Lube Myths

[tp4tissue]

I remember reading some where that when you get new switches you should not lube right away.

Instead let the plastic break down and wear smooth a bit.

THEN lube to get the smoothest key presses.


Is this remotely true?  I recall someone said the rationale was that if you lube right away it would take longer for the plastic pieces to break in and become smooth.

[noisyturtle]

If switches are anything like harmonicas or baseball gloves then this might be true. I suppose there would be some truth to it because new switches will probably take a miniscule amount of the surface plastic off with general use, thus removing some of the lube if the switch were lubed.

[gigibecali]

I don't like the idea of lubing the switches. What happens when the lube gets dirty or liquid component eventually evaporates?
Lube again?

Down the road I expect stickiness and a board ruined by immediate satisfaction.

[SpAmRaY]

I was expecting the OP to say something about it's all in your head that lube doesn't really do anything.

I have yet to try lubed switches but hope to experiment soon.

And if the plastic in the switches has to 'wear' in, where does the worn out plastic go?

[tp4tissue]

I don't like the idea of lubing the switches. What happens when the lube gets dirty or liquid component eventually evaporates?
Lube again?

Down the road I expect stickiness and a board ruined by immediate satisfaction.

considering the board is serviceable it'll never be completely ruined.. but the serviceable part means turning the board upside down and spraying some sort of solvent into the switch to get the stuck lube out.

If that bothers you, do NOT lube. It's an eventuality....


Now as far as does it help, it certain does, but the breaking in period is much longer than some people think. probably few thousand key
presses, before, you should actually lube.

[alaricljs]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

[absyrd]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

[The_Beast]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

Different lubes do give the switch different and noticeable feelings

[alaricljs]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

Different lubes do give the switch different and noticeable feelings

Yes, my statement was mostly directed at the dude complaining about newly applied lube drying out some day.

[esoomenona]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

But if that's true, then why are vintage switches so SMOOOOOOTH?

[SpAmRaY]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

But if that's true, then why are vintage switches so SMOOOOOOTH?

Older plastic must have been made different, obviously, and the lube they used back then was probably really good but is toxic to make so they stopped. 

[keymaster]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

But if that's true, then why are vintage switches so SMOOOOOOTH?

Older plastic must have been made different, obviously, and the lube they used back then was probably really good but is toxic to make so they stopped. 

The bold part could be true and can be tested, but the "toxic" lube is just speculation, right? Just because something works really well doesn't mean it's bad for you. It may be a combination of different plastic and wearing of the switch and spring over the years.

[SpAmRaY]

Also remember that Cherry switches ARE lubed to begin with.

This. I still don't understand lubing on a new build unless using vintage switches.

But if that's true, then why are vintage switches so SMOOOOOOTH?

Older plastic must have been made different, obviously, and the lube they used back then was probably really good but is toxic to make so they stopped. 

The bold part could be true and can be tested, but the "toxic" lube is just speculation, right? Just because something works really well doesn't mean it's bad for you. It may be a combination of different plastic and wearing of the switch and spring over the years.

I was kidding about the toxic part but in all seriousness, there could have been something used or a by-product in the manufacturing process in years past that they genuinely do not use anymore due to environmental regulations, costs, availability etc.

[jdcarpe]

Here is my opinion of it. What people call "vintage" switches are really just old switches that have been well-used. I don't think Cherry changed the formulation of the plastic for the stems at all. Once you use the switches for several thousand keypresses, they become worn in and have a nice smooth feeling. Lubing new switches is simply a shortcut to get to that same feeling.

[Findecanor]

Here is my opinion of it. What people call "vintage" switches are really just old switches that have been well-used.

I don't believe that. I have got vintage keyboards that were pristine in every visible way that have had smoother switches than modern keyboards.

[Leslieann]

I don't like the idea of lubing the switches. What happens when the lube gets dirty or liquid component eventually evaporates?

The only entrance to the switch itself that is large enough for anything more than a micron to pass through, is through the top around the stem, which is covered, by a plastic key cap. Unless you have a wirlwind blowing through your keyboard, dust is typically going to land on the key can, and then fall onto the plate and then fall wherever.

Ask anyone disassembling very old switches how much dust they found inside of them. I have 2 year old switches and found them completely clean inside. In fact, you are more likely to find plastic dust from wear, than you are to find actual dirt dust inside.

Good lube doesn't evaporate that fast, if at all, take apart an old car, bicycle or motorcycle, the grease is still there. So why do chains dry out? Because of the dust collecting on the oil, absorbing it, and being washed/blown away by wind and water.

[gameaholic]

Also you can't get pregnant if you use lube.  ;-)

[tp4tissue]

Also you can't get pregnant if you use lube.  ;-)

only the ones that says spermicide included.

[alaricljs]

Ask anyone disassembling very old switches how much dust they found inside of them. I have 2 year old switches and found them completely clean inside. In fact, you are more likely to find plastic dust from wear, than you are to find actual dirt dust inside.

I pulled the switches off 5 old Wyse boards and they were filthy... I didn't open them tho, hey boost have you looked inside those switches?

I have been inside switches from other boards that on the outside were obviously dusty/used and opened them up and found 1-2 large strands of random fuzz and the old lube turned black.  Is the black dust?  Dunno.

[tp4tissue]

I don't like the idea of lubing the switches. What happens when the lube gets dirty or liquid component eventually evaporates?

The only entrance to the switch itself that is large enough for anything more than a micron to pass through, is through the top around the stem, which is covered, by a plastic key cap. Unless you have a wirlwind blowing through your keyboard, dust is typically going to land on the key can, and then fall onto the plate and then fall wherever.

Ask anyone disassembling very old switches how much dust they found inside of them. I have 2 year old switches and found them completely clean inside. In fact, you are more likely to find plastic dust from wear, than you are to find actual dirt dust inside.

Good lube doesn't evaporate that fast, if at all, take apart an old car, bicycle or motorcycle, the grease is still there. So why do chains dry out? Because of the dust collecting on the oil, absorbing it, and being washed/blown away by wind and water.

well, the grease is still there, but it's greatly denatured.

[noisyturtle]

Remember the N64 controllers that would develop a film of plastic dust around the joystick after long use? I used to call it magic pikachu dust, and I would guess something like that occurs on a smaller level with most moving plastic parts.

[tp4tissue]

Remember the N64 controllers that would develop a film of plastic dust around the joystick after long use? I used to call it magic pikachu dust, and I would guess something like that occurs on a smaller level with most moving plastic parts.

The hours you've spent playing battle stadium has not gone to waste!!