Lubing Cherry MX switches
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- Location: Hungary
- Main keyboard: Filco M2
- Main mouse: Razer abyssus
- Favorite switch: Modded Vintage Cherry MX blacks
- DT Pro Member: -
Last time I had checked otd I found an article on lubing mx switches.
They used some kind of mysterious "otd oil" in combination with KG-8 micro PTFE lubricant.
It is available in the US.
http://www.simmonsle.com/xcart/product. ... 254&page=1
They used some kind of mysterious "otd oil" in combination with KG-8 micro PTFE lubricant.
It is available in the US.
http://www.simmonsle.com/xcart/product. ... 254&page=1
- Crazy9000
- Main keyboard: G-Tune Realforce 108B-MP
- Main mouse: Steelseries Xai
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
My brother uses similar stuff on just about everything, like door hinges. It should work pretty good on Cherry switches I imagine. I might have to try it out on scroll lock and see how it does.
- yellowFreak
- Main keyboard: Filco Majestic v2 mx Blue
- Main mouse: Razer Deathadder
- Favorite switch: mx BLue
- DT Pro Member: -
How often would you say the switches should get treated with some lube? And when can you tell it need to get some lube?
- spolia_optima
- Location: Pacific Northwest, USA
- Main keyboard: Filco 87 Red, AEKII, MX1800, MX3000
- Main mouse: Logitech G5
- Favorite switch: Blue MX
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm still interested in trying some of that paint-on dry lubricant for sliders, it's the one thing I haven't tried.
All other lubes just lead to more friction and gunk in my experience. From what I've seen, it's gotta be dry.
All other lubes just lead to more friction and gunk in my experience. From what I've seen, it's gotta be dry.
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- Location: Hungary
- Main keyboard: Filco M2
- Main mouse: Razer abyssus
- Favorite switch: Modded Vintage Cherry MX blacks
- DT Pro Member: -
I think the friction of the cherry mx switches is really annoying.
However I have just found the holy grail.
http://www.iomania.co.kr/frontstore/ite ... _id=iomall
Now I just need someone to help me with shipping.
However I have just found the holy grail.
http://www.iomania.co.kr/frontstore/ite ... _id=iomall
Now I just need someone to help me with shipping.
- lal
- Main keyboard: Poker
- Main mouse: TrackMan
- Favorite switch: BS
- DT Pro Member: -
Sixty, did you ever manage to "write some more on this subject"? I'm specifically interested in a lubricant for well worn Alps switches that's easily available in Germany.sixty wrote:There are several ways to lube switches. You can either lube the stem, the spring or both. I'll try to write some more on this subject later on.
- sixty
- Gasbag Guru
- Main keyboard: DKSaver
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX Black
- DT Pro Member: 0060
Sadly there is no such thing as an easily available really good lubricant. I tried the commonly available dry lube and variants, none of them are as good as that RO59 stuff. Sadly it seems to be only for sale in Japan. Its an American brand, but the water based lube for plastic is not for sale through their American site.
I might still have a few left over drops somewhere, which are enough to lube 100 switches. One I am done with the Poker distribution and a little less stressed I'll look for it and send it to you if you still need it by then.
I might still have a few left over drops somewhere, which are enough to lube 100 switches. One I am done with the Poker distribution and a little less stressed I'll look for it and send it to you if you still need it by then.
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- Main keyboard: Cherry MX8000
- Main mouse: Logitech something or other
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX clear
- DT Pro Member: -
How do you grind a molecule to half its molecular weight? Good lord, ad-speak makes me all stabby. (I'm not saying that it may not be a fine product, just that they clearly did not have an engineer or chemist read proof their marketing BS.)RiGS wrote:Last time I had checked otd I found an article on lubing mx switches.
They used some kind of mysterious "otd oil" in combination with KG-8 micro PTFE lubricant.
It is available in the US.
http://www.simmonsle.com/xcart/product. ... 254&page=1
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- Location: Hungary
- Main keyboard: Filco M2
- Main mouse: Razer abyssus
- Favorite switch: Modded Vintage Cherry MX blacks
- DT Pro Member: -
Have you tried that KG-8 stuff as well?sixty wrote:Sadly there is no such thing as an easily available really good lubricant. I tried the commonly available dry lube and variants, none of them are as good as that RO59 stuff. Sadly it seems to be only for sale in Japan. Its an American brand, but the water based lube for plastic is not for sale through their American site.
