Brown switch stem snapped.

[oiman]

First post (been lurking this forums for a while seeking a new keyboard though ), so, hi!

I was in retard mode yesterday night and snapped one of the stem while trying to remove one of the keycap...

I attached images of the result. The keyboard is a Ducky 9008 Shine 3 Cherry MX Brown (and I must say that I'm very satisfied with it so far!).

First question, can I repair that with the LED? I found a place where I could order the whole stem thing (black square with brown switch) but I fear that there could be no room for the LED. Any idea what I am getting into if I want to repair that? Any soldering? Can I re-use the actualy LED? How would you proceed to remove the brown part in the keycap?I'm looking for all sort of readings and references if your guys have some!

I don't know if I'm posting this in the correct section, feel free to move it if not. I'll be glad to give more information if needed!

[BakerMan1971]

Good old reddit problem solving guide
http://imgur.com/a/fyxIg

the switch can be disassembled but depending on the mount you may need to de/re-solder

good luck

[BlueBär]

That is repairable, what you need to do is replacing the switch. You first need to open up your keyboard, then you need to desolder the LED and the switch, pull the LED off (remember which pin was on the left/right, I suggest marking it with some tape), then pull off the switch from the plate. You can then put in the new switch, solder it in and then put in the LED and solder that in. There's a notch for the LED so don't worry about that.

Do you have soldering/desldering experience? If not, we can explain that in a lot more detail

More details on all those things also in the link in my signature.

the switch can be disassembled but depending on the mount you may need to de/re-solder

Ducky uses plate mount switches, so it needs to be desoldered and resoldered.

[tp4tissue]

hahahahaha...

Mmmm.... a little super glue to a small piece of wood  and pull

[SpAmRaY]

The question is how do you get the piece of brown stem out of the keycap?

[asdfjkl36]

The question is how do you get the piece of brown stem out of the keycap?

My best guess is
1. Heat up a thick safety pin or a nail
2. Push pin/nail it into the stem that's stuck while it's still hot, melting the plastic
3. Just pull it out once it's settled in

[tp4tissue]

The question is how do you get the piece of brown stem out of the keycap?

My best guess is
1. Heat up a thick safety pin or a nail
2. Push pin/nail it into the stem that's stuck while it's still hot, melting the plastic
3. Just pull it out once it's settled in

ah.... do not do this...

what if you melt the stem..

[Photoelectric]

ah.... do not do this...

what if you melt the stem..

Oh no, not the broken switch stem that's lodged in a keycap stem.... which is effectively blocked

[BlueBär]

ah.... do not do this...

what if you melt the stem..

You mean the broken one? Yeah that would be terrible.

The guide BakerMan linked suggests a 1/16" drill bit, I don't know how good that would work but I guess it's worth a try. Just be really careful. I would try asdfjkl's suggestion first.

[tp4tissue]

ah.... do not do this...

what if you melt the stem..

You mean the broken one? Yeah that would be terrible.

The guide BakerMan linked suggests a 1/16" drill bit, I don't know how good that would work but I guess it's worth a try. Just be really careful. I would try asdfjkl's suggestion first.

no i mean if you end up melting the stem of the keycap

[BlueBär]

no i mean if you end up melting the stem of the keycap

That's true. But I think if you are careful enough it should work.

[modbot]

I've done the drillbit one before but i dont have the exact measurements of it right now, it did work for me. I'd say thats your only current viable option

[tp4tissue]

u can probably dig out the stem carefully with a box cutter.. jus sayin'

[C5Allroad]

I did not know that you can pull the stem out of the switch housing....
Anyway, you can try to pry it out with tweezers, or glue a toothpick to it and pull.

[oiman]

Thanks a lot for all the replies!

I don't really have any experience with de-soldering/soldering and no tools either. Time to get some help and learn!

Where would your order a new switch, I doubt any store has that in stock here unfortunately.

[kmiller8]

Thanks a lot for all the replies!

I don't really have any experience with de-soldering/soldering and no tools either. Time to get some help and learn!

Where would your order a new switch, I doubt any store has that in stock here unfortunately.

I have a bunch of extra MX switches lying around, PM me, we can work something out.

As for soldering/de-soldering GL with that, I know of too many new people who destroy their PCB's trying to desolder :x

I'd gladly do it for you for the price of shipping, but that would end up costing like $20+ just to fix one switch.

[rowdy]

u can probably dig out the stem carefully with a box cutter.. jus sayin'

Whilst wearing safety goggles, in case the end of the knife snaps off!

[SpAmRaY]

I did not know that you can pull the stem out of the switch housing....
Anyway, you can try to pry it out with tweezers, or glue a toothpick to it and pull.

He didn't pull it out it broke off. But it is possible to pull stem through switch top if your not careful.

u can probably dig out the stem carefully with a box cutter.. jus sayin'

More than likely this would end up in injury and or damaged key cap.

[Linkbane]

I did not know that you can pull the stem out of the switch housing....
Anyway, you can try to pry it out with tweezers, or glue a toothpick to it and pull.

He didn't pull it out it broke off. But it is possible to pull stem through switch top if your not careful.

u can probably dig out the stem carefully with a box cutter.. jus sayin'

More than likely this would end up in injury and or damaged key cap.

Two things.
1. Your current picture is perfect for this thread.
8. Congrats on your 8,000th post!

[kenmai9]

must be a sign.. switch tto clears