Massdrop x MiTo Canvas CTRL Mechanical Keyboard Discussions | Drop

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Nov 26, 2018

ElrickI believe it is a total absurd that anyone from this drop has been experiencing stickiness with the stabilizers. For what the keyboard is designed to be, a hardly functional stabilizer defeats the entire experience and again it is an absurd that such a thing is occurring to some. That said, I've done some research on my own and this issue with stabilizers also affect my partners Vortexgear in their Vortex Vibe and Core keyboards. Since you can hardly mod these stabilizers, which are similar to the ones used in the Canvas CTRL keyboard, I have invented a "mod" that actually solves the problem with stickiness (and feels pretty great actually, I was surprised). Given that you already spent a lot of energy trying to solve this problem yourself (and I'm sorry for not seeing you message earlier), I understand if don't even want to try, but here's what I'd recommend for an immediate solution before your replacement/refund arrives: This is what your stabilizer looks like, notice that each side has 2 "cages" that act as restrainers for the moving stems of the stabilizer. I don't understand why these damned cages are there in the first place because they serve no purpose (they don't help with wobble at all, in case you're wondering, I have tested in three different boards including the spacebar). The only purpose these damned cages serve is to seemingly stick on our keycaps.

So I simply clipped those bastards off with pliers you can see the same thing done in this Vortex Vibe (with SA Godspeed). Notice that the cages are gone. I have not shaved the extra bits of plastic that the pliers twisted yet, but I will. Take your time to shave and make it perfectly flat, but remember to clean and re-lube the stabs because particles will make your stab wires dirty and feel horrible.

And the stickiness went away, I didn't have to clean/relube the stabilizers, they felt improved immediately. Perhaps give this a try and let me know how it feels? And of course open a ticket as this is unacceptable. Nobody should have to mod a product in order to have it usable/comfortable...

Nov 26, 2018

Nov 26, 2018

MiToI owe you BIG time for this MiTo. Heard nothing from MassDrop, as they run and hide from my FURY. But you instead stepped in and shown how to fix their gawd awful mess. Thank you for showing how, via pictures because when you're like me the pics show everything on how to fix this problem. When I get back from shopping for the kids presents and whatnot, shall indeed remove the key-cap and start removing the frame/cage of these weird and stupid stabilizers. Maybe it's time for MassDrop to include real and authentic GMK stabilizers with their future keyboards, since after all they charge the same amount like other manufacturers these days. As always MiTo, you have saved me from wasted interaction with this ignorant and extremely stupid Company, known as MassDrop. It's only because of YOU that I continue to purchase these keyboards here, from this inept establishment. Your design's are always First Class but their execution by this regime, is indeed faulty and pathetic.

Nov 26, 2018

Miren

Nov 26, 2018

MiToThanks @MiTo . I also have this problem and will try and see if this workaround works for me.

Nov 26, 2018

13955

Nov 27, 2018

MirenPlease let me know once you do, I know it's a ghetto quick fix but hopefully it can at least band-aid for now.

Nov 27, 2018

Vote

YanboWu

8490

Collaborations

Nov 27, 2018

ElrickHey @Elrick - I'm sorry to hear you are still having problems with the stabilizers. It is something we are working on - I can actually shoot you a few different ones from different batches to show you the various improvements. We are definitely taking reports of issues seriously still - so please do reach out to support if something isn't working. I will continue to work on improving the stabilizers as well - the homebrew fix from @MiTo is actually pretty interesting so I will get this over to our engineers as well and see what we can do. As always, I appreciate your thoughts, support and criticisms and will strive to make it better. In the interim, please let support know your issue and we can get you some working stabilizers.

