Replacing/Repairing ALPS key switches

[morpheus]

Hi there,

I dunno if this topic has been explored already, I'm assuming it has, but here's another thread....

Recently, I bought a used Alps board, but a couple of the key are non-responsive and won't work when I press down on them.
I'm guessing the switches are broken and in need of repair. The problem is I've never replaced or repaired key switches in my life and am afraid of doing so because I might break it even more.

Can somebody please give me some advice on what to do here?

Thanks you guys are the best 

[BlueBär]

Ripster has an Alps disassembly guide that might help: http://imgur.com/a/elAFF#1

[morpheus]

Ripster has an Alps disassembly guide that might help: http://imgur.com/a/elAFF#1

The first part, taking it out, doesn't look that hard, but the rest of it just looks confusing.
Also, is soldering involved in replacing an Alps switch?

[BlueBär]

If you want to replace the whole switch, yes. It depends on how damaged the switch is if you need to replace the whole switch, but I think you should be able to avoid this. Can you open one of the switches following the guide and take a photo with a lot of light so we can see details? Also maybe a shot of the PCB in case not the actual switch is broken but something on the PCB.

[SpAmRaY]

If you going to be removing some switches and wanted to replace them with different ALPS switches you can buy the matias clicky and/or quiet switches from mechanicalkeyboards.com in as small as a 5 pack. They can be found under accessories.

[BlueBär]

If you going to be removing some switches and wanted to replace them with different ALPS switches you can buy the matias clicky and/or quiet switches from mechanicalkeyboards.com in as small as a 5 pack. They can be found under accessories.

7bit has started a group buy for Matias switches on DT with 0.24€ per switch which is quite a bit cheaper.

[SpAmRaY]

If you going to be removing some switches and wanted to replace them with different ALPS switches you can buy the matias clicky and/or quiet switches from mechanicalkeyboards.com in as small as a 5 pack. They can be found under accessories.

7bit has started a group buy for Matias switches on DT with 0.24€ per switch which is quite a bit cheaper.

7bit has been busy lately and it might be a while before he ships anything out. I ordered some matias switches from him and paid extra for shipping 2 months ago and they have never been shipped yet.

And after shipping and paypal fees the one's from mechanicalkeyboards.com are not any more expensive if you only need the 5 switches. And actually they are cheaper if you buy the larger 110.

[CPTBadAss]

But that only works if the OP wants Matias switches...

[SpAmRaY]

But that only works if the OP wants Matias switches...

And is why I said this

If you going to be removing some switches and wanted to replace them with different ALPS switches

Is there some place you can order other ALPS switches to replace defective ones?

I'm just offering an option that many people may not know about.

[CPTBadAss]

Not really. It's probably easier to try and repair the switch. Alps switches are hard to find loose. Easiest way to get more of X switches from X board is to buy a second board.

[BlueBär]

Sorry, my fault, I mixed up currencies.

[CPTBadAss]

But that only works if the OP wants Matias switches...

And is why I said this

If you going to be removing some switches and wanted to replace them with different ALPS switches

Is there some place you can order other ALPS switches to replace defective ones?

I'm just offering an option that many people may not know about.

Misread obviously, sorry. You seem a little defensive though?

[Burz]

I bought several extra Monterey switches from MrInterface last year. He likes ALPS boards and you can ask him over on Deskthority if he has any extras that match your board. You can also make a Wanted posting here or on DT.

You could also buy non-matching switches and move existing ones around so that the new ones end up in seldom-used places like PrtScn/Scroll/Pause.

I'm not terrific at soldering, but I was able to replace the bad switches in my Minitouch without much trouble, and now you couldn't tell it had switches replaced. For just a few switches, I didn't bother with a desolder tool and instead kept wiping the soldering tip onto a piece of foil to get the excess solder off while removing the old switches.