Heavier Spacebar Switch

[ComradeSniper]

I've seen a few people use heavier switches for spacebar, like an MX Green on an MX Blue board. I don't quite understand the advantage of this, could someone explain? It seems like you would bottom out either way.

[keymaster]

I would think that you don't bottom out as hard with a heavier switch, which would in turn reduce the amount of noise it makes.

[metalliqaz]

The space bar is much heavier than a regular 1x key.  It contains much more plastic and it has the stabilizer bits hanging off of it.  This extra weight effectively reduces the resistance that you feel from the switch spring.  In order to make it feel more like the other switches, and to prevent it from activating accidentally, the stiffer spring is used.

[Jocelyn]

The space bar is much heavier than a regular 1x key.  It contains much more plastic and it has the stabilizer bits hanging off of it.  This extra weight effectively reduces the resistance that you feel from the switch spring.  In order to make it feel more like the other switches, and to prevent it from activating accidentally, the stiffer spring is used.

This^ I prefer having a much heavier switch/spring for it due to my thumb being "spacebar" happy. I had a 62g spring (Same as the other switches) in my spacebar for a few days and it almost felt broken.

[The_Beast]

I like a uniform switch weight. However if you have a metal/alum/Ti spacebar, you'll need a heavier spring to off set the additional weight

[Hyde]

I think I preform uniform weight.  I don't notice any difference in typing feel at uniform weight so I'd imagine having heavier weight would be annoying.

[precarious]

I think I preform uniform weight.  I don't notice any difference in typing feel at uniform weight so I'd imagine having heavier weight would be annoying.

I think it's annoying at high speeds, but it's probably better for all-around general use where you're not trying to get 666 WPM on demonracer.

[Sifo]

I go uniform weight as well, but I heard that having a heavier space bar switch was only preferred on cherry stabilizers.

[IvanIvanovich]

Use thick Cherry keycap with 7x spacebar on a light switch and come back.

[AKIMbO]

Use thick Cherry keycap with 7x spacebar on a light switch and come back.

What the Russian space cadet said.  Black spacebar spring on a red switch board is necessary for meatier caps. 

[tp4tissue]

After I switched to Green MX spacebar, I've made 2-5% less mistakes on my typing games... And it has been pretty consistent..

The MX- Springs "reduce" in resistance over time by as much as 5-7g, so given the "heavy" spacebar + "greater, wear and tear" + stronger thumb/wrist action... It would make sense to use a stronger spring for the space bar..

Also, with an MX Green switch, the space bar feels "less wobbly" than when I had the MX blue. And the Key return to standard position is notably more "robust"

[TheSoulhunter]

The space bar is much heavier than a regular 1x key.  It contains much more plastic and it has the stabilizer bits hanging off of it.  This extra weight effectively reduces the resistance that you feel from the switch spring.  In order to make it feel more like the other switches, and to prevent it from activating accidentally, the stiffer spring is used.

^ This...
And because the thumb (which most people use for space) is much stronger than the other fingers.

[ComradeSniper]

Cool, thanks for the input. Once my soldering skills are up to par I will give a heavier spacebar a try.

[MJ45]

Some of the Ducky boards have stiffer spacebar switches, I have a Yotd Dragon with MX blacks and it has a grey switch on the space bar it feels O.K. I've seen some blues with a green spacebar switch also.

[L4yercake]

Some of the Ducky boards have stiffer spacebar switches, I have a Yotd Dragon with MX blacks and it has a grey switch on the space bar it feels O.K. I've seen some blues with a green spacebar switch also.

Its odd that mention that, my Ducky YOTD in Reds has a red switch space bar. I think I would of liked a Black spring for the space bar but weird that they would do it for a Black switch board.

[mashby]

Hope this doesn't hijack the thread too much, but are there other locations where heavier switches are used?

I'm thinking the Backspace and the Enter key seem like good candidates, no?

[Jocelyn]

Hope this doesn't hijack the thread too much, but are there other locations where heavier switches are used?

I'm thinking the Backspace and the Enter key seem like good candidates, no?

Here's a good example, although the spacebar is using a red - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40160.0

Edit - I have a feeling that I may try certain locations like Backspace, Enter, and others with a heavier spring when my 17 cent clears arrive

[fohat.digs]

If I had the time and money and energy to start swapping switches on a cherry or alps keyboard, I would probably come up with at least half a dozen locations for alternate switches.

If the switches were not clicky already, I might be inclined to make several of them clicky (eg shift control alt tab numlock capslock 3423etc) to alert me that they were in effect.

Damn, I just wasted 3 drops of good bourbon on my Model F!