Lubrication

[mniels]

So, I have been using the Krytox mix sold by Techkeys, but am looking to be able to purchase more than a 2ml vial (especially at $9.00 a pop.)

What do you guys use?  Your own blend?  Something pre-made like the Techkeys product?

[need]

i use silicon grease

[Wingklip]

WD 40 maybe.

Probably Vaseline would be decent, though you should think it out with some oil or something

[SpAmRaY]

WD 40 maybe.

Probably Vaseline would be decent, though you should think it out with some oil or something

You can't be serious.

We are talking lubing keyboard switches right?

[mniels]

Yeah switches. Was a little concerned about that post as well, lol


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[TalkingTree]

Probably Vaseline would be decent

Vaseline is a petroleum lubricant and it shouldn't be used on styrene. I guess switches housing are made of polyoxymethylene but, nonetheless, you don't want vaseline to dissolve your ABS keycaps.

Silicone grease would work unless you use too much which would make your switches gummy.

[Puddsy]

silicone grease is what most switches are designed for

it's basically the generic brand of krytox, but krytox seems to be a fan favorite

[justinmtype]

silicone grease is what most switches are designed for

it's basically the generic brand of krytox, but krytox seems to be a fan favorite

Silicon grease is different than teflon grease.

[Wingklip]

Probably Vaseline would be decent

Vaseline is a petroleum lubricant and it shouldn't be used on styrene. I guess switches housing are made of polyoxymethylene but, nonetheless, you don't want vaseline to dissolve your ABS keycaps.

Silicone grease would work unless you use too much which would make your switches gummy.

Omg what have I done D: nearly forgot it was a solvent too

Dang hydrocarbons.

[riotonthebay]

Just make your own Krytox mix. You can buy GLP 205 and 103 on Zoro in reasonable amounts, 0.5oz or so. It'll cost $50 and last ages.

[justinmtype]

https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Krytox-GPL205-Grease-Additives/dp/B00NRPXDOK

[mniels]

Just make your own Krytox mix. You can buy GLP 205 and 103 on Zoro in reasonable amounts, 0.5oz or so. It'll cost $50 and last ages.

What ratio are you using?

[pr0ximity]

GPL104, I didn't like the TechKeys mix much, felt too thin and seperates easily.

[zpcomstock17]

GPL 205, the stuff's great.
Even broke the seal with my canine tooth and tasted some of it, tastes great too.

[cynviloq]

So, I have been using the Krytox mix sold by Techkeys, but am looking to be able to purchase more than a 2ml vial (especially at $9.00 a pop.)

What do you guys use?  Your own blend?  Something pre-made like the Techkeys product?

I sell a bundle of VPF 1514 (viscosity sits between GPL 103/104) with GPL 204 here: https://mehkee.com/products/krytox-lube-oil-and-grease?variant=37699586639.

I don't pre-mix because everyone has their own preference so they come in two separate vials with applicators (5mL total for $10.99).

If you buy in bulk, you'll have enough for a lifetime, but it's harder to find GPL oils in less than 0.5kg bottles.

[OfTheWild]

Just make your own Krytox mix. You can buy GLP 205 and 103 on Zoro in reasonable amounts, 0.5oz or so. It'll cost $50 and last ages.

Basically what I do as well... 205 and 100 mixed till about a yogurt consistency and then brushed on the switch stem contacts. I just do a light dab of 100 oil on the ends of the springs.

[lakiozoon]

Not to open another thread,

Do you think this product is good for lubing stabilizers?
http://www.tme.eu/en/Document/0d52fde3c39516adcdec44b7c5784528/Smar%20TF%20ANG%20TDS.pdf
http://www.tme.eu/gb/Document/3c86e1b1b1655afde7675e65d44c4c13/TF%20Silicone%20+%20teflon%20grease%20MSDS.pdf

[mniels]

I actually ended up with a mix of 205/103 at a ratio of about 60/40.  .5 ounce of 205 at $29 from Amazon and .5 of 103 from Zoro at $19.  Five bucks for a  glass 2 oz jar and you end up with a lifetime supply for $55. 

Considering the amount of switch lubing I do, it is pretty much a no-brainer for me.  If you are only doing one or two boards, then I definitely see the appeal of getting the smaller amount and being done with it, but bulk made more sense to me personally.

[northpark]

I didn't realize this was a thing... so much research to do!

[dubious]

So, I have been using the Krytox mix sold by Techkeys, but am looking to be able to purchase more than a 2ml vial (especially at $9.00 a pop.)

What do you guys use?  Your own blend?  Something pre-made like the Techkeys product?

I sell a bundle of VPF 1514 (viscosity sits between GPL 103/104) with GPL 204 here: https://mehkee.com/products/krytox-lube-oil-and-grease?variant=37699586639.

I don't pre-mix because everyone has their own preference so they come in two separate vials with applicators (5mL total for $10.99).

If you buy in bulk, you'll have enough for a lifetime, but it's harder to find GPL oils in less than 0.5kg bottles.

I did some research on VPF 1514, and I am not sure it's an appropriate lubricant for mechanical switches. I couldn't find a lot of data on this, but one note in their brochure concerned me:

"There is some reactivity of the additive with copper, but it is less with brass."

I know you shouldn't be lubricating your copper leafs anyway, but the potential for corrosion seems risky. I also don't see them mention anywhere that it is a dielectric lubricant. :/

[cynviloq]

So, I have been using the Krytox mix sold by Techkeys, but am looking to be able to purchase more than a 2ml vial (especially at $9.00 a pop.)

What do you guys use?  Your own blend?  Something pre-made like the Techkeys product?

I sell a bundle of VPF 1514 (viscosity sits between GPL 103/104) with GPL 204 here: https://mehkee.com/products/krytox-lube-oil-and-grease?variant=37699586639.

I don't pre-mix because everyone has their own preference so they come in two separate vials with applicators (5mL total for $10.99).

If you buy in bulk, you'll have enough for a lifetime, but it's harder to find GPL oils in less than 0.5kg bottles.

I did some research on VPF 1514, and I am not sure it's an appropriate lubricant for mechanical switches. I couldn't find a lot of data on this, but one note in their brochure concerned me:

"There is some reactivity of the additive with copper, but it is less with brass."

I know you shouldn't be lubricating your copper leafs anyway, but the potential for corrosion seems risky. I also don't see them mention anywhere that it is a dielectric lubricant. :/

Hi - very much appreciate you looking further into it, but you are referring to the VPF versions that contain "antirust protection" properties, which is a solube additive to prevent rust.

Normal Krytox VPF does not contain that additive, is nonreactive, and has high dielectric properties.

The lubricant on my site is normal Krytox VPF without the soluble additive!

[dubious]

ahh you are correct, I was looking at VPF XP.
I may be placing an order with you soon.

[cynviloq]

ahh you are correct, I was looking at VPF XP.
I may be placing an order with you soon.

No worries, DuPont doesn't make it easy to find all the information about products in one setting! Everything is spread across various PDFs and it's hard to differentiate older versus updated information.