ErgoDox Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard Kit Discussions | Drop

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ErgoDox Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard Kit

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boli

Mar 31, 2014

I just asked MD support regarding choice of diodes. The description suggests it's an either/or choice between through-hole diodes vs. SMDs, whereas my first two ErgoDox keyboards just included both types of diodes (and my third was pre-assembled with SMDs). I don't have equipment nor experience/patience to solder SMDs - I barely managed to re-solder one that fell off my pre-assembled ErgoDox. Soldering through-hole diodes (on the bottom side) is easy and worked very well.
Update: Support replied with this: "I believe we send out what is available, and that is the SMDs in this case. As far as I'm aware, I don't believe we are sending out the through-holes anymore, but I'll double-check on this and get back to you."
I'll update once I know more, but so far it doesn't look encouraging.

Mar 31, 2014

Veidt

Mar 31, 2014

boliIn my opinion, soldering SMD is actually simpler than through hole. The only additional thing you need, if you do not already have it, is tweezers (though some flux is also useful). First you put a bit of solder on one pad (which you've optionally put a wee bit of flux on), then you just use the tweezers to position the component correctly while melting the solder with the iron. After that, you just solder the other pad.
I find positioning through hole components, with all the wire bending and cutting and so on being very cumbersome in contrast.

Mar 31, 2014

Muunsyr

Mar 31, 2014

VeidtI agree here, but go one further. :) I don't use tweezers much for soldering the parts - I just use a matchstick! I find it even easier (you nudge the part into position gently rather than trying to carefully place it). Once in place (and with one of the contacts pre soldered as already mentioned by veidt) you pin it there by pushing down with the matchstick - this way you can be sure that you don't accidentally lift it while soldering. I still keep a pair of tweezers handy for sorting, flipping, finding and coarse grained placement of parts.

Mar 31, 2014

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HeinrichSt

Mar 31, 2014

boliSoldering SMD for these diodes is fairly doable with the right method. That's how I do it: - Tin one of the two pads - With tweezers put a diode on the two pads (left hand: tweezers, right hand: soldering iron) - Meld again the solder of the tinned pad - this should instantly fixate one end of the diode - Solder the second end

Mar 31, 2014

handystack

Apr 1, 2014

boliI have a mild essential tremor. Working with the surface mount diodes in my kit was one of the few experiences in my life that made me feel disabled. I have quite a bit of experience building, modifying, and repairing guitar amplifiers, and the point-to-point soldering required for that hobby has never been a problem for me. Most PCB work is fine too. I am never going to try surface-mount again though.
@boli - I will be interested to hear updates on your support request.

Apr 1, 2014

boli

Apr 3, 2014

handystackI missed the support's reply until now: "I checked with our guy, and indeed we are not shipping out the through-holes anymore. If you'd prefer to cancel your Ergodox order for this reason, let me know."
Of course I won't cancel. Through hole diodes are cheap, so the two work buddies and myself who ordered an ErgoDox this round will just get a few by ourselves.
Thanks to everyone about the helpful pointers regarding SMD soldering! I might give that a try too, but just in case will get through hole diodes as a backup. :) I used them for 2 ErgoDoxes already and they worked great.
P.S. Support replied with a link to http://ergodox.org/Hardware.aspx which lists the exact diodes recommended. :) They cost $5.43 for 3 keyboards worth (250 pieces, 78 needed each).

Apr 3, 2014

meski

Apr 11, 2014

boliJust got my kit today (Australia, and the while you were out card has been sitting around for a few days, so...) and it has SMD diodes. Like you, I'm reluctant to do these by hand, but getting hold of thru hole 1N4148's is easy, and I might even have enough laying around. A few surprises, but they are what I ordered, 'clear' Cherry means the centre of switch is a translucent white, and I wasn't altogether expecting blank keytops (again, that is what I ordered. Time I learnt to touch type properly! (unless someone can steer me at clear captioned keytops that work with this)

Apr 11, 2014

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goldenface

Apr 11, 2014

meskihttp://www.pimpmykeyboard.com/deals/granite-set-pbt-dye-sub-dsa/ They also have a ergodox modifier set for the thumb clusters.

Apr 11, 2014

David_KM

Apr 11, 2014

meskiHi Meski,
I have just put together my ErdoDox :-D
I used a fine tipped soldering iron with solder paste to solder the surface mount diode.
I used a toothpick to apply a small blob of paste to the two pads and then held the diode with a pair of tweezers on the PCB and touched the iron to the two pads until the solder flowed. (A jewellers' loupe helped to check for the cathode line on the package.)
I found the whole assembly process to be quite painless, it was really nice to have quite a few more diodes than I really needed, I could mess several times (I soldered one diode on the wrong way round, and another got soldered askew). It took me about four hours from start to finish, and that was while chatting on IM with a friend.
I found it more difficult to remove the protective paper from the thinner perspex sheets (ons side was well stuck down!)
I hope that this encourages you ;-)

Apr 11, 2014

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anro

May 30, 2014

HeinrichStThis was the tactic I used and it was fairly successful, but with a minor tweak. I would tin both pads, apply a tiny dab of flux, put the diode and then reheat one of the pads to tack the diode, then do the other. I had a higher success rate this way than when I tried just tinning one and soldering the other.

May 30, 2014

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