Switch Films Explained

Here's an explanation of why switch films are beneficial and an example of how they improve the sound of the switch in an actual keyboard.
US and Canada customers can buy these here:
www.us.txkeyboards.com/produc...
Others can buy them here:
kr.txkeyboards.com/collection...

[@nint1359]

Without fail, everytime I think I'm starting to get the hang of how I want to make a keyboard, I find a video like this.

[@sebastiangraham3140]

yeah i got into this community a month ago and wanted to start building a keynoard a couplle weeks ago and i stiil havent been able to decide

[@deo8624]

@yuann bin same lol

[@hoodio]

trussy

[@agapon2023]

Just consider building a keyboard like a journey, start with anything and then improve it step by step. And nobody said that you can have only one keyboard

[@Zeioth]

It amazes me that no freaking switch in the market come with this included.

[@fmlomm]

well films were originally intended to fix vintage blacks because the plastic housing became loose over time.

[@Dolo888]

They make switches that don’t need it the only reason others need it is because of bad build quality. Nk creams have a very tight housing for example really hard to film and will even pop up your switch sometime when pulled

[@C4rb0n6]

@@Dolo888 yeah but even they aren't perfect

[@Bry.89]

@@Dolo888 Boba u4's dont seem to need filmed either.

[@jacgotkidnapped1317]

they do now 😂

[@Rankhole123]

No one is gonna talk about the fact that the layout was "ADS.." :D?

[@Dyonas]

Lol i didn't even notice

[@henrymieles3955]

He mentions it if you watch it all..

[@ner7215]

It's a bit S A D

[@ya4dang1]

I am distracted by that for most of the clip

[@ya4dang1]

6:17 I was so glad!

[@Dyingtoliv]

That's some crazy ABS shine there

[@massgrave8x]

They look like they were painted in a kindergarten art class or something

[@RegularPanties]

Yeah they're painted, it looks bad but the video is great.

[@jeyhuan9194]

Regular Panties shing nail polish

[@___xyz___]

yeah, acetone dissolves abs pretty hard

[@centurionmcjk4391]

Ye time for a new set GET SOME PBT

[@TechByMattB]

I was not expecting that big of a difference. Thanks for this video, it was super helpful.

[@travdump209]

you continue to be a godsend to this community

[@ActualGlacier]

that's a bigger difference than i was expecting, now i feel like i have to rebuild all my boards with films haha

[@WalkersKeyboardScience]

I was surprised too what a big difference it can make

[@airy9461]

just realized your on nearly every keyboard video ive seen

[@cheez2287]

Same i want to make my borads again and film it lmao

[@tenta8206]

its different for different switches, there is a big difference in t1s which is what he is using in this video

[@ericqhochuli6004]

I watch a lot of these keyboard videos on tuning the sound and this is the first one that made my jaw actually drop. I am so glad I saw this before I began my build, thank you!

[@kickmusk]

wow I love the stark difference in the sound, amazing.

[@TheZorboidOrbb]

I am sure you are happy with the reception you get for your videos, but I think you are one of the most underrated youtubers compared to others out there. Always enjoy watching your videos. Please continue to be awesome.

[@bloodshed_]

I haven't gotten into the keyboard buidling hobby as of yet but I'm trying to learn more about it. This video was great and very easy to understand. Thanks!

[@bu11d0g000]

Great video and the films make the switches sound so good! Can't wait for the films to come back in stock so I can use them for my build! thanks for the video!

[@Pensa73]

Boi I already bought two packs of these for my current keyboard and for my next build This is incredible, thanks for the video

[@honeste6652]

Thank you for explaining this. It helps to visualize what's going on and hear the difference.

[@ikikaera3402]

Extremely helpful video, definitely going to add films to my switches from now on.

[@alexanderbartolo444]

Wow I never knew I had to film my switches until this video. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation.

[@OrganicGreens]

So glad I saw this video prior to lubing.

[@JerichoTheCity]

My films arrived after lubing because I couldn't wait.

[@giu0014]

Jericho why’s that? cant you film after you’ve lubed?

