Author Topic: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(  (Read 3003 times)

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Offline toty_mk

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[HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 12:36:28 »
Hello guys!

I've been following this forum for quite a long time but just recently signed in.
I have a problem with a brand new Poker 3 mek and idk how to solve it, it's my 2nd mek ever.
The browns are awesome (I have a ducky with blues too). I really like 'em but I cant stand the rattle of some keys (space bar, return, left & right shift).
I had the same problem with backspace but after removing the keycap the rattle stopped but with the other didn't work at all.

So I pulled out the return key and found the stabs are moving, look:


Sorry for the quality, I used a crappy smartphone.

So I need your help, Will dielectric grease solve this? Or I have to disassemble the keyboard and take a look below?

Returning the mek isn't an option, I live in Argentina so...

Besides, I'd like you to recommend a good soldering station (preferably 220v), I wanna start learning to solder my own pcb's :D

thx in advanced.
« Last Edit: Sat, 04 August 2018, 12:54:31 by toty_mk »

Offline Tactile

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 13:24:35 »
That's not a problem. They're meant to have a sloppy fit in the housing. If the inserts were a nice, tight, precise fit in the stabilizer housing it can cause problems. If your keycap is just a little out-of-spec, warped, the stab shafts not precisely at right angle to the cap, or whatever, that nice, tight stabilizer won't be able to compensate and your key will jam down & stick, or won't press down at all.

The slop in the stabilizer is meant to be there.
REΛLFORCE

Offline toty_mk

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 14:01:58 »
Thx for the quick reply tectile!!!

So how do I make the rattle go away? Lube?


Offline tp4tissue

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 14:35:47 »
Oh no..... Time to buy a new Keebyo... Congratulations !!

Offline toty_mk

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 15:33:56 »
Oh no..... Time to buy a new Keebyo... Congratulations !!
}


what? Come on dude, it's no funny!

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 04 August 2018, 15:57:09 »
Yes, lubrication.  It will help tremendously to reduce the sound.  You need something thick.  I personally use Super Lube and have found it to do the trick.  Once the keycap is on the stabilizer insert, it doesn't move around as much.  What is making the noise is actually the metal bar rattling inside of the plastic insert.  You want to put lube in the hole where that metal bar goes into the insert.

Offline toty_mk

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  • Location: Buenos Aires
Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 05 August 2018, 11:33:34 »
Yes, lubrication.  It will help tremendously to reduce the sound.  You need something thick.  I personally use Super Lube and have found it to do the trick.  Once the keycap is on the stabilizer insert, it doesn't move around as much.  What is making the noise is actually the metal bar rattling inside of the plastic insert.  You want to put lube in the hole where that metal bar goes into the insert.

Thx pixelpusher!!! I've just bought the Permatex to give it a try! In case the rattle goes on Ill try to desolder every switch and see what's going on!

Never solder or desolder anything but it's time to learn :) Specially if I wanna make my own custom meks someday hahah!!!

Offline ag36

  • Posts: 179
  • Location: London, UK
Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 05 August 2018, 12:01:45 »
Get this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002MJMXD4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't recommend desoldering the entire board.

hakko fx-888d is good, I used Weller wsd81 which is fantastic now I use wxd2020.
« Last Edit: Sun, 05 August 2018, 12:03:57 by ag36 »
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Offline pixelpusher

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 05 August 2018, 12:12:24 »
It will drastically reduce the rattle, and most likely eliminate it completely.  I've never tried to lubricate stabilizers without removing them though.  If you're up for desoldering, I highly recommend removing the switch above the stabilizer, pulling out the stabilizer (easy to do on a pok3r b/c they are plate mounted), taking it apart to lubricate, reassembling, and then resoldering the switch.

Desoldering is the easiest way to ruin a PCB if you are a novice, so I'll offer a few tips.

Choose a decent soldering iron with temperature control and a chisel tip.  You can read all around about what to get, but just make sure it's something a step up from local hardware and big-box store irons.

Put a bit of fresh solder on the joint before you try to remove the old solder.  Alternatively, you can use flux, but some good rosin core solder is all you really need.  That way you don't have to buy too many things to get started. I highly recommend 63/37 blend because it flows so easily.  If you're worried about lead, just make sure to wash your hands after soldering.  The cancerous stuff is generally the fumes from the heated flux. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDLR8TS  (what I use)

Just a dab of fresh solder on the old will do.  When you stick your 650-700 degree iron against solder and it doesn't "melt"  it is most likely b/c it needs flux on it.  The flux in the core of the new solder will help the older solder to "flow" (melt into a thinner puddle) once heated up.  Speaking of flowing, you'll have to choose how to want to remove it.

Cheapest is probably a cooper braid. 
https://www.amazon.com/NTE-Electronics-SW02-10-No-Clean-Solder/dp/B0195UVWJ8
I removed all the switches from 3 60% boards using a braid.  Also, I've ruined 3 pads on a pok3r PCB using a braid.  Just have to avoid overheating (again, this is helped by adding flux or a dab of new rosin-core solder)

Next option is the solder sucker hand pump.  The only way this becomes problematic is if when you don't get all of the solder in the first pull. Then you're left with solder that is level to or below the pad that still needs to get sucked out.  DON'T cram your soldering iron down in there to heat it up!  Add solder back to the joint before you attempt to re-suck it out.  You can put the tip on one side of the pad/pin and the pump tip against the other.  You can even touch the solder tip to the tip of the pump and it won't melt. 
https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker/dp/B002MJMXD4

I now have a desoldering tool that does the job effortlessly in seconds, but that's more in the $250 ballpark.  I wouldn't recommend it for removing a joint here and there.

