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geekhack Marketplace => Artisan Services => Topic started by: sethk_ on Fri, 02 January 2015, 21:07:29

Title: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 02 January 2015, 21:07:29
First off, I put this here since it isn't a groupbuy.
Anyways, I was wondering if there is any interest as a service for me to modify switches and then sell them on a webstore, or just ship the stuff to me and I can swap springs and ship them back out. Obviously this is just an interest check, and I would have to think of pricing later, but I am just curious since I have a lot of free time and would like to spend it doing something I enjoy.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Sat, 03 January 2015, 16:29:20
GoN bascally does this through his website unless you're competing in prices but then the other issue is quality. You'd have to make sure all your switch mods are perfectly replicatable so that they all feel the same otherwise people won't be happy xD
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Sat, 03 January 2015, 17:32:55
GoN bascally does this through his website unless you're competing in prices but then the other issue is quality. You'd have to make sure all your switch mods are perfectly replicatable so that they all feel the same otherwise people won't be happy xD
Well it would really just be swapping springs, and of all the switches I have done it to they all feel the same, but no competition, just pre-modded switches that would be sold like the way mk.com does, and I would try each one, I would hate to be on the receiving end of switches that had different feelings.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: jdcarpe on Sat, 03 January 2015, 17:36:04
Are you considering lubing and stickering, in addition to spring swaps? Those are the most requested mods, but they are definitely labor/time intensive. Don't undervalue yourself when it comes to your time and effort.

If you decide to offer lubing services, you definitely want to use Krytox ONLY for the switch internals. I use a mixture of about 50/50 103 oil and 205 grease. For springs, use can use a cheaper oil, such as Victorinox multi tool oil.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: MGH on Sat, 03 January 2015, 17:37:03
Spring swap alone isn't worth it, most people like to lube switches too, the spring swap part is a short amount of time once the switch is already opened to do the lube job.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Sat, 03 January 2015, 17:44:38
Spring swap alone isn't worth it, most people like to lube switches too, the spring swap part is a short amount of time once the switch is already opened to do the lube job.
Oh! I have never lubed my switches, but I guess I could offer spring swap + stickering + lubing.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: cmadrid on Sun, 04 January 2015, 00:23:46
You would also be able to do this for people in CONUS without the shipping costs GON has to deal with from Korea..
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Sun, 04 January 2015, 03:01:04

You would also be able to do this for people in CONUS without the shipping costs GON has to deal with from Korea..
Yeah, and here I get shipping supplies for free, so pay a couple dollars for shipping and it would be there within probably 5 days at the most as long as it is US or CA.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Wed, 07 January 2015, 08:01:44

You would also be able to do this for people in CONUS without the shipping costs GON has to deal with from Korea..
Yeah, and here I get shipping supplies for free, so pay a couple dollars for shipping and it would be there within probably 5 days at the most as long as it is US or CA.
So basically to sum up you gotta do the whole shebang xD
Stickers, lube and springs and you might have to stock all that yourself as well as various switches
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 07 January 2015, 08:19:31
Spring swap alone isn't worth it, most people like to lube switches too, the spring swap part is a short amount of time once the switch is already opened to do the lube job.
Oh! I have never lubed my switches, but I guess I could offer spring swap + stickering + lubing.

You should probably practice. ;)
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 07 January 2015, 08:21:47
jailhouse blues
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 07 January 2015, 08:35:38
Oh and to be hip you should probably say you are 'tuning' the switches.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Wed, 07 January 2015, 18:52:48

Oh and to be hip you should probably say you are 'tuning' the switches.
That does sound more hip and better than modding switches.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: kaboom on Wed, 07 January 2015, 23:28:31
yes please
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: drewba on Thu, 08 January 2015, 11:14:21
I'm definitely interested. Are you only interested in modding springs or would you do full desoldering switches + install modded switches? At some point I'd really like to try out ergo clears and would pay for someone with more know-how than me to swap switches from an old keyboard and add some ergo clears.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 08 January 2015, 14:13:35
I'm definitely interested. Are you only interested in modding springs or would you do full desoldering switches + install modded switches? At some point I'd really like to try out ergo clears and would for someone with more know-how than me to swap switches from an old keyboard and add some ergo clears.
I would start out by modding springs, and then once I get better at soldering I would desolder and replace, but depending on the board you have I might be able to swap switches without desoldering.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: byker on Thu, 08 January 2015, 14:17:08
If you are looking for a job, I think you could make some good money by doing these labor-intensive jobs that some people would prefer not to do! I say it is a good idea, as long as you are willing to practice, and are okay with time-intensive and fiddly jobs.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: adrl on Thu, 08 January 2015, 14:47:10
I hate sticker-ing so I'm pretty sure you'll find other people like me.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 14:50:50
I hate sticker-ing so I'm pretty sure you'll find other people like me.

