geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SykesTheLord on Mon, 23 November 2020, 01:57:41
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So I'm new to the hobby but really like the KBD8X MKII but want to make it hotswap so that I can try different switches. I have gotten very mixed messages on whether or not you can install mill-max sockets on a top mount keyboard. Sorry if this is a stupid question but I can't find any specific answer anywhere. So is it possible?
Thanks
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The only issue i would see with that is that you are putting all the weight of the pcb onto the sockets so it may work at 1st but eventually you will likely have bad contacts developing and have to reseat the board.
so for the short term should work as expected but in the long term may not work nearly as long.
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So I would have to disassemble it every couple weeks/month?
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So I would have to disassemble it every couple weeks/month?
i never tried but i would expect it to last shorter and shorter amount of time as the pins and sockets deform. at 1st i would more expect a month or two but as i said i never tried, just trying to guess from physics and experiences with sockets and connectors.
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Pin-holes in PCBs tend to vary a bit between different PCBs. Mill-max and Holtite sockets don't fit all of them.
Not all switches' pins fit in Mill-max and and Holtite sockets.
These types of sockets tend to wear out after a number of swaps, and maybe from use as well.
The KBD8X MKII has PCB-mounted stabilisers... I'm not sure about the stability of sockets with PCB-mount stabs. Maybe someone else has tried that combo?
BTW, "top-mounted plate" means that the plate is bolted into the top part of the keyboard case, as opposed to the bottom part or both.
The PCB is supposed to hang from the switches' solder joints. You might have to disassemble the case and lift out the plate-PCB sandwich and place it onto a towel/foam/whatever whenever you are swapping switches.