Why Should One Lube Their Mechanical Switches: Your Latest Guide On Keyboard Switch Lubing 2022
Mechanical Keyboards have got a huge demand in the industry now. Everybody loves using them as they offer a unique experience with fully mechanical trigger operation, different trigger feedbacks, fast key registering, complete personalization with swappable switches, etc. But one thing we need to understand is that we need to take good care of them for their longevity and smooth operation over time. We can always change the switches or keycaps and get a new experience with them. In order to maintain the keyboards we love, we need to properly clean the keyboard and lube the switches. Keyboard lubing is an important step, a necessity, that is required to improve the usability and durability of the switches. Previously, we shared a blog where we discussed how to clean your mechanical keyboards regularly, today with this blog we will be discussing the importance of Lubing Mechanical Switches, so without any further ado, let’s begin.
What is Lubing a Mechanical Switch?
Lubing a mechanical switch is applying grease or oil to different components of the switch that makes the mechanical movement of the switch parts smooth and effectively reduced the friction caused by the movement. This results in reduced scratchiness and provides a smoother typing experience drastically improving the sound and feel of the keyboard. You no longer feel any extra friction or harshness while typing.
Why lubing is important for your switches?
As stated earlier, Lubing a mechanical switch effectively improves the typing experience for any given mechanical keyboard. It improves the durability and longevity of the keyboard too. You get improved acoustics with soft sounds, smoothened typing experience, and softer actuation. The main benefit of lubing is reduced friction between the contact points of a mechanical switch. It just smoothens the overall keystroke giving you a rich experience. The reduced friction also helps in improving the durability of different components of the switch. Once you start lubing your switches, there’s no going back. You are gonna love the changes that Lubing brings on to your keyboards. They just start to feel smoother and allow you to type faster with low conflicts. To sum it all up, Lubing gives a new life to your already amazing mechanical keyboards. Let’s begin with How to lube your switches. But first, here’s a list of things that you require.
Pre-requisite for lubing your mechanical switches:-
>Neat and tidy space:-
Obviously, you need a neat and tidy space for doing the Lubing process. You are going to create a mess by spreading your keyboard all apart. So better do it in a neat and clean space.
>Lubricant:-
How can one do lubing without a lubricant? Purchase a good quality lubricant from a store near you. Do note that there might be different lubricants suitable for different kinds of switches(Tactile, Linear, and Clicky). Purchase the one appropriate for your switches.
>Small brush:-
A small brush will be required to apply the lubricant to different components of a mechanical switch. Use a good quality brush so that it cleans and applies the lubricant nicely onto the components.
>Switch Opener/Flathead Screwdriver:-
A switch opener will be required to open up the switch and apply the lubricant. This can be done with a flathead screwdriver too, but a switch opener is always recommended to avoid any kind of damage.
>Switch puller(for hot-swappable keyboards):-
If you have a hot-swappable keyboard it would be easier to pull the switches out of the board using a switch puller. In most hot-swappable keyboards, you will see a switch puller included in the package. If you don’t have one, you can always purchase a new one from the market.
>Soldering tools(for standard keyboards with non-hot-swappable board):-
For non-hot-swappable mechanical keyboards, soldering tools will be required to pull the switches out of the board. They will again be taken into use when you will have to solder the switches back onto the keyboard plate.
>Tweezers:-
The components inside a mechanical switch are small and compact. You might not be able to handle those components easily on your hands, a tweezer will be useful in such scenarios. They will also help to prevent your hands from greasing while applying lubricant to small components.
Before we begin the lubing process, there are four components inside the switch that needs lubing, this includes, the Stem, the Spring, The Bottom Housing, and the Top casing. Let’s begin with the Lubing process now.
How to lube your switches?
Remove the switches from your keyboard:-
First off, you need to remove all the switches from the keyboard plate. The difficulty of this step primarily depends on the type of keyboard you own. If you have a keyboard with a hot-swappable board, you will be able to easily pull the switches out without any trouble, simply use a switch puller and you will be able to pull them out easily. If you have a standard mechanical keyboard with a non-hot-swappable board, you will have to use soldering tools to desolder the switches, pull them out and then solder them again after soldering.
Pull Open the Switches one by one:-
Do this process by one switch at a time only otherwise you might misplace some components. With the help of a switch opener, pry open the switches and separate their components. From each switch, you will get four components, the top casing, bottom casing, stem, and spring.
Lube the Components:-
Do not rush any process. Firmly hold each component with the help of tweezers and apply the lubricant using a small brush. Use soft hands so that you don’t damage any component. Apply lubricant on the lower casing, leave the metal leaf if possible here. In the lower casing lubricate the inside part of the switch, the part where the stem rail hits, inside and outside of the cylinder. Next is the spring, lubricate it using the soft brush applying lubricant throughout the switch. Thirdly lubricate the stem, and apply the lubricant to the legs, rail, and cylinder. Lubricating the stem greatly reduces the scratchiness and friction in a switch. Lastly, lubricate the upper housing. Simply apply the lubricant to the region that where the rails of the stem come in contact.
Assemble the Switch and place them back onto the keyboard board:-
After the lubrication is done, simply assemble the switch back together. Don’t miss any component while assembling. After the lubrication and assembling of all the switches are complete, it’s time to place them back on the keyboard plate. Again if you have a hot-swappable keyboard, it would be simply plugging but for a non-hot-swappable keyboard, one will have to solder each switch back onto the board.
Voila, you are done with lubing your switches. Now you will be able to have an all-new experience with your keyboard. The keystrokes will be smoother, have lower scratchiness, and improved durability than before. Keystrokes will become smoother, making it easier to type. Now comes the main question.
Why Should one lube the switches?
It’s like why should one take care of something they love or like. We, enthusiasts, are keen on keeping our products to top-quality, without any issues. Lubing the switches bring drastic improvements to their performance. They get smoother functionality with improved longevity. Lubing the switches is a very important process. It might take some time, but the result is amazing!!
