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FC660C - full disassembly - how bad is it? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by octopus_ink@lemmy.ml to c/mechanicalkeyboards@lemmy.ml

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I have an FC660C which I love, and really has been my endgame board. I have literally not bought another keyboard since picking this up however many years ago. (Well, technically not true, but the only thing I bought after that was an FC980C to use at work, and that was because I wanted something as nice as the 660C to use while I was there.)

However, it hasn't been thoroughly cleaned in all the time I've owned it. I've taken most of the caps off and cleaned under them a couple times, and I've opened the bottom of the case once or twice, but I haven't done a full disassembly, haven't even considered lube, haven't pulled caps for the stabilizer keys, etc.

Some things are getting a little squeaky, and I really want to give it a deep clean. (and maybe a lube)

My fears are: Screwing up the stabilizers (I have fully disassembled a couple cherry MX boards before, but I'm not clear how different or more delicate this is likely to be, and it's been awhile), and screwing up/losing all (or any of) those little springs and the domes.

I've checked out a few videos over the years, but am still just a little nervous about doing it.

Can anyone who has done it convince me it's not that bad, or warn me away from trying? 😁

Bonus question: If I end up in there anyway, any recommended extra steps to take?

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[–] dnzm@feddit.nl 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I've never taken apart a Topre board, but looking at this video video, I'd say it was doable. Fiddly, maybe, but then again, so is opening up every switch on an MX board, too. Take your time, be gentle, pay close attention to what you're doing... You're probably going to be fine.

[–] octopus_ink@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you! For some reason I remembered it requiring a lot more than it looks like it does in that video. I appreciate it!

[–] hisbaan@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Before I sold my FC660C, I took it apart and lubed the sliders a few times with trybosis 3204. It was my first time taking apart a keyboard and wasn't particularly difficult and the stabilizer keys are really just wider regular topre keys. There is a wire, but it's inside the key instead of over top like cherry. A good set of tweezers is all you need. There's a good video by Taeha Types about lubing an HHKB which was not all that different. I'd say the most tedious thing about it was just how many screws there are holding the PCB to the plate

A few things to watch out for:

be careful about the ribbon cable that goes from the main board to the daughter board that has the usb port on it
try and keep the domes from separating from the PCB. there shouldn't be any reason to remove them and they're held in place with some sort of adhesive. I've heard if you take them out then it's a pain getting it all back together.
if you take the sliders apart you may break some plastic tabs on them, but that's normal so don't worry (see any video about lubing topre)

Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions! :)

[–] octopus_ink@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Thanks a bunch, those are all good tips, and I was already wondering what lube to get

Looking at the other video that was posted I was wondering if I could/should just leave the domes attached, so thank you for confirming.