The components of a switch

Stem

The stem of a switch is the part that connects keeps the keycap in place. The stem on Cherry MX and Cherry MX compatible switches form a + shape. Most keycaps are made with the + shape in mind; if the layout is supported by the keycap set, then it will fit. The stem is also the determining factor of the keyboard's feel; a linear stem's legs will be straight, which means that there will be no bumps along the keystroke, resulting in a consistent feel throughout the whole keystroke. A tactile stem will have a bump on the stem, which provides a tactile bump when pressing down on the switch; this bump can be sharp or rounded, big or small, and at the top, middle, or bottom of the keystroke. A clicky stem usually contains a click jacket, which is a part that is attached to the stem but moves freely up and down the stem. This click jacket, when pressing down, hits the bottom housing and produces a click sound. When lubricating a switch, this is usually the part to focus on; lubing this part is crucial to getting a smooth feeling switch. There will be small silicon dampers on the top and bottom of the rail part of the stems in a silent switch to silence the switch.

Housing

The housing of a switch is mostly there to protect the internal parts from being exposed to the elements. The housing has two parts; the top housing and the bottom housing. The two parts stay in place using four prongs; there exists specialized tools just to pry these prongs apart to allow the user to lubricate the insides. The material of the housing can affect the typing feel and sound. Clear tops tend to have a higher pitch, are louder, and are usually smoother than their non-transparent counterparts. There are notable outliers, however, such as the Gateron Ink line of switches which have a low pitch. The bottom housing usually has 3 or 5 pins sticking out of it. The central pin is always there to stabilize the switch; the two metal pins are there to complete the circuit. The other two plastic legs are there just for support; it is not a necessary component, as evidenced by the existence of 3-pin switches which do not have these two extra pins. Some keyboards will only support 3-pin switches, and others will support both 5 pin and 3 pin switches. If a keyboard supports 5 pin switches, then it also supports 3 pin switches. It is relatively easy to convert a 5 pin switch to s 3 pin switch with nail clippers or a flush cutter. It is advised that you wear some sort of eye protection when doing this operation as the legs can fly off and hit your eye after being cut from the switch, which is overall an unpleasant experience.