In defense of the lowly Cherry ML switch

[kurplop]

A new year deserves a new keyboard project and I decided that it was time to get moving on a portable ergo keyboard project I've been thinking about for some time now.

I have been considering the Cherry ML switch in spite of the fact that not much is said about it on GH and what is said is only half good. I took the plunge and bought a used donor board to investigate for myself. I was drawn to the shorter activation point and its compact size. I found that switches were very smooth although a second board I bought was somewhat scratchy. They were both used boards so maybe they improve with time.

I went ahead and designed my board around them.


As you can see, they are a fraction of the size of their bigger more popular brother the MX. This is the main reason I wanted to try them. The height from PCB to keycap top is a minuscule 5/16" compared to 3/4" for the MX. The on center spacing between switches is .70" verses .75" for the MX. Both of these specs are attractive features if your trying to make a compact board.


This picture shows how much a standard Cherry switch adds to the bulk of a keyboard. I know what you're thinking. "If this joker wants to make a small keyboard, why the heck did he put a humongous trackball in it?" Let's just say I have my reasons and they will be explained in a future thread devoted to the Alumaplop's construction.


The early pictures show that the height of the board with switches is a mere 1 3/8". Not bad considering the sides are tented 9º. Of course that doesn't include the trackball but it is removable and can be stowed separately for transport. The ML switch does require a PCB to mount it to unless you try a press fit and glue.

So far I'm glad I went with the ML. I guess time will tell but so far I'm excited about the shorter throw, the buttery smooth feel and the compact size. I think it's rated for 20 million strokes, much less than the MX's 50 million but I don't think I have that many key presses left in me anyways.

 

[SpAmRaY]

This is wicked.

[jdcarpe]

Very cool, kurplop. I'll be watching this with interest.

[MOZ]

Subbed.

[tbc]

just something to nitpick:

those images look like they're showing extreme barrel distortion (assuming not a fisheye lens).

can you take another shot from further away and just crop the image to get the framing you want?

that should give everyone a more accurate description of the acutal size differences.

EDIT:

although now that I look at it again...it's possible the towel actually is curved.  do you mind putting a ruler into the pic?

ps. super interested in this.  I want to redo my ergodox with lower than mx switches

[kurplop]

If you're referring to the shape of the keyboard, that is almost the actual shape of it. While the pictures are poorly focused, they are not excessively distorted. I took some shots directy overhead but they had too much shine from the flash to be presentable.  I will be taking more pictures as the project progresses however.

Regarding the Erg0Dox switch conversion, the switch size and mount would require that you start almost from scratch.

[tbc]

i'm not sure i follow about the ergodox.  it's just a standard switch swap isn't it?  provided i don't care about gaps between the keys.

[kurplop]

Check the Cherry website for the ML switch spec's. The positioning of the mounting posts is completely different. It may be possible to modify to fit but then the height would still be an issue because the plate thickness might  make the depressed keycap lower than the top plate. I don't think that you could eliminate any of the plates to lower the overall height because the internal components need the space as designed.

[jdcarpe]

^ exactly.

We could redesign the ErgoDox around ML switches, but it would be just that, an entire redesign. Might as well make something new in that case.

[keymaster]

I have used a Cherry 4100 ML daily (waiting for Sprit keyboard) for the last 5 months or so. From my experience, the scratchiness should wear off within a month or so of daily use. From then on, they feel like smooth, short-throw MX Browns.

Awesome build btw