Nov 27, 2018

Nov 27, 2018

YanboWuDear YanboWu, thanks for getting in contact here. BUT this issue has ALWAYS been here since your company first presented a MassDrop Made Keyboard. This is not something out of the blue or happening elsewhere along the production chain. YOU have to let your bosses know, that it's time to go to the only reliable Stabilizers yet made for human kind and it belongs to GMK. Start incorporating authentic GMK stabs into future MassDrop keyboards, then watch all of these complaints about sticky stabs literally disappear, when the first shipment arrives to any future customers. I thought by now someone at MassDrop headquarters tweaked up into reality that something is wrong with these atrocious stabs that are being used, yet it becomes politcal in some way. Brain dead adherance to a faulty product (ideology) beyond any sane reason. Most companies end up fixing their mistakes whilst others fall into a 'Zombie-like' state of denial and blind perseverance with the status quo. Time to MAKE MassDrop listen, even if it means no more purchasing any more defective products from them. The Ball's in your Court YanboWu, so how will you play it? And please stop piping the status quo of we're working on making the stabs better, which SHOULD mean you will get rid of them altogether and buy authentic GMK stabilizers to use with your next MassDrop made keyboard. There is NO other way out of this mess that your Company has created.

Nov 27, 2018

YanboWu

8490

Collaborations

Nov 27, 2018

ElrickWeirdly enough - the GMK plate mounted stabilizers actually have the same top housing thing - https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gmk-cherr-style-stabilizers#overview But what Mito found here is very interesting and we'll be doing tests on our end. Will keep you updated on what we find out!

Nov 27, 2018

Nov 27, 2018

YanboWuThank you for the link to a former GMK Group Buy BUT did you happen to notice in one pic, that the original GMK stabs, had no 'upwards forks' on the housing at all. Totally useless and still don't understand why they persist with using it. You still have experienced Keyboard manufacturers TODAY clipping them off with sharp side pliers. YOU do not need them at all on any Mechanical Keyboard.

Nov 27, 2018

YanboWu

8490

Collaborations

Nov 27, 2018

ElrickRight, it seems PCB mounted stabilizers do not have that part. The CTRL use plate mounted stabilizers though - which is why we will have to test a few things to make sure nothing else is breaking with this mod.

Nov 27, 2018

Vote

Nov 27, 2018

YanboWuPlease do, just release ONE keyboard product, with NO upwards forks on the housing and see the results. The 'FORKS' are no one's friends but horrid little disaster's that spoil the actuation and enjoyment in using any style of switch. I've even lubed all of my Stabilizers but still no better because the switch still stays down when pressed. Only after clipping off the upward forks (on the housing) did the switch function normally. It's like a whole new beginning, once stabs have been clipped.

Nov 27, 2018

rmvs

Nov 27, 2018

YanboWuJust to add to what Elrick said--this issue actually goes all the way back to us suckers who bought k-types. Looking forward to yet another update from Massdrop that's basically "sorry, we have your money, you're SOL."

Nov 27, 2018

CocoArk

Nov 28, 2018

YanboWuhi

Nov 28, 2018

Vote

Chaffree

Dec 8, 2018

MiToJust a word of caution for anybody trying this mod of clipping the cages. It might not work out so well for the space bar stab. Basically it seems like the cage keeps the stabilizer straight when traveling up and down where without the cage it now wobbles all over at the top position. As a result, unless you are consistently pressing the space bar up and down, it wobbles like crazy including forward and backward, usually jamming. Long story short, I basically ruined the stabilizer lol. I swapped it with the right shift stabilizer to get by. Might be specific to set up/space bar but just wanted to note this for anybody giving it a try.

Dec 8, 2018

MisterHockey

Dec 6, 2019

MiToI recently acquired a CTRL High Profile that is having a sticking spacebar issue. If you compare the stabilizer housing in a free state and installed in the cutout you will see that the top and bottom edges are bowing. This is a sign that the housing itself is compressing. When the housing compresses it moves the L-Shaped corners on top closer together. The stem no longer has enough clearance with the L-Shapes and gets stuck between them. After looking up the MX cutout spec an measuring the cutouts with some calipers, I might know what is the root problem. I believe the fillets in the cutouts are too large. According to the spec The fillets are a .012 inch max (~0.3mm) and the cutout fillets look larger than that. If that is the case the fillets are pushing on the housing, causing them to compress.

Also, if you look at the spacebar cutout and the 2U cutouts, the spacebar cutout has longer inner edges. The lack of the long inner edges on the 2U cutouts allows the 2U stabilizer housing to deform less. This is probably why on my keyboard the only stabilizer issue I have is with the spacebar. If either you or @YanboWu would like to discuss this with me, I would be more than happy to. I am a mechanical designer experienced with many materials and manufacturing processes.

Dec 6, 2019

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