diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a88138d..69c717c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ Prints from this library are still challenging, despite all efforts to the contr
 That's it, if you have any questions feel free to open an issue or leave a comment on thingiverse!
 
 ## TODO:
- * enable customizer to print spacebars
  * switch dishing logic from a super large cube to a bounding box intersection
  * update this documentation!
  * replace linear_extrude_shape_hull with skin_extrude_shape_hull or something, to enable concave extrusions
diff --git a/customizer.scad b/customizer.scad
index 79a6cb5..61dba62 100644
--- a/customizer.scad
+++ b/customizer.scad
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ $dish_overdraw_height = 0;
 /* Misc */
 
 // how tall in mm the brim is, if there is one. brim sits around the keystem and helps to secure it while printing.
-$brim_height = 0.4;
+$stem_support_height = 0.4;
 // font used for text
 $font="DejaVu Sans Mono:style=Book";
 // whether or not to render fake keyswitches to check clearances
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ module translate_u(x=0, y=0, z=0){
 
 module brimmed(height = 0.2) {
   $has_brim = true;
-  $brim_height = height;
+  $stem_support_height = height;
   children();
 }
 
@@ -779,7 +779,7 @@ module cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop) {
 
       // brim, if applicable
       if(has_brim) {
-        linear_extrude(height = $brim_height){
+        linear_extrude(height = $stem_support_height){
           offset(r=1){
             square(outer_cherry_stem(slop) + [2,2], center=true);
           }
@@ -815,7 +815,7 @@ module rounded_cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop) {
     union(){
       cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d, h=depth);
       if(has_brim) {
-        cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d * 2, h=$brim_height);
+        cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d * 2, h=$stem_support_height);
       }
     }
 
@@ -831,7 +831,7 @@ module rounded_cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop) {
 }
 module alps_stem(depth, has_brim, slop){
   if(has_brim) {
-    linear_extrude(height=$brim_height) {
+    linear_extrude(height=$stem_support_height) {
       offset(r=1){
         square($alps_stem + [2,2], center=true);
       }
@@ -1661,7 +1661,7 @@ $dish_overdraw_height = 0;
 /* Misc */
 
 // how tall in mm the brim is, if there is one. brim sits around the keystem and helps to secure it while printing.
-$brim_height = 0.4;
+$stem_support_height = 0.4;
 // font used for text
 $font="DejaVu Sans Mono:style=Book";
 // whether or not to render fake keyswitches to check clearances
diff --git a/keys.scad b/keys.scad
index e0a19e7..765a365 100644
--- a/keys.scad
+++ b/keys.scad
@@ -13,16 +13,9 @@ include <src/key_profiles.scad>
 include <src/key_types.scad>
 include <src/key_transformations.scad>
 
-translate_u(0, 0) sa_row(3) stepped_caps_lock() {
-  key();
-}
 
-translate_u(0, 1) sa_row(2) lshift() {
-  $stem_type = false;
-  key();
-}
-
-translate_u(0, 2) sa_row(1) spacebar() alps() {
-  $support_type = false;
-  key();
+//$has_brim=true;
+sa_row(3) {
+  $stem_slop = 0;
+   key();
 }
diff --git a/src/functions.scad b/src/functions.scad
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f99736
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/functions.scad
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+// I use functions when I need to compute special variables off of other special variables
+// functions need to be explicitly included, unlike special variables, which
+// just need to have been set before they are used. hence this file
+
+// cherry stem dimensions
+function outer_cherry_stem(slop) = [7.2 - slop * 2, 5.5 - slop * 2];
+
+// box (kailh) switches have a bit less to work with
+function outer_box_cherry_stem(slop) = [6 - slop, 6 - slop];
+
+// .005 purely for aesthetics, to get rid of that ugly crosshatch
+function cherry_cross(slop, extra_vertical = 0) = [
+  // horizontal tine
+  [4.03 + slop, 1.15 + slop / 3],
+  // vertical tine
+  [1.25 + slop / 3, 4.23 + extra_vertical + slop / 3 + .005],
+];
+
+// actual mm key width and height
+function total_key_width(delta = 0) = $bottom_key_width + $unit * ($key_length - 1) - delta;
+function total_key_height(delta = 0) = $bottom_key_height + $unit * ($key_height - 1) - delta;
+
+// actual mm key width and height at the top
+function top_total_key_width() = $bottom_key_width + ($unit * ($key_length - 1)) - $width_difference;
+function top_total_key_height() = $bottom_key_height + ($unit * ($key_height - 1)) - $height_difference;
diff --git a/src/key.scad b/src/key.scad
index 5f31a42..e8bd96d 100644
--- a/src/key.scad
+++ b/src/key.scad
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 // files
+include <functions.scad>
 include <shapes.scad>
 include <stems.scad>
+include <stem_supports.scad>
 include <dishes.scad>
 include <supports.scad>
 include <key_features.scad>
@@ -10,34 +12,23 @@ include <libraries/geodesic_sphere.scad>
 
