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Repairing/replacing single switch

post #1 of 10
10/16/12 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

long time reader, ran into some problems with my Das Keyboard - one of my switches is broken (the S key).

It served me well over the ages, I think I might have pushed it too hard for too long and I won't lie, the keyboard had a close encounter with the floor a couple of times because I usually type with the keyboard on my lap. (which doesn't really explain the faulty switch)

I carefully removed the cap and noticed that other switches are more firmly attached to the base, while this one seems just a bit loose - the S key only work if I press hard enough under a specific angle.

My question is a follows: is there a way to repair, replace or fix a single or a set of switches, or am I forced to open up the wallet for another keyboard?

Thanks for your replies.
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post #2 of 10
10/16/12 at 7:41pm
this should actualy be a decently easy fix if the switch is just loose... you will have to fully disable the board and get to the upper most PCB which the switches are attacked too... many of the pcbs will have the switch go through the top pcb and have the solder joint on the back... once your keyboard is dissembled, and the solder joint for the "s" key... the hard part is repairing the solder joint with the least amount of solder while keeping the switch as absolutely straight as possible smile.gif

EDIT: use the other switches solder points as references for what it should look like smile.gif
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post #3 of 10
10/16/12 at 7:41pm
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You can replace a single switch. All that you need to do is desolder the bad switch from the PCB and solder in the new switch. Not too difficult if you have done any soldering.

*edit Here is an old thread with a video of removing and replacing a switch
Edited by tictoc - 10/16/12 at 7:55pm
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post #4 of 10
10/16/12 at 11:31pm
Bwahahaha. Lmnop and her Pamperchu videos.
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post #5 of 10
10/17/12 at 12:16am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I'll look into it and report any progress
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post #6 of 10
10/17/12 at 7:36am
I have to do the same thing with my Ducky soon (bad "Enter" keyswitch). I have to press the Enter key two, three times before it will register. Gets annoying when trying to type posts/messages/college papers. Since it's only one switch I'll probably just spend $2.50 to buy a new one off eBay.
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post #7 of 10
10/18/12 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
With your generous help I managed with little to no experience to successfully replace the faulty switch on my Das Keyboard.

Here's the infamous cherry blue and its respective components.


And the tools I used (from left to right)

A Russian(?) soldering flux, a REALLY old 100W soldering gun, some solder and a screwdriver (for opening the keyboard up and removing the melted alloy)

I rarely if ever use the scroll lock key, so I was like **** it, I'll just swap it with the faulty one, maybe a temporary makeshift fix, I'll see where this takes me.


I used the gun and de-soldered the B and C parts, the encircled A part is what caused me some problems - it's trapezoid shaped and doesn't jump out nicely.

I know, I've burnt it like hell, I'm new to this shut up, I'll get it in time.

I used some solder and popped the scrlk switch onto the faulty S switch. Instead of a drop-like shape, I got a spherical masterpiece which I'm incredibly proud of.


And here it is, fully functional (well, minus the scroll key) in all it's glory. It needs a bit of a cleanup though.



The reason why I "documented" this is because I encourage laymen to give this a shot, even if they're not extremely skilled at soldering.
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post #8 of 10
10/18/12 at 12:50pm
Grats smile.gif that's a good liking job for first time smile.gif... And respect for using a gun... They can be such a pain for fine sodering
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post #9 of 10
10/18/12 at 12:57pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks smile.gif

You've got a point though, if I ever do it again, I won't be using the gun - it's a bit too big for this tiny parts
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post #10 of 10
10/18/12 at 3:06pm
In Soviet Russia Gun Solders You.

I had a guide at Geekhack but iMav deleted it. Will let you know when I get it back up.

jWgJDh.jpg
Edited by ripster - 10/18/12 at 3:16pm
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