deskthority

I've had the same problem with some very dirty Alps, but have no experience with Matias' switches. It sounds like mine were not as bad as yours tho.
On the larger keys like in the worst case the spacebar this sucks especially, since the risk of them getting damaged is bigger.

My solution was wiggling the keycap slightly instead of pulling straight up. Like tilting it from left to right. Only slightly though and with patience, you don't wanna break of the stem.

On the ones that were stuck very badly I put two cocktail sticks as little leavers beneath the cap's bottom and the top housing of the slider. This always worked out for me

I've heard rather mixed reviews about Matias' switches lately, but more about keychattering and so on. Ripping the entire switch unit right off the board sounds insane

Sorry if this isn't helpful.

Allegedly, Matias did do a redesign a year or two ago and the switches are now better. This will be the last time I mention it, though, as I don't remember the source. I'm still thinking about replacing all the switches in my Matias Ergo with Alps cream damped.

I've had that problem on old Alps clone key caps and switches. Thankfully, not like 20+ caps/switches, but enough that I try to buy full Alps keysets when I find them cheap. TNT's advice is sound: pull up with a bit of force and wiggle.

One of the problems with Matias switches is that they're built like Alps clones, so taking apart and reassembling the switches are a problem.

If you need just a few Matias switches, MechanicalKeyboards.com has them and they're pretty cheap. If you need LOTS, go to Matias.ca. If you're looking for caps, that's Matias.ca. I do know that some vintage Alps caps do fit. The exceptions might be the modifier keys. Tai-Hao.com and MechanicalKeyboards.com have some Alps-mount caps. Again, I don't know if the modifier keys fit.

I've written to Matias to buy new key caps for my Ergo and they don't return my e-mails. Rather rude for a Canadian company .

This thread again is a simple copy and paste of a previous post (albeit with modified title):
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23908

When you see a thread opened by a brand new member,
a simple search will often reveal the steal.

Whats the purpose of the operating?

John Doe wrote: 15 Dec 2020, 08:14 Whats the purpose of the operating?

The opening post has now been edited by the scammer and 3 links added. That’s the obvious purpose.

Spammer and his post now deleted, thanks!

hellothere wrote: 14 Dec 2020, 22:57 I'm still thinking about replacing all the switches in my Matias Ergo with Alps cream damped.
...
I've written to Matias to buy new key caps for my Ergo and they don't return my e-mails. Rather rude for a Canadian company .

Do it! Everyday I get the satisfaction of typing on my Ergo Pro with Salmon ALPs switches. Zero regrets!

I've exchanged support and inquiry emails with Matias.ca several times over the years. Sometimes it takes several days but they always got back to me eventually, from what I can recall, anyway.

My grand plan:

I have two Apple Standard keyboards with orange Alps switches. I love the feel, but hate the layout. I have four ... I think ... Apple Extended Keyboard II keyboards, three with cream damped Alps switches and one that's on it's way looks like it has white damped. I'm going to transplant the oranges into one of the AEKs, which will leave me with some extra cream damped switches that I can put in the Matias.

When you use an AEK/AEK II on a Windows box, the command key becomes the Windows key, which is very convenient. I also use a Mac for work, so there ya go.

I also do have a Wang 724 with salmon Alps. I used to think that it was a bit too heavy for me, but I'm getting used to it.

With your encouragement, I will send some more e-mails to Matias. I'd really like to replace the keycaps, which are pretty shiny. I have read here that sandblasting can reverse this, but I don't have that kind of equipment.

FYI you can use the main PBT caps from your ASK on the ergo. That's what I did and it works out well.



Unfortunately the bottom row command key, etc. will still be shiny with use.