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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: math225r on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:11:50

Title: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: math225r on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:11:50

I just got my things for my first keyboard and without thinking i started popping the switches into the plate. Then later i realized that i won't be able to place it into the pcb properly (I have a hotswap pcb). Does anyone know how i most effectively remove the switches again?

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: xondat on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:13:47

(https://i.imgur.com/nEiGNUu.png)

Push those pins in and lift out.

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: math225r on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:17:13

Quote from: xondat on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:13:47

Show Image

(https://i.imgur.com/nEiGNUu.png)

Push those pins in and lift out.

But how tho, the keycaps are so close together so I obviously can't use my fingers...

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: itskuroi on Tue, 23 January 2018, 08:11:39

I use a small flathead to do it one at a time.

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: Harms on Tue, 23 January 2018, 12:04:43

Quote from: math225r on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:17:13

Quote from: xondat on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:13:47

Show Image

(https://i.imgur.com/nEiGNUu.png)

Push those pins in and lift out.

But how tho, the keycaps are so close together so I obviously can't use my fingers...

Try using an IC extractor tool :).

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 23 January 2018, 12:30:57

Quote from: deleonhle on Tue, 23 January 2018, 08:11:39

I use a small flathead to do it one at a time.

Quote from: Harms on Tue, 23 January 2018, 12:04:43

Quote from: math225r on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:17:13

Quote from: xondat on Tue, 23 January 2018, 07:13:47

Show Image

(https://i.imgur.com/nEiGNUu.png)

Push those pins in and lift out.

But how tho, the keycaps are so close together so I obviously can't use my fingers...

Try using an IC extractor tool :).

i've done both of these things and they both work fine

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: suicidal_orange on Tue, 23 January 2018, 12:36:16

As you can see the bottom of the switch you can press the sides in below the tabs, bigger target and any scratches will be on the underside of the plate so not visible once the board is built.

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: OfTheWild on Mon, 29 January 2018, 22:45:13

I screwed around for a few years before finally buying this... so much easier: https://1upkeyboards.com/cherry-switch-puller.html
(https://1upkeyboards.com/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/image/700x560/e9c3970ab036de70892d86c6d221abfe/s/w/switch_puller_new.jpg)

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 29 January 2018, 22:50:04

Quote from: OfTheWild on Mon, 29 January 2018, 22:45:13

I screwed around for a few years before finally buying this... so much easier: https://1upkeyboards.com/cherry-switch-puller.html

Show Image

(https://1upkeyboards.com/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/image/700x560/e9c3970ab036de70892d86c6d221abfe/s/w/switch_puller_new.jpg)

this is an IC chip remover, as mentioned above

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: OfTheWild on Tue, 30 January 2018, 01:03:13

Ah ok, that makes sense then!
Well definitely get one of these!

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 30 January 2018, 09:15:20

you only need to push one side,  then press the little protruding nub from below the pcb

(https://i.imgur.com/lSnT9lW.gif)

Title: Re: Ejecting switches from plate
Post by: rich1051414 on Tue, 30 January 2018, 11:38:44

If you have problems with ic pullers bending on you, you can use the kind that are bi-directional, they lift towards you as you put extra pressure on them, they are very quick.

They look like this:

[attach=1]

I want to point out that these can damage things if not used correctly tho. If you are misaligned so you aren't depressing the clips, it will rip right through the plastic from the mechanical advantage. They also don't spring open on their own, so it can be awkward in tight spaces.

Personally I would like a traditional IC puller that doesn't bend outwards on you on tough to pull switches, but I haven't found one yet.