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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ibell7945 on Tue, 14 January 2014, 12:49:48

Title: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: ibell7945 on Tue, 14 January 2014, 12:49:48
As I anticipate the arrival of my Teensy for my Model M 122 key, I've naturally tapped on the keys, just to enjoy that wonderful buckling spring sound. In the course of this, I've discovered that some of these keys seem a little rough and stiff. Though I've heard that lubing is bad for buckling springs (especially membrane models), I've been wondering if this is just urban keyboard legend. Also, if I decide to lube my board, what kind of lube should I use? Will the same lube that works well for cherry MX (stuff like krytox and other PTFE lubricants), work here?

TL;DR

Should I lube my BS board?
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 14 January 2014, 12:52:30
This mini discussion (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52772.msg1187820#msg1187820) might be a good starting point.
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: E TwentyNine on Tue, 14 January 2014, 13:14:56
I've been using BS keyboards for a long time and have never lubricated one.

Did you take a look at the springs on the keys which are stiff for any dirt/corrosion/rust/deformity?  Or dirt in the barrel?

It could be as simple as the key sitting wrong on the spring, pulling it and putting it back may be enough.

If there is damage to the springs they can be replaced without dismantling the keyboard.

Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: terrpn on Tue, 14 January 2014, 14:30:11
i actually took an old bs board that has passed its hey day and shoved a bunch of silicone in the spring barrel

linear bs without the click, nothing special and really did not see much of a change in pressure- albeit i did not measure
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: Wildcard on Tue, 14 January 2014, 14:32:43
nvm
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 14 January 2014, 16:44:21
The grease mod that Captain Bad Ass referred you to is a noise-reduction scheme with similar results to the floss mod, not strictly a "lubrication" concept to reduce friction.

I have never lubed anything on buckling springs except for greasing the wire stabilizer clips.

When I get a buckling spring keyboard, I completely disassemble it and thoroughly clean everything, including barrels and sometimes (but rarely) even the spring hammers.

My strong guess is that you have a dirt or corrosion issue.
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: ibell7945 on Wed, 15 January 2014, 08:44:30
The grease mod that Captain Bad Ass referred you to is a noise-reduction scheme with similar results to the floss mod, not strictly a "lubrication" concept to reduce friction.

I have never lubed anything on buckling springs except for greasing the wire stabilizer clips.

When I get a buckling spring keyboard, I completely disassemble it and thoroughly clean everything, including barrels and sometimes (but rarely) even the spring hammers.

My strong guess is that you have a dirt or corrosion issue.

Yes, upon further inspection it seems to be an issue with dirt. I don't think I have a corrosion issue because it seems that the barrels are plastic.
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 15 January 2014, 10:40:55
I don't think I have a corrosion issue because it seems that the barrels are plastic.

I have seen springs rust, especially near the bottom. The barrels (aka chimneys) are always plastic, but on the F they are individual and mount into a steel plate.
Title: Re: BS boards and lubrication
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 15 January 2014, 12:31:53
I don't think I have a corrosion issue because it seems that the barrels are plastic.

I have seen springs rust, especially near the bottom. The barrels (aka chimneys) are always plastic, but on the F they are individual and mount into a steel plate.

I have an M with a few rusted springs that I need to change out.  Surprisingly enough, the keys do not feel that much different...