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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bryan11 on Sat, 19 September 2015, 23:47:55

Title: Need to wait before trying new keycaps?
Post by: bryan11 on Sat, 19 September 2015, 23:47:55

When you get a new keyboard with clear or green cherry mx switches, should you always use them for a couple weeks before swapping the keycaps? 

I came across a post about trying new keycaps on a brand new keyboard, the they said they broke several clear switches and should have waited a few week to set the switches settle. 

On a week old KUL ES-87 with greens, I'd like to try new GMK keycaps.   I've also ordered a barebones WASD keyboard with clears and hope to install a set of keycaps from a massdrop.  So far, the only keycaps I've swapped are from a switch tester to try out dampeners, so I'm trying not to break anything yet.

Title: Re: Need to wait before trying new keycaps?
Post by: raymogi on Sun, 20 September 2015, 00:06:37

I always switched mine right away.

The only thing you have to do is to wiggle them while pulling. Do not yank them as that's the cause of broken switches.

Title: Re: Need to wait before trying new keycaps?
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 20 September 2015, 00:13:47

Haven't ever heard of letting things "settle." Some caps like DSA do tend to be pretty tight on MX clears though

Title: Re: Need to wait before trying new keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 20 September 2015, 05:47:00

I usually use the stock keycaps to experience the keyboard as the manufacturer intended.

But most of the time I swap keycaps fairly soon after purchasing anyway.

Too many keycap sets compared to keyboards.  Too much choice.  One set generally does not stay on a keyboard for long.

Title: Re: Need to wait before trying new keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 21 September 2015, 03:15:09

Leaving keycaps on Clears for a while (month or two) does seem to make them a little easier to remove, so it really depends on how long the caps have been on the board. If the manufacture date is more than a month or two back, it's likely they're as loose as they're going to get. Purchase date doesn't really determine much.

On the Clears, it's a good idea not to use DSA for the first set, as they are tighter than other cap types and the Clears have little spurs which hold the cap more firmly. The combination of new Clear stems and new DSA caps makes for VERY tight keycaps. In this case it's definitely recommended to let them settle for a while and then wiggle liberally when pulling them off. Gateron PBT seem to also be very tight on stems.

Greens aren't affected by this as they don't have the little spurs on the stems like Clears and tactile Greys. So if you want to change the caps, go for it.

Title: Re: Need to wait before trying new keycaps?
Post by: bryan11 on Mon, 21 September 2015, 08:18:21

Thanks everyone.  That's exactly what I needed.