 /* [Hidden] */
 $fs = .1;
-unit = 19.05;
-color1 = [.2667,.5882,1];
+$unit = 19.05;
+blue = [.2667,.5882,1];
 color2 = [.5412, .4784, 1];
-color3 = [.4078, .3569, .749];
-color4 = [1, .6941, .2];
+purple = [.4078, .3569, .749];
+yellow = [1, .6941, .2];
 transparent_red = [1,0,0, 0.15];
 
-// derived values. can't be variables if we want them to change when the special variables do
-
-// actual mm key width and height
-function total_key_width(delta = 0) = $bottom_key_width + unit * ($key_length - 1) - delta;
-function total_key_height(delta = 0) = $bottom_key_height + unit * ($key_height - 1) - delta;
-
-// actual mm key width and height at the top
-function top_total_key_width() = $bottom_key_width + (unit * ($key_length - 1)) - $width_difference;
-function top_total_key_height() = $bottom_key_height + (unit * ($key_height - 1)) - $height_difference;
-
-
 // key shape including dish. used as the ouside and inside shape in keytop(). allows for itself to be shrunk in depth and width / height
 module shape(thickness_difference, depth_difference){
   dished(depth_difference, $inverted_dish) {
-    color(color1) shape_hull(thickness_difference, depth_difference, 2);
+    color(blue) shape_hull(thickness_difference, depth_difference, 2);
   }
 }
 
 // shape of the key but with soft, rounded edges. much more realistic, MUCH more complex. orders of magnitude more complex
 module rounded_shape() {
-  color(color1) minkowski(){
+  color(blue) minkowski(){
     // half minkowski in the z direction
     shape($minkowski_radius * 2, $minkowski_radius/2);
     difference(){
@@ -130,7 +121,7 @@ module top_placement(depth_difference) {
 
 // just to DRY up the code
 module _dish() {
-  color(color3) dish(top_total_key_width() + $dish_overdraw_width, top_total_key_height() + $dish_overdraw_height, $dish_depth, $inverted_dish);
+  color(purple) dish(top_total_key_width() + $dish_overdraw_width, top_total_key_height() + $dish_overdraw_height, $dish_depth, $inverted_dish);
 }
 
 // for when you want to take the dish out of things
@@ -144,9 +135,9 @@ module dished(depth_difference, inverted = false) {
       difference(){
         union() {
           // this weird math here is so Customizer doesn't see a giant shape and zoom out a million miles. could just be cube(1000)
-          translate([-$key_length * unit, -$key_height * unit]) cube([
-            $key_length*2 * unit,
-            $key_height*2 * unit,
+          translate([-$key_length * $unit, -$key_height * $unit]) cube([
+            $key_length*2 * $unit,
+            $key_height*2 * $unit,
             50
           ]);
           if (!inverted) _dish();
@@ -192,13 +183,16 @@ module keystem_positions(positions) {
 
 module support_for(positions, stem_type) {
   keystem_positions(positions) {
-    color(color4) supports($support_type, stem_type, $stem_throw, $total_depth - $stem_throw);
+    color(yellow) supports($support_type, stem_type, $stem_throw, $total_depth - $stem_throw);
   }
 }
 