[@OrganicGreens]

@@giu0014 You can but I wouldn't want to re open 110 switches by hand lol

[@giu0014]

Phillip Morrison should I get a tool to open them if I want to lube my switches

[@OrganicGreens]

@@giu0014 I tried to get a plastic tool for 15 bucks but it was easier to use metal angled tweezers to open the housings due to the low quality plastic. They make metal switch openers that are good but they are like 50 dollars.

[@jomac_ph]

Guess I'll have to do this now. That sound is so relaxing

[@rspersiflage]

Thanks for the video! Hadn’t seen any good explanation on these. Sounds really great

[@teakey]

this is the first educational video I think I’ve watched with keyboards. Well done 👏👏👏👏

[@rube9169]

Aaand I'm sold lol. I started lubing some switches, putting a heavier amount around the stem to reduce the rattle sound from the stem, and it helps! But not nearly as much as this sounds! Definitely buying a set. Definitely well worth it for really wobbly outemu switches. I had no idea the switch housing itself made such a difference! I'll probably be able to remove the o rings after this. They were originally to reduce that sound too, but they almost completely mute the downstroke which I want to hear.

[@pinnyskenis]

You need more subs my dude, great explanation

[@GuidoDePalma]

WOW, it made a huge difference in wobble AND sound!

[@NaoKeysVT]

thanks for the explanation. I've seen some videos talking about these but never really saying what they are exactly. guess im picking these up for my next build

[@fadlanaziz5740]

Wait a minute... "ADS" layout

[@knalapshh1706]

Whats wrong with that?

[@lachlanhempell]

Knæalap Shh wasd being the norm and he had wads haha, nvm he just had them round the wrong way when testing the switches

[@buster4042]

@@knalapshh1706 it's supposed to be wasd not wads

[@wagonet]

great video, now i need to do this to all my switches, fun project coming up!

[@mikokb]

Huge difference. Thanks for the vid!

[@BruceCantarim]

Awesome video! Gonna get myself some films, huge sound improvement there! 😮

[@-vstraus-]

didnt know abt films till now thx for this it was really informative!

[@phjsher]

Summary: Switch Films are films placed between the top and bottom parts of the switch housing that reduce housing wobble and improve the sound.

[@kissu_io]

Good explanation !

[@KeebNews]

Hey thanks for this! And yeah, I love seeing keycaps with a little “love shine” on em :)

[@windigoo_neo4176]

wooah that makes a huge difference, radical Broh!

[@klepto7040]

Actual legendary video

[@awdertotter1217]

Thank you so very much! This was very helpful!

[@bobertbolero]

Really helpful! Though it's such a pain to get them Ono gave up when I first modded my switches

[@Aldarris]

Good work, about time we got an updated video on this. When I switch swapped my blackwidow chroma I thought about doing this but I'm glad I didn't because the 4 pin RGB LEDs hold the tops in place haha

[@ForeheadSweat]

Thanks for the knowledge homie!

[@briana656]

I am definitely going to check these out. I am using Kailh Burnt Oranges and they suggest not to lube them because of holes in the bottom of the housing.

[@neomadj]

Thanks for this video! 👍 I'm just sliding down the kb rabbit hole.

[@randolfjohnmartinez9322]

Very helpful!!!!! Thanks for this! TX FIlms added now on my cart! haha

[@Cha_Cha..]

ngl, your voice is sooooo relaxing

[@ostas_]

Switch films are actually explained! Thank you :)

[@salo6564]

super helpful, thank you!

[@Asthmus]

great video! thanks for the explaination

[@dvthecgi]

really good explaination

[@DoingEvil01]

Thought my Zealios were about perfect. Then ordered some films and installed. Damnation! So much better!

[@atifliaqat8159]

Please reply. Were the Zealios had wobbling top (loose top). Also, were you talking about Zealios V2 or V1?

[@DaBeedC]

@@atifliaqat8159 Would like to know this too, V2 or V1

[@honeste6652]

I ordered some films after this. Destroyed the first two. Came to the realization that if you put the stem in the top housing while the top housing is upside down, then put the spring in the stem, then overlay the film inside all of that, the sides of the top housing help keep the film in place better. Then press the bottom housing onto the whole assembly while it's upside down. It works very well.

