Where to find Alps compatible springs

[nubbinator]

So it's incredibly easy to find springs that fit into an MX switch and modify it to your preferred weight, but I've noticed it's incredibly difficult to do so with Alps.  So I wanted to start a kind of repository for people to list Alps compatible and incompatible springs.  So let me know if you find them so I can add them to the list or what doesn't work so people can avoid trying it.

Sources for Alps compatible springs:

• Alps switches - this one is obvious, but it feels wrong to cannibalize the springs sometimes...unless they're White or Black Alps that is.
• Cherry ML switches - while the spring is a little wider than an Alps spring, it does fit into an Alps switch without any problems at all.  It's shorter than an Alps spring, so it can have a dramatic difference in some switches.  I can tell you firsthand that it makes Greens feel like crap.

Incompatible sources:

• Cherry MX switches - They're just too big around in diameter
• Most pens
• Cherry MY switches - the springs are too small in diameter and length

[nuclearsandwich]

Do the springs in Matias's switches work for complicated Alps variants? If so it may be possible to find his suppliers instead of pulling them out of his switches.

[nubbinator]

I haven't tried them, but I don't see what they shouldn't work unless some Alps have randomly different sized springs.  I haven't noticed something like that in the Alps I've had, but Akimbo, resident Alps master, may have something else to say.

[Melvang]

Anyone got any dimensions of Alps springs?

[nubbinator]

The ones in my Green Alps are about 3mm diameter x 10.5mm long.

[Melvang]

The ones in my Green Alps are about 3mm diameter x 10.5mm long.

Any idea on spring rates?  pounds/inch would work best

No idea how this spring rate translates to key switches but these are the lightest I found on mcmastercarr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#compression-springs/=rgerdj

[nubbinator]

I don't have any information on the thickness of the spring wire since my calipers aren't calibrated that small, but it's sub 1mm.  The number of coils is shown in my pictures in my review.  No clue on spring rate.

Based on the measurements I have, these numbers may work: 9657K256, 9657K256, 1986K42, 1986K41, 1986K41, 9434K19, 9434K163, 9434K17, 9434K17, 9001T13   , 9001T14   , 9002T11, 9002T13, 9002T14, 9637K44 (cut to your own length), 9663K65 (cut to your own length).

[jacobolus]

I’m going to measure all the physical dimensions of all the types of Alps springs I have with a caliper, hopefully tomorrow. This won’t be ideally precise measurements, but I don’t have a micrometer, so it’ll have to do for now. I’d also like to figure out if they can be measured with HaaTa’s force gauge, but that isn’t going to happen for a month, since I’ll be out of the country.

[andresteare]

What about chinese alps clones?

[Maledicted]

What about chinese alps clones?

SPRiT has springs for just about everything. Not sure if they would work in All Alps clones or not.

I haven't tried them myself since all of my Alps and Matias boards seem fine to me just the way they are. I did play with some meant for box switches and they seemed to be pretty well made.

[ddrfraser1]

Incompatible sources:

• Most pens

This is hilarious

[4sStylZ]

I tried SPRiT, I used 55gr Alps for white linearized : that's very light. You can let your fingers rest on the board actuating keys.
SPRiT have a bad reputation… they deliver me without issues. Buyt the delivery was very long.

[Little4Real]

Matias Clicky and Quiet Click springs are nearly identical in weighting to Blue Alps. EDIT: Matias' springs are so inconsistent that some may be close to Blue Alps in weighting, while others are closer to Brown Alps in weighting

Kailh Box White springs are also similar in weighting to Orange Alps. They're like an Orange spring, with slightly more preload since it's a tad longer.

[Faceman76]

I tried SPRiT, I used 55gr Alps for white linearized : that's very light. You can let your fingers rest on the board actuating keys.
SPRiT have a bad reputation… they deliver me without issues. Buyt the delivery was very long.

I ordered from them recently.  They shipped within a week and from SK to NY was less than a week. 
Be sure to buy a few different springs and the shipping will drop astronomically. 

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