Question - Can change switches of mechanical keyboard?

noeltoh98 · 05 May 2013, 14:57

Hi, some places are selling individual switches like Cherry MX Blue, red, green, black and clear. I have a cooler master storm trigger. Possible to buy these individual keys and replace the keys myself? If so, can someone provide a tutorial please? Thanks

Muirium · 05 May 2013, 15:26

Switching out switches always involves soldering at the least. As in de-soldering the current ones then soldering the new guys into place. Pretty time consuming and fiddly, but certainly doable.

I know next to nothing about CM keyboards. Is your one PCB mount or plate mount?

Switches are either PCB mount (no plate) or plate mount, there's a physical difference in the switches which is why both types are sold separately. Plates can make the process harder, from what I've heard.

WhiteFireDragon has some very detailed videos about this kind of modding.

Findecanor · 05 May 2013, 15:49

Practically all new Cherry keyboards these days are plate-mounted. Only Cherry's G80-series (but not all of them) and some enthusiast keyboards (such as the Poker) are PCB-mounted.

Kurk · 05 May 2013, 20:38

Looks like the Cooler Master Storm Trigger has indeed plate-mounted switches and a LED on each switch. That means de-soldering 4 pins per switch if you want to change them.
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5137/c ... ndex7.html

HID45 · 06 May 2013, 16:18

Kurrk wrote:Looks like the Cooler Master Storm Trigger has indeed plate-mounted switches and a LED on each switch. That means de-soldering 4 pins per switch if you want to change them.

Yep. I have 55 switches and 200 leds inbound... Some quality time ahead with my Ducky Shine and 15€ Biltema soldering iron... (not)

domin8r · 07 May 2013, 15:07

If you're not up for the soldering and such.. I've seen people that will replace all the switches for you for a reasonable pay

vivalarevolución · 08 May 2013, 15:45

Replacing PCB-mount switches is quite easy. I can do it with a modified paper clip. I would link a YouTube video but I'm on my IPhone right now and I'm feeling rather unambitious.

domin8r · 08 May 2013, 15:47

prdlm2009 wrote:Replacing PCB-mount switches is quite easy. I can do it with a modified paper clip. I would link a YouTube video but I'm on my IPhone right now and I'm feeling rather unambitious.

Because he is lazy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXOuTEHwkw

vivalarevolución · 09 May 2013, 05:03

domin8r wrote:
prdlm2009 wrote:Replacing PCB-mount switches is quite easy. I can do it with a modified paper clip. I would link a YouTube video but I'm on my IPhone right now and I'm feeling rather unambitious.
Because he is lazy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXOuTEHwkw

Yes sir, thank you. The whole copy and paste on an iphone is a bit a hassle.