3D Printed THICC Switch Films - Can They Compete With TX Films?

[@homerowco.1957]

switch films were invented to rescue wobbly old vintage black switches. the top and bottom housing became lose over the decades partially due to shrinking plastic... switch films restored a tighter tolerance. generally, up until mid last year, they were not used on new switches since new switches snap tight.

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge! When you say "snap tight" do you mean that I should not be able to move the top housing when the switch is together? My creams that don't have films for example - I can wiggle the top housing despite it being soldered in. There's a little play there.

[@ulqi]

@@AndyVNguyen He means (if I understand correctly) that they're not as lose as vintage switches, and it shouldn't affect your keycap stem for exemple.

[@homerowco.1957]

​@@AndyVNguyen ​most switches have a rotation tolerance per white sheet of 1-2 degrees (or was it 1-2%?) - essentially you should not need films - this became a meme last year due to Walker demonstrating that it changes the sound. What you're doing is you tense up the clamps that hold the parts together. that's why it works better with cheap switches that have a larger tolerance and most more expensive switches have a higher tolerance and the film will keep you from even be able to close the parts back together. I would only recommend it if here is actually a gap between the parts otherwise those switches might as well pop open and generally probably doesn't have a use then anyway :D

[@Crokto]

yeah, the issue is that JWK switches (durock, everglide, etc) tend to have very loose housings, so filming is a must imo. thicc films were made as some people think that tx films are too thin to fully resolve the gap in such switches, but i dont think gat switches are so loose. i wouldnt use jwk without films, but i havent tried thicc films yet so idk if they work any better than tx or others

[@homerowco.1957]

@@Crokto its not a must, it just became a trend... ;)

[@WilliamNguyen117]

Love your channel and your videos man! Super well-produced and up-to-date with the hottest issues that most content creators are not addressing right now :))

[@AndyVNguyen]

I try to give the people what they want! I just think about what kind of content I would like to see and I try to make a video around the idea.

[@waha9014]

the smoothness and thickness of tx film is consistent compared to 3d printed film which may have a rough surface, brittle, varies degree of thickness(depending on what material and machine the seller use to print it). Personal preference prefer tx film

[@Tracks777]

lovely stuff

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thank you!

[@g405t]

Yeah that extra cut out on the tx film tends to push out the the film to one side, instructions say that there should not be anything sticking on on either side, but i tried to open the switch a handful of times to get it centered, but it is hit or miss...so i ended up just allowing it to stick out on one side and made them all stick out to the top side were the name of the switch is opposite to the led side. it still works no wobble and as far as i know it does not affect centered or not.

[@AndyVNguyen]

Yeah seriously it's such a hassle to line them up perfectly. Especially the last step where you snap it in is kinda violent for a little plastic film, it inevitably gets moved. As long as the switch sounds fine, I just leave it be lol.

[@yawny9710]

I've actually found that if it isnt sticking out of the top a bit it can cause drag or slightest bit of binding.. pretty frustrating. Some switches have no issue with this, others I have to make it stick out of the top.

[@jessehernandez6032]

dude your content is amazing. More subs coming your way for sure.

[@mcsam27]

love your content man! This is awesome!

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thank you for the continued support Sam :)

[@DEXTVHD]

What creates the wet sound on the switch?

[@AndyVNguyen]

I think that typically comes for overlubing and lube getting into the center column. I'm listening for the sound in these switches and I'm not sure what it is that you're referring to tho

[@chyrt]

@@AndyVNguyen I can hear it. Especially at 4:20 where you test them outside of the kb without keycaps

[@MaxC_1]

@@chyrt sounds like some spring ping. Usual on Ink Blacks considering how meh the spring is anyways.

[@Tracks777]

lovely video

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thank you!

[@shouko9097]

I just got thicc films because the tx films are never in stock

[@AndyVNguyen]

That's the move

[@PinePizza]

same

[@DEXTVHD]

Hey which mount are you using for your monitor?

[@AndyVNguyen]

The specific arm is here: Amazonbasic Single Monitor Arm - amzn.to/3628VIb My full desk review that includes it: Best $286 DIY Wood IKEA Desk Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/npernqxjnbyoiZI

[@DEXTVHD]

Andy V Nguyen thanks!

[@YT-vw1px]

Which is better thick or deskeys or tx films?

[@AndyVNguyen]

They’re all mostly the same to me

[@boxenWOW]

great video as always

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thanks boxn! I'm glad you could enjoy.