[@ashadrizvi4608]

thanks i’m gonna try this on my first mechanical keyboard

[@honeste6652]

@@ashadrizvi4608 For what it's worth, over time I found the switch films weren't worth it, mainly because as soon as I went to lube the switches again, most of the films broke.

[@ashadrizvi4608]

@@honeste6652 how much time is there between everytime you lube them?

[@honeste6652]

@@ashadrizvi4608 I do it when I feel it's necessary, so for me it's maybe around 6 months or so?

[@ashadrizvi4608]

@@honeste6652 thanks i’m new to keyboards and didn’t even know it was necessary to relube

[@Jimmy-gf8cb]

Wow, thanks for a great video, I'm ordering some.

[@jonathanvega9679]

Everyday i learn something new about custom mechanical keyboards

[@Mina-wi8gx]

You’ve convinced me, getting films! I love the tactile responsiveness of Ajazz Bananas but they’re just a little bit too snappy. This should fix it, thanks!

[@basang32]

Great video, thanks!

[@brasoe6000]

Solid video!

[@oceanwaves9284]

Thank you Sir!

[@samdeur]

i always thought switch film is for the real modding enthusiasts.. but now that Walker explained .. guess i have to dive in to this new rabbit hole.. will have to see where i can get them.

[@WalkersKeyboardScience]

txkeyboards.com/en/products/switch-films-detail

[@Crokto]

nice dude. ordered some t1s, will definitely be getting some switch films too. film it while i lube it

[@Indydi]

The difference there was phenomenal. I'm off to buy some films...

[@ruzlan369]

very helpful. cheers!

[@kuro0renji]

0:21, D - "thock thock thock", S - "thick thick thick"

[@BabusMcGowan1]

These sound great. I have some T1s coming from PrimeKB that I plan to put into one of my builds. Are the switches you're using lubed? If not, I may just skip lubing altogether and just use some films because I love the way these sound. I usually lube all my switches but never used films before so it would be a much faster process.

[@leinardesteves3987]

I was so annoyed that some of my switches had that top out noise, I thought it was spring ping at first or maybe I ever lubed and the stem's sticking. But then I realized I ran out of films and my arrow keys doesn't have films. I can definitely say that having films make the switches sound more consistent, the feel will still depend on how consistent you've lubed them and the springs of course but no more uneven/out of place noise

[@TommyFenstermacher5150]

I just got a set of 67g Zealios V2 and rebuilt my KBD19X with them. I like the feel, but I'll be doing this to tighten the sound up--I already have a set of KeBo films on the way. I don't think I need to do this to my other KBD19X with Holy Pandas, though.

[@flunday]

I'm a bit late, but it seems to me that the switch wobble is mainly caused by the switches not being soldered onto the PCB. Beign hot swappable has its benefits, but also introduces some, if not all, of that switch wobble.

[@jbrandona119]

hey! thanks for the video. what's that tool you used to take the switch apart? I'm just wondering if that's worth it if I'm going to be lubing my next 2 builds. Thanks!

[@pikapika4151]

Its funny, I was looking to get films for my t1s as well

[@chrisls]

I've only noticed that kind of wobble on switches I opened with too much force. If you press the switch on your opener just enough for it to unclasp you'll be fine. Do not press until the switch top pops up itself. You have to do a bit of work yourself.

[@vuminhhieu9889]

Would you recommend filming gateron milky yellows? What do you think about switch stickers also?

[@erikvasquez209]

I have some gateron optical silver switches and I just got done adding some of these switch films and I don’t know if it’s because they’re optical switches that might make the difference but I don’t notice a difference. Kinda bummed, was hoping it would.

[@dirtbagmoto]

Really appreciate the video! Do you mind sharing what switch opener that is and where one might find a good one? Thanks 🙏

[@dirtbagmoto]

Not sure if that’s what you are using but just ordered a kiiboss one actually, looks promising.

[@TornacenseDeFuturo]

Thank you for sharing, the sound is so much better with those films! Does it work with Gateron as well?

