Where can I find cutout templates for plate-mounted Cherry stabilizers?

[ojrask]

Are the plate cutouts for Cherry stabilizers identical for both plate and PCB mounted stabilizers? Or if I use a "universal" cutout template will plate-mounted stabilizers not work?

I've been looking for a definite template for stabilizers (both PCB mounted and plate mounted Cherry-style), but they all look alike with some variations in dimensions and positions. E.g. the Cherry spec sheet in the CAD thread's GitHub repo (https://github.com/mohitg11/GH-CAD-Resources/blob/master/MX%20Series.pdf) and swill's builder, for instance, have a bit of variation from what I'm seeing.

I also found some "vintage" spec sheet but I'm not sure how reliable it would be to use these days: https://imgur.com/a/XMoHF

A 1u switch hole is simple and I've been working with the version where you can open a switch after installation, but the hole does not allow 90 rotation of switches on the fly. What I would like is just a simple spec of the plate-mounted stabilizer hole (both 2u-ish and space bars) which clearly shows dimensions and positions relative to a 1u switch cutout.

The universal templates also support Costar stabilizers which make the templates even messier to make any sense of.

I have ordered plate-mounted stabilizers and been looking for calipers but will be a few weeks before I can get those. I could make my own templates then with dimensions from those.

[afferscheim]

Hi there.

I used this template for my assembly and it worked just fine for 1x2 :

[ojrask]

Hi there.

I used this template for my assembly and it worked just fine for 1x2 :
(Attachment Link)

Looks similar to the ones I've seen on the official Cherry datasheets. Many thanks, this has clearer dimensions from the looks of it.

[TalkingTree]

Are the plate cutouts for Cherry stabilizers identical for both plate and PCB mounted stabilizers?

Yes, they are identical and you can still use plate mounted Cherry stabilizes with the Cherry+Costar combined cutout.

[ojrask]

Are the plate cutouts for Cherry stabilizers identical for both plate and PCB mounted stabilizers?

Yes, they are identical and you can still use plate mounted Cherry stabilizes with the Cherry+Costar combined cutout.

OK, good to hear. Somewhere I read that the Cherry+Costar combination was a bit flaky and the stabilizers could pop out easily when pulling keycaps and so on.

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I am a bit confused with the long strip between the stabilizer cutouts and the switch cutout itself, that is purely for allowing the stabilizer wire to go under the plate when installing? Why does the 2u-2.75u stabilizer cutout have such a large opening between the switch hole and the stabilizer holes? Just to make it simpler to cut as the plate would bend too much in between?

Attachments highlight the areas which confuse me.

In the wide 7u version can the highlighted part be as narrow as a stabilizer wire or is it better to be a little wider (as it is in the image now)?

On the 2u-ish stabilizer hole image which afferscheim originally posted I've highlighted the areas that seem strange to me: why would the area be so large that get's cut out? Or is there clearance issues when stabilizers are placed so close to a switch housing? Or would it work to just have a narrow line there just like in the 7u version (with the risk of having a more bendy spot on the plate)?

[afferscheim]

Are the plate cutouts for Cherry stabilizers identical for both plate and PCB mounted stabilizers?

Yes, they are identical and you can still use plate mounted Cherry stabilizes with the Cherry+Costar combined cutout.

OK, good to hear. Somewhere I read that the Cherry+Costar combination was a bit flaky and the stabilizers could pop out easily when pulling keycaps and so on.

---

I am a bit confused with the long strip between the stabilizer cutouts and the switch cutout itself, that is purely for allowing the stabilizer wire to go under the plate when installing? Why does the 2u-2.75u stabilizer cutout have such a large opening between the switch hole and the stabilizer holes? Just to make it simpler to cut as the plate would bend too much in between?

Attachments highlight the areas which confuse me.

In the wide 7u version can the highlighted part be as narrow as a stabilizer wire or is it better to be a little wider (as it is in the image now)?

On the 2u-ish stabilizer hole image which afferscheim originally posted I've highlighted the areas that seem strange to me: why would the area be so large that get's cut out? Or is there clearance issues when stabilizers are placed so close to a switch housing? Or would it work to just have a narrow line there just like in the 7u version (with the risk of having a more bendy spot on the plate)?

Hi there, I found this in the cherry datasheet, the cutout is not the same for 1x2, 1x2.25, 1x2.75 and 1x3, 1x7,1x,8,1x9,1x10:

[TalkingTree]

that is purely for allowing the stabilizer wire to go under the plate when installing?

Correct.

In the wide 7u version can the highlighted part be as narrow as a stabilizer wire or is it better to be a little wider (as it is in the image now)?

I would leave as it is. The wire doesn't just drop through that hole, you have to do some sliding underneath to have it installed correctly in its place.

would it work to just have a narrow line there just like in the 7u version (with the risk of having a more bendy spot on the plate)?

Yes, it would work. Have a look at my plate.

[ojrask]

that is purely for allowing the stabilizer wire to go under the plate when installing?

Correct.

In the wide 7u version can the highlighted part be as narrow as a stabilizer wire or is it better to be a little wider (as it is in the image now)?

I would leave as it is. The wire doesn't just drop through that hole, you have to do some sliding underneath to have it installed correctly in its place.

would it work to just have a narrow line there just like in the 7u version (with the risk of having a more bendy spot on the plate)?

Yes, it would work. Have a look at my plate.

Ok, awesome. Many thanks to you, this cleared my stabilizer worries.