SP/DSA/Costar - Best stabiliser insert insertion method

[KHAANNN]

The costar stabiliser insert need to be sanded/cut for some of the keycaps, and my WASD stabiliser inserts all needed to be tightened in

I initially tested the plastic bag method that everyone suggested, yet found it too loose, it also leaves the insert <0.1mm not in, cutting the plastic is also very hard and needs delicacy, as that plastic might cause sluggishness if not removed

I ended up using a more solid version of this one: http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Removable-Adhesive-Putty-99683/dp/B0000AQODM/

You basically put a little bit around the keycap's stem holder, then push it in, then remove the putty that gets squeezed out, easy, removable and solid

Yet even the putty method isn't foolproof, I managed to get one dislodged when I accidentally pulled a stabilised key too much while removing, pushed it back again
The worse part is not being sure whether it will come out while using the keyboard, or just slide slightly off and upset the balance
(For all those cherry stab fans out there, I tested one stabilised DSA key on my leopold numpad, it was a nightmare, the key stood uneven, the keypress was more sluggish then ever)

I'm wondering whether using just a teeny tiny bit of glue, just on the top/one-side of the stem-holder would be logical
Basically removing the insert would do minimal damage to the keycap / it will be usable with cherry stabs in the future etc.

I'm unsure which glue to try, glue-gun glue might be logical, as it gets removed easily, I also have gorilla glue and various other glue types, never used gorilla glue tho
I use hot silicone a lot as it's easily removable and doesn't do much damage

I would appreciate any advice / experience
(As a bonus info, DSA keycaps are very easy to remove from the stabilised keys, especially the space, it can be removed just by hand, while others need a little bit of screwdriver help, which eases keycap changing a lot)

[rowdy]

I have not had any problems with little 1cm squares of plastic bag.  Usually slightly thicker plastic, not those cheap supermarket bags.

Glue would be a no-no.  Unless you buy stabiliser inserts in bulk and glue them into all your keycaps (which would prevent you from using those keycaps with Cherry stabilisers).

[KHAANNN]

I have not had any problems with little 1cm squares of plastic bag.  Usually slightly thicker plastic, not those cheap supermarket bags.

Glue would be a no-no.  Unless you buy stabiliser inserts in bulk and glue them into all your keycaps (which would prevent you from using those keycaps with Cherry stabilisers).

I did buy ~20 :)

I'm aiming for permanent with minimal-damage removal + stress handling (as putting the keycaps on creates some stress on the inserts, the glue just shouldn't break)

I'm thinking of a needle tip sized glue application, but even that could get out of hand, I guess when push comes to shove, I will try it on an extra spacebar before the actual keys

(Edit: seems It's actually 20x2)

[rowdy]

I have not had any problems with little 1cm squares of plastic bag.  Usually slightly thicker plastic, not those cheap supermarket bags.

Glue would be a no-no.  Unless you buy stabiliser inserts in bulk and glue them into all your keycaps (which would prevent you from using those keycaps with Cherry stabilisers).

I did buy ~20

I'm aiming for permanent with minimal-damage removal + stress handling (as putting the keycaps on creates some stress on the inserts, the glue just shouldn't break)

I'm thinking of a needle tip sized glue application, but even that could get out of hand, I guess when push comes to shove, I will try it on an extra spacebar before the actual keys

(Edit: seems It's actually 20x2)

Still if even one gets stuck then you will not be able to use that keycap on Cherry stabs.

[SpAmRaY]

Shouldn't WASD stabilizer inserts = costar stabilizer inserts?

I thought they were one in the same.

[feizor]

try using little squares of scotch magic tape.

[Lpwl]

Sanding one insert and using some scotch tape worked pretty good for me :

[KHAANNN]

So this happened:

Turns out the putty I inserted got lubed in the process, and MX Black spacebar usage finally caused the insert to be dislodged
I also don't like the soft-plastic bag insertion method for this reason, as it also slides off easily, in my experience
In moments like these I'm glad to be using Costar's, as the same issue on Cherry's would be a nightmare to solve, if the insert moves freely, especially the spacebar edge keypresses cause the issue in the picture

I tested the hot glue idea I mentioned, indeed it was removable, yet the adhesion was low with small amounts, so it turned out to be a bust, the stabiliser never held on

I decided to try inserting a small paper before trying other alternative methods and I can't describe how easy it was and how good it works, it works so well that the insert is probably not easily removable without damaging the insert

The Method: Cut a 2mmx10mm small paper, fold it into 2mmx5mm, hold it with a tweezer, insert the costar insert onto it
The Result: The paper gets inside completely, therefore both inserts are completely levelled, the insert isn't easily removable tho, which is good if you have spare inserts already


I'm guessing this method is very similar to the scotch method Lpwl mentioned

[Sed8op8]

So this happened:
(Attachment Link)
Turns out the putty I inserted got lubed in the process, and MX Black spacebar usage finally caused the insert to be dislodged
I also don't like the soft-plastic bag insertion method for this reason, as it also slides off easily, in my experience
In moments like these I'm glad to be using Costar's, as the same issue on Cherry's would be a nightmare to solve, if the insert moves freely, especially the spacebar edge keypresses cause the issue in the picture

I tested the hot glue idea I mentioned, indeed it was removable, yet the adhesion was low with small amounts, so it turned out to be a bust, the stabiliser never held on

I decided to try inserting a small paper before trying other alternative methods and I can't describe how easy it was and how good it works, it works so well that the insert is probably not easily removable without damaging the insert

The Method: Cut a 2mmx10mm small paper, fold it into 2mmx5mm, hold it with a tweezer, insert the costar insert onto it
The Result: The paper gets inside completely, therefore both inserts are completely levelled, the insert isn't easily removable tho, which is good if you have spare inserts already
(Attachment Link)

I'm guessing this method is very similar to the scotch method Lpwl mentioned

Wow thank you khaan I went and tried that when I saw this as I was struggling with the stabs on my KBP v80 the other day. I felt like I was having to bend the stabs a little to far to not brush against the inserts till they were hooked as they kept falling out and the plastic bag method was not really working for me. Also thicker plastic sounds like it would work also. I was getting so frustrated but this works really well. It's a pain to get the out after but that's how I want them

[KHAANNN]

I'm glad it worked out well for you too, I was almost about to glue the inserts before trying the paper insertion myself, good thing I didn't think of bending/modifying the inserts, I might have tried it :)

It's interesting that KBP V80 has Costar's while the V60's have Cherry's, wish they went with Costar's for V60's too, once you solve the Costar issues, the balanced keypress experience is highly satisfactory

[skuko]

i use masking tape to "glue the inserts in, roughly 7x7mm squares. works like a charm. typing this on a filco with GMK orange on charcoal set on it