How to remove PCB mounted switches/ How to open a Cherry keyboard

[berserkfan]

I have several Cherry keyboards and so far I have been changing their switch stems and springs by simply removing the top. Now I just got hold of some nice ghetto greens from Crash (thanks Crash!) and decided to completely remove the switches.

And I find I can’t do it! (At least, I do not wish to use too much force without at least confirming with others that it is ok to just pull up the switches from above.)

To complicate matters, my Cherry keyboards don’t seem to be held together with screws. They use plastic tabs, and these tabs don’t seem to face the same direction, so presumably one must use something to wedge some plastic tabs open. When I see such an arrangement, I get very wary because chances are me with my clumsiness will probably totally destroy the keyboard in a vain attempt to take out the PCB and remove the PCB mounted switches.

So my questions are:

1)   How do I remove the entire switch housing of a PCB mounted switch?
2)   How do I securely replace this switch with another switch?
3)   How do I take apart a Cherry keyboard safely, without breaking the plastic tabs?
Thanks for any experiences you guys can share!

[The_Beast]

you can open the case, desolder all the switches and solder in the ones you want. Or open the switch tops and replace the springs and stems from one board to another

[berserkfan]

Sorry, does that mean even on PCB mounted switches, you still have to desolder if you want to remove the entire switch rather than just open switch tops?

you can open the case, desolder all the switches and solder in the ones you want. Or open the switch tops and replace the springs and stems from one board to another

[oTurtlez]

Sorry, does that mean even on PCB mounted switches, you still have to desolder if you want to remove the entire switch rather than just open switch tops?

you can open the case, desolder all the switches and solder in the ones you want. Or open the switch tops and replace the springs and stems from one board to another

That is correct.

To remove the entire switch you need to desolder regardless of board. If you just want to change from one switch type to another, just replace the spring and or stem. Only time you should need to desolder is if the switch is faulty.

[tp4tissue]

You DO NOT want to desolder if you don't have to.

Many cheaper boards are low temp wave soldered, the board material burns really easily

The housings are all identical in performance.

The only difference is the black spring and blue stem.


SAVE YOURSELF 3 hours...

[berserkfan]

That's great, but does anyone know how to open a Cherry keyboard to begin with? I'm having difficulty opening a lot of switches due to the plastic walls on the side of the keyboard getting in the way of my screwdriver, so I figure that if I can open the cherry keyboard casing itself and take out the PCB, popping the tops of my switches would be easier.