Same here. Unlike lube, it adds nothing functional to the build. It's purely for aesthetics, and you never even see them unless the keycaps are off!

But everyone wants them, because "it's no big deal, since you have the switch open to lube and spring swap, anyway, right?"
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 09 January 2015, 22:56:13
Would 72$ be a decent price for 100x 62g or 65g stickered and lubed ErgoClears?
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: MGH on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:15:22
Would 72$ be a decent price for 100x 62g or 65g stickered and lubed ErgoClears?

So $50 for switches, $7 for stickers, $10 for springs, and $18 for lube? Seems like a great price :thumb:
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:17:21

Would 72$ be a decent price for 100x 62g or 65g stickered and lubed ErgoClears?

So $50 for switches, $7 for stickers, $10 for springs, and $18 for lube? Seems like a great price :thumb:
30 for switches 20 for springs 10 for lube and 12 for stickers + 6 for shipping because I can't make springs, and the sticker price will go down once I finish making a design for them
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:22:25
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:31:26
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
I am just buying some switches from some places now to see if they are legit, and once I get some more money, then I will expand, but it seems like the biggest market is ergo clears, jailhouse blues, and I guess ghost blacks now. And ghost blacks feel really nice.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:32:39
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
I am just buying some switches from some places now to see if they are legit, and once I get some more money, then I will expand, but it seems like the biggest market is ergo clears, jailhouse blues, and I guess ghost blacks now. And ghost blacks feel really nice.

Another convert!  And I'm so glad the Ghost Black name stuck.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:33:05
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
I also plan on adding some LEDs once I figure out all the colors, but I think white, blue, green, pink, and some other LEDs will be nice.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:34:37
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
I am just buying some switches from some places now to see if they are legit, and once I get some more money, then I will expand, but it seems like the biggest market is ergo clears, jailhouse blues, and I guess ghost blacks now. And ghost blacks feel really nice.

Another convert!  And I'm so glad the Ghost Black name stuck.
They feel so nice, reds are too light, and blacks feel too heavy, even though Ghost Blacks are I guess? heavier, but feel smoother.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:40:53
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
I am just buying some switches from some places now to see if they are legit, and once I get some more money, then I will expand, but it seems like the biggest market is ergo clears, jailhouse blues, and I guess ghost blacks now. And ghost blacks feel really nice.

Another convert!  And I'm so glad the Ghost Black name stuck.
They feel so nice, reds are too light, and blacks feel too heavy, even though Ghost Blacks are I guess? heavier, but feel smoother.

The Ghost Blacks are lighter at the top to the point of actuation, then get stiffer.  If you lube them or have broken it ones, it really makes them nice and smooth to the point of actuation, after which they get stiffer.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 09 January 2015, 23:42:07
If you are up to this I think it would be a great way to make different switch types avalible. That said, and im sure other people will echo this, you better be ready with some good music and some snacks because it will be a long tedious process to this.
I am just buying some switches from some places now to see if they are legit, and once I get some more money, then I will expand, but it seems like the biggest market is ergo clears, jailhouse blues, and I guess ghost blacks now. And ghost blacks feel really nice.

Another convert!  And I'm so glad the Ghost Black name stuck.
They feel so nice, reds are too light, and blacks feel too heavy, even though Ghost Blacks are I guess? heavier, but feel smoother.

The Ghost Blacks are lighter at the top to the point of actuation, then get stiffer.  If you lube them or have broken it ones, it really makes them nice and smooth to the point of actuation, after which they get stiffer.
I need to try a full board of these, and it MIGHT be actually more enjoyable than my HHKB.
Title: Re: [IC?]Pre-modified Switches
Post by: sethk_ on Sat, 10 January 2015, 15:29:36
What other switch mods are popular besides ErgoClears , and I guess now Ghost Black?, besides tuning stock switches. I think if I can find cheap blues I might attempt jailhouse blues.