Author Topic: Getting clicky sounds from a Kinesis Classic  (Read 995 times)

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Offline shockwave

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  • Posts: 18
Getting clicky sounds from a Kinesis Classic
« on: Thu, 03 May 2012, 20:50:09 »
Greetings,

I'm interested in getting some clicky action going on an older Kinesis 'Classic' keyboard, which I purchased used from Ebay and which is still in the mail. I would like to go from the default Cherry MX Brown switches to some Blues.

I would be using these types of blues:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/cherry-mx-blue-keyswitch-mx1a-e1nn.html

As some of you may know, the Kinesis Classic has plate mounted switches within the keywells, and PCB mounted ones in the thumb clusters. For the thumb clusters, I may be able to swap out the entire switch, as there is no soldering required (from what I hear). However, since the plated mounted switches would require soldering if I were to swap out the entire switch, I wonder if I'm able to only swap out the stem and spring on those. After all, what I'm really after is the clicky sound.

I got the idea from looking at these youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HysRQnJiupQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng1a9tuact0&feature=related

What I'm wondering is if switching the stems of the Kinesis would work, like in the videos above, or if it only works on some keyboards (and in particular not the Kinesis).

If something like that would work for the Kinesis, is it possible to buy only the blue stems and spring, instead of whole switches like at wasdkeyboards-dot-com.

EOT

Offline Lanx

  • Posts: 1915
Getting clicky sounds from a Kinesis Classic
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 03 May 2012, 23:30:09 »
removing kinesis keywell switches without desoldering is nigh high impossible, because if you look at the keywells themselves there are raised ridges in between the switches, so you can't even do the sneaky pop out with regular plate mounted cherries. Thumbclusters are easy peasy, but you will have to desolder (the keywells). Even if there is a way to do it, without desolder, it'll be easier to desolder. Btw i did this, and replaced browns with ergo whites, what you'll need to do is desolder- and get a hammer. kinesis cherry switches are glued to the keywell, not a lot of glue mind you, just a tiny amount that a good bump from a hammer will knock out (nothing thor sized). then just replace and go on. oh and i'm sure you know you have to keep the original switch cuz of the diode, so you'll really just be swapping spring and plastic.