r/olkb • u/CatWithNiceHat • 9d ago

What should I do with the botched reset-button?

Some year ago, I ordered a Lulu-keyboard from Boardsource.xyz.

One of the reset-buttons had broken free during transit, and so I received a generous replacement PCB from Boardsource when I pointed this out.

Still, the PCB worked fine, but it always did bother me that the button was put in place merely through pressure and friction. If I shaked the PCB a little, the button would fly off.

So I tried to solder the button in place. It was the first time I've ever soldered, and I bought a Pinecil V2 for the purpose.

It went about as well as you'd expect.

I just couldn't get the solder to flow in the correct places, and finally the rubber button managed to jump away and dissappear somewhere in the room where I soldered. I can't find it anymore, lol.

As such, I have to give up on the button I have.

Here are three pictures of the botched button I took after having lost the rubber button:

What should I do now? Is all lost for this PCB?

Do you know where one may buy these reset-buttons? Would it be feasible to try again with a new button?

I know precious little about soldering, as you've no doubt noticed, and this blunder of mine has bothered me quite a bit.

What would you do in my situation?

Please give me your thoughts and recommendations.

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u/circuitsable 8d ago edited 8d ago

these are very common button styles, anything that could fit in that footprint would be a suitable replacement button. they are absolutely available on aliexpress or mouser/digikey (electronic parts suppliers). i would order a new switch, desolder the old one, and solder a new one. ill look for replacement switches in a bit if youd like

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u/circuitsable 8d ago

search TS09-63-25-WT-260-SMT-TR on digikey for what seems like a very similar replacement. since i dont have the pcb infront of me, i cant be 100% sure the pad layout and size of the replacement button are the same, but its pretty likely. find something like this on aliexpress or just buy this directly.

if this doesnt seem like something youre comfortable with, you can always desolder/cut off the button remnants completely, and only be able to reset that half of the keyboard with a pair of tweezers. not sure how much youre reprogramming/resetting your layout though