Modding springs of Cherry MX switch for a lighter touch

[Solanin]

Is it possible?

[Solanin]

Blue and red switch,to make it even lighter than its nature.

[Solanin]

I will try that 2morrow

[wompwomp]

I've never tried it, but I would assume placing a keyboard under a bed for a week or so would definitely weaken the spring thus making it lighter. lol.

[rknize]

I imagine you'd be able to trim a bit off on the reds and get away with it.  No tactile bump to push past.  You'd want to leave a bit of extra oomph to lift the key cap.

[Solanin]

rknize : I'm thinking of trimming the spring to the length of a grey spring. However I still have no idea how should I actually do that.

[Lanx]

you need to like dremel the spring, fwiw the spring is very hard and dense and i don't think you can just "cut it" with a regular scissor, it'll just end up pulling the spring like a string, if that makes any sense.

[limmy]

Cutting springs has been tried and I hear they are not recommended for the following reasons:
1. it is hard to cut springs consistently.
2. cutting springs will considerably reduce force required to move the switch at the top (There is some resistance before the key starts to move, but the initial resistance will drop by large amount if you shorten the spring.)

You could experiment, but cutting something is irreversible. So I would recommend you prepare spare springs in case you don't like it.

[eyesnine]

Cutting springs has been tried and I hear they are not recommended for the following reasons:
1. it is hard to cut springs consistently.
2. cutting springs will considerably reduce force required to move the switch at the top (There is some resistance before the key starts to move, but the initial resistance will drop by large amount if you shorten the spring.)

You could experiment, but cutting something is irreversible. So I would recommend you prepare spare springs in case you don't like it.

Use a ruler and some good wire snippers to do it right.

The coils are exactly 1mm apart, so it's actually quite easy to get it exact.

Try cutting off one mm at a time from a spring to see how light you want it.

[Solanin]

Tried, not successful since I  will have to remake the cutting point to ensure balancing, or els the switch will feel weird. And it took quite a lot of time, and precision to every spring. I'm thinking of finding replaceable srpings  somewhere, but no idea what kind of industry should I poke my curious nose into.

[symphonic1985]

I cut MX black springs quite consistently. I kept taking a bit more off until it matched the force of the MX blue ones, and then make sure I cut in the same spot every time in relation to the end of the spring coil.

[Squelos]

Damn, I'd rather just go with buying new switches.

I wonder, do people find that cherry switches "weaken" over time ?

[sth]

I don't think cherry springs can wear out at any appreciable rate (too small, not an extreme amount of deformation) unless you use the same board for 10+ years. Plastic-on-plastic/metal friction will definitely come into play at some point but the springs are probably going to be the same.

You could probably find springs of a similar size with a lower force online. They won't be advertised as cherry mx springs, and you'll need to know the exact dimensions.

[Solanin]

I don't think cherry springs can wear out at any appreciable rate (too small, not an extreme amount of deformation) unless you use the same board for 10+ years. Plastic-on-plastic/metal friction will definitely come into play at some point but the springs are probably going to be the same.

You could probably find springs of a similar size with a lower force online. They won't be advertised as cherry mx springs, and you'll need to know the exact dimensions.

Seem to be the best choice. I'm try looking around for those spring

@Squelos: I want  switches that are even lighter than red or blue. That is the point for this modding

[rknize]

Try Mcmaster Carr.