LF Switch Change Tutorial

[OnTheBrink]

I would like to change my Red switch on my space bar to a Cherry MX Black switch. Are there any detailed tutorials out there that can walk me through the process? Also, is it difficult for a beginner?

[The_Beast]

Is the keyboard plate mount or PCB mount?

[OnTheBrink]

Is the keyboard plate mount or PCB mount?

I am not sure. It's a Ducky Shine II and I think it is double PCB mounted.

[The_Beast]

Plate mount looks like this:
http://images1.chiefvalue.com/productimage/ce00158448010060-9.jpg

PCB mount looks like this:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k221/undarken/G80-3494/CherryField.jpg

Another picture:
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/key/images/mx_mntop.gif


If the keyboard is PCB mount, you should be able to remove the switch top with a couple of screw drivers. If it's plate mount, then it will require desoldering

[WhiteFireDragon]

Your ducky is plate-mounted. It has all SMD components on one side, but the soldering pads for switches are double sided and goes through holes, unlike some cheaper PCBs. This is my tutorial, it's pretty detailed but there is an index that you can jump around in the description:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ_2GxeR4Es

[badcop]

Your ducky is plate-mounted. It has all SMD components on one side, but the soldering pads for switches are double sided and goes through holes, unlike some cheaper PCBs. This is my tutorial, it's pretty detailed but there is an index that you can jump around in the description:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ_2GxeR4Es

WFD is the man.  i watched this at like 4am one morning and it gave me all the information i needed.  TY

[OnTheBrink]

Your ducky is plate-mounted. It has all SMD components on one side, but the soldering pads for switches are double sided and goes through holes, unlike some cheaper PCBs. This is my tutorial, it's pretty detailed but there is an index that you can jump around in the description:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ_2GxeR4Es

WFD is the man.  i watched this at like 4am one morning and it gave me all the information i needed.  TY

Ya WFD is clutch. His video was the nail in the coffin for my Ducky Shine 2 purchase and I couldn't be happier.

[OnTheBrink]

Quick question about this, couldn't I just pop out the switch itself and swap the spring and switch?

I am not sure if this will make it as stiff as changing out the entire switch, but I just want to make the spacebar more stiff and voiding the warranty of the item and doing all that soldering work is something I'd like to avoid.

[The_Beast]

Quick question about this, couldn't I just pop out the switch itself and swap the spring and switch?

I am not sure if this will make it as stiff as changing out the entire switch, but I just want to make the spacebar more stiff and voiding the warranty of the item and doing all that soldering work is something I'd like to avoid.

Nope, you have to desolder. The OEM plate does not have the cutouts to allow you to take the top of the switch off