Squeaky backspace (cherry stabilizer)

[keymaster]

The keyboard is a Leopold FC200R.

I recently replaced the standard caps with PBT caps. The backspace is squeaky for some reason, but when I switch it out for the standard ABS key it doesn't squeak.
Note: the PBT caps are cherry profile, the ABS is OEM

What gives? I ordered some lube from EK just in case (and for the future).

[rootwyrm]

The keyboard is a Leopold FC200R.

I recently replaced the standard caps with PBT caps. The backspace is squeaky for some reason, but when I switch it out for the standard ABS key it doesn't squeak.
Note: the PBT caps are cherry profile, the ABS is OEM

What gives? I ordered some lube from EK just in case (and for the future).

It's the angle where you're pressing it. When I put non-SP profile caps on a Cherry stabilized Wyse PCET, it squeaks. Because you've changed the profile, you're changing the angle of interaction enough for it to squeak. Unfortunately that's all I know there - I have no idea why that's enough to do it, just that it seems to be.
A bit of lube should probably clear it up. Also, HOORAY FOR CHERRY STABILIZERS! Death to wire stabilized junk!

[keymaster]

The keyboard is a Leopold FC200R.

I recently replaced the standard caps with PBT caps. The backspace is squeaky for some reason, but when I switch it out for the standard ABS key it doesn't squeak.
Note: the PBT caps are cherry profile, the ABS is OEM

What gives? I ordered some lube from EK just in case (and for the future).

It's the angle where you're pressing it. When I put non-SP profile caps on a Cherry stabilized Wyse PCET, it squeaks. Because you've changed the profile, you're changing the angle of interaction enough for it to squeak. Unfortunately that's all I know there - I have no idea why that's enough to do it, just that it seems to be.
A bit of lube should probably clear it up. Also, HOORAY FOR CHERRY STABILIZERS! Death to wire stabilized junk!

I'll definitely try the lube, but I don't think it's the angle. It makes a squeak no matter which angle I press the backspace -- none of the other keys have a problem. I'm wondering if the stems on the cherry profile keycap are shorter and thus making the noise? Idk..

[sth]

Also, HOORAY FOR CHERRY STABILIZERS! Death to wire stabilized junk!

is there another sort of cherry stabilizer that i don't know about? or do you mean something different by wire?

[laffindude]

Wire stabilizer = Costar stabilizer.

[keymaster]

Alright so the lube came in from EK today. I tried lubing the stems AND where the red arrows point to:




However, this doesn't seem to get rid of the squeakiness at all. The backspace squeaks with a small amount of pressure while moving less than 2mm. Would anyone know what seems to be the cause of this? To reiterate from my previous posts: this only happens with the new backspace key (cherry profile) and doesn't happen with the standard (OEM profile) backspace.

[toast]

When I got my Leopold I had the same issue.  Applied some lube in the same way mentioned, still squeaked.
After using it for a couple weeks though my squeaking had disappeared.

Maybe it just needs to break in a bit.

[missalaire]

My Ducky had a squeaky space bar, but after lubing what I could of it, it went away after a little while.

[keymaster]

When I got my Leopold I had the same issue.  Applied some lube in the same way mentioned, still squeaked.
After using it for a couple weeks though my squeaking had disappeared.

Maybe it just needs to break in a bit.

Thanks for the reply, toast. I guess I'll just wait it out for now.

[rootwyrm]

Which lubricant did you use?
For stabilizers, I recommend heavy duty white lithium grease. This is otherwise known as the stuff used on car doors. Anything with a high viscosity is going to just soak in or not really lubricate worth a damn. White lithium grease on the other hand, is sticky nasty ugly stuff that will stay around forever and is impossible to clean up.
As I mentioned, the squeaking is from contact due to the changed angle. It's likely plastic on plastic. So you will need to break it in a bit regardless. I would recommend removing the keycap, applying a bit of white lithium grease to the top of the post, working it a few times, adding a bit more, and repeating.

[keymaster]

Which lubricant did you use?
For stabilizers, I recommend heavy duty white lithium grease. This is otherwise known as the stuff used on car doors. Anything with a high viscosity is going to just soak in or not really lubricate worth a damn. White lithium grease on the other hand, is sticky nasty ugly stuff that will stay around forever and is impossible to clean up.
As I mentioned, the squeaking is from contact due to the changed angle. It's likely plastic on plastic. So you will need to break it in a bit regardless. I would recommend removing the keycap, applying a bit of white lithium grease to the top of the post, working it a few times, adding a bit more, and repeating.

It's the silicone grease from Elite Keyboards.

[tp4tissue]

Which lubricant did you use?
For stabilizers, I recommend heavy duty white lithium grease. This is otherwise known as the stuff used on car doors. Anything with a high viscosity is going to just soak in or not really lubricate worth a damn. White lithium grease on the other hand, is sticky nasty ugly stuff that will stay around forever and is impossible to clean up.
As I mentioned, the squeaking is from contact due to the changed angle. It's likely plastic on plastic. So you will need to break it in a bit regardless. I would recommend removing the keycap, applying a bit of white lithium grease to the top of the post, working it a few times, adding a bit more, and repeating.

It's the silicone grease from Elite Keyboards.

it works, but an EPIC rip-off....  white lithium is where it's at..

ALSO.. you could've alternatively gotten Honda Shin E silicone grease, top tier sht... but $20 a tube, enough for over 9000 keyboards probably... )

[keymaster]

After a day of allowing the lube to settle in -- NO MORE SQUEAK! Great success.