Get around having to desolder by unscrewing the plate? (Switch change)

[Dreamify]

Hi! New user, first post.

After a bunch of research, I have decided that I want a tenkeyless keyboard with MX Clear switches. Trouble is, those don't really seem to exist in stores anywhere. So I've been searching around on how one would go about changing the switches on a keyboard manually.

I don't actually have a tenkeyless keyboard to start with, but I figured I'd buy a Quickfire Rapid, a bunch of Clear switches plus whatever tools I'd need for the task.

I have repeatedly run across the following stated as fact:
It is impossible to open a switch on a plate mounted keyboard without first desoldering the switch.

I'm questioning this. Mostly cause of wishful thinking. Not having to desolder would save me some money on tool aquisition, and it would probably save me some work too.

I understand that the plate blocks the thing you need to get at to open the switch. But what's stopping me from just removing the plate first, and then open the switches? Cause there are screws you can unscrew that hold the plate to the PCB, right? What am I missing?

[FoxWolf1]

As you can see, the switches clip onto the plate, so the plate cannot be removed.

For your purposes, though, why not go for a PCB mount keyboard? Then you could open the switches easily.

[Dreamify]

Aha, thanks for the clear answer .

For your purposes, though, why not go for a PCB mount keyboard? Then you could open the switches easily.

Three reasons, all rather weak, so I might change my mind:

1. I haven't really found a PCB mounted one I could buy yet. This could of course easily be remedied by spending some more time looking.

2. Quickfire Rapid is cheap. Buying that keyboard AND soldering tools might still end up cheaper than another keyboard.

3. Seeing as plate mounted seems to be more common, I was thinking maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe it's better in some way. End quality would be more important than me saving some pennies, after all.

[alaricljs]

Any screws are holding the assembly (plate and PCB) to the case.

If you want to 1-off this, Radio shack has a decent bulb solder sucking iron around $15 I think.

[IvanIvanovich]

Desolder is FAR easier. I have modified switches in plate mount by pushing down the plate before. It is possible to free the plate and slide it down to access the switch, but it is very very challenging and it will be easy to damage. Even harder is returning the plate to it's original position. I really DO NOT reccomend trying it.

PCB mount is the best option if you don't want to solder, and there is one tenkeyless the Neo Zelia.

[Dreamify]

Desolder is FAR easier.

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, it sounds like that is what I should be doing.