help with a RAZER keyboard :-(

[frosty]

fml i was a dumb lil piece of **** when i bought my blackwidow tourney (the mx one not the new "china-mx" switches.)

so basically what happened is that after 3 months of usage, my "p" key started to feel less tactile, i've browsed many threads with cherry blues like this.

so, i need someone to explain to me why this might happen, how to fix it, and another question which is, are the switches on the BW tourney pcb mounted or plat mounted, can the switches be opened with soldering?

no solder access anytime soon. got very fed up and bought a corsair k70. personally found topre not to my taste.

need help! notice me (keyboard) senpai(s)!!!!

[frosty]

i meant without desoldering not with soldering

[CPTBadAss]

The switches are plate mounted and you'll have to desolder them to get them off the keyboard so you can try and fix it.

[Defect]

Could be that the metal leaf is jacked up, the legs are smooth, dust/debris got in the switch, or other problem.  Blues are also silent if you lube them.  They lose their click.

For fixing I recommend a good soldering iron and a sucker/pump.  Wicks can be amazing and they can also completely fail.

[blackbox]

As other has said you have to desolder the switch. You have a soldering iron recommendation list here:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57661.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42824.0

Where do you live? Maybe I can fix it for you.

[frosty]

i reside in singapore so... i don't think fixing is possible. what about compressed air? like blow it into the switch to clear debris.

[Defect]

i reside in singapore so... i don't think fixing is possible. what about compressed air? like blow it into the switch to clear debris.

I'd be careful doing that.  Could damage the leaf.  Maybe worth a shot.  I have a feeling it's not debris that's causing the issue, probably just a failed switch.  Hashtag blues blues

[frosty]

i reside in singapore so... i don't think fixing is possible. what about compressed air? like blow it into the switch to clear debris.

I'd be careful doing that.  Could damage the leaf.  Maybe worth a shot.  I have a feeling it's not debris that's causing the issue, probably just a failed switch.  Hashtag blues blues

gah... razer's bs qc... T.T

anyone has anymore ideas??

[blackbox]

I know it is not the answer you want to hear but you should pick up a soldering iron to fix this. It should be possible to ship a soldering iron to Singapore. Soldering is a very useful skill IMO. You can buy switches here:

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=650

[dorkvader]

I know it is not the answer you want to hear but you should pick up a soldering iron to fix this. It should be possible to ship a soldering iron to Singapore. Soldering is a very useful skill IMO. You can buy switches here:

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=650

I'm not convinced those are compatible with the razer ones.

Even if so, consider replacing the printscreen with the cherry switch and use the clone to replace the p key for consistency.

[blackbox]

Edit:Deleted

[blackbox]

I know it is not the answer you want to hear but you should pick up a soldering iron to fix this. It should be possible to ship a soldering iron to Singapore. Soldering is a very useful skill IMO. You can buy switches here:

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=650

I'm not convinced those are compatible with the razer ones.

Even if so, consider replacing the printscreen with the cherry switch and use the clone to replace the p key for consistency.

well thats a better idea. Cant say I use printscreen while I type. Is the razer pcb mount (I was certain it was not)?

[frosty]

plate mount it seems. hmm. i'll try soldering but it seems expensive for me to get a soldering set, wire and extra stuff.

yolo time to cash out of tf2

meanwhile, i'll have to stick to k70. the plate is really sastifying and i might consider lubing it if i get a solder.

[Defect]

From my experience, get a solder sucker as well.  I got one for like $5 USD and already desoldered 3 boards with it.  WAAAAY easier for me than using wick.

If you love mech boards you really will want to consider learning to solder.  It opens up a whole new world in this world

[Oobly]

He mentioned that the board has MX switches, not the newer one with Kailh, so he just needs to replace the one switch. It's not too hard to do if you have a soldering iron and wick or a solder sucker. Just practice a few times first on some other PCB with through-hole components before attacking your keyboard PCB.

Suck or wick the old solder off and then remove the old switch. Put the new switch in place and solder the contacts.

There are some good soldering and desoldering tutorial on youtube. I think this one is pretty good:

[frosty]

i've watched whitefiredragon's videos a couple of times. looks like i really need to get a solder and a solder sucker. how much does a good solder, normal solder wires and a normal solder sicker cost?

[Oobly]

i've watched whitefiredragon's videos a couple of times. looks like i really need to get a solder and a solder sucker. how much does a good solder, normal solder wires and a normal solder sicker cost?

Usually it's best to ask from a local electronics store. This is a good first soldering iron to get: http://www.hakko.com.sg/products/fx-888d/

You can use it for pretty much any soldering work since it has a digital temperature adjustment.

Most electronics stores will have solder wire and solder suckers at quite low prices, the iron is the most expensive part. It shouldn't cost more than 100€ (not sure what that is in Singapore $) or so in total. You could also do the job with a cheaper iron that doesn't have the heat adjustment, but they often don't last all that long and it's nice to have good tools that last a long time and can be used for all kinds of work.

[frosty]

wait hakko is situated in singapore? lovely. what about solder suckers?

[mouse.the.lucky.dog]

I would invest in a soldering iron, wick, bulb, flux and solder. They are usefull for a lot of other things too ( eg replacing jacks on headphones), and you do not use much of the consumables.

[SonicRevolution]

I had the same trepidations desoldering a switch.  But with the right desoldering tool, it's actually not bad at all.  You just have not be afraid of getting burned a little bit. Removing the switch is a breeze and the satisfaction of knowing that you can do this, you "level" up to a whole new level!   Try it!  The biggest tip with soldering is about speed.  You only have a few moments before the contact points get too hot.  Even with very expensive variable heat soldering kits.  The key is if you're fumbling a bit, just back away, and let the whole thing cool.  Then go back to it.  Don't force it.

Below is a link to a super cheap desoldering kit.  Yes, it's not the best but it works for single use.  I wouldn't use this to say do a major project.  But for maintaining single switch replacements, it's just fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Solder-Sucker--desoldering/dp/B0002KRAAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399052529&sr=8-1&keywords=desolder

Also, practice a bit on some old computer parts.

Good luck man!

[frosty]

didn't expect the amount of help i've recieved. thanks very much geekhack!

[rowdy]

I had the same trepidations desoldering a switch.  But with the right desoldering tool, it's actually not bad at all.  You just have not be afraid of getting burned a little bit. Removing the switch is a breeze and the satisfaction of knowing that you can do this, you "level" up to a whole new level!   Try it!  The biggest tip with soldering is about speed.  You only have a few moments before the contact points get too hot.  Even with very expensive variable heat soldering kits.  The key is if you're fumbling a bit, just back away, and let the whole thing cool.  Then go back to it.  Don't force it.

Below is a link to a super cheap desoldering kit.  Yes, it's not the best but it works for single use.  I wouldn't use this to say do a major project.  But for maintaining single switch replacements, it's just fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Solder-Sucker--desoldering/dp/B0002KRAAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399052529&sr=8-1&keywords=desolder

Also, practice a bit on some old computer parts.

Good luck man!

I've got one of these, is it quite horrible.  If I'm lucky, it will suck the solder out, but you have to get it really close to the joint, as well as the soldering iron, while holding the board fairly firmly - need about 4 hands really.

Definitely practice on some old electronics e.g. a broken DVD player or something first.  Or even get a simply kit to build from a local electronics store.  Actually a kit might be a good idea - it might come with some solder, save you buying a reel separately.