geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jblack801 on Fri, 01 July 2011, 00:01:20
-
I'm sure it's been covered before, but I can't seem to locate it here.
So, upon receipt of my new keys from round 3, in order to make it easier for installing the new gh backspace, I pulled the caps off the surrounding keys. I have a key puller and it's not been a problem before. However, when pulling my right bracket key, the stem broke right at the base.
Now, my problem I can't seem to locate any cherry MX brown single switches, or stems. I am however able to find blues and the like.
Does anyone know where (aside from salvaging them from a retired board) I can locate some single switches to replace this stem?
If not, what would you recommend I do? replace the switch with another less used key and put in a black or red switch in it's place?
Any help would be great. I'm still somewhat new to the mechanical keyboard world, but I'm comfortable with opening it up and swapping things around. Thanks!!!
-
Yeah, if all else fails, just cannibalize your spacebar switch and put a black switch in its place.
-
is your board PCB mounted? if it is, then just swap out the Pause/break stem.
-
In the mean time, can you get the broken stem piece out of the keycap? Since it's a bracket key that isn't overly common to use, you could try to superglue the stem piece back on (get as much on there as possible without interfering with the switch. Then carefully replace the keycap after drying, and be aware if you ever try to remove that key cap again it will break again. It may break again anyway during use, but it's something to try, and may last until you locate a replacement switch.
-
It's a Noppoo Choc Mini, my pause key is also used as my Print Screen (Damn you weird layout mini keyboards).
So I'm guessing nobody has purchased a single brown switch in the past? I searched for quite a while and find mouser.com which seemed really decent pricing, just offered every switch but brown unfortunately.
I'm guessing my best option then would probably be to pick up another switch and swap the stems for a less used key. Now, is the switch the same to the extent that I could just pop the cap off it, swap the stem with another key and call it good? Or if I'm going to rock a black switch, do I need to actually unsolder it and take a bit more time with it?
Thanks for your help guys.
On a side note, even though there's a key missing now my board looks pretty sweet with the new doubleshots (pics will be up this evening hopefully).
-
Unfortunately I think the Noppoo Choc Mini is plate mounted, so you wouldn't be able to replace/swap switches without desoldering.
-
Brown switches on the bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cherry-MX-Series-keyboard-brown-switch-replacement-/250840018651?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3a673aeedb)
-
Brown switches on the bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cherry-MX-Series-keyboard-brown-switch-replacement-/250840018651?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3a673aeedb)
I completely didn't even think to check ebay.... Thank you so much!!!! Just purchased 2.
-
Too late...
I have a lot of brown stems/switches, if anyone is interested just pm me.
-
Too late...
I have a lot of brown stems/switches, if anyone is interested just pm me.
Well crap... I already placed my order.
Thanks for the offer though. I appreciate it.
Now, I need to figure out how to get the remaining stem out of the left bracket key.
-
Now, I need to figure out how to get the remaining stem out of the left bracket key.
Yeah I was thinking about that. Are there any uneven parts you could grab with needle nose pliers?
-
Now, I need to figure out how to get the remaining stem out of the left bracket key.
If they are tightly coupled i think that a dremel with an ultra fine point and a lot of patience could be the only way.
If I remember correctly something similar was happened to someone at deskthority, maybe was an alps switch.
-
Could try sticking it in the freezer for a bit and then smacking the keycap on a table, maybe you'll get lucky and it pops out slightly
-
Easy.
Follow advice from Desthority.net (http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=430&hilit=pull+stem). Take a look at my pics of the White Filco Ninja! while you are there.
Yeah, exactly the thread I meant.
Sometimes your memory is surprisingly short, sometimes surprisingly good.
Puzzling :happy:
-
Sweet. I happen to have some of the tools these suggestions speak of. I'll give it a try, thank you good people of GH.
Also, ripster; I see no such thread about your elusive white ninja.
I think my speech changes as the day progresses and I get more coffe into my system, fyi.
-
Ah, there she is... Pretty slick looking.
Man, I need to get more boards. Just one isn't cutting it for me.