Once a switch leaf is bent throw it out, it will never be just right again.
Not today but over the weekend - soldered a controller in, blocking access to solder in two switches on a macropad. Turned my Sweet 16 into a Sweet 14 unless I want to unsolder/resolder the controller. Learned to pay more attention to the order of buildingā¦
Other than that, successful first attempt soldering something together. Sweet 16 is a great way to learn. (So I guess that could also be what I learned - how to build a macropad!)
Today I learned that when I have extra money I have zero impulse control for group buys
Irresponsible spending club, what what! Seriously though I feel your statement.
I learned that not all 60% plates are the same thanks to that damn DZ60 hotswap layout with arrow keys. I now have two 2U right shift carbon Fiber plates that are useless to me and Iām unable to complete a build until new ones arrive.
Iām constantly battling film crunch when actuating switches with aggressively protruding stem legs. Problem solved.
Interesting! I noticed that TXās revised design is something like that.
Aha! Thanks for the info. I guess I learned two things today
TIL to solder! Feels like this has taken a while - researching tools, ordering them, learning, and finally trying it. And realizing Iām totally a beginner at this. I had some great joints and some pretty bad joints. Definitely glad I used the practice kit first, and not any of my keyboards pcbs. I need a LOT more practice. Learned a lot tho trying it for real. Starting to get a feel for it.
Shout out to @CosmicKira for the video series in this post:
Soldering Video Series From PACE
I learned so much from these. Still a couple to finish on the repair/damage video list. But it was awesome. That narrationā¦ The diagramsā¦ The intro beatsā¦ I feel so educated.
I was actually better at soldering than desoldering. I had a solder sucker for this and the snap back was so sharp I had trouble keeping it in place while trying to heat the spot. It was a disaster. Anyone have advice for desoldering cleanly? Do I just need more practice? I suppose I could invest in one of those high end extractors, but that seems a like a lot to spend on. (Need to save that for more boards lol)
I donāt know what sucker u have but the engineer SS-02 really is worth the money.
As for technique, just make sure the solder-tip is steady,. Not the whole world if the sucker jump around.
@skepp Thatās the one I got. I only managed to cleanly desolder 1 out of 4 attempts. Soā¦ I probably just need more practice. Thanks for the second opinion. It helps.
The Engineer SS-02 is a really top tier manual solder sucker, but for my money you canāt beat one of these desoldering irons. They do run hot, so i wouldnāt recommend these for anyone who is not fairly experienced at soldering/desoldering. Although for me it has worked perfectly on boards Iāve soldered with leaded solder (have to work quick here tho to avoid PCB damage) & prebuilt boards using lead free solder. The only complaint Iād have with it, is that it blows through tips fairly quick. Theyāre replaceable & cheap though so a fair trade off for the price/performance of the iron IMHO.
That said I still do plan on getting a good desoldering gun sooner than later since I do a fair of desoldering. Despite the high prices on the guns, they are undeniably the fastest, easiest, & safest way to desolder TBH.
Yeah. It makes [sense] the manual method would probably still require some technique and skill. I just need to āsuck it upā and put in the practice time. Lol
My silicone nosel have got a slit in it so I put the tip in the slit and the rest straight on top of the solder, works well 8/10 times. (excuse my English)
Brilliant tip! Thanks. Does that affect the vacuum action at all? Or it still works fine?
It probably affects the vacuum, but not by much Iād guess. The slit occurred by ware and tear / accident but I use it to my advantage.
I can type competently but my pinky likes to flirt with the caps lock keyā¦ Today I learned I donāt have to deal with this insubordination any longer and removed the switch leaf in that key. I am looking at you next [Ins]!
I hope you donāt have a qmk/via compatible keyboard.
More expensive than removing a switch leaf and probably not as elegant looking since no keycap, but this exists an an option too
lol no just a Leopold now. I didnāt like the dip switch options. I am patiently waiting for an 1800 style to come up for group buy.