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Author Topic: Alps switch transplant / soldering question  (Read 2399 times)

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Offline fohat.digs

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Alps switch transplant / soldering question
« on: Tue, 12 November 2013, 20:39:33 »
I am transplanting Alps switches and there is a perforated metal front plate with a circuit board behind it. The switches sit on top of and through the metal plate and solder into the back plate.

My question is about pressure / torque / tension between plates, whatever you want to call it. My experience with things like bolt-modding Model Ms leads me to believe that the tension or pressure between switches and plates will have a significant effect on the feel of the final product.

Should I try to pull them tight, leave them loose, or just not worry about it? How do I know how firm or snug the switch should be seated?

Thanks.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Alps switch transplant / soldering question
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 12 November 2013, 20:45:00 »
Another tangential issue:

I am have a beige locking Alps from CapsLock on an Apple that I kind of like.

Would it do to use it for CapsLock on a Dell AT101W circuit board? Or would it cause me "electrical" troubles when it was locked down?

Thanks again.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Alps switch transplant / soldering question
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 06:59:15 »
Bump.

Any advice out there?
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“Citizens United violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president.
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- Jimmy Carter 2015

Offline ninjadoc

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Re: Alps switch transplant / soldering question
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 07:26:18 »
PM CptBadAss or wait till he sees this thread. He loves Alps and will at least have an opinion or a source of info.
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Offline TheFlyingRaccoon

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Re: Alps switch transplant / soldering question
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 07:27:13 »
I have some experience with Alps switches. Putting pressure on the plate is not likely to help, the best way to improve switch feel is to mount the plate securely to the case. That said, it would be cool if you could test it and post the results.
For the locking switches, I don't think it would cause electrical issues but I believe the firmware has to support a locking caps lock. Again, I'm not quite sure on this so you could definitely test it!
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Alps switch transplant / soldering question
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 09:43:13 »
The pressure/torque/fit didn't matter when I transplanted switches into the Ducky 1087XM. However, that board wasn't the same as a Ducky 1087XM. I don't think it matters with Alps switches though. My experience with Alps has been they're a lot like Cherry switches.

Quote from: fohat.digs on Tue, 12 November 2013, 20:45:00
Would it do to use it for CapsLock on a Dell AT101W circuit board? Or would it cause me "electrical" troubles when it was locked down?

I honestly don't know. If you try it, let me know what you find out? :D
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