Cherry G80-1851 switch desoldering and diodes (switch choice help)

[green-squid]

Today I desoldered the MX Blacks from my G80-1800 to sell them to buy something else or new switches for this keyboard! I would like to put in tactile switches to unboring the keyboard because then I'd have all the keyboard types I'd need. I'll have the Linear apls skcl yellow zenith, I have the clicky model m, and if I bought tactile switches for this, I'd have a tactile keyboard (and I'd have all the keyboards I'd need)!


the back, before I soldered in all the diodes
]







When I resoldered in one switch in for testing, the key did not register. It is probably because other keys are also needed for a matrix to work.

So now, I'd like to ask you about something. I'm considering selling these switches and get some other switches to put in this keyboard.

What are the best cheap (so no stupid expensive zealio switches) switches I could put in this keyboard? I know we all don't like MX switches here, but I wonder if there is a way to un-boringify this board!

I'm looking for tactile ones, but I'm open to suggestions.

[andrea-i]

I just got some navy box switches, which seemed at reasonable price.
I still have a way to go for my project, but boy do they feel nice just trying them on their own!

[mike52787]

uhhhh I hope you know that cherry pcbs that use jumpers like yours do not support NKRO, even if you install diodes. desolder all your diodes, then solder in jumpers.

[Myoth]

When I resoldered in one switch in for testing, the key did not register. It is probably because other keys are also needed for a matrix to work.

• First off no, you can't put a diode in a diodeless pcb, also when soldering the new switches, be sure to solder the jumpers on the pcb as well, it won't work if you don't (that's what happened, if you also had the jumpers sodlered it would have work, other switches soldered or not)
• Your keyboard literally costs 25eu in working condition, meaning that you can only sell them for less than that, the only switch that comes to mind that is Tactile and this cheap are Gateron Browns (remember you can only put PCB mounted switches on your pcb)

[green-squid]

uhhhh I hope you know that cherry pcbs that use jumpers like yours do not support NKRO, even if you install diodes. desolder all your diodes, then solder in jumpers.

I didn't install 'diodes', but the sign on the switches was a diode sign, so I assumed it was that.

I worded it wrong.

[mike52787]

uhhhh I hope you know that cherry pcbs that use jumpers like yours do not support NKRO, even if you install diodes. desolder all your diodes, then solder in jumpers.

I didn't install 'diodes', but the sign on the switches was a diode sign, so I assumed it was that.

I worded it wrong.

gotcha, well... If you want tactiles, I have some mx clears I can sell you. PM me if you are interested.

[mike52787]

I know we all don't like MX switches here, but I wonder if there is a way to un-boringify this board!

also LOL

Vintage blacks won dta 2017 for best switch, and are mine and many other's personal favorite switches.

The opinions of the most vocal do not dictate what everyone likes

[ScottPaladin]

(and I'd have all the keyboards I'd need)!

I understand all those words individually but not together in that order.

Joking aside, what are you looking for in a tactile switch? I feel like the MX switches don't offer a huge range of course, but there is a bit of difference from a Cherry Brown to a Jailhouse Blue (as an example).

[green-squid]

I know we all don't like MX switches here, but I wonder if there is a way to un-boringify this board!

also LOL

Vintage blacks won dta 2017 for best switch, and are mine and many other's personal favorite switches.

The opinions of the most vocal do not dictate what everyone likes

But those are vintage and I already have Alps yellows in the mail!

[mike52787]

I know we all don't like MX switches here, but I wonder if there is a way to un-boringify this board!

also LOL

Vintage blacks won dta 2017 for best switch, and are mine and many other's personal favorite switches.

The opinions of the most vocal do not dictate what everyone likes

But those are vintage and I already have Alps yellows in the mail!

I can sell you some mx tactiles, I have lots of pcb mount mx browns I can send you quite cheaply.

[green-squid]

uhhhh I hope you know that cherry pcbs that use jumpers like yours do not support NKRO, even if you install diodes. desolder all your diodes, then solder in jumpers.

I didn't install 'diodes', but the sign on the switches was a diode sign, so I assumed it was that.

I worded it wrong.

gotcha, well... If you want tactiles, I have some mx clears I can sell you. PM me if you are interested.

very cool! I wonder if I can leave out some switches from the keyboard that I don't use often to save money (the scroll lock ones, the insert-home-delete ones, maybe the numpad if costs get out of hand)

but are those switches any good?

[green-squid]

(and I'd have all the keyboards I'd need)!

I understand all those words individually but not together in that order.

Joking aside, what are you looking for in a tactile switch? I feel like the MX switches don't offer a huge range of course, but there is a bit of difference from a Cherry Brown to a Jailhouse Blue (as an example).

I want it to feel nice. The tactile bump should not be too stiff but not too light like browns. Somewhere in the middle.