 module stems_for(positions, stem_type) {
   keystem_positions(positions) {
-    color(color4) stem(stem_type, $total_depth, $has_brim, $stem_slop);
+    color(yellow) stem(stem_type, $total_depth, $stem_slop);
+    if ($stem_support_type != "disable") {
+      color(color2) stem_support($stem_support_type, stem_type, $stem_support_height, $stem_slop);
+    }
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/key_transformations.scad b/src/key_transformations.scad
index 489fb10..3c9495d 100644
--- a/src/key_transformations.scad
+++ b/src/key_transformations.scad
@@ -7,9 +7,15 @@ module translate_u(x=0, y=0, z=0){
   translate([x * unit, y*unit, z*unit]) children();
 }
 
-module brimmed(height = 0.2) {
-  $has_brim = true;
-  $brim_height = height;
+module brimmed_stem_support(height = 0.4) {
+  $stem_support_type = "brim";
+  $stem_support_height = height;
+  children();
+}
+
+module tined_stem_support(height = 0.4) {
+  $stem_support_type = "tines";
+  $stem_support_height = height;
   children();
 }
 
@@ -49,7 +55,7 @@ module stabilized(mm=12, vertical = false, type="cherry") {
 }
 
 module dishless() {
-  $dish_type = "no dish";
+  $dish_type = "disable";
   children();
 }
 
@@ -64,7 +70,7 @@ module filled() {
 }
 
 module blank() {
-  $stem_type = "blank";
+  $stem_type = "disable";
   children();
 }
 
@@ -86,6 +92,12 @@ module rounded_cherry(slop) {
   children();
 }
 
+module box_cherry(slop) {
+  $stem_slop = slop ? slop : $stem_slop;
+  $stem_type = "box_cherry";
+  children();
+}
+
 module flared_support() {
   $support_type = "flared";
   children();
diff --git a/src/key_types.scad b/src/key_types.scad
index 51bc02f..d6e568e 100644
--- a/src/key_types.scad
+++ b/src/key_types.scad
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ module iso_enter() {
   $key_shape_type = "iso_enter";
   $linear_extrude_shape = true;
   $linear_extrude_height_adjustment = 19.05 * 0.5;
-  // (unit_length(1.5) - unit_length(1.25)) / 2
+  // this equals (unit_length(1.5) - unit_length(1.25)) / 2
   $dish_overdraw_width = 2.38125;
 
 
diff --git a/src/settings.scad b/src/settings.scad
index e744d82..631e276 100644
--- a/src/settings.scad
+++ b/src/settings.scad
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* [Basic-Settings] */
 
 // what type of stem you want. Most people want Cherry.
-$stem_type = "cherry";  // [cherry, alps, rounded_cherry, filled, disable]
+$stem_type = "cherry";  // [cherry, alps, rounded_cherry, box_cherry, filled, disable]
 
 // support type. default is "flared" for easy FDM printing; bars are more realistic, and flat could be for artisans
 $support_type = "flared"; // [flared, bars, flat, disable]
@@ -9,9 +9,8 @@ $support_type = "flared"; // [flared, bars, flat, disable]
 // length in units of key. A regular key is 1 unit; spacebar is usually 6.25
 $key_length = 1.0; // range not working in thingiverse customizer atm [1:0.25:16]
 
-// print brim for connector to help with bed adhesion
-$has_brim = false;
-
+// supports for the stem, as it often comes off during printing. disabled by default, but highly reccommended.
+$stem_support_type = "disable"; // [brim, tines, disabled]
 // the stem is the hardest part to print, so this variable controls how much 'slop' there is in the stem
 $stem_slop = 0.3; // not working in thingiverse customizer atm [0:0.01:1]
 
@@ -101,9 +100,11 @@ $dish_overdraw_width = 0;
 $dish_overdraw_height = 0;
 
 /* Misc */
+// there's a bevel on the cherry stems to aid insertion / guard against first layer squishing making a hard-to-fit stem.
+$cherry_bevel = true;
 
