Keyboard Builders' Digest / Tips & Tricks
Hot-swap socket holders
Two hot-swap socket holders for handwired builds shared by ghostfaceschiller.
Published September 30, 2022
Mr. ghostfaceschiller aka dschil138 published two hotswap socket holders: one for Choc and another for MX-compatible switches.
Big thank you to everyone who pointed me to resources on how to incorporate hot-swap sockets into hand-wired builds the other day – ghostfaceschiller.
Let's state the obvious: You don't need these for a handwired build to work – until you try to remove a switch. :D At least in my experience, breaking some solder joints or tearing the wire off the socket is unavoidable without some fixture like these socket holders.
In case it's unclear, the sockets friction fit into the holder prints, but I add a dab of superglue as well to make them super solid. Then the holder is superglued to the the case underneath each switch.
According to the designer, the Choc version can be easily printed flat, but the MX-style holder should be printed at a 45 degree angle. There is a small bevel on the bottom edge to help with this.
Resources
https://www.printables.com/model/284057-hot-swap-socket-holders
The MX model was originally re-mixed from this file:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3117549
Published on Fri 30th Sep 2022. Featured in KBD #97 (source).
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