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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:30:16

Title: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:30:16

Hello,
I'm looking for some LEDs and lubricant for my build.

I'm looking for green LEDs for an under glow effect under the keycaps as they're solid PBT. So I'm looking for something bright. Also, LEDs seem to always be an issue on commercial keyboards so I don't know if that is an issue with the soldering or if companies use crappy LEDs so preferably some LEDs that are not prone to dying.

I have no idea how important "good quality" lubricant is or if I can just use some bike chain grease. I'm going to be using either cherry MX blues and/or cherry MX clears. Do I need something specific to cherry MX switches or can I just rock up at my local bike store and as for some lube?

Thank you everyone  :-*

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:31:39

2x3x4mm water clear LEDs.

Krytox for MX switches.  Only thing that comes close, IMO, is molybdenum disulfide powder.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:38:38

Quote from: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:31:39

2x3x4mm water clear LEDs.

Krytox for MX switches.  Only thing that comes close, IMO, is molybdenum disulfide powder.

Do you know a place I could purchase both of these items?
Edit: Nvm about the lubricant; looks like it's pretty easy to come by. Are the 2x3x4mm water clear LEDs specific to keyboards or are they used for other things?

Thanks

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:39:49

Quote from: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:38:38

Quote from: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:31:39

2x3x4mm water clear LEDs.

Krytox for MX switches.  Only thing that comes close, IMO, is molybdenum disulfide powder.

Do you know a place I could purchase both of these items?

Thanks

eBay for LEDs, don't know about small quantities of krytox.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:40:53

Quote from: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:39:49

Quote from: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:38:38

Quote from: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:31:39

2x3x4mm water clear LEDs.

Krytox for MX switches.  Only thing that comes close, IMO, is molybdenum disulfide powder.

Do you know a place I could purchase both of these items?

Thanks

eBay for LEDs, don't know about small quantities of krytox.

Thank you, I'll check there.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Numpy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:45:52

Will these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100pcs-2x3x4mm-Square-LED-Diodes-Water-Clear-Green-Light-Rectangle-Rectangular-/201172211951?hash=item2ed6cc58ef:g:aUsAAOSwBLlVWuPz (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100pcs-2x3x4mm-Square-LED-Diodes-Water-Clear-Green-Light-Rectangle-Rectangular-/201172211951?hash=item2ed6cc58ef:g:aUsAAOSwBLlVWuPz) work or do I need something else to install them (aside from soldering equipment)?

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 30 December 2015, 01:43:23

Not many places sell things like that in Australia.

You can try TechKeys for lube: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/krytox-switch-lurbricant

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: sintklaas73 on Wed, 30 December 2015, 01:46:19

Quote from: nubbinator on Wed, 30 December 2015, 00:31:39

2x3x4mm water clear LEDs.

Krytox for MX switches.  Only thing that comes close, IMO, is molybdenum disulfide powder.

this

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: bocahgundul on Wed, 30 December 2015, 02:12:54

You can get the lube from zeal store

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 01 January 2016, 08:14:35

For the LEDs, here in the US we have digikey and mouser electronics.  I believe they also ship International if need be.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 02 January 2016, 04:46:40

I suspect most people just buy in bulk from eBay.  Make sure you get extras from the same batch so you don't have to try to colour-match later on should you find you need to replace an LED.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 02 January 2016, 07:27:15

Always a good idea.  I bet a lot of the sellers are probably electronics distributors like digikey and mouser.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 02 January 2016, 20:52:09

Buy from eBay.  It's cheaper and, AFAIK, mouser, digikey, and the like do not have 2x3x4mm LEDs.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Steezus on Sat, 02 January 2016, 20:56:05

Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 02 January 2016, 20:52:09

Buy from eBay.  It's cheaper and, AFAIK, mouser, digikey, and the like do not have 2x3x4mm LEDs.

