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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: daerid on Sun, 29 January 2012, 18:26:29

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: daerid on Sun, 29 January 2012, 18:26:29

I picked up a Filco number pad to complement my MJ2, and was totally disappointed to find out that  the enter and + keys use Cherry style stabilizers. Yuck.

Does anybody know if there is any way to convert the cherry stabilizers over to Costar-style?

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: quake4mhg on Sun, 29 January 2012, 22:45:13

Oh no, I just brought it, coming into my mail. What is the bad thing using the stabilizer?

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: lorem3k on Sun, 29 January 2012, 22:48:54

Are people just exaggerating, or are Cherry stabilizers really that terrible?

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: CaiSter21 on Sun, 29 January 2012, 22:59:24

Quote from: lorem3k;502894

Are people just exaggerating, or are Cherry stabilizers really that terrible?

they arent that terrible, ppl are just being fanboyish.

to each his own opinion.

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: squarebox on Sun, 29 January 2012, 23:23:41

Quote from: lorem3k;502894

Are people just exaggerating, or are Cherry stabilizers really that terrible?

Costar stabilizer tend to retain the switch's feel but it's troublesome when swapping keycaps
Cherry Stabilizer tend to make the switch feel mushy/more resistance(due to the side-wall of cherry stabilizer) but it's easy to swap keycaps

I personally I prefer Costar stabilizer.
People normally dont change keycaps that often that it becomes a PITA.

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: lorem3k on Sun, 29 January 2012, 23:33:45

Thanks for the info squarebox. Perhaps longer keys with Cherry stabilizers could be modded with a lighter spring in the switch to remove the mush/resistance to have the best of both worlds, might have to give it a try if I decide to get a Leopold

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: flyball on Sun, 29 January 2012, 23:38:11

Quote from: lorem3k;502928

Thanks for the info squarebox. Perhaps longer keys with Cherry stabilizers could be modded with a lighter spring in the switch to remove the mush/resistance to have the best of both worlds, might have to give it a try if I decide to get a Leopold

it doesnt work that way. that would just lighten the entire travel of the switch.

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: squarebox on Sun, 29 January 2012, 23:54:47

Like flyball said, it doesn't work that way.
The mushy/resistance feel is caused by stabilizer. The side walls is to blame. Lubing it would help.
Excuse the watermark. There were days that people who stolen my pics and claiming it as theirs.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k221/undarken/random/CherryorCherry.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k221/undarken/Ducky%209008%20Keyboard/stabilizer.jpg)

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: limmy on Mon, 30 January 2012, 01:59:26

I personally prefer Cherry style stabilizers.

The mushiness is more prominent when new, but seems to be reduced over time. Beside the convenience of replacing caps, I feel the additional structure gives feeling of sturdiness.

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 30 January 2012, 02:13:05

You can always grind down those walls with a dremmel.

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: kaiserreich on Mon, 30 January 2012, 02:15:47

Quote from: lorem3k;502928

Thanks for the info squarebox. Perhaps longer keys with Cherry stabilizers could be modded with a lighter spring in the switch to remove the mush/resistance to have the best of both worlds, might have to give it a try if I decide to get a Leopold

Harder springs would probably enhance the keyfeel with the stabilizers rather than the other way around, based on what I have tried out with Black and Brown switches.

Title: Filco Number Pad stabilizers
Post by: daerid on Mon, 30 January 2012, 11:50:19

Quote from: CaiSter21;502898

they arent that terrible, ppl are just being fanboyish.

to each his own opinion.

For me, it has nothing to do with fanboyism. It affects how I actually strike the keys, and the inconsistencies between the normal keys and the keys with Cherry stabilizers actually causes fatigue in my hands/fingers. To the point of pain sometimes.

Back to the original question: Can I change them?