Mod stock keyboard or build a new one?

[Geroximo]

Hi,
I want to try Gaterons.
I am unsure if I should desolder my Poker 2 and put gaterons in it or if I should build a new keyboard from scratch.
How resistant is the Poker 2 PCB? Will it survive multiple soldering jobs?
I experienced silver rings (I don't know how they are called) getting loose from a PCB before. I don't know if I used too much heat or if the PCB was just bad quality, but it scared me.

So the basic question is:

Should I mod the Poker and potentially **** it up
or
should I sell the stock Poker and build a new keyboard?

[appleonama]

I've completely desoldered 4 pokers. My first poker was a horrible job I ruined 4 pads, but I was still able to save it by wiring directly to the trace. From there desoldering got a bit easier but still I recently managed to mess up my orion v2 pcb. The pcb pads on the poker do seem like they can handle a couple irons just don't apply any pressure to the pad.

I recommend you try it if you are experienced in solder/desoldering otherwise you might end up with at least one pad falling off.
you can also buy a pcb from ebay and practice on that till you feel confident. I highly recommend you buy this excellent solder sucker as it will make you job so much easier. https://www.adafruit.com/products/1597

If you want a new fancy keyboard that is built from your own sweat and blood then do it as it always feels great in the end. However your expenses are going to skyrocket.

[suicidal_orange]

If you're going to try (and I suggest you do, unless you need another 60%) take some nice pics of both sides of the empty PCB when you have the chance, that way if it does go wrong it will be easier for someone to suggest where to solder jumper wires to fix it if the worst happens.  A switch matrix is a simple thing to repair as long as you can see it