HOW TO MAKE CLICKY SWITCHES LINEAR – A COMPLETE GUIDE
I know the loud audible click of clicky switches can be disturbing in public places during work. In fact, clicky switches don’t respond quickly while playing competitive games. Would you like to have a smooth and fast keystroke with quiet sound in your clicky mechanical switches without buying linear switches? So, I’ve prepared an uncomplicated guide on how too make clicky switches linear.
Make Clicky Switches Linear
If the switch is on your hand, without any further ado, make the clicky switch linear. Follow the instruction below carefully:
Step 1 – Getter tools:
You require accurate tools to open the clicky switch because it’s a sensitive case, a wrong tool, and extra hand forces break the switch locks. So, you need the following;
- Switch Opener
- spudger
- Soldering coil
- TheVan JSpacers
- Wire cutter
- Scissor
Step 2 – Turn the switch Open:
For beginners and experts, the switch opener is the first recommendation to use mechanical switches quickly and safely without any damage or break.
Using Switch Opener; Switch opener design for two clips (two legs) and 4 (four legs). Analyze the clicky switch legs and put them into the switch opener, ensuring the stem position is the upside. Hold the upper housing LED slot by index finger and thumb, and press down hard until the pops open.
Using Flathead Screwdriver; On the other hand, you don’t have a switch opener. Using a 2.5mm flathead screwdriver, insert the screwdriver under an upper housing on both side clips. Moreover, slightly rotate the screwdriver, push it up, apply some force with your nails, and remove the upper housing. Hold the switch with your forefinger or thumb, and the inside spring gets out fast.
Understand the Components
After removing the keyboard’s clicky switch, it’s time to understand all components of a clicky switch. It’s crucial to make clicky switches linear.
Keycap: The keycap is partially responsible for noise when you tap on it and doesn’t consider the part of any mechanical switches.
Stem: The click jacket style shape stem of a clicky switch varies the travel distance and actuation of the switch. Plus, the switch stem determines the type of mechanical switch and keycap attached to this part.
Click Jacket & Clicky bar: Click jacket( tactile white plastic piece), used in Cherry Max, Outemu, and Gateron Blue mechanical clicky switches. This component rests below the stem, hooked with an external pole(slider). The click jacket produces a small bump and loud sound on each keystroke, making it unique from other mechanical keyboards like tactile or linear switches.
Clicky bar used in Kailh speed pink clicky switches and attached the bottom housing front of metal leaves. This Clicky bar produces a loud noise and small bumps.
Upper housing: The stem is protected and guided with an upper housing component. A slider acts on the metal leaves in the upper switch housing containing all moving parts. However, the keycaps hit the upper housing when you press the key.
Coil Spring: Coil spring resistance determines how much pressure is required to activate the key and how much pressure is needed to actuate it. In simple words, coil springs provide resistance and reset the key.
Base Housing: The upper housing is attached here. The PCB is attached to this piece by clips.
Metal Leaves: Two tiny metal or gold pieces in a clicky switch where the electricity flows that register a keypress when in contact.
How to Make Blue Switches Linear?
If you’ve Outemu Blue mechanical clicky switches, follow these steps below cautiously:
Take the stem because the clicky jacket is attached under this stem. These components make your switch clicky. So, you need a spudger to make the work easy. In the center of the slider, wedge the spudger.
- Rotate the spudger.
- Pop the two apart.
- Remove the clicky jacket.
Take the JSpacer because the longer edges of the JSpacer should fit between the stem side clips when placed on the slider, and cover the slider or JSpacer with the clicky jacket.
Tip: Alternatively, a soldering coil solves your problem if you don’t have JSpacer. Firstly, keep the clicky jacket under the stem. Next, push the jacket through the stem middle, wrap around the soldering Coil tightly above the clicky jacket, and cut the Coil with a wire cutter. Ensure Coil isn’t jutting out of the sides since the switch will be stuck in the housing.
Reassemble the spring coil on the external pole of the stem.
Hold the stem, and make sure the slider and spring coil are positioned upside. Place the bottom housing over the spring and slider and put it into the notch of the housing.
Hold the components (bottom housing and stem head) by forefingers and thumb of one hand. As well, be sure to make use of the other hand when attaching the upper housing to the stem.
Place the upper housing by checking the clip lock. When you place the stem slightly pulled out in the housing hole, Gently press the upper housing side by side when both housings are attached. It’s time to check your switch sound to see if the stem is stuck while pressing. So, again open the switch and reassemble it cautiously.
How to Make Kailh Speed Clicky Switches Linear?
Another common type of clicky switch is Kailh speed pink switches. But, Kailh switches do not come with a clicky jacket. Instead, the clicky bar is attached to the LED slot of the bottom housing or font of metal leaves in these switches, and the stem side can hit the click bar when you tap on it.
Use a switch opener to open the upper housing. Cautiously hold the stem by thumb and bottom housing by forefingers, following the instructions above to open the switch properly.
- Hold the scissor’s back blade.
- Put the point below the click bar.
- Try to push up the click bar slightly.
This process may take some time. However, if you’re a beginner, it’ll take 1-2 minutes. After removing the clicky bar, put the upper housing over the stem by checking the clips and lock. You need some brute force to press both switches.
Assemble Clicky Switches
After completely changing, you need to assemble back your clicky switch to check the switch. Ensure a flat surface is available for the bottom housing, such as a table, floor, etc. Place the coil spring over the center pole of the lower housing.
After that, put the stem with a plastic jacket inside the coil spring and center pole. Place the upper housing, hold the switch on both hands, and press hard. Although the stem head pulls out into the top housing, check it to move up and down properly.
Install Clicky Switches in Keyboard
Installing clicky switches back into the mechanical keyboard, follow the steps below;
Using a switch puller, hold the switch by the south sides, check the bottom housing of two copper pins, and place it into the hole of the PCB. Furthermore, you should put the switch by hand quickly.
Check the alignment of clicky switches, going straight down into the respective hole.
After putting it on, press the switch by index finger and thumb with slightly hard pressure after you hear a loud, clicky sound.
Check the switch before inserting the keycap. Here is a keyboard checker website for solving your problem efficiently (https://keyboard-test.space).
But, if the switch isn’t working, remove it and insert and put it again, as sometimes copper pins bend when pressing the switch.
After the switch works, place the keycap over the clicky switch and press down by thumb or index finger firmly and slightly.
In Non-hot swap keyboard;
Before soldering, Insert your clicky switches into the PCB and watch a YouTube video if you’re new to soldering.
FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Final Thought
It’s easy to make the clicky switches linear. But first, you need to understand all the components of clicky switches before removing and opening them. Furthermore, these guides will help you change the switch and save money but, follow all the instructions carefully. Then, if you’ve doubts, purchase linear switches and mechanical keyboards without changing the clicky switches.