How to Clip and Lube Keyboard Stabilizers

[@mcmurz]

this is the best guide i have seen so far. it gives me the courage to finally lube the stabs and continue with the first build. thank you especially for picking clear durock stabs for this demo. it's very helpful.

[@AndyVNguyen]

Glad it helped!

[@user-qk8rt9yf9v]

try doing the holee mod

[@jpb2085]

Thanks so so much, this saved my life as I start first build and just couldn't see how stabs went together. Your close-in shots and clarity describing the assembly really helped!

[@CVNTGETENOUGH]

Me too, it was practically a jigsaw puzzle for me lol

[@Shiv_Deore]

@@CVNTGETENOUGH lol

[@TheSchyllerwade]

Wow, hands down THE BEST VIDEO for showing new people HOW TO ASSEMBLE STABILIZERS from start to finish. Seriously you need to put those exact words in the description and the title because I suspect a lot of newcomers had just as much difficulty as I did figuring out how to do this by themselves….I’ve been scouring KZbin for 2 days and every build video glossed over this part. HUGE PROPS for the close-ups and walking dummies like me through the minutiae of assembly! Thanks 👍 (now back to my own kbd67 lite build…)

[@itsdracolifts]

This is the first build that accurately described the 1 hole 2 way of putting the stabs together, bravo for the up close footage of that!

[@いくら-n1f]

It was a very helpful video. In Japan, the custom keyboard community is very small, so there were no videos like this. Sorry for my bad English.

[@AndyVNguyen]

Glad I could help! Your english is totally fine

[@hansdampf878]

tyvm i really needed this -the snapping in in there was so difficult i was afraid to break something but thanks to this longer guide compared to others this was clarifying and helpful

[@CarRoy]

Great video but it would be good to see a sound test of the lubed stabs and maybe installation too

[@AndyVNguyen]

Noted!

[@king_dmj5280]

@@AndyVNguyen Will the stabilisers fit on the drop Ctrl

[@eagutter]

@@king_dmj5280 no, the drop keyboards usually use plate mount stabilisers which are not as common. If you just google cherry plate mount stabilisers you'll find what you need

[@king_dmj5280]

@@eagutter Thank you for the help!

[@Andu_Youtube]

Thanks! This guide was really helpful. I've finally tuned up my stabilizers, and the rattle is completely gone!

[@DunadanVideos]

Thank you for this video. Going through each step with close shots on each step was extremely helpful. Your explanation on how to clip cherry stabs in particular was a life saver

[@AndyVNguyen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@myggych.4996]

Thanks for this guide.. i took out my stabs after seeing the first video I've seen and the steps are unclear, glad I've found this one after i got confused on the other ppl's vid..

[@alanychung]

Them close ups look so satisfying

[@AndyVNguyen]

Maxing out that 4K resolution!

[@khymuchan101899]

thanks bro love how u used clear ones to demonstrate it clearly

[@mikeybroe1]

ha clear clearly get it.... 🤦‍♂️ i’m so dumb

[@halo3fn36]

Good guide! Finally got around to building my end game board.

[@builtbychu]

Thank you Andy, very cool!

[@Cichlid_Visuals]

i paint up the stems with 205g4 and dip the wires is dielectric grease really thiccccc. i find that painting the wire doesnt last long, and if its a soldered board getting back inside is gonna be wack. Whenever my stabs begin to make a little noise, i just take a 1mm tip plastic syringe and literally inject dielectric grease into the cavity the wire slips into, makes for easy keep up.

[@sammmyrai]

I'm loving the video production!

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thank you Samuel!

[@cloxytr9144]

Can i lube the stablizers of a blue switch keyboard? not the switch self, but only the stablizers of it?

[@aamikt]

Thanks, Andy! Assembled and lubed my first set of stabs today. Solid guide!

[@AndyVNguyen]

Glad I could help!

[@andrestorres9188]

This is great, high quality video! Do you have any other keyboard tutorials or builds you'll be doing on your channel?

[@AndyVNguyen]

I have more content planned! Build streams are usually live on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/andyvnguyen. I post the VODs a few days later.

[@glazeds0n]

how does dielectric grease compare to 205g0 for stabilizers? I have both + 3204, and lubed/filmed gat ink blacks, but not sure which to use for the stabs

[@AndyVNguyen]

They both do the same job, I would probably use dielectric grease if you don't have a lot of 205g0 around. Supply for 205g0 is pretty low right now. Don't use 3204 for stabs, though.

[@DieAnf]

Hey Andy, thanks for this tutorial - i am completely new to the Keyboard game and your videos are super helpful for a complete beginner like me :)

[@AndyVNguyen]

glad i could help!

