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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Twilight on Sat, 26 March 2011, 11:25:29

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: Twilight on Sat, 26 March 2011, 11:25:29

So, I bought a TG3 BL82 four month ago and now I want something new, cause I don't really like the linearity of the build in MX-Blacks.
I think, clears would be the best choice, but I like the other features of the TG3: Illumination and tenkeyless(ness? :D)
Also, a new Déck Legend with clears would cost about 200$ + shipping, if they'd ship it to Germany.

So I thought I could exchange the blacks with clears.

Problem 1 -> were to buy? This community could be the solution...
Problem 2 -> has someone experience with a switch switch (:)) at TG3 boards?
I've seen a thread at the subboard "modifications" with a TG3 BL83, that looked exactly like the BL82. The author had to unsolder every switch to extract it, so I am a little confused, cause I saw Youtube video, where the author just took the switches out and pressed the new down on the pcb.

Is there somewhere a modding FAQ for mechanical keyboards? I searched, but I didn't find any :(

Finally, the end. I hope I posted in the right subboard (modifications seems to be for finished or WIP projects, not for questions) and I hope I chose the right words, so you can understand me :D
Excuse some mistakes in language, but feel free to correct me ;)

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: RiGS on Sat, 26 March 2011, 11:30:30

You have to desolder the switches on plate mounted keyboards.

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 26 March 2011, 11:31:04

Bid $40 for one of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/REFURBISHED-CHERRY-Keyboard-G80-8113HRBUS-2-/290392734351?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439cc17a8f). Great for stripping clears from.

My favorite tool is the nail pick from a manicure set.

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: Twilight on Sat, 26 March 2011, 11:44:40

hurr durr
This will take some time, I think. Do I have to remove the LEDs, even if I don't want to exchange them, too?

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: Twilight on Sat, 26 March 2011, 12:04:26

I never desoldered a keyboard, so I might be a little too enthusiastic, but the PCB seems to have four holes per switch. Should be not that hard, even if those solder joints are the smallest things that I ever would (de-)solder.

As a newb, their might be something, I haven't seen, so enlighten me please. (no irony intended)

Thank you for your helpful answers!

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: Ascaii on Sat, 26 March 2011, 12:33:41

send a pm to Half-Saint, he modded his tg3 Bl82 extensively, full LED switch and switch change to blues.

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: Ekaros on Sat, 26 March 2011, 17:26:19

I would go with G80-3000LQCDE for switches, basicly allows you to get feel at first, free set of caps with it, also relatively affordable likely under 50€ shipped inside Germany.

EDIT: Hmm, not sure if the G80 is PCB-mounted, so not suitable for this... Still are housings combatible?

Title: switch the switch - n00b wants clears instead of blacks
Post by: Ascaii on Sun, 27 March 2011, 02:45:08

Quote from: Ekaros;319156

I would go with G80-3000LQCDE for switches, basicly allows you to get feel at first, free set of caps with it, also relatively affordable likely under 50€ shipped inside Germany.

EDIT: Hmm, not sure if the G80 is PCB-mounted, so not suitable for this... Still are housings combatible?

g80-1800, 1000, 3000 are pcb switches. I'Äve sold several for switch mods already.