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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 12 September 2012, 14:48:48

Title: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 12 September 2012, 14:48:48

Ok, so I have a set of feng's zinc arrow keys on my Ducky DK1087.  They fit rather tightly on the key stem, and I was wondering if there is a safe way to remove them without pulling out the stem? I want to be able to remove them when my DDR arrow keys arrive.

Any ideas on how I can do this without damaging the key switches?

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: longweight on Wed, 12 September 2012, 15:01:41

Carefully! I can't think of a way to make sure that the stem doesn't come out, this is why I never fitted the zinc caps to my Filco.

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 12 September 2012, 15:12:55

Easy, just desolder the switch! LOL.

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: DanGWanG on Wed, 12 September 2012, 15:14:29

I'd take a combination of what the above 2 posters said...

- Carefully try to pull it out...
- If that fails, get ready to desolder =)

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 12 September 2012, 15:15:46

Ok, thanks for the suggestions... I'll try CAREFULLY removing them when I get home. Hopefully I don't break any switches in the process...

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 12 September 2012, 19:05:34

I would see about cutting some thick flexible material, and putting it under the keycap. It'd provide something to pull against, and may help the stem stay in place.

I thought about fabricating something when I pulled off my anodyzed aluminium keycaps, but I was able to manage.

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: raisinbun on Wed, 12 September 2012, 22:53:21

I sanded the inside of the stem of my metal keycaps before mounting them...  :rolleyes:

Title: Re: Zinc Arrow keys
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Fri, 14 September 2012, 06:41:31

Well luckily I was able to remove the caps without pulling out any of the stems, so it's all good now. Thanks guys for the help!