-// how tall in mm the brim is, if there is one. brim sits around the keystem and helps to secure it while printing.
-$brim_height = 0.4;
+// how tall in mm the stem support is, if there is any. stem support sits around the keystem and helps to secure it while printing.
+$stem_support_height = 0.4;
 // font used for text
 $font="DejaVu Sans Mono:style=Book";
 // whether or not to render fake keyswitches to check clearances
diff --git a/src/stem_supports.scad b/src/stem_supports.scad
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e24a61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/stem_supports.scad
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+include <stem_supports/brim.scad>
+include <stem_supports/tines.scad>
+
+
+//whole stem, alps or cherry, trimmed to fit
+module stem_support(support_type, stem_type, stem_support_height, slop){
+    if (support_type == "brim") {
+      brim_support(stem_type, stem_support_height, slop);
+    } else if (support_type == "tines") {
+      tines_support(stem_type, stem_support_height, slop);
+    } else if (support_type == "disable") {
+      children();
+    } else {
+      echo("Warning: unsupported $stem_support_type");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/stem_supports/brim.scad b/src/stem_supports/brim.scad
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..327d054
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/stem_supports/brim.scad
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+include <../functions.scad>
+include <../stems/cherry.scad>
+
+module brim_support(stem_type, stem_support_height, slop) {
+  if(stem_type == "alps") {
+    linear_extrude(height=stem_support_height) {
+      offset(r=1){
+        square($alps_stem + [2,2], center=true);
+      }
+    }
+  } else if (stem_type == "cherry") {
+    difference() {
+      linear_extrude(height = stem_support_height){
+        offset(r=1){
+          square(outer_cherry_stem(slop) + [2,2], center=true);
+        }
+      }
+
+      inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+    }
+  } else if (stem_type == "rounded_cherry") {
+    difference() {
+      cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d * 2, h=stem_support_height);
+      inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+    }
+  } else if (stem_type == "box_cherry") {
+    difference() {
+      linear_extrude(height = stem_support_height){
+        offset(r=1){
+          square(outer_box_cherry_stem(slop) + [2,2], center=true);
+        }
+      }
+
+      inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/stem_supports/tines.scad b/src/stem_supports/tines.scad
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a12ee13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/stem_supports/tines.scad
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+include <../functions.scad>
+include <../cherry.scad>
+
+module centered_tines(stem_support_height) {
+  translate([0,0,$stem_support_height / 2]) cube([total_key_width($wall_thickness), 1, $stem_support_height], center = true);
+  translate([0,0,$stem_support_height / 2]) cube([1, total_key_height($wall_thickness), $stem_support_height], center = true);
+}
+
+module tines_support(stem_type, stem_support_height, slop) {
+  if (stem_type == "cherry") {
+    difference () {
+      union() {
+        translate([0,0,$stem_support_height / 2]) cube([total_key_width($wall_thickness), 1, $stem_support_height], center = true);
+        translate([2,0,$stem_support_height / 2]) cube([1, total_key_height($wall_thickness), $stem_support_height], center = true);
+        translate([-2,0,$stem_support_height / 2]) cube([1, total_key_height($wall_thickness), $stem_support_height], center = true);
+      }
+
+      inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+    }
+  } else if (stem_type == "box_cherry") {
+    difference () {
+      centered_tines(stem_support_height);
+
+      inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+    }
+  } else if (stem_type == "rounded_cherry") {
+    difference () {
+      centered_tines(stem_support_height);
+
+      inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+    }
+  } else if (stem_type == "alps"){
+    centered_tines(stem_support_height);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/stems.scad b/src/stems.scad
index a82e012..0f36c2f 100644
--- a/src/stems.scad
+++ b/src/stems.scad
@@ -1,17 +1,20 @@
 include <stems/cherry.scad>
 include <stems/rounded_cherry.scad>
+include <stems/box_cherry.scad>
 include <stems/alps.scad>
 include <stems/filled.scad>
 
