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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: spolia optima on Mon, 28 June 2010, 05:05:59

Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: spolia optima on Mon, 28 June 2010, 05:05:59
Anyone taking apart PCB-mounted MX switches must know how much of a ***** it is to remove that upper casing. How do you guys go about this?

I use a 2-pronged pickle fork with the tips bent upward. Something like this:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11430&stc=1&d=1277719344)

The pickle fork seems to work fine, but there could be an easier way. I have tried several IC pullers and none of them fit *just right*. I'd like to get some input from GH on this.

Thanks!
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 28 June 2010, 06:09:19
Same way I open Alps - two screwdrivers on either side.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: jensma on Mon, 28 June 2010, 06:45:13
This is my disassembly tool:
(http://www.npshare.de/files/816b2c3a/tangle_my_spangle.png)
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: kriminal on Mon, 28 June 2010, 07:03:27
well i think he is talking about actually disassembling the cherry switch itself and not popping caps.
however i think this topic was discussed,... with an item similiar what was suggested by the OP sometime ago..
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: noctua on Mon, 28 June 2010, 07:37:41
i use an straightened paper clip..

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11125&d=1276623649)
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: kwang2009 on Mon, 28 June 2010, 07:42:13
I did a bit of shopping for this and I ended up with an IC puller. Its not perfect and like everything else it pulls one side at a time (it would take way too much force to get both sides to come loose at the same time). The next thing I'll try are these dentist looking picks. They should work fine but really just anything that can direct force as precisely as possible would be the least likely to have parts flying all over the place.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: kwang2009 on Mon, 28 June 2010, 07:44:31
Quote from: noctua;197126
i use an straightened paper clip..

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11125&d=1276623649)

How does this work?
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: Rajagra on Mon, 28 June 2010, 07:49:02
You seem to have the tool right. The trick is using it to pull the locking tabs sideways with it. First on one side, then the other. Hold the housing while releasing the second side, or it can fly up under spring pressure.

My tool:
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5054&d=1255001310) (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=123847&postcount=10)

Thread: How do you take apart Cherry Switches? (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=123847#post123847)
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Mon, 28 June 2010, 08:11:44
I've been using a carefully bent pickle fork too. I found it pretty scary at first, as it feels like I'm ripping the switch apart, but I've done 200+ switches that way without any damage.
I'm also putting a sheet of clear plastic wrap over the board and my hands to catch flyaway springs.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 28 June 2010, 08:47:18
Small screwdrivers.

(http://www.ace-technik.de/dokumente/artikel/FotoGross/705684.jpg)
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: 1839cc on Mon, 28 June 2010, 11:13:33
Paper clip FTW.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: Infinite north on Mon, 28 June 2010, 12:21:27
I ruined a fork and it didn't really work for me. so I ended up using a modified computer card slot cover. the narrow end is almost the perfect width and the metal is soft enough that it's easy to work with but not too soft to bend back.

(http://www2.pccables.com/images/07100.jpg)
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: 1839cc on Mon, 28 June 2010, 12:30:44
Quote from: Infinite north;197226
I ruined a fork and it didn't really work for me. so I ended up using a modified computer card slot cover. the narrow end is almost the perfect width and the metal is soft enough that it's easy to work with but not too soft to bend back.
I use those to pry off keys.

I tried one (unmodified) to release a Cherry switch housing, but couldn't make it work. I may try bending one later to see if it works better than a paper clip.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: elbowglue on Mon, 28 June 2010, 13:04:16
I use something really close to these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350369595932&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXS%3F&GUID=bb7326341260a0b583010041ffdcc632&itemid=350369595932&ff4=263602_263622#ht_1650wt_754

I just use the curved tip to pry up at the bottom of the lateral edge of the switch.

For the more buried switches like the esc on a MX 11800 (which is surround by case) I use paperclips and instert them straight down into the tabs on the side.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: spolia optima on Mon, 28 June 2010, 13:06:42
Quote from: ripster;197212
Design challenge.

Somebody make one that releases all 4 tabs at the same time.

Pics or it isn't real.


this is what I'm talking about. I'm thinking dual pickle forks made into a pair of tongs.
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: spolia optima on Mon, 28 June 2010, 13:13:43
Quote from: Rajagra;197130
You seem to have the tool right. The trick is using it to pull the locking tabs sideways with it. First on one side, then the other. Hold the housing while releasing the second side, or it can fly up under spring pressure.

My tool:
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5054&d=1255001310) (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=123847&postcount=10)


Thread: How do you take apart Cherry Switches? (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=123847#post123847)


Why do I always post topics that have already been covered before? :(

also, I have that same IC puller. Those things are infinitely useful. I should have bought 20 of 'em the last time they were on eBay for a buck. They're ALMOST perfect for taking apart the MX, just need to be filed down a tad bit- maybe weld a couple forks on there.

Did you get that pickle fork online btw?
Title: Re: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: bsvP585hUO2Y6 on Mon, 28 June 2010, 16:42:04
kwang wrote on 6144 September 1993:

> Quote:
>
>     Originally Posted by noctua View Pos
>
>     [attach]
>
> How does this work?

Do you mean those pretty diodes? They make a term in the following
equation non-zero:

nkro bliss = diodes * nkro wiring * nkro controller * proper interface
Title: Cherry MX disassembly tool?
Post by: Rajagra on Mon, 28 June 2010, 19:45:07
Quote from: spolia optima;197261
Did you get that pickle fork online btw?


There were 4 of them in a chocolate fondue set (that I bought for the candle warming part of the setup.) The width of the prongs was an exact match for the tabs on the side of the MX switches.

(http://www.g-ray.co.uk/pictures/lathbowl.JPG)

I modified the other forks to have assorted sizes of hooks, so it's too late for me to use two at once on a Cherry switch.