Venturing into MX switch swap.

maxrunner · 04 Oct 2012, 11:33

So i have a G80-3000 with black switches which i don't like very much, i don't know if these are ML or MX blacks but i think it's the latter. Anyway i'm considering changing the switches for other types. I was thinking MX clears or Ergo Clears since people here rave about them, and since i like browns it seems to be a good idea.I also like clicky blues, and i would also like to know other combination types.So, 7bit told me that i don't need to do any desoldering, i only need the springs and stems(sliders). So what's the best way to start this.

regards,

JBert · 04 Oct 2012, 11:44

You could start by reading the Workshop forum... There are guides to open Cherry switches in there.

maxrunner · 04 Oct 2012, 12:09

JBert wrote:You could start by reading the Workshop forum... There are guides to open Cherry switches in there.

will do, i also need to know if that 3000 is a ML switch or MX since that might change things entirely....

RC-1140 · 04 Oct 2012, 12:21

If you read a little you will know that G80 always means MX. ML switch keyboards have a G84, MY switch keyboards have a G81 in it's product number. You can easily tell G84 and G80 keyboards apart. G84 keyboards are very small. You have to be more careful with the difference between G81 and G80 keyboards, as many Cherry keyboards exist in both versions (G80-3000, G81-3000, G80-1800, G81-1800 etc.). Your keyboard has MX switches if it's a G80-3000. You wouldn't be able to mod anything on ML or MY switches since they are not compatible to MX ones.

maxrunner · 04 Oct 2012, 13:04

RC-1140 wrote:If you read a little you will know that G80 always means MX. ML switch keyboards have a G84, MY switch keyboards have a G81 in it's product number. You can easily tell G84 and G80 keyboards apart. G84 keyboards are very small. You have to be more careful with the difference between G81 and G80 keyboards, as many Cherry keyboards exist in both versions (G80-3000, G81-3000, G80-1800, G81-1800 etc.). Your keyboard has MX switches if it's a G80-3000. You wouldn't be able to mod anything on ML or MY switches since they are not compatible to MX ones.

Thanks, i've only going to start my adventure into modding these things, where can i get more info on the cherry tech/nomenclature?

RC-1140 · 04 Oct 2012, 14:43

The Wiki is a great place to learn about all this: [wiki]Cherry_article_numbers[/wiki]
[wiki]Cherry_MX[/wiki]

maxrunner · 04 Oct 2012, 15:37

Thanks, it seems i only need to change the spring and stem...

cookie · 04 Oct 2012, 16:10

Thats right, it takes a little bit but its way easyer then desoldering all the switches.

maxrunner · 04 Oct 2012, 16:31

Edel wrote:Thats right, it takes a little bit but its way easyer then desoldering all the switches.

yep, now i only need to know all the resulting combinations of spring+stem(Ergo clears seem to be a clear stem + blue/brown spring) and how to open the switch and do the swap. Hope it's easy to do and no risk of damaging

edit: one thing i don't understand why do the plate mounted swicthes have no pins???i thought the only difference was that the plate might be used for stability issues?yet, there seems to be different switches for plate and pcb mounted....

Ekaros · 04 Oct 2012, 18:31

Soldering switches isn't too hard I haven't done almost any of it, but knew the basics. Took half-day to replace all the switches for alpha cluster an some others.

Yeah the PCB mounted has two plastics extra pins additional to the larger center one to my understanding. Other than that they should be same. Plate's extra thickness allows longer part of switch feet and pin to be mounted so extra stability isn't needed.

Vierax · 04 Oct 2012, 18:46

Check the Circuit Board Layouts at http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/key/mx.htm to see the difference between both mounting options.

Ekaros wrote:Yeah the PCB mounted has two plastics extra pins additional to the larger center one to my understanding. Other than that they should be same. Plate's extra thickness allows longer part of switch feet and pin to be mounted so extra stability isn't needed.

Having mounting holes on PCB and a mounting plate allows you both mounting option on your keyboard.

maxrunner · 04 Oct 2012, 20:22

interesting, anyway mine is a g80 so i won't be needing any new switch, but is there a wiki for custom combinations of stem+spring and the result?Also a good guide for swapping and dismouting the switch

i'll get back later.

regards,

Kurk · 04 Oct 2012, 21:59

Check out this thread for opening Cherry MX switches (non-plate mounted switches, that is).

edit:
@RC-1140 (below): most of the techniques in that thread can actually be used for opening PCB-mounted switches.

