How often can you desolder and resolder a board/pcb?

[DuckNorris]

Hey guys I know a lot of custom build kits are not really hot swap so you ofc need to desolder switches if you want to change them. I am not too familiar with this but say if done right, is there really a risk if one desolder and solders a board more than once?

Just like worried of something happening if I buy a used custom board and fry something and got no replacement parts 

[wholypantalones]

I'm up to three times desoldering a TX87KIN L3 pcb, then I stuck mil max sockets in it and use it in a CLS.

[Hyde]

All depending on your soldering skills, after 2 desolder and resolder I've ruined 2 sockets, and then I had to ghetto fix it.  So it works perfectly fine for now but it will not allow future desolder anymore.

So if you think you'll be installing/removing all switches a few times it's best to buy a keyboard that support quick swap.

That being said, usually there's always a fix it's just I'm not skilled enough to fix the broken socket properly.  If you're only going to do it 1 more time it should be ok.  But then it also depends on how many times the previous owner swapped his switches.

[shansoft]

If you are using desoldering gun, then it can pretty much last as long as you want.

If not, then 1-2 desoldering probably will screw up the plate.

Hence why I usually buy multiple PCB just to be cautious.

Now I much prefer hotswap PCB due to this very reason. 

[_rubik]

Never if I can help it.

That said, I'm perfectly comfortable the first time round. I'll hesitate the second time, but have never run into a problem. Going three or beyond is asking for trouble unless you have the proper tools.

[Sup]

So long you use flux paste i don't think there can go much wrong i think i desolderd my AEK64 like 3 times once. No difference after the first desoldering.

[DuckNorris]

Thank you guys and in this post you also gave me recommendations for soldering tools 

I will keep this in mind but also sadly many times for old keyboard kits there is only one PCB so will give me more confidence in purchasing a used keyboard

[tp4tissue]

Even with good technique,  It comes down to what the lacquer is designed for..

Very budget boards are more/less solder once.  On these boards, even if you're good/fast, the lacquer will just melt, and the traces become unreliable.

[tedfs3]

I was wondering this myself as I'd really like to desolder a board and use my own switches and have the benefit of keeping the case.