[@Caution40404]

The automatic subtitles are hilarious. I lost it at 6:17 and after. lol

[@deccapod8957]

Good cc

[@ryanhtran]

Love the video! Can you use a combination of maybe dielectric grease and something like krytox have it be smoother? Also what’s your opinion on band aid modding?

[@AndyVNguyen]

It won’t be smoother. But you can. And I don’t band aid mod Bc I find it makes it feel mushy on bottom out

[@samuelzhan8688]

Thanks for those tutorials! By the way, should I lube the bottom of stabs?

[@AndyVNguyen]

You’re welcome! I don’t lube the bottom of stab stems

[@samuelzhan8688]

@@AndyVNguyen I see, thanks!

[@Turtles-From-1871]

What is the tool you use to hold the housing?

[@Kammskii]

i wanna know too, do you know now?

[@Turtles-From-1871]

@@Kammskii hi! This isn’t the exact one that he used in the video but it is the exact same function and is reputable. Search up tx switch slider picker.

[@mathiasottesen9737]

Very informative, thank you! Do you use any screw washers with the durock screw-in stab?

[@AndyVNguyen]

I use fiber insulating washers for all of my screw in stabs. I link them in my kit page, kit.co/andyvnguyen/keyboards

[@TheSchyllerwade]

@@AndyVNguyen is that what these little rubber washers are…the ones that were included with my kbd67 lite r2 kit? There are 20 of them, I’m assuming it’s 4 per stabilizer-basically to cushion contact between the pcb and the stabilizer. Would appreciate confirmation if this is correct….thx! 🤞🤞

[@lolurapotato4566]

If a spacebar gets stuck on the way back up does that mean the stabilizers were over lubed?

[@AndyVNguyen]

On my last build stream this happened and it was due to a warped ePBT spacebar. It can also mean your stem is in the wrong orientation as well.

[@CarRoy]

It can be because you put the wire in the wrong hole on some stabs, like on cherry plate mount stabs there are two holes on the stem and if you put the wire in the wrong one it will get stuck

[@johnshiver1913]

This happened to me as well, all my stabs Are stuck but one. I’m quite sure my orientation is correct, little tab is facing back for each as described in the video. On the two holes in the front, does the wire go into the bottom one? I wasn’t sure what you meant by plastic tab in the video.

[@boratsagdiyev1586]

can you please help me i've ordered cherry stabs but the metal bar isnt clicking in! It's just sitting there loose? Not tight at all!!

[@raymanovich3254]

Wait, so can you use 205g0 for your switches AND stab wire/housing? One lube fits all?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Yeah if you use linears

[@raymanovich3254]

@@AndyVNguyen great

[@GiacomoCerquone]

tactile too, just make sure to not lube the stem legs if your switches are tactile otherwise you'll lose the characteristic bump

[@purrsolus]

DIfference between dielectric greese and krytox? I've seen both used before but krytox is more expensive. Just wanted to know if it was worth the extra cost

[@AndyVNguyen]

It’s harder to overdo it with 205g0. They end up giving a different result.. I find dielectric grease can possibly make it more sluggish easily

[@Cheester247]

Yes! Thanks for uploading! About to do the same for my upcoming build

[@AndyVNguyen]

Good luck!

[@eossoon]

nice video, and the close ups really helped. The stabs that you linked in the description are sold out- were they shipped from amazon or were they from a third party on amazon marketplace? I'm looking for good stabs and I'm wondering how to make sure I get durock or everglide stabs from the third party listings on amazon. Or perhaps ebay is a better choice? Any advice on where to source the necessary parts like lube? I'm going to try to jump on the kuro/shiro and kbd67 restock that's happening next week or so.

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thank you! Stabs were shipped and sold by Amazon. You can buy durock stabs from Primekb or Novelkeys. I would not buy from ebay. Lube I usually buy from Switchmod for 205g0 and Krytox 105 I get from TX Keyboards. Good luck!

[@Masonn14325]

the stabilizer will not “click” in, as you say… just stays loose and i can’t make it clip in

[@bobbles_fr]

I am kinda new, but maybe look at teaha types video. It is a bit more clear on how to disassemble and reassemble your stabs. I like this video for how to lube and teahas video on constructing my stabs

[@kevinzyrkowski]

Does it make much of a difference for lubing the just the housing or the housing and the insert? Great video though!

[@AndyVNguyen]

I've always done both. You could give just one a try, but there are times when I've found even doing both the stem and the housing was a little bit insufficient. I'd lean towards lubing both

[@carlalfredsantinof.lucero5474]

thank you this is very helpful but can I put stabilizers in non hot-swappable mechanical keyboard?

