Why Extra PCBs?

[timbaaa]

Hi guys,

Being new to this hobby, I've been looking around various IC/GBs and noticed that extra PCBs are often offered.

So far, I can only think of two reasons: because of the convenience of having another plate/switch/PCB assembly to swap out on an existing board as well as the need for spare parts in the event of a PCB failure. The latter scenario is what concerns me most as I do not want to end up having a $xxx chunk of non functioning keyboard.

My first GB is the Think 6.5 (hotswap) and I opted for a spare hotswap PCB in case of failures.
But now, as I am looking at the Rama U80-A (hotswap) for my next board (and hopefully last), I do wonder if an extra hotswap PCB is something I should consider, given the total amount that would cost me.

I know it is like buying insurance in the sense that you won't need it until you NEED it, but what are the opinions on extra PCBs and have they came in handy when a board failed on you? Or is there no real concern and people just buy it to have the convenience of an extra assembly with plate and switches? I am sure there are other reasons as well so please feel free to chime in.

[tp4tissue]

Extra PCBs because people screw up during soldering,  or the PCB may have a defect,  or someone may want to put their pcb in a different shell.

[ArchDill]

When I get a board I really like I like having the option of two builds and not having to worry if one of my PCB's fail. It is generally easier to get them in the begging rather than find one a year or two down the road.

[directheatedtriode]

Not keyboard related, but I've built a handful of KG designed Stax headphone amps and I order extra PCBs in case I either screw up badly or fry something. I've seen a picture in one GB thread of someone's PCB letting out the magic smoke so it happens here as well

[siijunn]

As people mentioned in case they are defective or they screw up. Also, they may want different switches or different configs just to play around with. Since they are GBs it would be a lot harder down the road to pick them up (also at a considerable price markup) so if you are the type of person who enjoys swapping switches often you'd be stuck with what you build originally for a quite a while.

While I often purchase extra PCBs for this reason, I also buy them because I'm a fan of soldering and the hobby in general I like to build as many boards as possible. Also like the keep a few on hand just in case the mood strikes to put a build together. It isn't like you can run down to Hobby Lobby or Fry's and pickup PCBs (although I wish you could!) so I keep a few extras on hand at all times. Most of the time he are just DZ60s and the like, but if I can I'll often pickup GB kit PCBs if the option is available.

[azhdar]

So if you end up selling the board down the line, you can offera fresh unsoldered pcb.

[directheatedtriode]

As people mentioned in case they are defective or they screw up. Also, they may want different switches or different configs just to play around with. Since they are GBs it would be a lot harder down the road to pick them up (also at a considerable price markup) so if you are the type of person who enjoys swapping switches often you'd be stuck with what you build originally for a quite a while.

While I often purchase extra PCBs for this reason, I also buy them because I'm a fan of soldering and the hobby in general I like to build as many boards as possible. Also like the keep a few on hand just in case the mood strikes to put a build together. It isn't like you can run down to Hobby Lobby or Fry's and pickup PCBs (although I wish you could!) so I keep a few extras on hand at all times. Most of the time he are just DZ60s and the like, but if I can I'll often pickup GB kit PCBs if the option is available.

There is something therapeutic about soldering 

[jamster]

If you're not reasonably skilled at soldering, you can cock things up fairly easily, especially if you need to desolder your work and reinstall switches. I lifted a PCB trace on the first board I tried, it would have been impossible for me to fix on my own, but fortunately someone else was there who redid the trace with a fine wire.

I'm a bit better at soldering now, and know what can go wrong with too much heat. So am not worried about spare PCBs.

[phinix]

Hi guys,

Being new to this hobby, I've been looking around various IC/GBs and noticed that extra PCBs are often offered.

So far, I can only think of two reasons: because of the convenience of having another plate/switch/PCB assembly to swap out on an existing board as well as the need for spare parts in the event of a PCB failure. The latter scenario is what concerns me most as I do not want to end up having a $xxx chunk of non functioning keyboard.

My first GB is the Think 6.5 (hotswap) and I opted for a spare hotswap PCB in case of failures.
But now, as I am looking at the Rama U80-A (hotswap) for my next board (and hopefully last), I do wonder if an extra hotswap PCB is something I should consider, given the total amount that would cost me.

I know it is like buying insurance in the sense that you won't need it until you NEED it, but what are the opinions on extra PCBs and have they came in handy when a board failed on you? Or is there no real concern and people just buy it to have the convenience of an extra assembly with plate and switches? I am sure there are other reasons as well so please feel free to chime in.

Same here - I'm going to order RAMA U80-A hotswap and wondering if I'm gonna need a spare hotswap pcb.

I understand that hotswap can get break with time, but I also saw somewhere that you can fix it, right?
Or should I get a spare pcb anyway?

Also, for this kind of group buys - will RAMA keep those parts in stock for years, so in case something happens I could buy it then?
Or is this some kind of one-off product - once you buy it and it gets bad after years, you can just bin the whole thing?

