Fixing KBC Poker stabilizer

[Mainian]

Hey guys, I broke a stabilizer on the 'E' key of my KBC Poker a few months ago and haven't been using it.

I thought it was a solder joint, but when I took it apart on Friday I saw that it was the stabilizer.

Does anyone know how to fix one of these? I've never done anything internally to any of my keyboards so far.

Google hasn't really helped.

[jdcarpe]

I'm not really sure what you mean by "stabilizer." What we call stabilizers are only on the spacebar, shifts, enter, and backspace. Can you post a picture.

[Mainian]

Derp. That's right. I'm refering to one of the mounting joints I guess. It is on the backside of the PCB.  I'll try to take a picture when I have time to pull it apart later tonight.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Picture will tell all.

[Mainian]

Picture will tell all.

http://postimage.org/image/b8kmj8kmv/

Link with blue circle around what's broken.

[The_Beast]

Picture will tell all.

http://postimage.org/image/b8kmj8kmv/

Link with blue circle around what's broken.

I wouldn't worry about it. That's just a pin used to make sure the switch is mounted correctly on the PCB.

[Mainian]

Picture will tell all.

http://postimage.org/image/b8kmj8kmv/

Link with blue circle around what's broken.

I wouldn't worry about it. That's just a pin used to make sure the switch is mounted correctly on the PCB.

Lol.. I'm aware. It's causing typing issues with the E. Can I simply fix it by gluing it or something? I don't know what glue / hot glue would do to a PCB.

[SmallFry]

I believe that you may have an issue with that switch. The hole you are trying to fix requires no fixing. The PCB looks just fine. That hole, as Beast said, is for alignment. Perhaps replace the switch.

[Mainian]

I believe that you may have an issue with that switch. The hole you are trying to fix requires no fixing. The PCB looks just fine. That hole, as Beast said, is for alignment. Perhaps replace the switch.

Thanks for the input. I'll look into buying one (probably gonna have to buy some though ... considering how people sell them).

[jdcarpe]

I'll send you a free PCB mount switch. Just PM me your address, and what type of switch (i.e. Black, Red, Blue, Brown).

[SmallFry]

Do you know how to solder, first?

[WhiteFireDragon]

Mainian, so you have equipment to desolder and solder? It's pointless if jdcarpe sends you switches when you can't even change them out. For now, just open up that bad switch and verify that the contact point is bad first.

And from your pic, it looks like it wasn't even soldered in correctly. The large round plastic part doesn't even go all the way through that PCB hole.

[Mainian]

Mainian, so you have equipment to desolder and solder? It's pointless if jdcarpe sends you switches when you can't even change them out. For now, just open up that bad switch and verify that the contact point is bad first.

And from your pic, it looks like it wasn't even soldered in correctly. The large round plastic part doesn't even go all the way through that PCB hole.

Do you know how to solder, first?

Yeah, I have access to the equipment. I haven't soldered in years, but I have friends who have been doing it all throughout senior design.

Additionally, this is from a retailer and I've done nothing with the board besides take it apart to take the pictures.

I'll send you a free PCB mount switch. Just PM me your address, and what type of switch (i.e. Black, Red, Blue, Brown).

Thanks man! PM sent. It is a black switch.

[Mainian]

Question for anyone that knows.

Was talking to a friend today about desoldering the old key. Should I use an air gun or a desoldering tip? I'm an engineering student with access to electronics labs. So if you have any other suggestion, I might be able to do it

[alaricljs]

Not air.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Was talking to a friend today about desoldering the old key. Should I use an air gun or a desoldering tip? I'm an engineering student with access to electronics labs. So if you have any other suggestion, I might be able to do it

Use hot air to desolder if you want your plastic switches to go into a complete nuclear meltdown, and your keyboard will explode with the energy of 1000 supernovas, and afterwards the universe will collapse on itself.

In other words, just a standard iron with pump or wick braid 

[Mainian]

Was talking to a friend today about desoldering the old key. Should I use an air gun or a desoldering tip? I'm an engineering student with access to electronics labs. So if you have any other suggestion, I might be able to do it

Use hot air to desolder if you want your plastic switches to go into a complete nuclear meltdown, and your keyboard will explode with the energy of 1000 supernovas, and afterwards the universe will collapse on itself.

In other words, just a standard iron with pump or wick braid 

Thanks, we were going to go with the air gun...