geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Shyfe on Mon, 10 August 2009, 14:45:36

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: Shyfe on Mon, 10 August 2009, 14:45:36

i want to remove one from one keyboard and put it in another. help please?

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 10 August 2009, 16:42:24

do you know how to use a soldering pencil?

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: Shyfe on Mon, 10 August 2009, 17:17:32

no

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 10 August 2009, 17:38:40

that could be a problem. You will have to unsolder the switch from the PCB in order to move it. You can get a soldering pencil at radio shack, along with some wire braid.
If you have never soldered before I would suggest not tackling a keyboard first. The reason is that you don't want to overheat the keyswitch, doing so will ruin it. Not sure what I would have you practice on first though.

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 10 August 2009, 18:33:26

find someone who has a lot of practice soldering...

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: sixty on Mon, 10 August 2009, 18:43:31

There is this guy on youtube who for some reason seems to be into collecting diapers and wearing them. But that is none of my business to judge, he got a mighty good video on how to do exactly what you asked for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgQvmF3zOk

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: mmgoose on Mon, 10 August 2009, 20:36:41

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgQvmF3zOk

youtube's down atm though.

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: rdjack21 on Mon, 10 August 2009, 21:44:15

For something to learn on go to your local Goodwill or salvation army and buy the cheapest computer that is laying around. Then take it apart and use any of the circuit boards you find in the computer to learn how to solder. For this exercise you really want to concentrate on through hole parts. Surface mount parts can come later. So start removing anything that goes through the board (Headers, Caps) Stick to the little stuff don't wast your time trying to remove one of the expansion slot connectors put you can use the pins to practice on.

NOTE: If you have any old computers laying around use those instead of buying one. Old computers are a great source for learning how to do all kinds of electronics work.

Title: how would i remove a white alps switch?
Post by: rdjack21 on Mon, 10 August 2009, 23:33:53

Quote from: ripster;108789

Just don't pop open any recently used power suppliers and practice on the caps.  ZZZZAP!

Oh man you are ruining all the fun for him... But yea don't play with big caps. I put my arm across on in a AC unit when I was younger and it threw me across the room. Now that was a ZZZZAP!!!!