Blackwidow WASD Das Stabilizers, Space Bars, Sliders

[Skoobs]

So I ordered a space bar, stabilizers, and sliders from WASD keyboards. My thought was to replace all the stabilizers and the space bar with the WASD parts. Here is a breakdown of what i found out:

The Blackwidow spacebar is not as long as the other two, and therefore neither of the other space bars will fit the blackwidow. However, the tabs for the stabilizer sliders line up with those of the WASD and Das spacebars.

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The stabilizer of the Blackwidow is more flimsy than the WASD and Das keyboards, and doesnt have the bump in it to go over the switch; it just goes under it. The space bar stabilizer from WASD fits the blackwidow and works perfectly. here is the comparison of the stabilizers (notice the different color):

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Here is the stabilizers that are used in all the other keys that have stabilizers:

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The stabilizers from WASD and Das are incompatible with the blackwidow keyboard for every key except the space bar.. they will hit the switch and not allow the key to depress easily.

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Here are the sliders from each of these companies. Clearly, Razer skimped. This isn't a surprise; Ive had problems with the sliders falling out of the keys. I will be replacing all of the sliders in my blackwidow with WASD sliders.

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[TheProfosist]

So Razer cheaped out again not a surprise.

[Blackhawk19]

I can confirm that XArmor does use the same stabilizers.  Also has identical bottom row.  

I don't know if razor has the same problem, but I RMA'd my XArmor 2 weeks after receiving due to the space bar sticking on the upstroke approximately once every 4 keypresses when typing at full speed and 100% of the time if you slowly press the space bar on either end or at the top or bottom of the key.  

My suspicion is that two things contributed to this issue 1) the stabilizer used in these boards is about as useful as a bent paper clip would be, and 2) a broken space bar stem (another reported XArmor flaw that I can confirm--my board had 3+ keys with broken stems).

[wasdkeyboards]

So Razer cheaped out again not a surprise.

I wouldn't say those are "cheaper" inserts. They are actually necessary if you are using OEM Cherry-style keycaps with Costar-style stabilizers. Everyone has issues with SP group buys and the inserts not fitting snug from their Costar keyboards. Since the keys are shorter, the longer inserts can't go all the way into the stem. The shorter inserts allows it to go in all the way and fit tighter. I think the Razer keys are slightly lower our keys, which would make it a necessity to use the shorter inserts.

[Human]

@ TS:

Isn't you suppose to realise the different in length of Razer BWU with most other normal keyboards out there by just looking at it? Comparing with the numbers of 1x-modifier sized keys on the ZXC rows and you will realise that the one on Razer BWU is 6x modifier(or use maths of 15-(1.5x4)-(1x3)=6) while the one on normal layout is 6.25x modifier(mathematically  is 15-(1.25x7)=6.25).

Sliders falling out of the spacebar's stems? BTW, do you realize that by default Razer do insert some piece of sticker-paper in the stems(of spacebar) to make-up of the shorter length?

Also like you noticed, the Razer's spacebar's stabiliser wire don't have a "bump", instead just jump over it. That made the wire bent when it is mounted.

[Squelos]

Hum, my stabs had some glue in the stems.

[volund]

The Blackwidow spacebar stabilizers are ****....

Had to epoxy them into the stem after the 4th time they came out, they don't seem to hold up under any kind of heavy use (Super Meat Boy killed it)

[shogrran]

I have experience with the Razer BW as my first mechanical keyboard. Although I still say its a good starter keyboard since they have it available in the non backlighted-cheaper edition, I admit that there are some things Razer did not do right.

Q:    How do I remove the key caps from my Razer BlackWidow?
A:    Razer does not recommend removing keycaps from the Razer BlackWidow. Several caps have springs that are very difficult to replace once the cap has been removed. Excessive force can also damage the key itself. If you desire to clean under the key caps Razer suggests holding the unit upside down and/or using compressed air from a can.

This is coming from their support site.

Now comparing that to how the cmstorm guys started their venture into the keyboard industry... where they even provide a keycap puller and replacement keycaps for wasd keys, there is obviously a difference in mindset.

I am going to guess Razer is more on making sales through bling and marketing, concentrating more on getting a driver working with the keyboard (which btw the razer bw driver sucks). They wanted to attract the unsuspecting gaming community to buy their products -- like what happened to me. I never knew mechanical keyboards till I saw their keyboard. I got attracted to all this bling about macro keys and their remapping software and they even (overadvertise imho) that their keyboard is mechanical and to the unsuspecting audience almost looks like they are the only ones who offer a mechanical keyboard. This of course is me just making assumptions.

