For keyboards with removable keycaps, a keycap puller is a very important tool. Though most of those keyboards come with a suitable keycap remover, you can go for alternatives like a DIY keycap puller for this purpose. So, let us know how to easily make a DIY keycap puller.
Making a DIY keycap puller is not complex but precise. Before going to the practical steps, you should have the collection of necessary materials, including the main item, like paper clips of the right size. Then you have to bend the arms and pegs while making the twist to structure the keycap puller.
The following analysis will guide you with the proper listing and proper steps so that you can get a keycap puller of standard quality. You will also come to know about the preparation and approach alongside the answer to some productive quarries.
How to Easily Make A DIY Keycap Puller
Generally, keyboards with removable keycaps come with the common addition of a plastic keycap puller. These may not be the best options, but they are very effective for this task.
With some specific tactics, you can use paper clips and a twist tie to create a better wire keycap puller. The whole process of making a DIY keycap puller requires some necessary things and precise steps.
Here are the ways you need to follow:
Step 1: Firstly, make sure you have gathered all the required materials. These include-
- Two Paper Clips of size #1.
- One Twist Tie where plastic is preferable.
- One pack of Needle Nose Pliers and one Ruler.
After collecting the necessary materials, the following precautions are applicable:
For this constructive purpose, you should choose #1 paper clips, and they are the same width as standard wire keycap pullers. The paper clips are supposed to be a little thinner than 1mm.
It is better to choose the Twist ties with a plastic coating as they have more comfort and robustness.
The arrangement of a ruler and needle-nose pliers can be very useful for this structuring process, and remember to tape the ends to keep the paper clips unharmed.
Step 2: Now, it is time to straighten the paper clips properly.
The paper clips should be settled in proper alignment. After straightening the #1 paper clips, the total length is expected to be around 3.75 inches or 9.5 cm long.
You can use either your fingers or the pliers to straighten the paper clips section-wise. You could need the pliers for the final bend. The pliers will help in structuring any kinks.
The best option is to compare the paper clips against a level surface or straight edge. This will ensure that your paper clips are straight enough for the targeted purpose.
Step 3: In this step, you need to bend the arms to get the right shape.
To get the proper structure, a wire keycap puller has the width of a finger. The approximate measurement is around 3/4″ or around 1.9 cm in width.
To ensure precise and centered bends on the wire, you have to form two arms that have the same length. After bending precisely, each arm should be expected to have roughly 1.5 inches or 3.8 cm in length.
When your finger can fit between the arms, the attempt can be marked successful. The gap should not have excessive width to fit between the keys.
Step 4: It is time to bend the pegs with proper measurement.
You need to be aware of using an exact number of pliers, and those should not exceed the tip for these last bends. Ensure the length required for the twist tie is good enough to fasten the pegs.
It is always a good idea to maintain as much arm’s length as possible. The ideal length for each peg should be limited to 0.5 millimeters.
Step 5: Make the Twist to ensure the suitable shape.
The twist tie should be positioned in the middle of the clip pegs. You need to fold each part across the arms so that you can have equal lengths on both sides.
When you twist around the bowed pegs from Step 4 and up, the structure will work as a handle for pulling and a retainer too.
Some Important Factors to Consider
- Using a well-made DIY keycap puller, you can lift two keycaps with the legs long enough before having to unload. The capacity may not be as much as expected from a conventional wire puller, but a metal one is likely to have more effectiveness and efficiency.
- An important issue is to ensure the clips are slightly opened. Moreover, you have to wrap it around the keycap’s sides and lower it.
- When slipped under the keycap, try to rotate the puller just a little so that each edge of the puller gets tucked under the opposite corner. While pulling straight up, be slow and soft. The keycap should be a simple part to remove.
- Repeat the same process with the different keycaps. For the first phase, you might find yourself slow. However, things will be faster as you become adjusted and experienced with the force needed.
FAQ
You can use a switch puller as a keycap puller only if you have a 2-in-1 keycap-switch puller. Otherwise, a switch puller is supposed to be used only for pulling switches and keycap pullers for keycaps. These are structured for specific and individual uses.
If you are looking for an alternative to the keycap puller, tweezers, especially the pointed ones, can be used with gentle pressure along the bottom edge of the keycaps. You can keep the tweezers open and lift both sides at the same time.
A good keycap remover is light and structured with a compact design. It is ideally designed to have a firm grip on the bottom of keycaps without sliding down the side. The wire keycap remover with an ergonomic handle can be more productive.
A keycap puller is the most common option to remove the keycap smoothly. But there are other options too. You can use things like a flathead screwdriver, butter knife, cards, or a bent paperclip. Smoothly slide any of those things underneath the key to pull it off.
Final Words
If you can make a DIY keycap puller maintaining the length and width, this can serve reasonably well as an alternative to metal or conventional keycap pullers. A guideline to the processes for understanding the measurements and rules can make the task easier.
That’s why the article on how to easily make a DIY keycap puller with guidelines for the exact steps has the details of the whole process. You can follow the steps and be careful about the related things to do the task successfully.
I am a regular user of computer keyboards. For using keyboard face different kinds of problems and also solve it very easily. I love sharing knowledge about keyboards.
