Configurable MX Keycap Tilters w. Tuning Tools

I was tired of all the other MX tilters that I found always having incorrect dimensions for the sockets and/or stems. Most were also very limited in the height, tilt, and rotation available.
So, I created my own configurable version.

I've linked an OnShape document with configuration options for the tilt angle, the orientation (the direction the top of the keycap faces), and the height. These options allow for complex custom contour configurations.

A basic set of tilters are included here, but you can use the OnShape document to fine tune them to exactly what you require.

Note:
You cannot rotate these tilters by 90° increments; MX stems have fixed XY orientation. You can, however, rotate them by 180° or mirror them.

I.e., you cannot use a Down in place of a Left by rotating it 90°, but you can use a Right in place of a Left by rotating it 90° or by mirroring it.

File Naming Convention

Note:
I realize some of the available orientations are simply mirrored versions of others (e.g. Up & Down), but having separate files with a different name for each just makes it easier to pick the one you want.

Type - angle orientation, height.stl

Examples:

Cherry MX - Tilter - 10 Down, 0.stl
Keycap tilted 10° downwards, 0mm additional height.

Cherry MX - Tilter - 10, Up Left, 5.stl
Keycap tilted 10° diagonally up and left with 5mm additional height.

Recommended Print Settings

I've had absolutely no issues printing these on a Creality K2 Plus with a 0.4mm nozzle, you do not need a resin printer:

• Layer Height: 0.1mm

• Brim: On

• Wall Generator: Classic (in my experience, Arachne produces poor results at this scale)

• Orientation: Stem up

Printing Orientation

I also found that printing very small parts with both internal and external dimensions can be tricky and vary from printer to printer as well as from one filament to another. Some other tilters I found needed to be scaled to allow the socket to fit, but this would in turn make the stem too tight, and vice-versa.

To solve this, I've also included a set of tools to tune the dimensions of the stems and sockets separately.

Tuning Test Blocks

Note:
It is important that you make sure you use the correctly tuned stem size! It may be difficult or impossible to remove a broken-off stem from your keycap without damaging it if it is too tight! You also risk splitting the keycap socket if the tilter stem is too tight! 

It is important to print these using the same filament you plan to use for the tilters since different filaments have different printing characteristics. For example, in my tests, printing it using some old orange esun PLA+ I bought a couple years ago resulted in tighter tolerances than brand-new black esun PLA+.

Use the tuning blocks to find the best fit for your keycap and keyswitch, the center is the "standard" dimensions, and the others are larger or smaller in 0.1mm steps:

Select the Stem and/or Socket tuning from the configuration that corresponds with the best fit.
The configuration options include in-between sizes as well:

If you've tuned your sockets and still find they are difficult to install onto your keyswitches, it is probably because of elephant's foot on the tilter. I resolve this by cleaning up the opening to the socket with a penknife or by sanding off the first layer of the print. 

🔗 Configurable OnShape document: MX Keycap Tilter