 
 //whole stem, alps or cherry, trimmed to fit
-module stem(stem_type, depth, has_brim, slop){
+module stem(stem_type, depth, slop){
     if (stem_type == "alps") {
-      alps_stem(depth, has_brim, slop);
-    } else if (stem_type == "rounded_cherry") {
-      rounded_cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop);
+      alps_stem(depth, slop);
     } else if (stem_type == "cherry") {
-      cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop);
+      cherry_stem(depth, slop);
+    } else if (stem_type == "rounded_cherry") {
+      rounded_cherry_stem(depth, slop);
+    } else if (stem_type == "box_cherry") {
+      box_cherry_stem(depth, slop);
     } else if (stem_type == "filled") {
       filled_stem();
     } else if (stem_type == "disable") {
diff --git a/src/stems/alps.scad b/src/stems/alps.scad
index 7b0debd..404ad0e 100644
--- a/src/stems/alps.scad
+++ b/src/stems/alps.scad
@@ -1,11 +1,4 @@
 module alps_stem(depth, has_brim, slop){
-  if(has_brim) {
-    linear_extrude(height=$brim_height) {
-      offset(r=1){
-        square($alps_stem + [2,2], center=true);
-      }
-    }
-  }
   linear_extrude(height=depth) {
     square($alps_stem, center = true);
   }
diff --git a/src/stems/box_cherry.scad b/src/stems/box_cherry.scad
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7db595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/stems/box_cherry.scad
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+include <../functions.scad>
+include <cherry.scad>
+
+module box_cherry_stem(depth, slop) {
+  difference(){
+    // outside shape
+    linear_extrude(height = depth) {
+      offset(r=1){
+        square(outer_box_cherry_stem(slop) - [2,2], center=true);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // inside cross
+    inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/stems/cherry.scad b/src/stems/cherry.scad
index 64843d0..1f006ae 100644
--- a/src/stems/cherry.scad
+++ b/src/stems/cherry.scad
@@ -1,46 +1,37 @@
-// cherry stem dimensions
-function outer_cherry_stem(slop) = [7.2 - slop * 2, 5.5 - slop * 2];
+include <../functions.scad>
 
-// .005 purely for aesthetics, to get rid of that ugly crosshatch
-function cherry_cross(slop) = [
-  // horizontal tine
-  [4.03 + slop, 1.15 + slop / 3],
-  // vertical tine
-  [1.25 + slop / 3, 4.9 + slop / 3 + .005],
-];
+// extra length to the vertical tine of the inside cherry cross
+// splits the stem into halves - allows easier fitment
+extra_vertical = 0.6;
 
-module cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop) {
-  difference(){
-    union() {
-      // outside shape
-      linear_extrude(height = depth) {
-        offset(r=1){
-          square(outer_cherry_stem(slop) - [2,2], center=true);
-        }
-      }
-
-      // brim, if applicable
-      if(has_brim) {
-        linear_extrude(height = $brim_height){
-          offset(r=1){
-            square(outer_cherry_stem(slop) + [2,2], center=true);
-          }
-        }
-      }
+module inside_cherry_cross(slop) {
+  // inside cross
+  // translation purely for aesthetic purposes, to get rid of that awful lattice
+  translate([0,0,-0.005]) {
+    linear_extrude(height = $stem_throw) {
+      square(cherry_cross(slop, extra_vertical)[0], center=true);
+      square(cherry_cross(slop, extra_vertical)[1], center=true);
     }
+  }
 
-    // inside cross
-    // translation purely for aesthetic purposes, to get rid of that awful lattice
-    translate([0,0,-0.005]) {
-      linear_extrude(height = $stem_throw) {
-        square(cherry_cross(slop)[0], center=true);
-        square(cherry_cross(slop)[1], center=true);
-      }
-      // Guides to assist insertion and mitigate first layer squishing
-      for (i = cherry_cross(slop)) hull() {
-        linear_extrude(height = 0.01, center = false) offset(delta = 0.4) square(i, center=true);
-        translate([0, 0, 0.5]) linear_extrude(height = 0.01, center = false)  square(i, center=true);
-      }
+  // Guides to assist insertion and mitigate first layer squishing
+  if ($cherry_bevel){
+    for (i = cherry_cross(slop, extra_vertical)) hull() {
+      linear_extrude(height = 0.01, center = false) offset(delta = 0.4) square(i, center=true);
+      translate([0, 0, 0.5]) linear_extrude(height = 0.01, center = false)  square(i, center=true);
     }
   }
 }
+
+module cherry_stem(depth, slop) {
+  difference(){
+    // outside shape
+    linear_extrude(height = depth) {
+      offset(r=1){
+        square(outer_cherry_stem(slop) - [2,2], center=true);
+      }
+    }
+
+    inside_cherry_cross(slop);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/stems/filled.scad b/src/stems/filled.scad
index 5dc9152..e12bfde 100644
--- a/src/stems/filled.scad
+++ b/src/stems/filled.scad
@@ -5,5 +5,5 @@ module filled_stem() {
   // cube. shape() works but means that you certainly couldn't render this
   // stem without the presence of the entire library
 
