Replacing top part of MX key on a DasKeyboard

[redglyph]

Hello,

I would like to have your input on this. I'm having a hard time getting a keyboard without defect keys from DasKeyboard, it's their 3rd attempt and there's always one or two keys that don't operate correctly. It's a physical problem due to flaws in the plastic on the top part of the switch, as shown below. The result is that when the key is pressed, it often catches in the malformation and remains stuck or simply doesn't register properly.

Since they can't seem to be able to provide me with a flawless unit, I was wondering how difficult this would be to replace the top of the switch with a good one. I have seen contradictory statements about this in these forums or elsewhere.

Has anyone successfully opened a Cherry brown switch from above without unsoldering it from the PCB? And if so, what's the safest way to operate?



Thanks in advance for your advise!

[hwood34]

Most plate mounted switches you won't be able to open up without completely desoldering them, unless you have a custom plate with notches for opening. You would have to desolder the switch before you could take off the top of the switch and replace it

[rowdy]

Probably a case of desoldering the old switch and removing it from the keyboard, either fixing, or simply replacing, the switch, and soldering it back in.

With almost all plate-mounted switches, you cannot open the switch without first removing it.

This WILL void your warranty.

[rowdy]

Oops, I replied to one of the other threads.

[ynrozturk]

I think OP should make more threads about this.

[riotonthebay]

My advice is to return the keyboard and stop buying Das. People have been saying nice things about the KÛL boards from elitekeyboards. But seriously – 3 strikes, you're out. #lessonsfromsportsball

[Altis]

My advice is to return the keyboard and stop buying Das. People have been saying nice things about the KÛL boards from elitekeyboards. But seriously – 3 strikes, you're out. #lessonsfromsportsball

Second this motion. Why spend all that effort trying to fix something that should have come working, especially considering the price of a DAS.

I have one of the older DAS keyboards, and I'd rank it about the same as my Blackwidow 2012, maybe even slightly less in terms of overall build quality. To think that your warranty would be voided trying to fix their device... 

Any particular reason you are partial to the DAS?

[dorkvader]

I think the DAS 2 (rebranded G80-3000) is the best KB they made.

You can return it if you like. Repairing it will require desoldering. I always advocate repair over replace, but that's 'cause I have the tools and skills required.

[Oobly]

Up to the DAS 2 they were great. Afterwards, they started using Chinese OEM's to build the main components and the quality went severely downhill. They haven't got back to their former glory and I doubt they ever will.

REPAIRING IT WILL NOT REQUIRE DESOLDERING. Just take a sharp knife or scalpel and carefully cut away the thin piece that's touching the keycap stem. An easy fix, although it really shouldn't happen and should have been caught in Quality Control. Actually it should have been caught in Cherry quality control (since it's a Cherry switch, or at least I think it is), unless the DAS caps have out-of-spec keycap stem thickness.

[paicrai]

try razer

[dorkvader]

Up to the DAS 2 they were great. Afterwards, they started using Chinese OEM's to build the main components and the quality went severely downhill. They haven't got back to their former glory and I doubt they ever will.

I think I'd take the costar das3 over the keytronic das1