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Depending upon the cost and how much they mean to you there are a couple of options. One is to replace the switches. If they're hot swappable then it's easy.
by bb88 1y ago
Depending upon the cost and how much they mean to you there are a couple of options.
One is to replace the switches. If they're hot swappable then it's easy. If they're not, it's hard -- but easy if you're willing to spend money on a desoldering iron. Depending upon your feelings here, I would consider it maintenance to keep it going if you love it -- particularly if you use it to prevent RSI.
A quick look shows matias does sell replacement switches -- which is usually the thing to go. Springs, crud, etc end up in the switches. Sometimes you can tear them apart to fix them, sometimes it's easier to toss them and replace them.
The typical desoldering tool for keyboards is something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-Engineer-Solder-Suction-SS-03/dp/B0D7Q293KV/ https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-Engineer-Solder-Suction-SS-0...
They also have things like this that are maybe more functional than trying to do it two handed:
https://www.amazon.com/zycllycx-Electric-Automatic-Desoldering-One-Handed/dp/B0F1XZKSLZ/ https://www.amazon.com/zycllycx-Electric-Automatic-Desolderi...
But the hakko is the gold standard here. If you have keyboards you absolutely love but are soldered, this is the way to go.
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Portable-Desoldering-Tool/dp/B07BFVFMS9/ https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Portable-Desoldering-Too...
- dotancohen 1y agoI meant that I am looking for a keyboard, not for a keyboard hobby. Hahaha who am I kidding? Of course I have a keyboard hobby! I have a practical museum of various split and mechanical keyboards. But I don't want to be soldering them any more.
- bb88 1y agoI think the trick these days is find a layout you like with hot swappable cherry mx switches that have a qmx/via style configurator. Then you can configure the buttons however you want. Or you know... go build your own. It's fun. I built my own keypad and learned a bunch of stuff.
- dotancohen 1y agoI get that you're trying to be helpful, but I meant that I am looking for a keyboard. Not for a keyboard hobby.
- BlaDeKke 1y agoSomething tells me that you’re not looking for a keyboard hobby.
- bb88 1y agoThere's a certain trend to repairing existing electronics and keeping electronics waste out of landfills, right to repair and what not -- and that's the spirit I was talking about. Even hot swap switches prevent more landfill waste as it makes it easy for people to replace bad switches. And if you want a reliable keyboard in the future, that's what you'll need, other wise it will just be more e-waste. Owning 20 cars and maintaining them is a hobby. Owning 1 car and maintaining it is not -- it's life.
- dotancohen 1y agoOh, I've soldered my share of keyboards. But only in repairs, not in actually building one from scratch.