[rinkaan]

Not just from GB, even for cheap starter board like the Gh60 Satan or GH64 from taobao. Often face the issue of smd parts getting damaged during shipping.
I order about 10 boards thus far... And 2 came with smd resistor broken off, and no way to resolder back a replacement because the copper plate broke off with the smd component.. I think it depends on how much you are shelving out for the board.

Usually selling of a the fresh board can help u recope some of your shipping cost of 1 board.

Same deal with keycap sets as well... Just buy a few that you don't mind keeping as spares... And sell them if you don't want them later on

Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

[poodude]

Hi guys,

Being new to this hobby, I've been looking around various IC/GBs and noticed that extra PCBs are often offered.

So far, I can only think of two reasons: because of the convenience of having another plate/switch/PCB assembly to swap out on an existing board as well as the need for spare parts in the event of a PCB failure. The latter scenario is what concerns me most as I do not want to end up having a $xxx chunk of non functioning keyboard.

My first GB is the Think 6.5 (hotswap) and I opted for a spare hotswap PCB in case of failures.
But now, as I am looking at the Rama U80-A (hotswap) for my next board (and hopefully last), I do wonder if an extra hotswap PCB is something I should consider, given the total amount that would cost me.

I know it is like buying insurance in the sense that you won't need it until you NEED it, but what are the opinions on extra PCBs and have they came in handy when a board failed on you? Or is there no real concern and people just buy it to have the convenience of an extra assembly with plate and switches? I am sure there are other reasons as well so please feel free to chime in.

Same here - I'm going to order RAMA U80-A hotswap and wondering if I'm gonna need a spare hotswap pcb.

I understand that hotswap can get break with time, but I also saw somewhere that you can fix it, right?
Or should I get a spare pcb anyway?

Also, for this kind of group buys - will RAMA keep those parts in stock for years, so in case something happens I could buy it then?
Or is this some kind of one-off product - once you buy it and it gets bad after years, you can just bin the whole thing?

I got a u80 hotswap and didn't order an extra pcb. Another $100 for a spare pcb is a tough pill to swallow. I would expect a perfect and tested pcb at that price point. Down the road in the event you misaligned a switch and somehow snapped a hotswap off, you can always resolder it on or reroute the wire on the pcb to fix it.

[timbaaa]

Hi guys,

Being new to this hobby, I've been looking around various IC/GBs and noticed that extra PCBs are often offered.

So far, I can only think of two reasons: because of the convenience of having another plate/switch/PCB assembly to swap out on an existing board as well as the need for spare parts in the event of a PCB failure. The latter scenario is what concerns me most as I do not want to end up having a $xxx chunk of non functioning keyboard.

My first GB is the Think 6.5 (hotswap) and I opted for a spare hotswap PCB in case of failures.
But now, as I am looking at the Rama U80-A (hotswap) for my next board (and hopefully last), I do wonder if an extra hotswap PCB is something I should consider, given the total amount that would cost me.

I know it is like buying insurance in the sense that you won't need it until you NEED it, but what are the opinions on extra PCBs and have they came in handy when a board failed on you? Or is there no real concern and people just buy it to have the convenience of an extra assembly with plate and switches? I am sure there are other reasons as well so please feel free to chime in.

Same here - I'm going to order RAMA U80-A hotswap and wondering if I'm gonna need a spare hotswap pcb.

I understand that hotswap can get break with time, but I also saw somewhere that you can fix it, right?
Or should I get a spare pcb anyway?

Also, for this kind of group buys - will RAMA keep those parts in stock for years, so in case something happens I could buy it then?
Or is this some kind of one-off product - once you buy it and it gets bad after years, you can just bin the whole thing?

I got a u80 hotswap and didn't order an extra pcb. Another $100 for a spare pcb is a tough pill to swallow. I would expect a perfect and tested pcb at that price point. Down the road in the event you misaligned a switch and somehow snapped a hotswap off, you can always resolder it on or reroute the wire on the pcb to fix it.

I agree, the extra cost for Wilba's PCB is a little too hard to swallow.
I'm sure there are lemons out there but typically what does each PCB get test for before being shipped out?

Can anyone who knows about PCBs and circuitry share their thoughts on Wilba's PCBs?
I know that many considered as a high end PCB, but beyond the great looks I have no idea what makes them revered.

[Unxmaal]

How timely!

I can assure you, spending $450+ on a board, plus switches, plus plus plus, turns into a real bummer when your single PCB fails to be recognized as a USB device by any system.

It gets much worse when you realize that PCB is funny-shaped and none of the 'standard' PCBs will work as a replacement.

[walie]

Peace of mind

Also good to sell a board with a fresh pbc

[SlipperyPeteED]

also if you plan on selling the board in the future, some people prefer an unbuilt kit rather than a built board so it can make it easier for re-sale