Do I Need to Lube My Keyboard Switches?
Figure 1: Sometime around here is a good time to ask that question... If you’re new to the mechanical keyboard hobby, I have no doubt that planning your first keyboard build is a bit of a daunting task. To be entirely honest with you, it’s only a tiny bit less daunting for your second or even third keyboard builds should you stay around a little while longer. You’ve got the keyboard itself to worry about, stabilizers, keycaps, and even switches on top of all of the intangible marks you want your dream keyboard to hit. Switches are especially daunting right out of the gate as there’s just so many options out there to pick from – each with their own unique specifications, manufacturers, and more. Yet, in spite of all of these differences between switches, time and time again I find people always asking about lubing switches as one of their chief concerns when it comes to picking some up. With countless numbers of content creators talking about lubing switches, its no...
Apr 17, 2024
That crazy aussie knows what he's talking about. For practice, idk, you could take apart something electronic that you dont care about. Then desolder one of the components off the PCB and then practice soldering it back in place. As far as spending the least amount of money practicing, that's all I know. I guess you don't own a soldering iron? Unless you want to invest in a piece of equipment that you think you won't use but once or twice, I'd just ask your buddies if they have the skills you seek or know anyone that does. Good luck.
Soldering is not hard if you have decent (or corrected) vision and a moderately steady hand. All it takes is the will to learn. Watch a few Youtube videos and you'll see how easy it is. There's a "technique" do doing it well and yes, good tools help. But you gotta start somewhere.
My vacuum is a Soldapullt SS350 that I've owned for around 20 years.
I don't own the one at Sparkfun, I just listed it because I mentioned Sparkfun earlier. With that in mind, the TOL-13203 does not look bad. It's got a metal body and plunger, for example. For a casual user, and for someone who is already buying other stuff from Sparkfun, I think it could be okay. YourFace might not be soldering enough for it to matter.