I agree with nubbs, eBay is the best route for LEDs and that 2x3x4mm is the best choice. You'll be able to find most of the colors on eBay as well, the only color I found difficulty finding is sky blue but I ended up purchasing them off aliexpress.com. I choose the free shipping that told me 15-40 day delivery but it ended up arriving in 13 days to the U.S.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: bocahgundul on Sat, 23 January 2016, 03:35:29

What about the lube brother? are the lube from zeal is good enough?  :cool:

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: jaffers on Sat, 23 January 2016, 04:21:11

LEDs?

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Rectangular-square-led/629743_251765645.html

Lube + Cheap Shipping?

http://zealpc.net/

Ebay has **** all LED's don't touch it. If you want more led's there is always http://www.ledsales.com.au/ which is an Australian Based company that I use for my more high end LED's although they do stock cheaper options. They have a wide range of flat top circular led's that are cheaper than anywhere else if you buy a heap of them (.05Aud a led). But you do have to pay shipping (which isn't much) and are super fast with good customer support.

3mm flat top round led master race http://www.ledsales.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=148_151_260

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: cooldiscretion on Sat, 23 January 2016, 05:59:31

I have had rub issues with 2x3x4 LEDs before where some thick PBT caps would actually stick in the down position because they got the LED wedged between the switch and keycap housing. Not that this issue occurs with all keycaps but that made me switch my preferred LED shape to be 1.8mm instead of the 2x3x4 LEDs. This was on my viper a while back. Has anyone else had these issue?



(http://i.imgur.com/LNhXwlx.jpg)

EDIT: I can't find it now but I remember one guy posted a build log where he filed all his 2x3x4 LEDs down just to avoid this issue. Seems like a lot of work. Although I think they defo have more color options then 1.8mm.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: sitch on Sat, 23 January 2016, 07:23:39

are you using gateron thick pbt?

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: cooldiscretion on Sat, 23 January 2016, 12:51:25

No that was originative black pbt.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Steezus on Sat, 23 January 2016, 13:03:03

Quote from: cooldiscretion on Sat, 23 January 2016, 05:59:31

I have had rub issues with 2x3x4 LEDs before where some thick PBT caps would actually stick in the down position because they got the LED wedged between the switch and keycap housing. Not that this issue occurs with all keycaps but that made me switch my preferred LED shape to be 1.8mm instead of the 2x3x4 LEDs. This was on my viper a while back. Has anyone else had these issue?

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/LNhXwlx.jpg)

EDIT: I can't find it now but I remember one guy posted a build log where he filed all his 2x3x4 LEDs down just to avoid this issue. Seems like a lot of work. Although I think they defo have more color options then 1.8mm.

There are two ways to fix this issue, either shave the tops of the LEDs down with sandpaper or simply push the LEDs towards the switch to put it on an inward angle. The only caps I've had interference with were the JTK caps but simply pushing the LEDs inwards solved the problem.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: briancvrrbs on Sat, 23 January 2016, 16:34:04

I've bought many sets of LEDs from ZealPC and also on this awesome website called LED-switch.com that is based in the US. The white ones are oddly expensive but the rest of the lights are a great deal! Bought Orange, Red, and Blue from their. 1.8mm has the most compatibility with all sorts of caps, no need for modification, just stick it in and it'll be good.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 23 January 2016, 16:36:25

Quote from: cooldiscretion on Sat, 23 January 2016, 05:59:31

I have had rub issues with 2x3x4 LEDs before where some thick PBT caps would actually stick in the down position because they got the LED wedged between the switch and keycap housing. Not that this issue occurs with all keycaps but that made me switch my preferred LED shape to be 1.8mm instead of the 2x3x4 LEDs. This was on my viper a while back. Has anyone else had these issue?

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/LNhXwlx.jpg)

EDIT: I can't find it now but I remember one guy posted a build log where he filed all his 2x3x4 LEDs down just to avoid this issue. Seems like a lot of work. Although I think they defo have more color options then 1.8mm.

