Switched my Model 01 Keyswitches to Matias Reds

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So, I couldn’t use my boards for a while as due to around 5 of the keys developing Chatter (common problem with the Model 01). I bought Some Matias Linear (reds) from The Keyboard Company (Matias Quiet Linear Key Switch Modules x 200 : KS102Q-200 : The Keyboard Company) as I have read that they are are a little lighter than the tactile greys that come with the Model 01.

I have got each half down to about an hour and a half to desolder and resolder the new switches.

Keyboard
Keyboard1920×1080 403 KB

The Reds are a lot lighter than the Tactiles, but I can still rest my fingers on them without them actuating. Will get used to them with time.

I have another board to do (got 2 Model 01’s). I might video some of the process if anyone is interested.

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I’d love to hear more about the process. I had a nightmare of a time replacing a single switch.

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So the general idea is:

  1. Melt the solder with an iron and whilst it is still in contact, use a solder sucker at 45 degrees to suck. Try to get most out, so you can see the pads and pins, but it’s not vital to get all
  2. Hold the board vertical and apply the iron to pins whilst leveraging with some curved needle nose tweezers (sharpest you can get) levered under the flaps of the switch.
    image
  3. Keep holding the iron on alternate pins whilst applying some leavering force. Eventually it will pop out

I found a video of me doing it. The trick is to get really pointy tweezers so they can be pushed under the flaps. Do this AFTER using a solder sucker to suck out most of the solder

I am sure there are better tools/techniques than this but this is using what I had around (the tweezers were in a generic ‘mobile repair kit’ off amazon that had loads of screwdriver pieces. Although I didn’t damage any of the pads, it could easily do so if you put too much pressure on the tweezers.

You can hear the 4 clicks as I desolder the pins. Thinking about it now, I think the clicking sound is coming from those 4 corner clips that hold it in place.

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I found a video of me doing it. The trick is to get really pointy tweezers so they can be pushed under the flaps. Do this AFTER using a solder sucker to suck out most of the solder

I am sure there are better tools/techniques than this but this is using what I had around (the tweezers were in a generic ‘mobile repair kit’ off amazon that had loads of screwdriver pieces. Although I didn’t damage any of the pads, it could easily do so if you put too much pressure on the tweezers.

You can hear the 4 clicks as I desolder the pins. Thinking about it now, I think the clicking sound is coming from those 4 corner clips that hold it in place.

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