geekhack Community > Keyboards
Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)
_rubik:
--- Quote from: erretter on Thu, 02 May 2024, 17:05:09 ---
--- Quote from: _rubik on Thu, 02 May 2024, 12:24:28 ---
--- Quote from: erretter on Thu, 02 May 2024, 10:26:51 ---I F'd up the top housing of a soldered in switch (complicated to explain; please just take that info, as it is). The switch is still functioning, but wonky.
Q: Can I swap out the top housing of a switch from the top-side without desoldering it?
--- End quote ---
Some plates have notches cut out on either side of the switch to allow the top housing clips bend outward. I haven't seen those in quite a few years though. If the plate is contacting the switch on all four sides, you're going to have to desolder. That said, it's a pretty simple operation and a great excuse to learn to solder. You got this! :thumb:
--- End quote ---
Thank you! Didn't know about the plate specifics. But I have to say, I soldered the switches in by myself, with led free solder and desoldering this is a 50/50 chance damaging the PCB because it's almost impossible to get all the solder out.
--- End quote ---
It's amazing how much of a difference quality solder makes. I usually go with a 63/37 flux core solder which has the advantage of being eutectic -- a single, lower melting point that avoid that "gooey, semi-fluid" solder state you find on some cheaper solders.
For desoldering, I'd recommend getting a good solder pump with a soft tip (hard plastic tips on solder pumps never seal well around the component, IMO). I went through so many cheap suckers before finding the "Engineer Solder Sucker" on Amazon. I always add an extra dab of leaded solder before sucking just to make sure everything's good and melted. It's also more mass for the sucker to grab onto, in my experience.
erretter:
--- Quote from: _rubik on Mon, 06 May 2024, 12:39:38 ---
--- Quote from: erretter on Thu, 02 May 2024, 17:05:09 ---
--- Quote from: _rubik on Thu, 02 May 2024, 12:24:28 ---
--- Quote from: erretter on Thu, 02 May 2024, 10:26:51 ---I F'd up the top housing of a soldered in switch (complicated to explain; please just take that info, as it is). The switch is still functioning, but wonky.
Q: Can I swap out the top housing of a switch from the top-side without desoldering it?
--- End quote ---
Some plates have notches cut out on either side of the switch to allow the top housing clips bend outward. I haven't seen those in quite a few years though. If the plate is contacting the switch on all four sides, you're going to have to desolder. That said, it's a pretty simple operation and a great excuse to learn to solder. You got this! :thumb:
--- End quote ---
Thank you! Didn't know about the plate specifics. But I have to say, I soldered the switches in by myself, with led free solder and desoldering this is a 50/50 chance damaging the PCB because it's almost impossible to get all the solder out.
--- End quote ---
It's amazing how much of a difference quality solder makes. I usually go with a 63/37 flux core solder which has the advantage of being eutectic -- a single, lower melting point that avoid that "gooey, semi-fluid" solder state you find on some cheaper solders.
For desoldering, I'd recommend getting a good solder pump with a soft tip (hard plastic tips on solder pumps never seal well around the component, IMO). I went through so many cheap suckers before finding the "Engineer Solder Sucker" on Amazon. I always add an extra dab of leaded solder before sucking just to make sure everything's good and melted. It's also more mass for the sucker to grab onto, in my experience.
--- End quote ---
TY! I found that pump. Might give it a try or.... I use this wobbly switch to build the next board :-X
jeffs:
What are good search terms for relatively recent information and opinions on ortholinear layouts keyboards, especially reduced size options?
The following did not seem to be very fruitful:
* ortholinear
* Planck
* OLKB
* 4x12
Edit: Other resources are also welcome.
5443:
where can I buy keyboard O rings in Toronto, Canada?
something thin and soft, like 40A thin, for cherry MX brown switches
shipping from the US is outrageous! I was shocked at the prices, so there must be something cheaper locally, or at least shipped from Canada? (or perhaps shipped from China?)
fohat.digs:
--- Quote from: 5443 on Sun, 07 July 2024, 07:15:55 ---
shipping from the US is outrageous!
shipped from China?
--- End quote ---
Outbound international shipping from the US is notoriously expensive. It was always high, but in the last decade or 2 it has skyrocketed, even to our nearest friends.
Shipping from China is nearly free. If you can wait 3+ weeks you can get merchandise at a fraction of the price.
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