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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: WheresTheSNES on Thu, 30 August 2018, 13:28:08

Title: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: WheresTheSNES on Thu, 30 August 2018, 13:28:08
So I've been testing out switches on my hot swap board. 

I'm starting to think these switches weren't design for our hot-swapping ways.  Every switch I pull I bend the hell out of the tab that clips onto the plate, and one even broke off.

Am I doing it wrong?  I don't see how you can gently grab the switch and pull it out, you have to press in the tab, get a grip, and then pull up.
Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: Tactile on Thu, 30 August 2018, 14:23:04
You just need the right tool (https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/parts-and-tools/cherry-switch-puller/).
Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: daneb on Thu, 30 August 2018, 14:29:05
Are you using puller horizontally or vertically? On my hot-swap keyboard I need to hold the switch vertically (=top side and bottom side of the switch), not left and right side. Then I just gently dislock the switch from the bushing (there even seem to be "cutout" for it in the switch) and pull it straight up (so as not to bend the contacts)
Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: LightningXI on Thu, 30 August 2018, 14:50:37
Yes, vertically. I wiggle slightly and remove carefully. I haven't damaged my switches when using the puller.
Are you using puller horizontally or vertically? On my hot-swap keyboard I need to hold the switch vertically (=top side and bottom side of the switch), not left and right side. Then I just gently dislock the switch from the bushing (there even seem to be "cutout" for it in the switch) and pull it straight up (so as not to bend the contacts)

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Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: WheresTheSNES on Thu, 30 August 2018, 15:16:39
You just need the right tool (https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/parts-and-tools/cherry-switch-puller/).

Yeah, that's the one I'm using.  They are BOX switches btw. 

Are you using puller horizontally or vertically? On my hot-swap keyboard I need to hold the switch vertically (=top side and bottom side of the switch), not left and right side. Then I just gently dislock the switch from the bushing (there even seem to be "cutout" for it in the switch) and pull it straight up (so as not to bend the contacts)

Yes, the tabs are on the vertical axis (top and bottom of the switch facing down).

Yes, vertically. I wiggle slightly and remove carefully. I haven't damaged my switches when using the puller.
Are you using puller horizontally or vertically? On my hot-swap keyboard I need to hold the switch vertically (=top side and bottom side of the switch), not left and right side. Then I just gently dislock the switch from the bushing (there even seem to be "cutout" for it in the switch) and pull it straight up (so as not to bend the contacts)


Ok.  So maybe I need to try a gentler approach.  I'm basically pushing the switch puller all the way into the tabs in order to get a grip on the switch, which of course bends the tab way back.  I'll try more wiggling I guess, instead of depressing the tabs and then pulling straight up.
Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 30 August 2018, 16:46:46
make one
Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: WheresTheSNES on Fri, 31 August 2018, 09:31:10
make one


Lol, awesome.  Which one of those is for switches?
Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 31 August 2018, 11:07:55

Which one of those is for switches?

None, those are for key caps. I have never used a device to pull switches, except for Mr Bishop's Alps top puller.

Title: Re: Switch puller damages switches
Post by: ThoughtArtist on Sat, 01 September 2018, 00:26:53
Whatever you do, DON'T put petroleum jelly on your switches!

Trust me...