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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: zombiegristle on Fri, 04 March 2016, 08:37:02

Title: Modifying Cherry switches to make them lock?
Post by: zombiegristle on Fri, 04 March 2016, 08:37:02

Is it possible to modify existing Cherry switches to turn them into locking switches that stay down until pressed again? I want to DIY some locking modifier keys on my current keyboard and this seems like it might be preferable to taking it apart and desoldering/replacing the switches entirely.

Title: Re: Modifying Cherry switches to make them lock?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 04 March 2016, 08:41:05

Do you mean a software/firmware solution?

That would depend on the specific keyboard.

Title: Re: Modifying Cherry switches to make them lock?
Post by: zombiegristle on Fri, 04 March 2016, 08:49:05

No, I mean modifying the switches so they physical stay depressed until pressed a second time to release back to their original position. Like the old-school locking capslock keys some had. I can buy Cherry MX Lock switched from ortholinear, but I'm wondering if anybody's tried a DIY method that could be easily applied to an already-assembled board without too much surgery.

Title: Re: Modifying Cherry switches to make them lock?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 04 March 2016, 09:01:43

I'm not seeing how it would be possible or any better than just swapping in a lock switch.