Author Topic: Replacing springs on plate mounted switches  (Read 1791 times)

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Offline Chris_F

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 12:16:16 »
So what exactly is it about plate mounted switches that prevents you from removing stem and spring without desoldering?



My experience is only with PCB mounted keyboards, but from the diagram I don't see why exactly you would need to desolder the switch.
Q: The best keyboards ever made are from the early '80s and have buckling springs.
A: True

Offline MMB

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 12:20:11 »
You can't remove the housing for the switch without de-soldering the leads on the PCB.

The tabs that release the two-halves of the housing are impossible to separate with the plate in between, pressing the tabs in, preventing them from releasing.

Offline dorkvader

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 17:22:50 »
Quote from: MagicMeatball;615544
You can't remove the housing for the switch without de-soldering the leads on the PCB.

The tabs that release the two-halves of the housing are impossible to separate with the plate in between, pressing the tabs in, preventing them from releasing.
Yep. Now if you could somehow get between the plate and PCB, it could in theory be possible. Or if your plate has holes in it like the phantom.

Offline MMB

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 17:24:25 »
Quote from: dorkvader;615737
Yep. Now if you could somehow get between the plate and PCB, it could in theory be possible. Or if your plate has holes in it like the phantom.

Quite frankly, it would be easier to de-solder than to do that :)

Offline Chris_F

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 17:42:20 »
Yes, I was just looking at the Phantom. I was mostly interested in whether or not it would be possible to have a plate mounted design which still allowed for easy spring replacement.
Q: The best keyboards ever made are from the early '80s and have buckling springs.
A: True

Offline dorkvader

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 22:35:03 »
Quote from: Chris_F;615749
Yes, I was just looking at the Phantom. I was mostly interested in whether or not it would be possible to have a plate mounted design which still allowed for easy spring replacement.

I haven't tried it personally (yet), but I'm encouraged by litster's videos:
[video=youtube;HLQzFEdBTvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQzFEdBTvQ&feature=plcp[/video]
[video=youtube;HysRQnJiupQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HysRQnJiupQ&feature=plcp[/video]

Offline MMB

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Replacing springs on plate mounted switches
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 17 June 2012, 23:01:01 »
Quote from: dorkvader;615944
I haven't tried it personally (yet), but I'm encouraged by litster's videos:
[video=youtube;HLQzFEdBTvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQzFEdBTvQ&feature=plcp[/video]
[video=youtube;HysRQnJiupQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HysRQnJiupQ&feature=plcp[/video]

As I was saying... would be easier to de-solder :P