Use the right tool for the job
Your keyboard comes with a double-sided key puller, designed to make it easy and safe to pull out both keycaps and the keyswitches that lie under them. Before you begin, make sure you have this key puller to hand.
Change your own keyswitches
No soldering required
Next-level customization, out of the box
One board. Unlimited switches.
We love keyboards, so we get you. Picking the right switch for your board is hard. It‘s usually a choice you get to make just once. Then, those switches get soldered onto the board, and that‘s it (unless you‘re handy with a soldering iron, that is).
This is not the case with the "Moonlander. The switches aren‘t soldered on: They sit in special sockets. The board comes with a tool in the box that lets you pull switches out anytime, so you can just pop new ones in.
With the Moonlander, you can launch an exploration mission into the universe of mechanical keyswitches!
As you may know, your Moonlander makes it possible for you to switch your switches (sorry for the pun).
This isn't something you're likely to do on day one, but it's nice to know how simple it is. Scroll down to see the procedure, and feel free to refer back to this page when you decide to try out some new keyswitches.
Make sure your Moonlander is flat
If you typically tent your Moonlander, use the included hex key to loosen the thumb cluster tenting screw and the leg. Lay the keyboard completely flat on your desk before proceeding, as you will be applying moderate pressure to the unit in some of the following steps.
Pull out the keycaps
First, you're going to have to pull out your keycaps. Use the "wire loop" side of the key puller for this.
- Place the puller over the keycap and push down.
- The wires will part and "hug" the keycap from below.
- Pull directly up, gently but firmly.
Grasping a keyswitch correctly
Now comes the fun part. Here, orientation matters: Insert the tweezers under the switch where you see the little tabs.
Pulling it out
Squeeze the tweezers around the switch and pull up with a smooth upward motion. The keyswitch will come out - victory!
Inserting a new switch
Once you have your switch out, you'll see the socket. Before you insert the new switch in, make sure its pins are straight and that it's correctly oriented. Then, simply push straight down, and the switch will click into place.
You've got it!
Repeat for as many keys as you'd like. Then, bask in the satisfaction of a job well done: You just did something most mechanical keyboard owners can't.