Kudos to the Razer marketing though... I think it reached more people compared to the marketing of other companies who offer mechanical keyboards e.g. it reached me before any other information about mechanical keyboards reached me.

The cmstorm handled it differently (but also not in a very good way) by spamming their keyboard with a lot of their logos - each time a person buys the rapid... they make sure its a standing advertisement shouting "we make keyboards". Its understandable since it is their first time in the keyboard market and probably they were making extra effort to advertise.

Sliders falling out of the spacebar's stems? BTW, do you realize that by default Razer do insert some piece of sticker-paper in the stems(of spacebar) to make-up of the shorter length?

I'm not sure if you are defending how Razer did things or if you are just pointing this out. But in my humble opinion, i wouldn't like any form of sticker-paper, glue or what not on my keyboard. Its like putting a piece of folded paper under one of the legs of a wobbling stool -- fixes the problem yes, compensates for the wobbling yes, but its a piss poor job compared to just having the correct measurement in the legs of the stools in the first place. I didn't know this till you mentioned it but I'm not happy to know they did it this way.

[sangye]

I ended up with a dead key on my Black Widow and they did give me a return authority but it just seemed too much hassle. I do normally return things. Then i got stuff under my spacebar and I damaged the stabiliser so i am super happy to find the above info on WASD parts and i think i can probably get my stabiliser fully working. Right now if you hit middle or right side its fine, which is normally ok but hitting left side it tips up on other side and doesn't work and i am sure it will damage key.

Much more difficult is my ambition to try and replace the cherry mx blue on the dead key ... probably have to do way more dismantling than i can without damaging the case of it. Its a good keyboard, lets face it ... super fast and yes a great starter for newbies to mech keyboards which i was before i got it. Now i am using a ducky white backlit with cherry reds because the clicking got on my nerves. However, when i play starcraft 2 the clicking and tactile aspect of cherry blues can be really nice.

Cheers

[Qsanity]

I just read everyone's posts. Got some good information from all of it since I just got a BlackWidow Ultimate from ebay. I got it with a Razer Lachesis mouse and they both smelled like they came strait from a casino. So I took all the keys out and bathed them in vinegar for a couple minutes. I cleaned every little crack I found on the keyboard. Then I wrapped they keyboard in paper towel that had been dipped in vinegar for overnight.. The next morning I unwrapped it and I have found some oxidization on metal parts(USB connector, stabilizers, and the Cherry switch on the space bar). I gave it time to dry and lubed up the space bar with some DeoxIT F5 spray.

When I reattached the keys I found that the space bar to wobble and pop up when I pressed the sides. When I pressed the left side the slider would pop off the right end and when I pressed hard enough on the right side the left slider would pop off.
I have experimented with dental rubber bands as dampeners to see if it would help but it seemed to make it worse.

After so many times of taking off and putting back on the space bar the slider was coming off easier and easier. After much fiddling and frustration I finally broke one of my sliders.

I was about to replace every stabilizer, the space bar sliders, and the space bar itself from WASD keyboard parts. Good thing I didn't order all of that before I read this. At least the sliders are interchangeable! Which I hope it would solve my main dilemma.

Those of you who have changed out the stabilizer please let me know if they work well or if there is any difference at all.
Thank you.

Notes: I chose vinegar to clean my keyboard because I read that it breaks down the tar that is a residue left by cigarettes and does not degrade plastic. I know there is about 50 percent water in vinegar if I remember correctly so I assumed that it was okay to use as long as if I didn't get it directly inside the board. The vinegar-paper seemed to evaporate fast enough to not have the water pool into the board. I did not expect the metal parts to oxidize and when I saw it so I pretty much freaked out especially when the computer didn't register the space bar. The gold connections was just not making contact; nothing a little Fader lube couldn't fix(luckly -_-). Yes vinegar smells but that smell goes away unlike the smell of cigarettes. Would I recommend doing any of this? I really don't know lol. If you got it on ebay like me and that voids your warranty I guess you could do this. If not just return it. I would if I could. I wouldn't really recommend anyone to get the BlackWidow Ultimate. It is not worth it for the price but is is one of the most easily apprehend-able mechanical keyboards out there. I do love the lights, the function keys and most of the software but I love the feel of my Das Model S Ultimate(MX browns). I am currently thinking about fixing my Razer BlackWidow Ultimate then selling it ><;.

Thanks for anyone who read this and anyone else to reply. ♥

[Bird]

vinegar is acid