I might still have a few left over drops somewhere, which are enough to lube 100 switches. One I am done with the Poker distribution and a little less stressed I'll look for it and send it to you if you still need it by then.
It is widely availble.
Here is a Korean article about lubing Cherry switches with that KG-8 lubricant.
http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_tabl ... C%EB%B7%B0
Is there anyone who can translate it?
- lal
- Main keyboard: Poker
- Main mouse: TrackMan
- Favorite switch: BS
- DT Pro Member: -
Thanks for the answer and offer. I need a bigger amount though. What alternative lube(s) would you recommend then, even if it's not near as good as the mighty Ro59? :)sixty wrote:Sadly there is no such thing as an easily available really good lubricant. I tried the commonly available dry lube and variants, none of them are as good as that RO59 stuff. Sadly it seems to be only for sale in Japan. Its an American brand, but the water based lube for plastic is not for sale through their American site.
I might still have a few left over drops somewhere, which are enough to lube 100 switches. One I am done with the Poker distribution and a little less stressed I'll look for it and send it to you if you still need it by then.
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- Location: Italy
- Main keyboard: REALFORCE R2
- Main mouse: Vaxee Outset / CST L-TracX
- Favorite switch: MX Brown / Topre
- DT Pro Member: 0039
What about these from electrolube?
CG60 http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubricantmain.asp?id=62
CG70 http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubrica ... asp?id=202
LCG http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubrica ... asp?id=205
SPG http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubricantmain.asp?id=70
Farnell is selling CG60 and SPG
http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/cg603 ... dp/1098273
http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/spg35 ... /dp/725626
CG60 http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubricantmain.asp?id=62
CG70 http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubrica ... asp?id=202
LCG http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubrica ... asp?id=205
SPG http://www.electrolube.com/docs/lubricantmain.asp?id=70
Farnell is selling CG60 and SPG
http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/cg603 ... dp/1098273
http://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/spg35 ... /dp/725626
- sordna
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Advantage LF / Dvorak layout
- Main mouse: Logitech M500
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX Red
- DT Pro Member: -
DuPont Non-Stick Dry-Film Lubricant:
http://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Non-Stick- ... B003UTX0R8
It's based on isopropyl alcohol, which is generally safe for most plastics and dries faster than water.
Info and MSDS here:
http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubrica ... cants.html
Applications include:
Electrical switches and connectors, gaskets, seals, rollers, plastic gears.
Haven't tried it but the specs look promising!
http://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Non-Stick- ... B003UTX0R8
It's based on isopropyl alcohol, which is generally safe for most plastics and dries faster than water.
Info and MSDS here:
http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubrica ... cants.html
Applications include:
Electrical switches and connectors, gaskets, seals, rollers, plastic gears.
Haven't tried it but the specs look promising!
- webwit
- Wild Duck
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: Model F62
- Favorite switch: IBM beam spring
- DT Pro Member: 0000
- Contact:
Hmm, I like pure isopropyl alcohol to clean stuff. It isn't the fastest way to clean, but it leaves no residue at all. If I clean a trackball with it, it does the job too well, the trackball won't roll nicely and I have to lubricate it with my hands. The isopropyl acts as an anti-lubricant here.
I'm not in expert in chemics, so maybe someone can explain what the role of the isopropyl is in this class of lubricants? Surely the actual lubrication is from the impure parts of it? Is it a thinner and just a way to transport the lubricant to the surface to be lubricated, and then vaporize?
I'm not in expert in chemics, so maybe someone can explain what the role of the isopropyl is in this class of lubricants? Surely the actual lubrication is from the impure parts of it? Is it a thinner and just a way to transport the lubricant to the surface to be lubricated, and then vaporize?
- sordna
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Advantage LF / Dvorak layout
- Main mouse: Logitech M500
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX Red
- DT Pro Member: -
I think so, these dry lubricants use a liquid as a transport mechanism, and then need to dry, leaving the teflon bonded to the surface. The RO59 site even says you need to heat the area for 30 minutes for the bond to happen, otherwise let it dry overnight. My guess is isopropyl-based will dry much faster, and won't be harmful to plastics like acetone.
Last edited by sordna on 03 Sep 2011, 22:21, edited 1 time in total.
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- Location: Germany
- DT Pro Member: -
Acts as a solvent
(@webwit)
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(@webwit)
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