Micro Switch key caps on Cherry MX switches

snuci · 28 Feb 2017, 04:21

I've been working on a little project during the last couple of days. I still haven't perfected these yet but I am creating adapters that will allow Micro Switch key caps to fit on Cherry MX key switches via my 3d printer. Here is a sample but I am still playing with the design. This may never see the light of day or I may be a distributor soon, if there is any interest. Not quite sure yet but those awesome Micro Switch key caps are begging to be used.

Note: The black plastic piece is a Cherry MX key stem.

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Ratfink · 28 Feb 2017, 04:26

Looks like a neat little adapter! Does it actually work fully with a complete switch, though? It looks from here like the stem might not be able to go all the way into the switch.

ohaimark · 28 Feb 2017, 04:38

^ My thoughts exactly. Looks like the keycap will hit the housing. Make it taller, perhaps?

snuci · 28 Feb 2017, 04:44

I think it should work but I'll have to dig out a board and actually try it. You make a good point. I do have another design if this is problematic.

Daniel Beardsmore · 28 Feb 2017, 09:19

Ouch. Ratfink is correct. That circular base must be cut down to be no larger than the top of the slider, otherwise it won't go through the hole in the top of the switch.

snuci · 28 Feb 2017, 13:23

I think I get it now. I didn't realize that the key cap stem actually travels inside of the switch. Looks like I have to go back to my earlier design and work from there. I was trying to minimize the extra height and it evolved into this. Here is my older one.

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ohaimark · 28 Feb 2017, 15:07

That looks much better. Do watch the diameter of the adapter -- if the MX stem wobbles on the way down and the 3D printed substrate rubs on the switch housing it will produce unpleasant vibrations. Like a washboard being used as an instrument.

seebart · 28 Feb 2017, 22:28

Great idea, I'd buy a whole bunch of these if you go ahead with this eventually.

snuci · 01 Mar 2017, 03:51

Some more pics. Not there yet. I can shave off a millimeter or so but this is about the height.

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ohaimark · 01 Mar 2017, 07:56

Looks great! I'd be interested in the source files if you don't want to commercialize the design, as I have access to a 3D printer.

I totally understand it if you'd rather keep them close to your chest, though.

seebart · 01 Mar 2017, 09:12

ohaimark wrote: Looks great!

Indeed! With that imposing Micro Switch keycap on that adapter what is the keyfeel like snuci?

Daniel Beardsmore · 01 Mar 2017, 09:20

I'm surprised the switch didn't collapse under the weight of those keycaps …

snuci · 01 Mar 2017, 13:53

ohaimark wrote: Looks great! I'd be interested in the source files if you don't want to commercialize the design, as I have access to a 3D printer.

Let me finish this up and we'll see if it's even viable. The Micro Switch key caps won't match normal key cap legends so I think one would have to remap the keys.

seebart wrote: Indeed! With that imposing Micro Switch keycap on that adapter what is the keyfeel like snuci?

That one key feels... good? LOL

I do notice that even normal keys on that Cherry G80 keyboard have quite a bit of up/down and side-to-side travel without even being pressed so with the taller key cap, it is more pronounced. I am curious to see a whole keyboard and what that would feel like but I need a whole keyboard first. I did manage to shorten the adapter by a millimeter or two.

Daniel Beardsmore wrote: I'm surprised the switch didn't collapse under the weight of those key caps

They do look like they tower over the Cherry key caps don't they?

XMIT · 01 Mar 2017, 14:28

ohaimark wrote: Looks great! I'd be interested in the source files if you don't want to commercialize the design, as I have access to a 3D printer.

Same here!

snuci · 02 Mar 2017, 04:00

Well, after adjustments, this took the rest of the evening (3 hrs and 10 mins to print). I'll make another set tomorrow and should have a solid design by the weekend. Things are progressing.

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seebart · 02 Mar 2017, 15:37

snuci wrote: Well, after adjustments, this took the rest of the evening (3 hrs and 10 mins to print). I'll make another set tomorrow and should have a solid design by the weekend. Things are progressing.