RC-1140 · 04 Oct 2012, 23:57

Kurrk: Actually the thread you posted is about non mounted switches, so switches you soldered off the board. It's not so helpful for PCB-mounted switches.

And the comment above wasn't about exchanging any switches, it was only about looking on the bottom of the PCB to see the differences between PCB mounted switches and Plate mounted switches. Please read a little more carefully.

Vierax · 05 Oct 2012, 00:28

but is there a wiki for custom combinations of stem+spring and the result?Also a good guide for swapping and dismouting the switch i'll get back later.

I'm pretty noob about mech keyboard but I'm curious and I read the wiki and other stuffs. So, dear Max, you should stop running and begin to RTFM

IvanIvanovich · 05 Oct 2012, 01:18

I think the only combos that aren't standard switches people really do at all are just ergo clears and whatever people want to call clear stem and black spring for a slightly lighter clear. Otherwise some people are into using custom weighted springs that are not Cherry like 50g, 62g, etc. Then the 'ghetto' versions of reds and greens which are common for change a black board into something else with either the lighter spring to make reds or the blue stem to make greens.
I think white stems and blue springs might be a new big thing too soon for people that may like something between brown and blue.

maxrunner · 05 Oct 2012, 06:01

Vierax wrote:
but is there a wiki for custom combinations of stem+spring and the result?Also a good guide for swapping and dismouting the switch i'll get back later.
I'm pretty noob about mech keyboard but I'm curious and I read the wiki and other stuffs. So, dear Max, you should stop running and begin to RTFM

RTFM? Sorry English is not my main language:)

maxrunner · 05 Oct 2012, 06:09

lysol wrote:I think the only combos that aren't standard switches people really do at all are just ergo clears and whatever people want to call clear stem and black spring for a slightly lighter clear. Otherwise some people are into using custom weighted springs that are not Cherry like 50g, 62g, etc. Then the 'ghetto' versions of reds and greens which are common for change a black board into something else with either the lighter spring to make reds or the blue stem to make greens.
I think white stems and blue springs might be a new big thing too soon for people that may like something between brown and blue.

Interesting. Ill check the wiki tomorrow, still is blacks spring less heavier than blues/browns ? Because my g80 sure needs more force then the 5000mx with browns...so how can a black spring makes a lighter clear?

kbdfr · 05 Oct 2012, 06:45

maxrunner wrote:
Vierax wrote:
but is there a wiki for custom combinations of stem+spring and the result?Also a good guide for swapping and dismouting the switch i'll get back later.
I'm pretty noob about mech keyboard but I'm curious and I read the wiki and other stuffs. So, dear Max, you should stop running and begin to RTFM
RTFM? Sorry English is not my main language:)

RTFM = Read the fucking manual.
In other words: get your information from the wiki and only ask questions which are not answered there.

maxrunner · 05 Oct 2012, 17:10

I've been on the wiki but didn't find the custom combos...so yeah...

IvanIvanovich · 05 Oct 2012, 19:46

What I meant was the black spring is lighter than the default clear spring. It would still be heavier than brown/blue/red spring of course. More like a middle ground.

JBert · 05 Oct 2012, 19:56

maxrunner wrote:I've been on the wiki but didn't find the custom combos...so yeah...

Here are a few:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Ergo_Clear
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Panda_Clear

Ghetto reds aren't listed yet though...

bhtooefr · 05 Oct 2012, 20:17

Actually, wasn't the red created because of people making ergo blacks?

maxrunner · 06 Oct 2012, 01:23

lysol wrote:What I meant was the black spring is lighter than the default clear spring. It would still be heavier than brown/blue/red spring of course. More like a middle ground.

yep, i'm reading the wiki and it seems the black isn't the heavier(stiffness?) compared to some others. Actually can we even say heavier as the same equivalent of stiff?

maxrunner · 06 Oct 2012, 17:28

lysol wrote:What I meant was the black spring is lighter than the default clear spring. It would still be heavier than brown/blue/red spring of course. More like a middle ground.

Insteresting, in the wiki it says both the clears and blacks are medium stiff, but it does not say that one is more or less then the other.

edit: nevermind the activation force is different.