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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: phorx on Wed, 14 March 2018, 09:37:54

Title: Do some vendors sell opened switches?
Post by: phorx on Wed, 14 March 2018, 09:37:54

I got a set of Zilent switches in the mail yesterday and have started the work to open them all for sip-socketing, lubing, and adding a film.  Opening them isn't too bad, since I'm using the switch opener tool from mechbox https://mechbox.co.uk/collections/tools/products/switch-opener?variant=10185733177386 (https://mechbox.co.uk/collections/tools/products/switch-opener?variant=10185733177386). 

I was wondering though, do some vendors sell switches already opened, or rather all the component parts without assembly?  In the custom market I have to think that most people open the switches prior to installing them.  Perhaps this would make them cheaper too, since you don't need to pay for the cost of assembly?

Title: Re: Do some vendors sell opened switches?
Post by: Rob27shred on Wed, 14 March 2018, 10:44:31

I've heard of vendors selling just top housings (usually dyed), stems, & springs by themselves, but have never heard of any vendors selling bottom housings loose. I think the shipping of them would be too much of a risk considering the contact leafs are exposed without the top housing installed. Which could lead to them getting messed up during shipping & not actuating properly once assembled.

Title: Re: Do some vendors sell opened switches?
Post by: Geek Maker on Thu, 15 March 2018, 00:06:33

I have some custom top housings with lots of colors not dyes in the next coming months.

Title: Re: Do some vendors sell opened switches?
Post by: phorx on Thu, 15 March 2018, 07:33:18

Quote from: Rob27shred on Wed, 14 March 2018, 10:44:31

I've heard of vendors selling just top housings (usually dyed), stems, & springs by themselves, but have never heard of any vendors selling bottom housings loose. I think the shipping of them would be too much of a risk considering the contact leafs are exposed without the top housing installed. Which could lead to them getting messed up during shipping & not actuating properly once assembled.

I’d not previously considered the bottom housings to be so fragile, but it does make sense.

Title: Re: Do some vendors sell opened switches?
Post by: Rob27shred on Fri, 16 March 2018, 12:45:07

Quote from: phorx on Thu, 15 March 2018, 07:33:18

Quote from: Rob27shred on Wed, 14 March 2018, 10:44:31

I've heard of vendors selling just top housings (usually dyed), stems, & springs by themselves, but have never heard of any vendors selling bottom housings loose. I think the shipping of them would be too much of a risk considering the contact leafs are exposed without the top housing installed. Which could lead to them getting messed up during shipping & not actuating properly once assembled.

I’d not previously considered the bottom housings to be so fragile, but it does make sense.

They are not super fragile as I have had people ship me housings separated without issue before. I just think most vendors don't do it to avoid any headaches that could be caused by them getting damaged during shipping TBH.

Title: Re: Do some vendors sell opened switches?
Post by: Rob27shred on Fri, 16 March 2018, 12:48:29

Guess I spoke too soon, SpaceCat Designs sells Outemu Ice bottom & top housings loose, https://spacecat.design/collections/do-it-yourself?page=2. Although this the only vendor I know of that does this TBH.