Great, keep us updated!

zslane · 02 Mar 2017, 19:25

A wobble demonstration would be interesting to see once the design is finalized.

snuci · 03 Mar 2017, 22:48

Worked out pretty good. If only the Micro Switch keyboards had keys for all of the new legends. I'll have to scour my other Micro Switch keyboards. This is a G80-3000 keyboard.

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Daniel Beardsmore · 03 Mar 2017, 23:04

Well, how does it feel?

zslane · 03 Mar 2017, 23:09

Are those keycaps uniform profile? They look just like my Ice Cap SA set.

Also, I wonder if it would help stability to make the adapter rectangular so that it mates up with the switch slider more completely.

XMIT · 03 Mar 2017, 23:11

zslane wrote: Also, I wonder if it would help stability to make the adapter rectangular so that it mates up with the switch slider more completely.

My guess is no. Even a perfect fitting adapter would end up amplifying whatever wobble is already in the switch simply due to the added height.

Special bonus: the current adapter shape should work with my Hall effect boards. If you shoot me the Makerbot file I can look at printing them at the local Techshop. Maybe I can even do this for the meetup next weekend, that would be really special. Modern Hall board with vintage Hall caps... fantastic.

snuci · 03 Mar 2017, 23:45

Daniel Beardsmore wrote: Well, how does it feel?

You know I am a terrible judge of feel but I don't think this makes any difference other than "finger tip" feel. I don't touch type so I can't judge if there is a difference with the slightest extra bit of height. These adapters are as short as possible.

In terms of wobbliness, as XMIT had guessed, there is no added wobble but the existing wobble is slightly amplified because of the extra height. These adapters are as stable as can be. Because of the 3D print that is naturally ribbed (because of the resolution), it fits very snug over the Cherry MX key stem and when installing them, you can feel the layers as you slide them on.

Not sure what "uniform profile" means, zslane, but I can flip the keycap upside down and they are the same. I think the answer is yes.

I will offer the STL file to any club member for their own personal use. If you would like it, please PM me.

snuci · 04 Mar 2017, 00:03

I just noticed I never posted the actual design. It looks like this:

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The cherry portion is the right length to travel into the MX switch. The Micro Switch part looks unusually long but it all fits into the Micro Switch key cap with a very small portion (1mm) to spare. The Micro Switch portion still fits inside of the Cherry MX key switch so there is no rubbing of any kind. on the key switch side.

ohaimark · 04 Mar 2017, 00:35

I'm pumped about these. I might design a custom 40% board around some Micro switch caps, pick up a Planck, or explore other ortholinear options.

zslane · 04 Mar 2017, 02:12

snuci wrote: Not sure what "uniform profile" means, zslane, but I can flip the keycap upside down and they are the same. I think the answer is yes.

Yeah, uniform profile means all the keycaps are the same height and with no tilt angle to the top surface on any of them based on the row they occupy.

seebart · 04 Mar 2017, 09:23

zslane wrote: Are those keycaps uniform profile? They look just like my Ice Cap SA set.

Those are about 25 times nicer than any SA repro set.

snuci wrote:
Daniel Beardsmore wrote: Well, how does it feel?
You know I am a terrible judge of feel but I don't think this makes any difference other than "finger tip" feel. I don't touch type so I can't judge if there is a difference with the slightest extra bit of height. These adapters are as short as possible.

In terms of wobbliness, as XMIT had guessed, there is no added wobble but the existing wobble is slightly amplified because of the extra height. These adapters are as stable as can be. Because of the 3D print that is naturally ribbed (because of the resolution), it fits very snug over the Cherry MX key stem and when installing them, you can feel the layers as you slide them on.

Not sure what "uniform profile" means, zslane, but I can flip the keycap upside down and they are the same. I think the answer is yes.

I will offer the STL file to any club member for their own personal use. If you would like it, please PM me.

Fantastic work snuci! Thank you very much for the STL file.

zslane · 04 Mar 2017, 18:52

seebart wrote:
zslane wrote: Are those keycaps uniform profile? They look just like my Ice Cap SA set.
Those are about 25 times nicer than any SA repro set.

Of that I have no doubt.

XMIT · 04 Mar 2017, 20:36

snuci sent me some files with the adapters as well. I'll see about printing them here locally and see how it goes.