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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Chris_F on Sun, 17 June 2012, 12:16:16

Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: Chris_F on Sun, 17 June 2012, 12:16:16
So what exactly is it about plate mounted switches that prevents you from removing stem and spring without desoldering?

(http:// http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/key/images/mx_mntop.gif)

My experience is only with PCB mounted keyboards, but from the diagram I don't see why exactly you would need to desolder the switch.
Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: MMB on Sun, 17 June 2012, 12:20:11
You can't remove the housing for the switch without de-soldering the leads on the PCB.

The tabs that release the two-halves of the housing are impossible to separate with the plate in between, pressing the tabs in, preventing them from releasing.
Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 17 June 2012, 17:22:50
Quote from: MagicMeatball;615544
You can't remove the housing for the switch without de-soldering the leads on the PCB.

The tabs that release the two-halves of the housing are impossible to separate with the plate in between, pressing the tabs in, preventing them from releasing.
Yep. Now if you could somehow get between the plate and PCB, it could in theory be possible. Or if your plate has holes in it like the phantom.
Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: MMB on Sun, 17 June 2012, 17:24:25
Quote from: dorkvader;615737
Yep. Now if you could somehow get between the plate and PCB, it could in theory be possible. Or if your plate has holes in it like the phantom.

Quite frankly, it would be easier to de-solder than to do that :)
Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: Chris_F on Sun, 17 June 2012, 17:42:20
Yes, I was just looking at the Phantom. I was mostly interested in whether or not it would be possible to have a plate mounted design which still allowed for easy spring replacement.
Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 17 June 2012, 22:35:03
Quote from: Chris_F;615749
Yes, I was just looking at the Phantom. I was mostly interested in whether or not it would be possible to have a plate mounted design which still allowed for easy spring replacement.

I haven't tried it personally (yet), but I'm encouraged by litster's videos:
[video=youtube;HLQzFEdBTvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQzFEdBTvQ&feature=plcp[/video]
[video=youtube;HysRQnJiupQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HysRQnJiupQ&feature=plcp[/video]
Title: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
Post by: MMB on Sun, 17 June 2012, 23:01:01
Quote from: dorkvader;615944
I haven't tried it personally (yet), but I'm encouraged by litster's videos:
[video=youtube;HLQzFEdBTvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQzFEdBTvQ&feature=plcp[/video]
[video=youtube;HysRQnJiupQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HysRQnJiupQ&feature=plcp[/video]

As I was saying... would be easier to de-solder :P