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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: brainblip3 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 13:49:11

Title: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: brainblip3 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 13:49:11

I've got some alps switches I'm harvesting out of an AEK, but I find some of them are really difficult to pull and have to resort to using pliers, which leave marks on the plastic casing. How can I pull these stubborn switches without damaging them? Anyone have experience with this issue?

Title: Re: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: UnFocused on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:17:34

You have to desolder them first.

Title: Re: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: Blaise170 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:22:59

Like said on DT, a flat screwdriver will work wonders.

Title: Re: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: merlin64 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:27:33

A switch pulling tool like this

https://1upkeyboards.com/cherry-switch-puller.html

helps very well!

Title: Re: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: xondat on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:29:51

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:27:33

A switch pulling tool like this

https://1upkeyboards.com/cherry-switch-puller.html

helps very well!

Alps don't come out the same way I thought?

Title: Re: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: merlin64 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:30:59

Quote from: xondat on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:29:51

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:27:33

A switch pulling tool like this

https://1upkeyboards.com/cherry-switch-puller.html

helps very well!

Alps don't come out the same way I thought?

They don't, but the tool still helps. Saves fingers.

Title: Re: How to harvest switches without damaging them?
Post by: xondat on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:31:53

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:30:59

Quote from: xondat on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:29:51

Quote from: merlin64 on Thu, 12 April 2018, 14:27:33

A switch pulling tool like this

https://1upkeyboards.com/cherry-switch-puller.html

helps very well!

Alps don't come out the same way I thought?

They don't, but the tool still helps. Saves fingers.

Eh good point.

FWIW OP, that tool can be picked up at local hardware stores. I think they're actually meant for SMDs or something along those lines?