No.M4dn3ss wrote: ↑Surely someone knows why.
The only reason I could think of is... lube does nothing in this case. Have suspicion that alps sliders are made of self-lubricating nylon plastic. Where solid lubricant is dispersed throughout the plastic. Nylon MDS maybe?M4dn3ss wrote: ↑ I know that none of us are Alps Electric and it has proven impossible to get any answers out of them. But I want to know how it is even possible at all for two switches, one lubed and one not, in otherwise identical condition, for the one with lube to not feel smoother than the other, because I can not think of any possible logical reason for that to be the case unless SKCM switches are made out of magical plastic that doesn't conform to the laws of physics. Surely someone knows why.
No idea. We do know that Alps Electric lubed blue Alps SCKM from the factory, but we never found out exactly what kind of lube if I recall.purdobol wrote: ↑The only reason I could think of is... lube does nothing in this case. Have suspicion that alps sliders are made of self-lubricating nylon plastic. Where solid lubricant is dispersed throughout the plastic. Nylon MDS maybe?M4dn3ss wrote: ↑ I know that none of us are Alps Electric and it has proven impossible to get any answers out of them. But I want to know how it is even possible at all for two switches, one lubed and one not, in otherwise identical condition, for the one with lube to not feel smoother than the other, because I can not think of any possible logical reason for that to be the case unless SKCM switches are made out of magical plastic that doesn't conform to the laws of physics. Surely someone knows why.
This is just a speculation though.
An old Alps employee I contacted who actually made them said the lube was "JIS spec, probably silicone based".seebart wrote: ↑No idea. We do know that Alps Electric lubed blue Alps SCKM from the factory, but we never found out exactly what kind of lube if I recall.purdobol wrote: ↑The only reason I could think of is... lube does nothing in this case. Have suspicion that alps sliders are made of self-lubricating nylon plastic. Where solid lubricant is dispersed throughout the plastic. Nylon MDS maybe?M4dn3ss wrote: ↑ I know that none of us are Alps Electric and it has proven impossible to get any answers out of them. But I want to know how it is even possible at all for two switches, one lubed and one not, in otherwise identical condition, for the one with lube to not feel smoother than the other, because I can not think of any possible logical reason for that to be the case unless SKCM switches are made out of magical plastic that doesn't conform to the laws of physics. Surely someone knows why.
This is just a speculation though.
Right, now I remember you mentioned it. M4dn3ss, if anyone can answer your Alps SKCM questions Chyros can I still say that unlubed clean unworn Alps SKCM are the first choice over anything lubed. The extreme differences in keyfeel with visually very similair examples must be due to wear on the switch parts that may not be noticable visually right away.Chyros wrote: ↑An old Alps employee I contacted who actually made them said the lube was "JIS spec, probably silicone based".
I meant literally identical - as in, a clean switch vs that same switch but lubed. The only explanation I can think of is that the plastics they use have even less friction than the lubricant, which really doesn't sound plausible at all.seebart wrote: ↑The extreme differences in keyfeel with visually very similair examples must be due to wear on the switch parts that may not be noticable visually right away.
There's a logical reason for sure, we just don't know the reason. Wrong lubricant, wrong lubing method, could be several factors. Maybe you now realize that this subject is not "easily" solvable and quite a few others here have tried before you.M4dn3ss wrote: ↑...even though there is no logical reason why it shouldn't.
Nothing will ever succeed complicated Alps SKCL/SKCM. Matias switches were the hope but failed miserably although they are not bad just not a successor.M4dn3ss wrote: ↑Then I guess it is how it is. Hopefully XMIT's clicky/tactile hall effect switches will be the successor to complicated Alps we've all been waiting for, once they get the sound signature sorted!
Not literally succeed, but be superior as to make Alps obsolete. The sound is not nearly on par with Alps yet, but Hall effect with tactile/click leaf would potentially be smoother and more reliable than Alps, plus it has support for LEDs and MX keycaps.seebart wrote: ↑Nothing will ever succeed complicated Alps SKCL/SKCM. Matias switches were the hope but failed miserably although they are not bad just not a successor.M4dn3ss wrote: ↑Then I guess it is how it is. Hopefully XMIT's clicky/tactile hall effect switches will be the successor to complicated Alps we've all been waiting for, once they get the sound signature sorted!
Up to this day that is a unfulfilled dream for many...M4dn3ss wrote: ↑Not literally succeed, but be superior as to make Alps obsolete. The sound is not nearly on par with Alps yet, but Hall effect with tactile/click leaf would potentially be smoother and more reliable than Alps, plus it has support for LEDs and MX keycaps.
It is well known that Alps Electric lubed SCKM blue from the factory, not sure about others from that series.andrewjoy wrote: ↑I struggle to agree that there is no luble on old Alps switches . I have had oranges and greens and you can have a good switch , take the slider out , wipe the sides down put the switch back together and feel the difference . You can even feel it on your finger if you rub the sides of the slider. There is no luble on the housing that I can tell , I have ultrasonic cleaned top housings and if they are dirty at all they feel better .
With blue Alps we know for sure Andrew!andrewjoy wrote: ↑I am almost sure of it ! You can feel the slider is all slippery in your fingers then if you give it a clean its gone.