[@AndyVNguyen]

If it takes plate mount stabilizers you can take them out and replace them without plate mount stabilizers without desoldering

[@carlalfredsantinof.lucero5474]

@@AndyVNguyen thx this will help so much to me

[@dw730]

What tool are you using the grab the small part of the housing?

[@AndyVNguyen]

kit.co/andyvnguyen/keyboards/2460970-hts-191d4-4-prong-je

[@maesl69]

can i use Deelectric grease or should i use my glorious g-lube bc my g-lube isn't that thin... as the lube u showed in the video...

[@AndyVNguyen]

Either would probably be fine

[@Synnnister_]

will these stabs work with a GMMK Compact?

[@AndyVNguyen]

gmmk compact uses plate mount stabilizers

[@Synnnister_]

@@AndyVNguyen thanks

[@shoxerx7406]

Thank you Jesus for guiding me to this video so i dont die of tryin to fix my stab

[@jeancarlosanabria]

HI Andy, Nice video, quick question, Are those stabilizers compatible with any switch plate?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Only if the pcb and plate uses screw in/snap in.

[@jai_shepherd5836]

Why do you clip the stab legs and am I meant to if I have an optical red switches

[@AndyVNguyen]

Clipping the stem is for cherry switches that have a bit of extra plastic at the bottom. Clipping switches is a different thing.

[@rekt4guud134]

I bought a set of durock stabs for my k552 and it seems the stems are slightly miss aligned with the switch stem which creates a tension in the stab housings that prevents the key from coming back up. dry or lube doesn't make a difference. never seen anyone having that problem so im wondering if you got any idea what to do.

[@AndyVNguyen]

might be wires are warped/bent

[@rekt4guud134]

@@AndyVNguyen unfortunately no, i eventually figured it out. the socket on the plate is probably a fraction of a mm to short and because there is no play inside the housing of durock the stems don't line up properly with the holes in the keycaps. once the keycap is on it pushes the pieces with the stem outward in the housing of the stab which creates the tension that prevents the key from coming back up. tho i am surprised it's a problem on every single stab key. had to frankenstein the durock housing and wire with the stock stems, they're thinner. luckily the majority of the rattling came from the wire in the housing and not the wire and the stem. After searching a bit, it turns out this is actually quite frequent with durock stabs.

[@cmr566]

Thanks a bunch for this dude. Massive help

[@ホぺ1016]

I have a question. So, I firstly used my cherry pcb stabs and built a keyboard with them. I noticed a kind of "ticking" sound from one side of the stabs.(for every stabs) Then I got some durocks and redid it, and it still does that. Any idea of what's happening? Plate and case are both aluminum.

[@AndyVNguyen]

Try adding more lube on top of the wire. I’m experimenting with “holee mod” to try to fix this. This is adding an adhesive to the inside of stem where the wire goes into

[@rogerzheng2814]

The amount of grease you are brushing onto the wire ends is not enough. This amount fixes horizontal wire shifting, but you will still see some vertical wire shifting, which will make the stab stuck more and/or still slightly rattly. Indeed as you said, dipping with 205g0 is wasteful, but wire dipping need not be with 205g0, as the purpose of dipping is to fill the cavity and not to lube. Amazon Silicone Grease with PTFE will do as good a job as 205g0 in my experience (tested with durock&zeal stabs).

[@timhan9264]

You don't have to fill the wire hole with more lube? Coating only the wire is enough?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Lately I've been using Minterly's "plug the butt" method where the entire rear of the stem is coated with more lube and it's been giving me better results with less ticking/rattle.

[@mogtrader8]

I'm trying to upgrade stabilizers on my hot swap keyboard, but I am not sure what fits? Are these standard? I don't see screw ins. Thanks

[@AndyVNguyen]

What keyboard is it? Depends on the board.

[@mogtrader8]

@@AndyVNguyen Let me check and get back to you.

[@oswin5565]

Sorry if this was already asked in the comments and I didn't see- What kind of mat do you have on your desk with the indention on it?

[@oswin5565]

I actually found the exact mat on your kit.co link so disregard. Thank you!

[@SwiftCookie]

Do the Durock screw in stabs require any band-aid modding? A better question, does it make any difference band-aid modding under them?

[@dapperstache7747]

I intend to use medical tape between them and the pcb.

[@eraserheadSH]

hey andy, do you balance stab wires like wildcat does? or do you leave them as is and just lube?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Nope, and I holee mod

[@eraserheadSH]

@@AndyVNguyen what material do you use for holee mod?

