Modding/breaking apart mechanical keyboards ?

[user33331]

Hello (Compact 30x12cm mechanical keyboards 60% size=No numpad)

Is it possible to buy a new compact mechanical keyboard, detach those switches and move them to a different old casing easily ?

I have an empty older keyboard case+keys (electronics broke on it) and I just want new mechanical switches and new electronics inside. I'm no good at soldering. So I will just attach the new switches with 2-sided tape to their right places and keep the electronics same without soldering or such.

Are the mechanical switches usually permanently glued to the board or is it possible to safely detach them with the electronics still connected and transfer them to a new casing ?

Looking for a new 30x12cm donor compact mechanical keyboard.

 

[SamirD]

You can buy keyboards that have housings so you can simply change switches on the fly without soldering. They're not cheap, but are the best for what you're trying to do.

 

[sneekypeet]

Switches are soldered 99% of the time to the PCB.
You may be able to swap out the entire PCB into another frame, but there too you may need to mod some things.

There are keyboards in the wild with easy to remove switches, but the only one which comes to mind is the EpicGear Defiant.