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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: legodt on Sun, 20 April 2014, 18:55:54

Title: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: legodt on Sun, 20 April 2014, 18:55:54

I have recently come into possession of a cherry MX clear keyboard and although I enjoy the larger tactile bump, stiffness/mushiness of the heaver keys is starting to wear on me. Should I abandon MX Clears or should I replace the springs with something more comparable to Cherry Brown weight? And if so, where could i find myself replacement springs?

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 20 April 2014, 18:57:43

originative

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: Rafen on Sun, 20 April 2014, 19:34:01

Originative is going to be your best bet. You could also post a WTB in the classified section to see if someone has some extras. But for price a speed of shipping I would go with originative for sure.

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 21 April 2014, 02:35:51

62g springs from Originative will save your fingers. ;) The 55g ones may "stick" on the upstroke, but I think some do use them with lubed stems.

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: legodt on Mon, 21 April 2014, 19:15:40

Great, can't wait to buy springs from Originative then. What tools do I need to open up the switches safely?

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: BlueBär on Tue, 22 April 2014, 06:24:43

Quote from: legodt on Mon, 21 April 2014, 19:15:40

Great, can't wait to buy springs from Originative then. What tools do I need to open up the switches safely?

I assume your keyboard is plate mounted? You will have to desolder the switches then to open them - check my modding guide in my signature for further details. If you have desoldered the switches it's fairly easy to open them, I recently made a video about that:

I would also recommend you to lube your switches with one of the Krytox lube kits. You can also get golden springs from Sprit's GB by the way.

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: legodt on Tue, 22 April 2014, 23:16:29

Thank you all for your help!

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: Defect on Wed, 23 April 2014, 10:09:25

Hello!  Recently did a lit of testing with clears using various caps and springs.  The lighter springs WILL stick (reduced when you lube them, but still noticible).  This is why browns are used in the 45g/50g group instead of clears.

Lube DOES make a difference, but I recommend "breaking in" your clear stems before you lube them.  Fresh clears are a little too tactile.  Even with 62g springs you'll experience small sticking without lube.

Personally I feel that older worn clears with lube are better than unlubed new, but some people may desire that stick effect and that super bump.

Springs I vote for are 62, 65, stock black.

Title: Re: Buying new springs for MX Clears
Post by: robertsig on Fri, 25 April 2014, 08:04:42

Originative 65g springs.  It's what I used on my Cherry Clear board.  It's perfect.

They are around 49g on the Cherry scale.