I was involved in a bit of discussion on this tool in this thread with Firebolt (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62832.msg1471665#msg1471665). I still plan on trying to make these through Shapeways but I'm still starved for free time.Definitely keen on getting some, I hate using metal switch tools on loose switches.
Link me the files photekq?
You will need an account to download the files. I'm not going to reupload them here for obvious reasons.
http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?mid=board_etc&search_target=nick_name&search_keyword=%EC%95%84%EC%B9%A8%EC%97%90%E2%84%A2&document_srl=101589
Keen to know if anyone found a reliable source or way to get these made, really want one before I start my next build.
Downloaded the files and I will probably have a few of these printed later this year. :thumb:
Keen to know if anyone found a reliable source or way to get these made, really want one before I start my next build.
Zeal got one from shapeways I believe.
Go toss him a PM
If I'm not mistaken you can find them here: (http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?mid=board_etc&search_target=nick_name&search_keyword=%EC%95%84%EC%B9%A8%EC%97%90%E2%84%A2&document_srl=101589)Downloaded the files and I will probably have a few of these printed later this year. :thumb:Where did you get the files? I could have some samples printed as soon as tonight.
Plastic one is useable, but can still be finicky. It also eventually will wear down.
Metal one will start damaging your switches after 2-3 opens.
Plastic one is useable, but can still be finicky. It also eventually will wear down.
Metal one will start damaging your switches after 2-3 opens.
Damn, that's a shame. I wonder if I could get one 3D printed and then get a friend of mine to make a mold so they can be made from more durable material.
Plastic one is useable, but can still be finicky. It also eventually will wear down.
Metal one will start damaging your switches after 2-3 opens.
Damn, that's a shame. I wonder if I could get one 3D printed and then get a friend of mine to make a mold so they can be made from more durable material.
The problem with making one with a more durable material is that it'll be even harder to remove the switch bottom once the top comes off. You want some wiggle room, but not too much. It's hard to describe, but once you get one retention clip off, the other one just seems to get stuck. If you're not careful, you could easily accidentally bend the leaf inside the switch.
I wouldn't recommend using the tool on a switch for more than 5-10 openings. The plastic retention clips for the plate eventually become worn down/bent inwards and it'll no longer "clip' into a standard 2mm plate.
Plastic one is useable, but can still be finicky. It also eventually will wear down.
Metal one will start damaging your switches after 2-3 opens.
Damn, that's a shame. I wonder if I could get one 3D printed and then get a friend of mine to make a mold so they can be made from more durable material.
The problem with making one with a more durable material is that it'll be even harder to remove the switch bottom once the top comes off. You want some wiggle room, but not too much. It's hard to describe, but once you get one retention clip off, the other one just seems to get stuck. If you're not careful, you could easily accidentally bend the leaf inside the switch.
I wouldn't recommend using the tool on a switch for more than 5-10 openings. The plastic retention clips for the plate eventually become worn down/bent inwards and it'll no longer "clip' into a standard 2mm plate.
So I downloaded these models some time ago and converted them into something Shapeways would accept, and had them make two versions. One was made from the standard Strong & Flexible black plastic, and another from a material they call Elasto Plastic (https://www.shapeways.com/materials/elasto-plastic) which is only available to makers (i.e. the people who upload the models, not ones just buying things online). This is what they look like:
(Attachment Link)
I tried both on some Cherry MX Reds I have and they both worked. I think the Elasto Plastic one might have worked a little better as the wedges slipped into the switch a bit easier. That said, I don't know how long either will last in real usage. Looking forward to trying them out on the Gaterons I have coming with clear switch tops that need to be swapped in.
I have it up on Shapeways here:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZLA6MAESE/switch-opener?optionId=56097937
but if you have a 3D printer or you want to try out the Elasto Plastic, you can download the model from that page and do it yourself.
So I downloaded these models some time ago and converted them into something Shapeways would accept, and had them make two versions. One was made from the standard Strong & Flexible black plastic, and another from a material they call Elasto Plastic (https://www.shapeways.com/materials/elasto-plastic) which is only available to makers (i.e. the people who upload the models, not ones just buying things online). This is what they look like:
(Attachment Link)
I tried both on some Cherry MX Reds I have and they both worked. I think the Elasto Plastic one might have worked a little better as the wedges slipped into the switch a bit easier. That said, I don't know how long either will last in real usage. Looking forward to trying them out on the Gaterons I have coming with clear switch tops that need to be swapped in.
I have it up on Shapeways here:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZLA6MAESE/switch-opener?optionId=56097937
but if you have a 3D printer or you want to try out the Elasto Plastic, you can download the model from that page and do it yourself.
I wonder if getting these machined from pom might be a good plan. It's what cherry make their switches out of if I recall correctly so it should have minimal wear on both pieces
Sorry for the necro post, but I wanted to share pictures of the 3D printed switch opener from Shapeways.