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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Sun, 18 May 2014, 23:23:36

Title: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Sun, 18 May 2014, 23:23:36
In the name of keyboard science!
Has anyone tried to replace the stems and springs in Razer switches with Cherry stems and switches?
What was it like?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Razor Lotus on Mon, 19 May 2014, 08:46:36
Careful, you're playing with fire here
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: aatje92 on Mon, 19 May 2014, 08:47:51
Why would you want to do that if I may ask?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 19 May 2014, 08:50:00
I think nubbinator is getting a hold of some of these switches to test. I'm also trying to get some to play with. If and when I do, I'll post my findings.

I don't know off the top of my head though.
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 May 2014, 08:55:47
I have. It works fine. No problems whatsoever. Adding stickers to kailh switch bodies is a pain in the beehive (the stickers I have are .5mm too narrow on the inner measurement, plus the shape of the leg 'clips' takes a lot more of the sticker... but it's very solid once connected).
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 19 May 2014, 10:58:45
I have. It works fine. ...  kailh switch ...
Did you really do it to Razer switches or to older Kailh switches?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 19 May 2014, 11:22:57
I have. It works fine. ...  kailh switch ...
Did you really do it to Razer switches or to older Kailh switches?

Is there really any difference other than marketing?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 May 2014, 11:44:53
I have. It works fine. ...  kailh switch ...
Did you really do it to Razer switches or to older Kailh switches?

if there is a demonstratable difference in anything besides the spring and the stem then it should not matter, but if there is then you make a good point. i believe they are kailh.
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Skull_Angel on Mon, 19 May 2014, 12:48:36
I have. It works fine. ...  kailh switch ...
Did you really do it to Razer switches or to older Kailh switches?

if there is a demonstratable difference in anything besides the spring and the stem then it should not matter, but if there is then you make a good point. i believe they are kailh.

I believe the leaflets are different (gold as opposed to whatever Kailh normally uses), but doubt that would make any notable difference in how they felt. Somewhat interesting to know that there was no real difference, did the switch housing feel any different (plastic being noticeably thinner or more fragile/brittle/tabs less resilient to stress from disassembly) to work with?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 May 2014, 12:49:23
no but i was overdosing on like six marijuanas when i did the stem swap so i honestly dont remember
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Skull_Angel on Mon, 19 May 2014, 12:50:42
no but i was on like six marijuanas when i did the stem swap so i honestly dont remember

Haha, that's one way to make it less tedious  ;D
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Mon, 19 May 2014, 13:07:02
Careful, you're playing with fire here
Anything for keyboard science!
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 19 May 2014, 13:31:36
if there is a demonstratable difference in anything besides the spring and the stem then it should not matter, but if there is then you make a good point. i believe they are kailh.
Thanks. The Razer housing is at least demonstrably different in that it has a different logo. ;)

The Razer keys do not not wobble slightly when not pressed, like Cherry MX keys do. (That is what switch stickers are for, right?)
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 May 2014, 13:40:03
if there is a demonstratable difference in anything besides the spring and the stem then it should not matter, but if there is then you make a good point. i believe they are kailh.
Thanks. The Razer housing is at least demonstrably different in that it has a different logo. ;)

The Razer keys do not not wobble slightly when not pressed, like Cherry MX keys do. (That is what switch stickers are for, right?)

i did not notice any wobble before applying the stickers. i would say they are not necessary but whether they're really necessary for real cherry MX is up to someone else. in any case the switches are a bit tighter. i just popped some apart; the plastic feels at least as nice as cherry (however subjective 'nice' is).
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 19 May 2014, 13:53:35
if there is a demonstratable difference in anything besides the spring and the stem then it should not matter, but if there is then you make a good point. i believe they are kailh.
Thanks. The Razer housing is at least demonstrably different in that it has a different logo. ;)

The Razer keys do not not wobble slightly when not pressed, like Cherry MX keys do. (That is what switch stickers are for, right?)

i did not notice any wobble before applying the stickers. i would say they are not necessary but whether they're really necessary for real cherry MX is up to someone else. in any case the switches are a bit tighter. i just popped some apart; the plastic feels at least as nice as cherry (however subjective 'nice' is).

How do you recommend opening the kailh switches?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 May 2014, 13:56:03
i don't :P but i used a safety pin with the tip bent into a hook. its important to use something sharp so you can separate the plastic. depending on what you have to work with you might be able to open them from the top but i wasn't too successful.
near the end i was just popping one side of the top off and then pushing the stem down and forcing the other side off. didn't seem to have any ill effect and everything still works, but i'm sure you run the risk of breaking something being as forceful as i was.
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: nubbinator on Mon, 19 May 2014, 23:27:22
I think nubbinator is getting a hold of some of these switches to test. I'm also trying to get some to play with. If and when I do, I'll post my findings.

I don't know off the top of my head though.

Still sitting in Chinese customs 3 weeks later.  HURRY THE **** UP CHINA!!!
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Awful on Tue, 20 May 2014, 10:18:51
Ever heard the saying "Can't polish a turd" ?
Title: Re: Cherry stems in Razer switches?
Post by: Skull_Angel on Tue, 20 May 2014, 10:20:21
Ever heard the saying "Can't polish a turd" ?

Technically you can, but it's still a turd  :p