That's bizarre since the 2x3x4 LEDs actually have a smaller footprint than the rounded top LEDs (outside some of the super small ones that Zeal has had).  If you ran into trouble with those, you'd definitely have issues with your standard LED.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: WSweg on Sat, 23 January 2016, 18:21:00

Would these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-2x3x4mm-Water-Clear-Purple-Light-Rectangle-Rectangular-Square-LED-Diodes-/121730670384?hash=item1c57b69f30:g:eLsAAOSwA4dWLcPK

LEDs be good for lighting an acrylic case? Are they bright enough?

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 23 January 2016, 19:58:40

Leds,  I have no clue,  But I'd get like a 1000 pack, because they burn out easily, and the next time you buy, they might not sell the exact same ones, or the batch may be slightly different in color/ brightness..


as for lubes..  From extensive trial and error,  I've reached the conclusion of DO NOT LUBE.. 


it makes very little difference,  and the smoothness doesn't last very long, because the cherry mx switch is NOT designed with a reservoir beneath the sliders to "redip the mechanism in Lube"  and the clearance space is not small enough for Capillary effect to hold onto lube.

There's also so much wind going into the caps, that whatever lube  is in there will get sticky and gummy over time, and is nearly impossible to clean thoroughly

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Numpy on Sat, 23 January 2016, 20:57:45

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 23 January 2016, 19:58:40

Leds,  I have no clue,  But I'd get like a 1000 pack, because they burn out easily, and the next time you buy, they might not sell the exact same ones, or the batch may be slightly different in color/ brightness..


as for lubes..  From extensive trial and error,  I've reached the conclusion of DO NOT LUBE.. 


it makes very little difference,  and the smoothness doesn't last very long, because the cherry mx switch is NOT designed with a reservoir beneath the sliders to "redip the mechanism in Lube"  and the clearance space is not small enough for Capillary effect to hold onto lube.

There's also so much wind going into the caps, that whatever lube  is in there will get sticky and gummy over time, and is nearly impossible to clean thoroughly

What about for lubing stabs?

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 24 January 2016, 16:18:19

If you really want to lube, go to your local hobby shop.

Sorry, but people here have a hard on for over-priced Krytox and it's nothing special, it's just a plastic safe silicone based lube, just like pretty much every lube at the hobby shop. Which by the way, will have 20 different viscosities to play with, from diff lube to shock oil. $5 will get you enough to do 100 keyboards. Ask if they have any spare open packs, and you might even get it for free.

I used diff lube for the stabilizers and shock oil for the switches.


However, I do tend to agree with Tp4tissue, to a degree...
Lubing stabs, absolutely.
Lubing switches.... I'm not so sure. The plastic is semi-self lubricating, and I've seen lube lower spring pressures (by about 5 grams), but Ive also seen the same lube make switches sluggish and inconsistent. And all of it was temporary anyhow. The only thing it did do for certain was dampen the sprints a tad, since I lubed the tops and bottoms of those as well as the sliders. My next keyboard, I'll do the stabs and spring tops and bottom with diff lube (and only if I have to open the switch), and ignore the sliders entirely.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 24 January 2016, 16:53:40

Having played with different lubes, I have to say you are completely wrong leslieann. I have tried many recommended lubes and hobbyist and professional dupont lubes and nine of them have felt as good as Krytox.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 24 January 2016, 16:57:27

It's just a matter of viscosity.
Match that, and the rest is all in your head.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 24 January 2016, 17:37:29

I've tried lubes with similar viscosities and they have not felt anywhere near as good.  And, no, it's not all in my head as I did them blind. I numbered them, lubed them, then let them sit for a month (about 20 different switches) and tried them.  The Krytox and molybdenum disulfide ones felt the best.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 24 January 2016, 19:51:02

Allow me to rephrase, yes, there is some differences between lubes, however the idea that you need to spend that much is silly.
I guess the bigger issue is finding comparable ones.

Personally, I think the cost of that stuff is highway robbery.

Title: Re: What are the best LEDs? What is the best lubricant?
Post by: bocahgundul on Sun, 24 January 2016, 20:02:35

Where can I buy the krytox 103?
And nub what do you think a good mix for linear switch?