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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Ripudio on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:02:15

Title: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: Ripudio on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:02:15

This is kind of a specific problem: Basically my MX Clear stems and switch tops are getting pulled off when I remove the keycaps (Leopold PBT). I'm using a plate from Tinnie's group buy on Deskthority, it allows for removing switch tops. Has anyone else had this kind of problem? The Leopold keycaps seem to fit really tightly on the stems.

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:06:06

Clear stems are known to be tighter, you have to be extra careful.

I recommend this keypuller.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45795.msg967098#msg967098

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: Ripudio on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:08:36

Thanks spamray! The whole top comes off, and I can put it all back together just fine. Maybe I'll just avoid changing keycaps. Do you happen to know if tactile gray's have the same problem?

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: jameslr on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:14:56

I recommend using a small amount of white silicone grease on the stems where the caps go on. Makes changing caps on new clears much less stressful.

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: Nuum on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:16:02

Yep, tactile greys have the same problem, they probably use the same slider with a different color.

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:17:38

Quote from: Ripudio on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:08:36

Thanks spamray! The whole top comes off, and I can put it all back together just fine. Maybe I'll just avoid changing keycaps. Do you happen to know if tactile gray's have the same problem?

I have not used tactile grays with a custom plate yet but most likely you will have the same issue.

EDIT: ninja'd, I agree same stem different color.

Also its possible depending on machine tolerances your plate could be looser but most plates I have used with the cutouts have this same issue.

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: Ripudio on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:27:33

Mostly I wanted to be sure I didn't f*#k something up taking the switches apart, thanks everyone for your advice/experiences!

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 13 November 2014, 13:30:13

I loosen them up with a spare switch. Put the cap on and pull it off a few times before installing on the board. Had this sort of trouble with Keycool POM caps on my Clears.

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: AKmalamute on Thu, 13 November 2014, 14:02:32

I managed to destroy a switch that way, but that's mostly because I forgot the board mounts them "upside down" so when I shoved the top back on, it was facing the wrong way ... bye bye contact leaf.

Title: Re: Problem with PCB Mounted Switch w/ Plate
Post by: Ripudio on Fri, 14 November 2014, 10:37:48

For anyone interested, the keycap pulled SpamRay linked works amazingly well. I had to fiddle a bit with the widths to get it to fit between keycaps, but once I had it set the switch doesn't pull apart the way it did when using my MKC puller.