Repairing mechanical keyboards

[Dinglesberry]

So basically, I broke a couple keys playing FFR... I'm sure I'm not the only one, but basically:

Started with ASKL, broke A -> moved to SD KL, broke D -> moved to GH ;', broke G, now I'm on HJ ;' and ; is about to stop registering most inputs.. I've basically ruined any comfortable spot of playing on the middle row lol

Rather than buy a new keyboard, I'm thinking I'll just try to repair mine.. From what I can see, you can buy individual cherry mx switches (I found a 10 pack for $10), a soldering iron for like 5$, and you can swap em out.. 15$ vs like 80$, so..

Has anyone every done/tried this? It be ez?

[Wayward Vagabond]

Either you have a shitty mechanic or you are hella abusive

[Dinglesberry]

prolly both i got the cheapest i could find lol, I suppose i press down hard

shit breaks too quick tho lol

[_Zenith_]

You're doing something wrong if you are breaking keys that fast.

I use a really really cheap and easily breakable dome keyboard(just putting it in my drawer when I'm not using it and opening/closing rather quickly already formed a crack in the bottom of the keyboard) yet I've only lost one setup.

This doesn't pertain to your OP but thought I'd share since you shouldn't be blowing through setups the way you do on a mech no less.

[Mahou]

You're either

a) really abusive (pretty much what van stone said)
b) buying a really shitty mechanical keyboard (which yours is cheap, so could possibly be this option)
c) terrible form and position on the board

You could possibly repair that keyboard...but is it really worth going through all that effort when you could just buy a new one?

[MinaciousGrace]

even if it's not worth repairing that specific keyboard learning how to replace switches is a useful, easy, and cheap skill to acquire

I replaced a half dozen switches a couple weeks ago using this iron and this solder sucker

it took me a couple hours to figure it out and practice on one of my older boards but by the end of it I could disassemble my keyboard replace 2 switches and put it back together in about 5 minutes

though I would probably recommend getting a more powerful iron if you plan on doing this long term

also protip: damp sponge

[Dinglesberry]

I've really been looking for an excuse to learn more about soldering and electronics.

I dunno what these people are saying about it not being normal to break keys lol.. I mean like, I'm not saying the entire key breaks, I just mean it misses inputs, or perhaps I need to fully press it to activate (I have brown switches so they should activate with a light press).

lol its definitely worth repairing tho instead of buying a new one.. like, you get to learn about soldering and how the keyboard is wired up, and its way cheaper.

I actually know a guy who is super obsessed with mechanical keyboards lol, spends tons of money on custom keycaps and such, builds his own, I should make some beaast stepmania keyboard lol. That being said, for example, lets say you could just replace individual switches.. I could have a set of 4 keys that are brown switches, 4 red switches and 4 blue switches lol all on the same keyboard, and the switches would be like 10$.

[djaero]

I've never used a mechanical keyboard for any appreciable length of time, but often with failing mechanical switches a good cleaning can solve the problem as opposed to replacement. You could try flushing them out with a can of pcb cleaning solution. If you do replace them, one tip is to get a pen type rosin applicator and apply before soldering. You'll get good solder joints more reliably than with just using a rosin cored solder.