Lubricating mechanical keyboards is a popular practice among computer enthusiasts looking to reduce noise and enhance the smoothness of their keystrokes. This art form takes patience, precision, and a deep understanding of keyboard components. By carefully mastering these techniques, you can transform your typing experience into one that is sleeker and more satisfying.
Part 1: Understanding the Importance
Keyboard lubing is not merely a niche hobby; it’s a purposeful technique that improves and prolongs the life of your keyboard. Lube reduces the friction between moving parts, decreasing the wear and tear on these components and promoting smoother actions. This lessens the clacky noise produced and introduces a more refined, deeper sound. Lubing keys can also refine their tactile feel, with lubed keys often described as ‘buttery’ and ‘smooth.’
Part 2: Materials Needed
In progressing your keyboard lubing expertise, you’ll need several materials:
1. Mechanical keyboard & keycaps.
2. Switch Puller & Keycap Puller: These tools remove switches and keycaps respectively.
3. Lubricant: The two main types are grease and oil. Krytox GPL205 g0 and Tribosys 3204 are popular choices.
4. Lubing station: This will hold the switch parts during the lubing process.
5. Brush: A small, fine painting brush is needed to apply the lube accurately.
Part 3: Steps to Lubing
1. Remove the Keycap: Utilize the keycap puller to detach the keys from the main board. It’s recommended to take pictures of your keyboard before this step to remember their original positions.
2. Extract the Switch: Use the switch puller to remove the switches from the board. The removal method will vary depending upon whether it’s a ‘plate-mounted’ or a ‘PCB-mounted’ switch.
3. Dismantle the Switch: Once removed, the switch can be separated into four parts: the top housing, the spring, the stem, and the bottom housing.
4. Apply Lubricant: Now, take your brush and lubricant. Apply a thin, even coat of lube to all the moving parts of the switch. Pay particular attention to the stem’s sides and bottom as these areas have the most contact with other parts.
5. Reassemble & Reinstall: After lubing, reassemble the switches, ensuring all pieces fit securely. Then, reinstall the switches and the keycaps onto the keyboard.
Guidelines for Lubing
Different lubes have various characteristics impacting the feel and sound of your keystrokes.
1. Grease vs. Oil: Grease is thicker and more suitable for tactile switches, providing a more cushioned stroke. Oil is thinner and better for linear switches, promoting a smoother hit.
2. Consistency: Consistency is key in lubing. A thin, even layer of lube should be applied- too much can make the key sticky, while too little will not provide enough smoothness.
3. Stem Focus: Focusing more on the stem will maximize the effects of lubing. The sides of the stem have the most contact with the switch housing, so giving them extra attention will promote a quicker and smoother actuation.
4. Forsake the Legs: For tactile switches, avoid lubing the legs of the stem. Doing so can potentially lessen the tactile feedback which may not be desirable if you like to maintain some tactile bump.
Part 5: Maintenance & Re-lubing
Keep in mind that keyboard lubing is not a one-time task. The benefits of lubing tend to fade in a year or two, depending on your usage. After this period, you will need to re-lube your switches. The process of re-lubing is similar; however, it includes an additional step of cleaning the old lube off with a cloth or ultrasonic cleaner before applying the new lube.
By following these steps, one can master the art of mechanical keyboard lubing. With practice, this skill not only enhances mechanical keyboard longevity and performance but also elevates your overall typing experience. Keyboard lubing is a trial and error process, so expose yourself to different lubes and techniques to find the combination that fits your typing style perfectly. The smoother your typing becomes, the more you realize how vital lubing is to your keyboard’s functionality. With patience, precision, and a little bit of mess, you’ll soon be a master in mechanical keyboard lubing.