[@derekg2132]

Do films actually make a difference

[@AndyVNguyen]

yes. they reduce housing wobble and often make the switch sound deeper

[@derekg2132]

@@AndyVNguyen oh ok thanks question is their any in stock keyboard that are good and sound close to something like salvation fjell or the new mode 65

[@TehTechnoGuy]

I think the sound qualities are actually noticable, but I don't know which I prefer. I got some TX films to put in my silent alpaca switches because those have some tolerances issues that make the stem and keycap rattle the most noisy part of my keyboard but after filming them they sound amazingly consistent and quiet. I actually have a 3d printer, probably the same one that was used to make those films and I was rather surprised how much they clean up the rattle in durock regular alpacas as well. It's nice to know that I have a way to make more films for myself and don't have to order any, but honestly I don't think you'd lose with either type of film if youre putting them on a switch that benefits from them like alpacas.

[@AndyVNguyen]

It's hard to tell. I feel like the difference between no film and film is way bigger than TX film vs THICC film. I do agree that Durock switches like alpacas and T1s need to be filmed. Nice! ENDLESS FILMS. Films is films, I agree. Just film your switches if they need it and you won't be sorry! Thanks for the detailed analysis, Techno!

[@TehTechnoGuy]

@Lucas I think for what they cost with the sound (provided you use films to reduce rattle and high frequency) they only lose to lubed mx zilents. But at that point you have to manually lube and pay like $1.20 a switch? I installed my 3d printed films in them and they sound nearly identical to TX, so I suspect if you use Kebo, or any other film that you will get very consistent sound in your keyboard. The factory lube that they come with is also terrific, I wouldnt spend cleaning the stock lube off and redoing it. I think they're fantastic.

[@woenlee3240]

@@TehTechnoGuy Do you have the STL or the dimensions of the films? Looking to print some of my own as well.

[@marceldavis3628]

You should also include non Film for comparison

[@AndyVNguyen]

I will add that to the list of videos to make!

[@marceldavis3628]

Thanks man I bought a gk61 and i am looking Forward to Print my own Switch Films (I have a 3d printer)

[@MaxC_1]

@@marceldavis3628 did you print any? I'm planning to do the same personally

[@bababaul9137]

Jinra ❤️😩

[@AndyVNguyen]

Jinra the GOAT challenging the mainstream!

[@jae6515]

Thicc

[@AndyVNguyen]

THEEIICCCC

[@theSEGAtwistisover9k]

wow did not think there would be such a difference O_O still like the TX better tho both nice

[@the.alexkim]

Tx film sounds better but we dunno what the thickness is, thats all that matters cuz they are all polycarbonate

[@nihalwarawdekar5025]

from my understanding switch films reduce the wobble cause due to loose tolerances between the base and the top. It does not have much to do with stem wobble. Atleast none of my stem wobble was fixed with filming switches

[@akarshy]

Thicc film definitely half pitch higher. Meh

[@AndyVNguyen]

It's funny. A few people report to Jinra saying that the thicc films make their switches sound deeper.. I'm in the middle between em. I still prioritize TX films if I can get them.

[@akarshy]

@@AndyVNguyen that's interesting, I just don't see it. It definitely seems crisper and thus half pitch higher haha. Very minor difference either way

[@AndyVNguyen]

@@akarshy Yep! If you can't get TX films and you need something faster, it's going to be such a small difference you can go with Thicc films. I'm just here to present info and some of my opinion.. and people can make their own purchase decisions!

[@akarshy]

@@AndyVNguyen I literally cannot tell when it switches when I listen with my eyes closed LOL so ya, very minor

[@ApexierGS]

To me the THICC films gaskets sound thonkier and louder than TX films, which probably sit firm but not as tight as THICC films. TX films sound quieter and crisp and firm. Maybe THICC films are best used with really wobbly swictches

[@AmpedZWeb]

i wish he'd whisper a little louder

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Well nice to know just get either haha

[@SerhiiPshenychnyi]

Very noticeable the difference. Like better TX

[@422asdfghjkl]

You can remove the pcb standoffs honestly

[@AndyVNguyen]

Dude I never thought of that, that's going to be my project tonight!

[@422asdfghjkl]

Andy V Nguyen I’ve done it before, it evens out the typing experience for sure. Only downside is that if you’re looking to swap out the switches you’d need to take the board apart (which you should do anyways, it’s better for the Kailh sockets)

[@dirtrider273]

THEIAACC

[@AndyVNguyen]

Why are there so many extra letters lmao

[@yepkek2686]

barely noticable

[@AndyVNguyen]

Agree