[mike52787]

very cool! I wonder if I can leave out some switches from the keyboard that I don't use often to save money (the scroll lock ones, the insert-home-delete ones, maybe the numpad if costs get out of hand)

but are those switches any good?

Of course, modded clears are one of my favorite tactile switches. These wont be super cheap. If you want cheap, as I said earlier I have some mx browns you can have really cheap. MX browns have an undeserved bad reputation, They are actually great switches in my opinion.

[Blaise170]

Gateron feel nicer than Cherry in my opinion, but unfortunately I've had issues with them in my Varmilo. They may have fixed their quality control issues since then, but I couldn't say. I actually have 110 generic clones coming from China right now that only cost me $0.06 per switch!

[green-squid]

Gateron feel nicer than Cherry in my opinion, but unfortunately I've had issues with them in my Varmilo. They may have fixed their quality control issues since then, but I couldn't say. I actually have 110 generic clones coming from China right now that only cost me $0.06 per switch!

I wonder if you can get those kailh zealio clones from taobao for a similar price..

[ScottPaladin]

I've got Jailhouse Outemu's in my work GH60 that I could recommend. The throw is shorter and the tactility feels 'pre-loaded' and sharper than other MX style tactiles. That being said, you're either in for a long weekend of winding wire or you're spending $$ on JSpacers, so they're an investment of one type or another.

[green-squid]

I've got Jailhouse Outemu's in my work GH60 that I could recommend. The throw is shorter and the tactility feels 'pre-loaded' and sharper than other MX style tactiles. That being said, you're either in for a long weekend of winding wire or you're spending $$ on JSpacers, so they're an investment of one type or another.

I'd probably fuck up the jailhouse modding..

[kbdfr]

[…] I know we all don't like MX switches here […]

BS, as others already have pointed out.
Perhaps you should spend less time posting and more time reading.
Including, when talking about harvesting parts, reading your own posts.

[…] Your keyboard literally costs 25eu in working condition, meaning that you can only sell them for less than that […]

It's even worse.
As a matter of fact, the exact same (black, USB) is available for as little as 9€ apiece:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/122928640275
and, if one just wants to harvest the switches, even 6€ (grey, PS/2):
https://www.ebay.de/itm/123022353851
Mind you, these are not auction prices, but fixed prices, and the seller has dozens of them - so many he even offers them in job lots of 10.

[green-squid]

Sorry man!

[Wodan]

Cherry switches have a 35+ years production history ans were made in many different variants and slightly minor revisions. Having an opinion about ALL Cherry MX switches in general is a blunt display of ignorance.
Or someone is trying to be edgy and special by having such a non-conventional opinion.

[green-squid]

Cherry switches have a 35+ years production history ans were made in many different variants and slightly minor revisions. Having an opinion about ALL Cherry MX switches in general is a blunt display of ignorance.
Or someone is trying to be edgy and special by having such a non-conventional opinion.

I swear I'm not trying to be edgy. Most MX switches are probably good. I was wrong.

[Wodan]

Oh squiddy, no one is blaming you. It‘s obvious where you got your opinion from. Keep an open mind and don‘t believe everything you see on YouTube

[Myoth]

[…] Your keyboard literally costs 25eu in working condition, meaning that you can only sell them for less than that […]

It's even worse.
As a matter of fact, the exact same (black, USB) is available for as little as 9€ apiece:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/122928640275
and, if one just wants to harvest the switches, even 6€ (grey, PS/2):
https://www.ebay.de/itm/123022353851
Mind you, these are not auction prices, but fixed prices, and the seller has dozens of them - so many he even offers them in job lots of 10.

yeah I know but it seems that there is a 15€ shipping flat rate, maybe not 25€ but around 22€ anyway

[zool]

clean, lube, re-solder and enjoy?

[green-squid]

clean, lube, re-solder and enjoy?

Does loobing (he he) make them better?

[samuelcable]

clean, lube, re-solder and enjoy?

Does loobing (he he) make them better?

yes but if you do lube them you have to be very careful to not put too much, I fucked up my switches by over lubing them the first time I tried

[green-squid]

clean, lube, re-solder and enjoy?

Does loobing (he he) make them better?

yes but if you do lube them you have to be very careful to not put too much, I fucked up my switches by over lubing them the first time I tried

Would it make it as good as vintage black switches?

[scottc]

I have well-cleaned and lubed MX blacks from a worn G80-1800 (with replacement springs) in the board that I use at work. They feel great.

[Dingster]

I have well-cleaned and lubed MX blacks from a worn G80-1800 (with replacement springs) in the board that I use at work. They feel great.

You have to desolder to lube and replace springs right? (want some heavier springs in mine). If I had to desolder them, Id just swap them for box dark yellows, but I'm an amateur solder-er and I'm afraid that wouldnt go well

[hansichen]

Box switches in a pcb mount build are stupid. And you dont have to desolder a G80 to lube the switches.