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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: happyturtlee on Sun, 31 October 2021, 20:14:23

Title: Which switch to bridge
Post by: happyturtlee on Sun, 31 October 2021, 20:14:23

I was trying to desolder a switch, and I think I lifted the solder pads on my "F" key (circled). I read that you can bridge to another switch. Does anyone know which connections I need to make to fix this? Would really appreciate the help.

https://imgur.com/a/Dxnc10C

I know my soldering is bad... only the second time I've done it.

Title: Re: Which switch to bridge
Post by: happyturtlee on Mon, 01 November 2021, 00:56:33

Fixed it! Trial and error lol

Title: Re: Which switch to bridge
Post by: Maledicted on Mon, 01 November 2021, 08:05:15

Quote from: happyturtlee on Mon, 01 November 2021, 00:56:33

Fixed it! Trial and error lol

Nice.  :thumb: I usually do the same. I just strip some scrap wire, solder it to the good leg, plug the keyboard in, and just touch it to the opposite leg of nearby switches until it registers as it should, desolder the scrap wire and jump the bad one to the closest pad that works.

It is a lot faster than trying to figure out the matrix.

It might be a good idea to put a dab of hot glue on the leg that corresponds with the lifted pad too, since those pads are also all that holds the switch into place besides the plate (if there is one).

Your soldering doesn't look too bad at all for just starting (considering you were probably intentionally playing with the switch with issues). If you don't have a good 60/40 solder and/or some extra flux and a decent soldering iron, it isn't always going to be pretty. I know I started with some really crappy hardware store equipment.