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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: vatin on Tue, 14 April 2020, 11:03:34

Title: Difficulty in removing hotswap switch
Post by: vatin on Tue, 14 April 2020, 11:03:34

Hi,

I'm desperately need to remove a hotswappable switch from the OLKB PREONIC MECHANICAL KEYBOARD KIT, V3,
because need to fix a some bent pin underneath. But the switch top always came apart no matter how firm I pressed on the switch puller. I need to remove the entire switch from the board, not removing the switch top. Please help.

Title: Re: Difficulty in removing hotswap switch
Post by: Maledicted on Tue, 14 April 2020, 13:01:49

I haven't jumped into the hotswap game yet. With everything going on with COVID, even though I already ordered the parts to assemble my first LEGO board, it seems like that may still be far off. It appears that that plate allows for disassembly of the switch without removing the switch though? That seems like a curious design choice to me for a board that's hot swappable anyway.

I have done a lot of switch desoldering and swapping, in conventional plates, and I have never had this happen, so I imagine that design quirk is the cause. Could you try getting a guitar pick (or spudger if you don't have these superior tools) wedged between the lip of the switch housing and the plate, or use some precision tweezers to try to get a grip on something to try to pop at least one side of the switch out, then the other?

Title: Re: Difficulty in removing hotswap switch
Post by: vatin on Wed, 15 April 2020, 01:14:41

 Thanks. I'll try

Title: Re: Difficulty in removing hotswap switch
Post by: Tom_Kazansky on Wed, 15 April 2020, 09:39:59

make sure you have proper tool to remove the switch

[attach=1]

the switch has nibs (pointed to by blue arrow) that allow it to clip on the plate and make it sit more rigidly.

you must use "switch puller" or something that can push the nibs inward (check the red arrow), then you can pull the switch out.

[attachimg=2]

Title: Re: Difficulty in removing hotswap switch
Post by: vatin on Thu, 16 April 2020, 10:31:09

Thank you for the detailed explanation with pics. Finally I've able to remove the switch easily. I've been doing the wrong thing all along, by trying to grip the other way round and disassembled the switch every time I pulled. This is truly a life saver. I can now remove the switch, and found out that the pins are bent.

Quote from: Tom_Kazansky on Wed, 15 April 2020, 09:39:59

make sure you have proper tool to remove the switch

(Attachment Link)

the switch has nibs (pointed to by blue arrow) that allow it to clip on the plate and make it sit more rigidly.

you must use "switch puller" or something that can push the nibs inward (check the red arrow), then you can pull the switch out.

(Attachment Link)

Title: Re: Difficulty in removing hotswap switch
Post by: Maledicted on Thu, 16 April 2020, 10:40:16

Quote from: vatin on Thu, 16 April 2020, 10:31:09

Thank you for the detailed explanation with pics. Finally I've able to remove the switch easily. I've been doing the wrong thing all along, by trying to grip the other way round and disassembled the switch every time I pulled. This is truly a life saver. I can now remove the switch, and found out that the pins are bent.

I didn't even know that there could be clearance to try to pry with a switch puller on the wrong sides. Glad that worked out then.