Please help! Pulled stem right off the switch

[onlyjjp]

Hello all,
I recently purchased a Choc Mini and bought some O-rings to dampen the sound a bit. Upon trying to take the windows key out, the whole stem came off along with the keycap http://imgur.com/pfbKrCo
I have no idea how to put it back on and I need some help. I would greatly appreciate it, thank you!

[SpAmRaY]

You will have to desolder the switch and most likely need to replace it with a new switch and resolder. You might get away with simply reassembling the desoldered switch but it may not work depending on if anything was damaged.

[onlyjjp]

Is there no other easier way than to desolder? I honestly have no clue how to perform it and even with watching reviews I feel I will be too scared to even test it as this is my first mechanical keyboard.
Would it be an option to just press the stem down from the top? I might just leave it as is since its just the windows key.

[CPTBadAss]

You can certainly try it but I'm 95% sure you'll have to desolder it.

[Puddsy]

If it's a plate mounted board (so pretty much any modern board that isn't an OG poker), you will have to desolder, unfortunately. It's a lot easier than you think.

[Lastpilot]

If you don't know anybody locally who can do it, I'll fix it for free as long as you cover shipping. :]

[onlyjjp]

Thanks everyone for the replies. It looks as if it is indeed metal plated so the only way is to desolder.
I sent you a PM Lastpilot.

[onlyjjp]

I just wanted to share my positive experience I had with Lastpilot. One word, AWESOME!
What actually caught me by surprise was besides the fact that he was going to fix my keyboard for free, he offered to install super bright LED's for the CAPSLOCK, NUMLOCK, and SCRLOCK just so it makes it worthwhile for me as I covered the cost of shipping both ways. Not only that, he included a geekhack keycap! These extras did not have to be offered as fixing my keyboard for free was more than I could as for, but he went above and beyond.
He had been very responsive and helpful each step of the way and even sent me pictures of the process(posted below).

[Lastpilot]

I'll be doing free simple fixes for a while, just PM me for now if you need it. Services thread will be opening sometime tomorrow with more details!  :]

[tp4tissue]

 

[absyrd]

I just wanted to share my positive experience I had with Lastpilot. One word, AWESOME!
What actually caught me by surprise was besides the fact that he was going to fix my keyboard for free, he offered to install super bright LED's for the CAPSLOCK, NUMLOCK, and SCRLOCK just so it makes it worthwhile for me as I covered the cost of shipping both ways. Not only that, he included a geekhack keycap! These extras did not have to be offered as fixing my keyboard for free was more than I could as for, but he went above and beyond.
He had been very responsive and helpful each step of the way and even sent me pictures of the process(posted below).

Show Image

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Wow. Way to go the extra mile, Lastpilot!

[rowdy]

I just wanted to share my positive experience I had with Lastpilot. One word, AWESOME!
What actually caught me by surprise was besides the fact that he was going to fix my keyboard for free, he offered to install super bright LED's for the CAPSLOCK, NUMLOCK, and SCRLOCK just so it makes it worthwhile for me as I covered the cost of shipping both ways. Not only that, he included a geekhack keycap! These extras did not have to be offered as fixing my keyboard for free was more than I could as for, but he went above and beyond.
He had been very responsive and helpful each step of the way and even sent me pictures of the process(posted below).

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Wow. Way to go the extra mile, Lastpilot!

+1

Excellent service - but setting the bar high for himself :p

[absyrd]

+1

Excellent service - but setting the bar high for himself

Haha. Yeah... be careful or you might get bombarded with requests.

[dorkvader]

he's also way better at taking pictures than I am. Way to go lastpilot!

[rowdy]

So would this qualify Lastpilot for a Maker's badge?

[Magna224]

A friend of mine pulled a switch stem right out the top of the switch on a quickfire rapid. I just crammed it back in and it worked fine for the 2 years I had the keyboard. (I think it would be pretty risky to do but I didn't really care and it worked out.) The normal way is desoldering and opening the switch up and putting it back in like everyone has said.

[rowdy]

A friend of mine pulled a switch stem right out the top of the switch on a quickfire rapid. I just crammed it back in and it worked fine for the 2 years I had the keyboard. (I think it would be pretty risky to do but I didn't really care and it worked out.) The normal way is desoldering and opening the switch up and putting it back in like everyone has said.

You can be lucky

But there again these are quite small parts involved, and it doesn't take much damage to one part to render the switch useless.

[henz]

stupid question, but why didnt it work to remove the top cover?

[kohi]

stupid question, but why didnt it work to remove the top cover?

the switch cover? probably cause it's plate mounted. i think you can only pop it open if it's a pcb mounted switch or if you have a custom plate that allows the top to be removed

[Oobly]

stupid question, but why didnt it work to remove the top cover?

the switch cover? probably cause it's plate mounted. i think you can only pop it open if it's a pcb mounted switch or if you have a custom plate that allows the top to be removed

^^This. Normal plate mounted boards don't have cutouts in the plate around the switch to allow you to remove the switch tops, so you have to desolder the switch and remove it from the plate / PCB assembly in order top open it.