Well now, if you’ve got yourself a mechanical keyboard with tactile switches and want to make it run smoother, there’s a little trick to it. Yep, it’s lubing those switches. It’s somethin’ that’ll help make the typing sound better and give you a nice feel under your fingers. Not to mention, it can smooth out that little clicky noise those switches like to make. So let me tell ya how to go about it, even if you don’t know the first thing about lubing them switches!
What are Tactile Switches?
Now first off, let’s make sure we know what we’re talkin’ about. Tactile switches are a type of mechanical switch used in keyboards. They’re known for that little “bump” you feel when you press a key down. They ain’t like those linear switches that just slide up and down all smooth-like, and they ain’t like the clicky ones either. These tactile ones give you a nice little resistance in the middle, so you know you’ve pressed the key properly. Perfect for folks who do a lot of typing, I reckon. Ain’t too loud, but still lets you know when you’ve hit a key.
Why Lubing Is Important
Now, lubing your switches ain’t just for making it quieter or smoother. It’s also to make sure they last longer. When you lube the insides of them switches, it helps reduce friction between the moving parts. That means the little bits inside won’t rub against each other so hard and wear out quicker. If you want your keyboard to last a long time and feel as good as the day you got it, lubing’s the way to go.
What Do You Need to Lube Tactile Switches?
Before you get to lubing, you gotta make sure you got the right stuff. You can’t just use any old grease you find around the house! Nope, that ain’t gonna do. You need something that’s made specifically for mechanical keyboards. A lot of people swear by Tribosys 3203 when lubing tactile switches. It’s a nice light grease that goes on real smooth-like. You don’t need much, just a little dab will do ya. You’ll use it on the slide rails of the lower housing in the switch. That’s where most of the friction happens, and lubing there’ll make the switch feel a lot smoother when you press it.
How to Lube Tactile Switches?
Alright, now here’s how you go about lubing them switches. Don’t worry, it’s simpler than you might think. First thing, you gotta open up your keyboard and take out them switches. If you’ve never done it before, you might wanna watch a couple of videos, but basically, you’re gonna need a keycap puller and a switch puller to get them switches out without damaging anything. Be gentle, alright? You don’t wanna break nothing.
Once you’ve got the switches out, it’s time to get them open. You’ll need a little tool to open up the housings of each switch. Now, some of these switches come apart easy-like, but others can be a little stubborn. Just take your time, and don’t rush it. You don’t wanna be busting up parts just ’cause you’re in a hurry.
After you’ve got them opened up, you’re gonna want to put a little bit of that grease, like the Tribosys 3203, on the slide rails. Don’t put too much on, just a little bit goes a long way. You don’t want it all gunky in there. A little thin layer will do just fine. Once that’s on, you can put the switch back together and move on to the next one. Keep going until you’ve lubed all the switches you want to. Make sure you’re being careful not to get any grease on the contacts or springs inside. You just want to hit the parts that rub together.
Lubing the Stabilizers
Now, while you’re at it, you might as well lube up them stabilizers too. Stabilizers are the little bits that hold down the bigger keys like the spacebar, enter, and shift keys. They can get real squeaky and rattly if you don’t lube ’em. A little grease on them stabilizers can go a long way to making your keyboard feel quieter and smoother overall. Just be careful and make sure you’re not using too much, or else it could get all slushy and make a mess.
Things to Avoid
One thing I gotta tell you before you get started is to avoid using the wrong kind of lube. Some people, bless their hearts, think they can just use Vaseline or something like that, but that’s a big mistake. Vaseline is gonna ruin your switches over time. It’ll break down the plastic and make the parts all wobbly, which is just a mess. Stick to lubes that are made for mechanical keyboards, like the Tribosys 3203 I mentioned earlier. They won’t mess up your switches and they’ll do the job right.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you go! Lubing tactile switches might sound like a bit of work, but I promise you, it’s worth it. Once you’ve lubed them switches, your keyboard’s gonna feel and sound a lot better. You’ll notice the difference right away, I bet. So go on, give it a try. You’ll be a pro in no time, and your fingers and ears will thank you for it!
Tags：[lubing tactile switches, mechanical keyboard, Tribosys 3203, tactile switches, keyboard maintenance, switch lubing, smooth typing, stabilizer lube, keyboard mods, lube switches]
