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Author Topic: Difficulty with new ALPS switches  (Read 1893 times)

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Offline TouchTypist

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Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 07:01:33 »
So, I removed the unpleasant black ALPS switches on an AT-101 that I bought (long ago at this point). I replaced them with Matias quiets. I'm having trouble getting the metal plate back on over the switches. I'm wondering if that should have been done first, although it seems like lining up over 100 switches all at one time would be problematic. Part of the issue is that the new switches are a little bit unsquare.

So, I'm wondering if there are ways to straighten them up that don't involve solder reflow ovens, or removing all of the switches again  :p

Also, does anyone have tips for how to get this plate back in place? I consider shaving the switches a bit to create more clearance to do so. I haven't done that yet though.

Thanks in advance!
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 07:36:27 »
I don't see how to get around removing the switches and putting the thing together as a unit.
My assumption was that the switches are what holds the whole assembly together.
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Offline chyros

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 11:41:25 »
I'm a bit confused. This is what you're suppposed to do:

1) mount switches in mounting plate
2) affix PCB to mounted switches
3) solder switches to PCB

Did you do it in an order other than this?
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Offline duynguyenle

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 11:46:19 »
Surely you clip the switches onto the plate first, before soldering them to the PCB?
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Offline TouchTypist

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 13:43:56 »
Judging from the phrasing of the responses here, I have committed a grave error. Consequently, it seems as though I have earned myself bonus desoldering practice. The order listed by Chyros is not what I followed. So, this attempt was high on effort, short on sufficient planning.
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Offline klennkellon

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 15:14:17 »
While those black Alps are loose is a great time to linearize them or clickify them. Both are much better than the stock switches.
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Offline merlin64

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 01 February 2017, 16:49:16 »
I am somewhat curious as to what PCB mounted alps feel like. Would you mind sharing
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Offline TouchTypist

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:04:01 »
Quote from: klennkellon on Wed, 01 February 2017, 15:14:17
While those black Alps are loose is a great time to linearize them or clickify them. Both are much better than the stock switches.
I know I can search for this on my own, but if it isn't too much trouble, do you know where I can find a tutorial for this?
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Offline TouchTypist

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:07:15 »
Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 01 February 2017, 16:49:16
I am somewhat curious as to what PCB mounted alps feel like. Would you mind sharing
As this was an unintentional endeavor, I don't quite know how to tell you. I did press the switches some after I finished soldering them all, no keycaps. I would say it didn't inspire a lot of confidence that they would stay in place long term. The leads are at the top of the switch, at least how they're mounted in this keyboard, and if you do not hit them dead center, or perhaps a bit north, they flex.

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Offline duynguyenle

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:26:48 »
Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 01 February 2017, 16:49:16
I am somewhat curious as to what PCB mounted alps feel like. Would you mind sharing

I don't believe alps switches have ever been designed for pcb mounting, due to lack of the capability to self-centralise the switch onto the pcb (plate mount cherry switches has two extra pegs on the bottom in addition to the centre dimple to do this task). The plate is required (also because stabilisers are mounted on the plate)
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Offline merlin64

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 02 February 2017, 08:33:48 »
Quote from: duynguyenle on Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:26:48
Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 01 February 2017, 16:49:16
I am somewhat curious as to what PCB mounted alps feel like. Would you mind sharing

I don't believe alps switches have ever been designed for pcb mounting, due to lack of the capability to self-centralise the switch onto the pcb (plate mount cherry switches has two extra pegs on the bottom in addition to the centre dimple to do this task). The plate is required (also because stabilisers are mounted on the plate)

LOL. I am well aware that alps are not designed to be PCB mounted, but plate mounted. I was struggling on how to phrase it. I tried to steer away from "PCB mount alps" so I said "PCB mountED alps". Maybe "PCB only mounted alps"? Neither seem to really convey the fact that I meant to ask what OP's opinion of mounting Alps switches on a PCB without a plate was. Either way, OP got what I was trying to say. I apologize for the confusion.
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Offline need

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Re: Difficulty with new ALPS switches
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 02 February 2017, 08:41:08 »
Quote from: duynguyenle on Thu, 02 February 2017, 06:26:48
Quote from: merlin64 on Wed, 01 February 2017, 16:49:16
I am somewhat curious as to what PCB mounted alps feel like. Would you mind sharing

I don't believe alps switches have ever been designed for pcb mounting, due to lack of the capability to self-centralise the switch onto the pcb (plate mount cherry switches has two extra pegs on the bottom in addition to the centre dimple to do this task). The plate is required (also because stabilisers are mounted on the plate)
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