This tutorial will cover removing Outemu Blue switches from a TeamWolf Zhuque+ and applying the “Jailhouse Mod” – so-named as it stops the mechanical keyboard switches from “clicking” when depressed. What’s great about this mod is that it also retains the tactile feeling of the switch, and slightly increases the force needed to bottom out.
An interesting side effect was that these switches became very quiet! If there’s interest I can also post a video with a comparison of before and after, and compared to Zealios + Zealencios, Gateron Browns, Gateron Browns + Zealencios. Just leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do  🙂
Note that it took about 6 hours to do this for each switch on the board, though admittedly I was watching a movie at the time, and it was New Years Eve. Also be prepared for some eventual pain in your fingers: Outemu switches are a bit hard to pry apart in this fashion, but I’m open to suggestions for easier methods.
Tools we’ll be using for this tutorial
Tools required:
A “spudger” – available at Mac repair shops
A 2.5mm size flathead screwdriver
A switch removal tool (or a soldering iron, if the board is not hot-swappable)
1. Remove the switch from the board using the included switch remover2. The removed switch3. Put the screwdriver under the top (clear) part of the switch housing4. Insert the screwdriver into the other side, being careful not to push the lose side back on, and pop the top off the switch housing5. Rotate the screwdriver slightly and push in order to get the top of the housing over the retaining clips6. Insert the screwdriver slowly at an angle7. Place the flat head screwdriver between the top and bottom of the switch housing8. As you pop the second side off, make sure to press firmly between the thumb and forefingers as there’s a spring inside just dying to get out!9. A dis-assembled Outemu Blue mechanical switch10. Wedge the spudger in the middle of the slider11. Gently rotate the spudger to pop the two apart12. Place the Jspacer on the slider, ensuring that the longer edges are rotated to fit between the opening in the stem side clips13. Put the tactile white plastic piece over the slider and Jspacer14. Place the switch spring on the switch slider15. Place the spring and slider into the notch on the bottom half of the switch housing, ensuring that the clicking mechanism is facing the switch itself (copper coloured in photo)16. Hold the combination of switch bottom, spring and slider together between thumb and forefinger of one hand – you’ll need the other hand free in order to attach the top17. Click the top half over the bottom half quicklly and firmly in order to ensure that both sides “click” at onceModding complete! A removed, assembled Outemu Blue switchFinal Step. Put the blue switch back on the board, then place the keycap back on – you’re done!Doge. Because the beauty dish was already setup, I figured I might as well pay the dog tax!
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3 Comments
You are a master if you can open the Outemu switches with a screwdriver. I can only ever get them open with a razor blade, which is not only dangerous, but can easily damage the switch housing! I also wish there were an easier way…
Not only can I, but I also taught my SO to do the same, so that I could take photos! It’s certainly not easy, but once you have one side open, gripping hard to ensure it remains open makes opening the other side less troublesome.
I want to try lubing and switch-flilming these while I’m jailhouse modding it. Any recommendations for lube? Should I just lube it like regular tactile switches?
Do you know if putting films on these Outemu switches will improve the sound by a lot?
You are a master if you can open the Outemu switches with a screwdriver. I can only ever get them open with a razor blade, which is not only dangerous, but can easily damage the switch housing! I also wish there were an easier way…
Not only can I, but I also taught my SO to do the same, so that I could take photos! It’s certainly not easy, but once you have one side open, gripping hard to ensure it remains open makes opening the other side less troublesome.
Hello, great tutorial and guide.
I want to try lubing and switch-flilming these while I’m jailhouse modding it. Any recommendations for lube? Should I just lube it like regular tactile switches?
Do you know if putting films on these Outemu switches will improve the sound by a lot?
Thanks man, sorry for all the questions