Do cherry switches break in over time?

[LightningBolt]

My new cherry switches are a little stiff

[adder]

ive never come across a stiff cherry microswitch personally (not that ive tried many types that said)
the typical cherry microswitch used in arcade joysticks and buttons etc, i have always found them light in force and soft/quiet click, from new.

could you post a picture or a link to a picture of what your ones look like?

[LightningBolt]

ive never come across a stiff cherry microswitch personally (not that ive tried many types that said)
the typical cherry microswitch used in arcade joysticks and buttons etc, i have always found them light in force and soft/quiet click, from new.

could you post a picture or a link to a picture of what your ones look like?

They're d44x from paradisearcade

[adder]

just looking at the description at arcadeparadiseshop, i notice it says "Today, the 75g actuation force gives it a noticable feedback during play".
so these are some kind of more modern cherry microswitch it seems.
i would send them back and ask for the normal classic types we are all used to and perfectly happy with!

[AndyWarne]

just looking at the description at arcadeparadiseshop, i notice it says "Today, the 75g actuation force gives it a noticable feedback during play".
so these are some kind of more modern cherry microswitch it seems.
i would send them back and ask for the normal classic types we are all used to and perfectly happy with!

The D44X pretty much is a "normal classic type" of switch but that does not mean its the best, and its certainly true that these days most people prefer a lighter switch.

But thats only part of the story, most buttons which use microswitches have internal springs which add to the force and these vary. The best response comes from the "Sanwa" type buttons which have a keyswitch type of switch and no spring, plus a light plunger. This is why we based our Goldleaf buttons on this type of design and added the benefit of gold plated contacts.

[LightningBolt]

I can't completely tell if it's the microswitch being stiffer or the button itself (slightly stronger spring?). Hard to tell

[RandyT]

I can't completely tell if it's the microswitch being stiffer or the button itself (slightly stronger spring?). Hard to tell

Take the button spring out completely and then try it.  If the buttons are the type where the plunger leg is in close proximity of the switch actuator nub, the plunger should still sit high enough.  This will remove the plunger spring from the equation, and lower the overall resistance.  75g is way too stiff for good button action, unless you are a "basher", but it should be plenty for the plunger to return without a spring in the button.

As for keyboard switches being the "best" choice for arcade buttons, I consider that a matter of opinion (at best) and they must, of course, have a spring mechanism of some nature inside to return the actuating part.