« Last Edit: Sun, 05 August 2018, 12:21:57 by pixelpusher »

Offline toty_mk

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 8
  • Location: Buenos Aires
Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 05 August 2018, 13:14:43 »
Get this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002MJMXD4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't recommend desoldering the entire board.

hakko fx-888d is good, I used Weller wsd81 which is fantastic now I use wxd2020.

Thx ag36 I'll have it in mind!

It will drastically reduce the rattle, and most likely eliminate it completely.  I've never tried to lubricate stabilizers without removing them though.  If you're up for desoldering, I highly recommend removing the switch above the stabilizer, pulling out the stabilizer (easy to do on a pok3r b/c they are plate mounted), taking it apart to lubricate, reassembling, and then resoldering the switch.

So you always desolder just the switches above the stabs or all of them?


Quote
Desoldering is the easiest way to ruin a PCB if you are a novice, so I'll offer a few tips.

Choose a decent soldering iron with temperature control and a chisel tip.  You can read all around about what to get, but just make sure it's something a step up from local hardware and big-box store irons.

Put a bit of fresh solder on the joint before you try to remove the old solder.  Alternatively, you can use flux, but some good rosin core solder is all you really need.  That way you don't have to buy too many things to get started. I highly recommend 63/37 blend because it flows so easily.  If you're worried about lead, just make sure to wash your hands after soldering.  The cancerous stuff is generally the fumes from the heated flux. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDLR8TS  (what I use)

Just a dab of fresh solder on the old will do.  When you stick your 650-700 degree iron against solder and it doesn't "melt"  it is most likely b/c it needs flux on it.  The flux in the core of the new solder will help the older solder to "flow" (melt into a thinner puddle) once heated up.  Speaking of flowing, you'll have to choose how to want to remove it.

Sorry I'm lost... b/c?

Quote
Cheapest is probably a cooper braid. 
https://www.amazon.com/NTE-Electronics-SW02-10-No-Clean-Solder/dp/B0195UVWJ8
I removed all the switches from 3 60% boards using a braid.  Also, I've ruined 3 pads on a pok3r PCB using a braid.  Just have to avoid overheating (again, this is helped by adding flux or a dab of new rosin-core solder)

Next option is the solder sucker hand pump.  The only way this becomes problematic is if when you don't get all of the solder in the first pull. Then you're left with solder that is level to or below the pad that still needs to get sucked out.  DON'T cram your soldering iron down in there to heat it up!  Add solder back to the joint before you attempt to re-suck it out.  You can put the tip on one side of the pad/pin and the pump tip against the other.  You can even touch the solder tip to the tip of the pump and it won't melt. 
https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker/dp/B002MJMXD4

I now have a desoldering tool that does the job effortlessly in seconds, but that's more in the $250 ballpark.  I wouldn't recommend it for removing a joint here and there.


Wow really nice advice pixelpusher! I was just about to ask you what blend to use when I saw your comment. With your guys recommendations I have everything to start but the soldering iron.
I can import it from the US but I'll have to find one which works with 220v or I've seen very good reviews from this little guy: Yaxun 881d+

Never having used one makes things more complicated to choose among all varieties.

I was thinking to buy this set for soldering practice, what you say?

https://www.amazon.com/AUSTOR-Prototype-Universal-Protoboard-Electronic/dp/B074X2GDH2/ref=pd_sim_328_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B074X2GDH2&pd_rd_r=QMRXFSM9NS91NHYNJP9B&pd_rd_w=nsuHY&pd_rd_wg=txp8t&psc=1&refRID=QMRXFSM9NS91NHYNJP9B
« Last Edit: Sun, 05 August 2018, 14:52:04 by toty_mk »

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 05 August 2018, 16:04:00 »
Don't worry about learning until you get the stuff in hand and try it out.  It will all make sense when you get started. 

That kit you linked looks like a great practice board.  But you could even start with something that works for a few more dollars:

https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/keyboard-kits/sweet-16-macro-pad-black/

my first ever project:
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-falcon-8-rgb-programmable-mini-macropad-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit.html


On the pok3r, you only have to remove the switches above the stabilizers b/c the stablizers are not attached to the PCB.  They clip in to the plate.  Once you remove the switch above them, they come out.  So, you will only need to remove 5 total switches.

There are lots of videos on YouTube of people soldering keyboards.  Just do a search for "mechanical keyboard soldering".  Also, good luck!  It's pretty easy and quite addictive to start creating cool keyboards.

Offline toty_mk

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  • Posts: 8
  • Location: Buenos Aires
Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 06 August 2018, 11:58:06 »
Don't worry about learning until you get the stuff in hand and try it out.  It will all make sense when you get started. 

That kit you linked looks like a great practice board.  But you could even start with something that works for a few more dollars:

https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/keyboard-kits/sweet-16-macro-pad-black/

my first ever project:
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-falcon-8-rgb-programmable-mini-macropad-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit.html


On the pok3r, you only have to remove the switches above the stabilizers b/c the stablizers are not attached to the PCB.  They clip in to the plate.  Once you remove the switch above them, they come out.  So, you will only need to remove 5 total switches.

There are lots of videos on YouTube of people soldering keyboards.  Just do a search for "mechanical keyboard soldering".  Also, good luck!  It's pretty easy and quite addictive to start creating cool keyboards.


Wow I'll definitely start with one of those projects first!!! They are way more challenging than just solder a single pcb with no circuits on it!

Although I'm still lost of what "b/c" stands for?

You're awesome dude, thx for this great advice!!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: [HELP] Poker 3 stabs are moving :(
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 06 August 2018, 12:15:37 »
b/c is short for "because"   ;D