[@WalkersKeyboardScience]

It sure does

[@ohwell5761]

I am using gateron black ink V2 currently but some switches have thickness of 0.15mm and 0.25mm. The 0.25mm feels firmer and is more muted in sound, is that to be expected if you use thicker films?

[@jjcrpytaps5271]

I have a full rgb set up on my keyboard, the question is will this affect the lights?

[@raymondchan3692]

Great video and explanation. I've got TX switch films ready to go as well but haven't gotten around to it, but am glad to hear such a difference it made in your video! I've noticed wobble to be increased from 1) opening switches (the prongs on the switch top "loosen" up after using a switch opener) and 2) from using taller keycaps (like SA and MT3 profile). I'm sure the switch films were developed to fix the first issue, but I hope they help with the second issue too; it's the main reason I prefer Cherry profile keycaps for everyday use.

[@juhotuho10]

I'm blown away Before watching i just thought it would be a waste of time, now i'm convinced

[@rubenscheuer519]

Hi does the side of the switch film matter? Mine are from Wuque and have a clear bottom and a foam top.

[@user-ir4wb4rj7u]

How do these tapes work over time? Let's say what will happen to them in a couple of years? Despite the fairly high reliability of the mechanical switches, several mx black switches on my keyboard began to work poorly over time.

[@metricccccc]

I'm not one to spend hours lubing switches, but I think based on the quieter, higher quality sound makes filming worth it for me.

[@BobSnortsalot]

would you lube up the switch prior or after adding the film?

[@isaacgun]

Keyboard newbie here. Is still necessary to lube my switches if I add this film? Would the sound be better if its lube on top of filming it?

[@awf-2]

My next project, lubed and filmed Outemu ICE V2.

[@Camrographer]

Okay, so if I have someone build a board for me it should be a given that they be filmed it seems. What other things should I request while I'm at it?

[@notjamesdood]

What about film thickness? How does it effect the switch? Is thicker better or..?

[@DonutsReview]

very informative. thank you for taking the time.

[@johnchen2963]

these work for regular gaterons? whats the difference between 1.5mm vs 3 mm films?

[@ssplatz8833]

Does films work on optical switches because I plan on buying some

[@nikovbn839]

Oh wow, the difference is huuuge. Insane :O

[@pspspspspspspspspspspspspspsps]

Is it normal for a mechanical switch to have a top housing wobble? Mine wobbles a bit only.

[@HoodSwami]

Wooo that gmk nautilus set been through the gauntlet😂

[@HaneezHaroon]

Is it possible to get factory filmed switches?

[@mdtaylor2274]

I have been seeing comments from people who use SA keycaps and a few of them said it's a wobbly keycap. Would that be because of the loose stems and maybe films would fix it?

[@wildiefong85]

Is filming for all switches make or better or just some switches

[@Lemjj]

what is the best amount of film is it 0.15mm or 0.3mm?

[@garychen7081]

How does this reduce stem wobble?

[@lip4681]

hi. do you think gateron yellow ks3 need film?

[@pinnyskenis]

Also i was wondering where did you get the clear housings? The t1 switches come with a black housing. Are they from a different switch?

[@WalkersKeyboardScience]

The first round had clear housings

[@donathan5932]

Will these fit in gataron ink blacks?

[@dife_pay1657]

Is this work with tactile kailh box?

[@landon1stbase]

Would a similar benefit be found on tealios? Some of them online seem to have a rattly sound.

[@arloschofield5648]

Those in the kb are tealios I think

[@TParkcasual]

Can someone help me. I want to try some switch films specifically the TX(0.125mm) Films for my Drop Invyr Holy-Pandas that I ordered on the 3rd drop (When I get them) but have heard you cant put switch films on the Holy Pandas. On Txkeyboards.com it says 0.125mm film are recommended for Holy Pandas & NK Creams. But I don't know what to believe.

[@izzio6680]

U shouldn’t film holy pandas and creams there housing is already rlly tight

[@danini1567]

What's that tool you used to take apart the switch?

[@WalkersKeyboardScience]

kiiboss.studio/products/kiiopener_mx.html