[@Kwohf]

When i put lube on the stem and the housing, it did a little bit to lower the rattle, but when i lubed the stabilizer wire, it made THE BIGGEST difference, my keyboard is a redragon k617 (ik almost noone knows that) but with a small amount of money, it sounds way better

[@darshdalia6556]

Bro amazing video

[@Slow_69]

Thanks for the help I just clipped my first ever mechanical keyboard😁

[@AndyVNguyen]

You’re welcome!

[@PhotosCurtisCofMe]

Do you have thoughts on injecting dielectric grease into stabs and thoughts on Glorious G-lube?

[@AndyVNguyen]

I wouldn't if I could help it. And I don't use Glorious G Lube.. no reason to really

[@PhotosCurtisCofMe]

@@AndyVNguyen thanks man!

[@Sayject]

Can I lube the wire with dielectric grease?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Yes, I added that in the description

[@Sayject]

@@AndyVNguyen oh I didn’t see thanks 😊

[@TyroneShulaces]

What about plate mounted stabilizers? Mine don't seem to move up and down like those (magic force 68)

[@WysiRys]

Anyone know where I could find the workstation / mat he is using?

[@AndyVNguyen]

amzn.to/3moCHEb

[@roosterfloss758]

When it comes to lubing switches and stabilizers.. will they get gunky overtime with dust? is that ever an issue? Thanks!

[@AndyVNguyen]

it gets gunky a bit but it's always been usable imo.

[@kingplayerdudyt5835]

does the ep84 support screw in stabs

[@toblairon]

Hey there I was wondering if where did you get the mat you're using?

[@AndyVNguyen]

kit.co/andyvnguyen/keyboards has the products I use. I like the bigger blue one more

[@aiaiai1216]

sound test where you test unlubed vs lubed would be nice

[@AndyVNguyen]

I'll do that on the next build!

[@nathankim9329]

Is the lube from NK noticeably different than the one on Switch Mod? Since I ran out of lube and the only ones that are in stock are in NK.

[@AndyVNguyen]

It’s not as thick

[@Daddario_77]

Hi, I'm all new to this keyboard moding and stuff. I was wondering if all stabilizers can be removed even if my keyboard isn't hot-swappable? I'm afraid I might break it and replacing stabs/keyboard isn't on my budget RN. Thanks in advance!

[@AndyVNguyen]

it depends on a lot of things. it the keyboard has plate mount stabilizers you SHOULD be able to take it apart even if it's soldered. the problem is that a lot of keyboard manufacturers have been putting a piece of foam underneath the spacebar that stops you from moving the wire out now if the stabilizers are screwed into the PCB and the keyboard is not hotswap, then you won't be able to take it out

[@yaboipug530]

is using 205 g0 better than teflon and dielectric grease? i want to try both out and see which one i like better but im curious

[@AndyVNguyen]

i like 205g0 for housings and then dielectric grease for wires usually. easiest to do without messing it up.

[@Draddius]

Aight so im a bit slow in the head so bear with me, do Durock/ZugGear stabs have to be clipped or are they already clipped?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Molds in the duorck stabilizers do not have legs to clip

[@Draddius]

@@AndyVNguyen oh okay thanks have a good one!

[@55CptAwesome55]

Hey I have seen some people and myself use dielectric grease on the stabilizer wire itself instead of krytox and I’ve found it’s fine like that, is there a reason just using krytox for all the parts would be better?

[@AndyVNguyen]

you can use dielectric grease. i like 205g0 because it sounds a bit different and is a bit easier to control

[@BenRogersWPG]

I'm looking to do this myself, what flush cutters do you use, and where do you buy them, because Amazon's quality is SO BAD, everything they have is all clones and knockoffs

[@AndyVNguyen]

www.kit.co/andyvnguyen/keyboards

[@solo4408]

Hi, I am trying to lube novelkey cream switches. Would you recommand using 0.125mm film or 0.3mm film? Thx

[@yes6026]

None because creams don’t need films and if you do it won’t help the switch and it might harm it instead

[@AndyVNguyen]

.125 is needed

[@solo4408]

@@AndyVNguyen Thx

[@renzcaballero2706]

Hi the nk65 is going to be releasing soon do you know how many plate mount stabs do i need to buy for it? Like 2 6.25u or 4 x 2u?

[@AndyVNguyen]

1x 6.25u, 3x 2u

[@renzcaballero2706]

Andy V Nguyen thank you ad do you have any website where to buy lube for krytox 205g0 and switch opener for lubing?

[@leahchan5806]

Does the switch you have affect if you should lube your stabilizers or not?

[@AndyVNguyen]

You should always lube your stabilizers regardless of the switch.

