3D-printed mounts are required for reliable mouse click Z installations. I offer 3 different types of mounts:
- Front-shell attached
- Mainboard attached
- Extended reverse mouse click Z (mainboard attached)
The front shell attached type has the advantage of sitting securely inside the front shell, which makes the process of the switch sitting at the proper place rather easy and straightforward, but requires more time preparing the more complicated cable routing.
Additionally, due to the switch being attached to the front shell, the cable needs to be detached every time you want to take out the mainboard from the front shell. End-users who forget to unplug the cable before lifting up the back shell risk damaging the wiring. This option is mainly suitable for people who don't often open their controllers for this reason.
The mainboard attached type is more convenient for end-users who often open their controllers. For reliability and a long working lifespan of the mount, getting the alignment correct is very important. My mount designs have been optimized through many revisions to a point where I now feel confident selling them, however, the mainboard attachment is innately a bit more tricky to get just right, due to the small interface contact between mainboard and Z switch mount. Once this mount is installed, replacing the switch is fairly easy. Only SMD type 2-pin switches are compatible and their legs need to be trimmed and bent.
Finally, my extended reverse mouse click Z mod kit features a redesign of the mechanic. By reversing the hinge point, ergonomics are improved particularly for adults with medium to long fingers, and the new hinge point also has much more space available for a reliable, sturdy attachment of the mount to the mainboard. Unlike the front shell-attached type and the simple mainboard-attached type, this option is an entire kit of 3 parts (switch mount, button, hinge insert).
Mouse click switches are not included with these mounts, but available in separate listings: [SMD type] [through-point type]
For details about compatibility between the mount type and the mouse click switch type, please refer to the detailed descriptions of the individual mounts below.
• Front shell mount r6.4, white resin material
Compatible with both through-point and SMD 2-pin micro switches ("mouse click switches"). For through-point switches, both legs need to be bent in order to fit.
For SMD switches, both legs need to be trimmed and bent to sit close to the switch's body.
For both types of switches, the Z button does not need to be trimmed at all – neither the rails of the body nor the round nub.
There is no need to trim the ABXY silicone pad or the Z button with this mount revision.
• Mainboard mount r5
Compatible only with SMD 2-pin micro switches ("mouse click switches").
The mount's legs should be trimmed and bent before attaching the mount to the mainboard for the first time for easier installation. You can choose the more expensive option to have me do that for you when also buying a suitable switch.
The mount needs to be glued to the mainboard. I've found regular super glue to work well and special UV-activated cyanoacrylate ("UHU LED Booster") to work even better.
The Z button's round nub needs to be trimmed with flush cutters for proper actuation.
• Mainboard mount r5B, black nylon material
Compatible only with SMD 2-pin micro switches ("mouse click switches").
The mount's legs should be trimmed and bent before attaching the mount to the mainboard for the first time for easier installation. You can choose the more expensive option to have me do that for you when also buying a suitable switch.
The mount needs to be glued to the mainboard. I've found regular super glue to work well and special UV-activated cyanoacrylate ("UHU LED Booster") to work even better.
The Z button's round nub needs to be trimmed with flush cutters for proper actuation.
With r5B, the wall between the front shell switch support structure and the mouse click switch is slightly thinner. This makes it possible to fit a small PTFE strip added to the flat surface of the Z button. Doing so can help make for a slightly improved click sensation with lighter switch options (50-80gf).
• Kadano extended reverse Z button, mouse click switch & insert hinge set; button: black resin material, mount & hinge: nylon material
Compatible only with SMD 2-pin micro switches ("mouse click switches").
Features a complete redesign consisting of 3 parts. Due to the different location for the mouse click switch with more space available, the SMD-type switches are easier and faster to align.
The hinge point is at the opposite side, which together with the extended button makes for vastly improved ergonomics for most people – especially those with longer fingers and bigger hands than those typical of ~10-year-old children that the Gamecube controller was originally designed for.