-  shape();
+  shape($wall_thickness);
 }
diff --git a/src/stems/rounded_cherry.scad b/src/stems/rounded_cherry.scad
index d470688..3d6aab7 100644
--- a/src/stems/rounded_cherry.scad
+++ b/src/stems/rounded_cherry.scad
@@ -1,27 +1,12 @@
-// .005 purely for aesthetics, to get rid of that ugly crosshatch
-function cherry_cross(slop) = [
-  // horizontal tine
-  [4.03 + slop, 1.15 + slop / 3],
-  // vertical tine. can't really afford much slop
-  [1.25 + slop / 3, 4.9 + slop / 6 + .005],
-];
+include <../functions.scad>
+include <cherry.scad>
 
-module rounded_cherry_stem(depth, has_brim, slop) {
+module rounded_cherry_stem(depth, slop) {
   difference(){
-    union(){
-      cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d, h=depth);
-      if(has_brim) {
-        cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d * 2, h=$brim_height);
-      }
-    }
+    cylinder(d=$rounded_cherry_stem_d, h=depth);
 
     // inside cross
     // translation purely for aesthetic purposes, to get rid of that awful lattice
-    translate([0,0,-0.005]) {
-      linear_extrude(height = $stem_throw) {
-        square(cherry_cross(slop)[0], center=true);
-        square(cherry_cross(slop)[1], center=true);
-      }
-    }
+    inside_cherry_cross(slop);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/supports/flared.scad b/src/supports/flared.scad
index 73cccc9..4d6a232 100644
--- a/src/supports/flared.scad
+++ b/src/supports/flared.scad
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-// cherry stem dimensions
-// don't wanna introduce slop here so $stem_slop it is I guess
-function outer_cherry_stem() = [7.2 - $stem_slop * 2, 5.5 - $stem_slop * 2];
+include <../functions.scad>
 
 // figures out the scale factor needed to make a 45 degree wall
 function scale_for_45(height, starting_size) = (height * 2 + starting_size) / starting_size;
@@ -18,13 +16,22 @@ module flared(stem_type, loft, height) {
       linear_extrude(height=height, scale = alps_scale){
         square($alps_stem, center=true);
       }
+    } else if (stem_type == "box_cherry") {
+      // always render cherry if no stem type. this includes stem_type = false!
+      // this avoids a bug where the keycap is rendered filled when not desired
+      cherry_scale = [scale_for_45(height, outer_box_cherry_stem($stem_slop)[0]), scale_for_45(height, outer_box_cherry_stem($stem_slop)[1])];
+      linear_extrude(height=height, scale = cherry_scale){
+        offset(r=1){
+          square(outer_box_cherry_stem($stem_slop) - [2,2], center=true);
+        }
+      }
     } else {
       // always render cherry if no stem type. this includes stem_type = false!
       // this avoids a bug where the keycap is rendered filled when not desired
-      cherry_scale = [scale_for_45(height, outer_cherry_stem()[0]), scale_for_45(height, outer_cherry_stem()[1])];
+      cherry_scale = [scale_for_45(height, outer_cherry_stem($stem_slop)[0]), scale_for_45(height, outer_cherry_stem($stem_slop)[1])];
       linear_extrude(height=height, scale = cherry_scale){
         offset(r=1){
-          square(outer_cherry_stem() - [2,2], center=true);
+          square(outer_cherry_stem($stem_slop) - [2,2], center=true);
         }
       }
     }