Mechanical Keyboard Mods: 10 Easy Tricks You Should Try ๐นโจ
Whether you're a keyboard fanatic or just looking to improve your typing experience, there are plenty of tweaks to try! These enhancements are a great way to optimize the feel and look of your keyboard, while also allowing you to tailor it to your personal preferences. ๐นโจ
Some of these modifications require disassembling the keyboard. Keep in mind that not all keyboards They are designed to be easily disassembled, and attempting to do so may cause permanent damage. โ ๏ธ1 Lubricate your switches
Without a doubt, lubricating your switches is the most important improvement you can make to a mechanical keyboard. The internal mechanism of the switches contains plastic parts (the stem and housing) that collide with each other, creating friction that results in a rough feel. Applying grease to these contact points minimizes friction, making the switches much smoother and more pleasant to use. ๐ For lubrication, my favorite is Krytox 205G0.
Unfortunately, manually lubricating your switches is a complicated and time-consuming process, as it requires disassembling the entire switch. The good news is that you can purchase switches that come pre-lubed from the factory, making the upgrade much easier if you have a hot-swappable keyboard. It also gives you the opportunity to experiment with a variety of different switches until you find your favorite.
If your keyboard isn't hot-swappable, don't worry, as you can still lubricate your switches to a certain extent. Using a fine paintbrush, press down on the stem and apply a thin layer of grease to the sides of the inner housing, then tap the key a few times. Repeat this on all the switches. Be careful, as using too much grease can cause the switch to malfunction. I used this trick on my old Corsair K70, and it noticeably smoothed out the Cherry MX Browns, which are known for being scratchy.
2 Change your keycaps
Want to make your keyboard look and feel better with a single upgrade? Change your keycaps. There are a wide variety of keycap styles to choose from, ranging from pastel shades to pudding-like keycaps with RGB lighting. The material also plays a role, as keycaps can have very different textures that affect the typing feel.
Your choice will likely depend on whether you opt for ABS or PBT keycaps, with PBT being the preferred option for most enthusiasts due to its durability and ability to maintain a matte finish even after years of use. Finally, some keycaps have different profiles (shapes), which significantly impact overall ergonomics. As with switches, try out different sets of keycaps until you find the one you like best. ๐
3 Modify your Stabilizers
If you've ever removed your spacebar, you've probably noticed these little bits of plastic underneath the keycap. These are stabilizers, and their purpose is to prevent the larger keys from moving from side to side and maintain a consistent feel across the entire key. ๐๐
Many keyboards suffer from stabilizer issues, such as instability and a high-pitched noise when you press the keys. You can instantly improve the stabilizers by generously injecting dielectric grease directly into the plastic housing.
For a more advanced setup, you can fine-tune your stabilizers, trim the small feet on the case, and try the "Band-Aid mod," although this requires disassembling the entire keyboard. Alternatively, you can upgrade your stabilizers to better ones, such as the DUROCK V3 stabilizers.
4 Improve the Space Bar
The spacebar is the largest key and one of the most used, so it deserves a little extra TLC. While lubricating and adjusting your stabilizers will do wonders for how your spacebar sounds, you can take it a step further by adding some spacebar foam or a few layers of painter's tape under the switch. This modification dampens the hollow sound, giving your spacebar a more satisfying thump. ๐๐ฅ
You can buy pre-made spacebar foam; just make sure it matches the length of your keycap. For a DIY solution, grab a sheet of Poron foam, Kilmat, or some painter's tape and add a few layers under the keycap until you're happy with the sound. For even more cushioning, you can add foam to the keyboard casing itself.
5 I got a coiled cable
Enough about sound and feel! Let's talk aesthetics. A sleek coiled USB-C cable with an aviator connector instantly adds a premium touch to your setup. While it has no functional advantages over a regular detachable USB-C cable, it does offer an easy way to customize your keyboard. Because of this, coiled cables are a modification reserved for the most dedicated keyboard enthusiasts. ๐๐ป
6 Try the Tape Modification
The โTempest tapeโ modification is a simple way to make your keyboard sound deeper without spending any money. It involves adding one or more layers of painter's tape to the back of your keyboard's PCB. This modification makes your keyboard sound deeper, as it reduces the sharpness of your keystrokes. As an added bonus, the additional material slightly increases rigidity, improving overall typing stability. ๐๐
7 Add Noise Dampening Materials
In addition to the tape modification, there are a couple of other things you can do while it's disassembled to further improve the sound and feel. These usually involve inserting layers of foam and other noise-dampening materials into your keyboard's case. Popular materials include PE foam, Poron foam, Kilmat, and polyfill. I used polyfill because I had an old stuffed animal I could take apart. ๐งธโจ
For an easier noise-dampening solution, try rubber O-rings under your keycaps. Alternatively, a more complex sound-dampening mod you can try is creating a DIY silicone dampener. However, it's a messy process that doesn't always result in a significant improvement, so I recommend sticking with foam. ๐คช
8 Try Different Keyboard Programs
Many keyboards on the market have limited software that lacks customization options. Chinese brands are particularly bad at this. Fortunately, there is an easy solution in the form of VIA. It's a third-party app that supports a wide range of keyboards. You can use it to create macros, customize lighting, change the function of each key, and much more. If your keyboard doesn't support VIA, try Vial either QMK. ๐ง๐ป
9 Make the Press 'N Seal Modification
Think of the "Press 'N Seal" mod as an improved version of the tape mod, created by YouTuber Hipyo Tech. According to those who've tried it, this mod gives your keys more pop and thump. However, it's a time-consuming process and isn't compatible with all keyboard models. Additionally, the mod makes removing your switches quite difficult afterward. Think carefully about your options before attempting this particular mod. ๐ค
10 For Aluminum Keyboards, Try the "Force Break" Mod
The "force break" mod has a rather intense name, so you might be surprised at how simple it actually is. The mod involves disassembling your aluminum keyboard and adding a small piece of thin foam or tape to the areas where there's metal-to-metal contact to reduce ping. I don't mean delay; it's the high-pitched, metallic sound some aluminum keyboards make when you type. The best places to add material are near the support screws, as that's where the most pressure occurs. ๐งโจ
Thanks to the amazing keyboard community, we now have a variety of DIY mods we can make to improve the sound, look, and feel of our keyboards, often without spending a fortune. Feel free to try out the mods that interest you most, and don't forget to enjoy the process! ๐๐
