Are you blocking my posts or is the InterToobs clogged?

Sorry Im not so great at reading English.

What happened was that someone left a book on my keyboard while I was away. The control key was pushed down. When I tried it again, it seemed easier to push down than before. But Im thinking it's more in my mind than reality. But seems I don't need  to worry.

And one time the arm rest of my chair hit the control key pretty hard too. Was thinking that it's possible that I damaged it.

Title: Can keeping a keyswitch (cherry) depressed for a long time cause damage?
Post by: sordna on Sat, 13 August 2011, 02:04:05

Quote from: nilzie;396035

What happened was that someone left a book on my keyboard while I was away. The control key was pushed down. When I tried it again, it seemed easier to push down than before.

Sounds like a good mod to get lighter feeling switches, stack books on a keyboard for a few weeks, who's gonna rip-o-meter it?