[@G1G405]

Thx for the tutorial. I will definitely lube my ducky stabs. My keyboard will sound and feel so smooth...

[@AndyVNguyen]

To use this method you'd first have to desolder the switches out of your board.. I don't know if that's worth it.

[@G1G405]

Im swapping the switches, I already desoldered more than 50% (Update: I was done about a week ago and it‘s working perfectly)

[@itsalexoh]

Super informative video!

[@AndyVNguyen]

Thank you Alex! I try my best to teach.

[@RoflWafffles]

How much Krytox do you use for stabs? I have 3ml and want to lube 2 TKL keyboards (174 switches) + their stabs - is that enough?

[@AndyVNguyen]

sufficient for the switches. for the stabs, you may run out.

[@oiai2062]

When you clip them do you also have to lube them?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Yes

[@AlpBozo]

Do you know why when I clip my stabilizer and put it back on my shift key, it makes the feel a lot like more “scratchy”?

[@CorbinG]

Sorry for replying to an older comment, it might potentially be the switch being scratchy (because if the stabs are smooth and the key's aren't it could make the whole key scratchy)

[@MrDUY]

Nice video! Thanks the tips and trick!

[@johnstonliu]

What do you think about dielectric grease for lubing stabilizers?

[@AndyVNguyen]

It's a little thick and easier to overdo by accident. So I often use 205g0.

[@shiannemcpherson1836]

No one shows how to take apart stabilizers from the housing though, I can't twist mine apart. I don't want to break them

[@AndyVNguyen]

You won’t

[@specticxd303]

Can u pls let me know asap what does “7u 6.25u 2u” mean

[@AndyVNguyen]

The width of the keycaps. U is a unit

[@adammichaek2450]

What durock stabs are those? V1 or v2?

[@AndyVNguyen]

V1

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Are these superior to Cherry stabs?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Yes

[@willcullen2602]

a"above the platstic tab on the bottom into the bottom" nice

[@AbdurRahman-vj6hq]

do i need dielectric grease to lube stabilizers???

[@AndyVNguyen]

You can use 205g0 if you want. Dielectric is just cheaper. You want a heavier coat on the wire so using 205g0 is kind of wasteful if you don’t have a lot

[@98802ohhey]

Solid video, thanks duder.

[@vlntaang5483]

which keys should i add stabs and lube?

[@mikeybroe1]

stabilizers only go under the longer keys like space bar backspace and shift. You should lube all of the switches in the board including the middle switches (num row and alphas) and the modifiers along the edge of the board and their stabilizers

[@user-bm4gb6lr8d]

Do a mounted (re)lubing for stabs pls!

[@Jeggettmega]

Why do people clip only 2 legs and not all 4?

[@AndyVNguyen]

it would probably be wobbly. you only want to clip the two legs that are not even. you still want a flat piece of stem

[@davinbradley7721]

can u use your lube for switches for stabilizers?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Yes if you have thicker lube like 205g0

[@pilot876]

thank you for this video

[@User-hd8mr]

8:15 "Krytox is not good for your ingestion" I don't know if you know this, but about a year ago Krelbit livestreamed himself eating half a container of 205g0 spread on a piece of toast...

[@AndyVNguyen]

He’s since revised his stance to tell people not to do that

[@bigfloppacodm1623]

Screw in stabs?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Screw in (aka PCB mount) stabilizers

[@MortalWombat22]

I always thought Dielectric grease on the stab wire was the only way to go. I guess not!

[@AndyVNguyen]

There’s plenty of options! Dielectric grease is cheaper tho lol

[@___joez]

Only thing I hate is getting 205 on your fingers that stuff doesn't wash off with soap

[@AndyVNguyen]

For sure. I end up having to wash a few times with something abrasive

[@johnchen2963]

anyone tried the gateron plate mount stabs?

[@exe2585]

can super lube still work

[@when_life_gives_you_limes]

I swear, your voice is like ASMR.

[@AndyVNguyen]

haha tyty!

[@supreme23jt]

Damn they sold out :( anywhere else I can get them ?

[@AndyVNguyen]

Primekb

[@supreme23jt]

Andy V Nguyen sold out of 6.25 u :/

[@MarvinGreyPhoto]

Hey Andy, great video. Just subbed. New to KBs and just starting to build my first. Love the tutorials. Especially switches. Also, what was the gray may you used when lubing? Like a lube mat? Would love to have one like that.

[@AndyVNguyen]

My equipment list is here: kit.co/andyvnguyen/keyboards

[@zachjohnson8751]

thank you

[@Smood47]

Do you like holee mod ?