How to Solder Mill-Max Hotswap Sockets (0305 & 7305) on keyboard PCBs

[@homerowco.1957]

just put them on the switch first... *facepalm ;)

[@keybonbon]

I’ve found I’m faster at it when I insert directly into the pcb first, but I know that’s really tedious for some, so good tip! :)

[@homerowco.1957]

@@keybonbon you're missing the benefits of it - you pre align the socket correctly to fit the pins when inserting the switches for one but you also insert the pin all the way - sure, you're faster but then you have the bend pin issue later on when you insert the switches because that one socket just lays in a bad way and keeps on stopping the pin. ;) (you should also recommend a much smaller solder tip and to remove them you should use a thin wire like the leg of a diode and pull it out with it)

[@keybonbon]

sold! Thanks a lot for sharing this and explaining the benefits in a constructive way. I wish YT would let me overlay text like it used to so I could share this, but the best I can do is pin your comment, and down the line I’ll probably make a follow up video to cover this and a few other things I missed (i.e recommending thin wire like you mentioned- I used .5mm in this case). Have a lovely day :)

[@anthonvanderneut]

@@keybonbon Could it be that the (very) difficult to fit switches would fit better if the sockets were better aligned? Or is this just because of switch pin thickness?

[@bewatter3014]

@@keybonbon hey keybonbon, thanks for the video... i am a noob from germany could u please explain me againg what @homerow was tryin to say in easy words? because i will build my first costum keyboard... and wanted to try the method you used in your video i dont want to mess up big time while trying :-/

[@JPageauBienvenu]

Thank you for spending the time, effort and money to cover this as thoroughly as you did.

[@Nik.ff.]

God I love tutorials like this. Short, straight to the point, high quality and informative. Thank you

[@Teknickel]

Awww yeaaaaaahh, a quality guide that doesn't look like it was recorded with a camcorder from 2005

[@ChubiPanda]

Brilliant video. I've watched hundreds of keyboard related how-to and none have covered mill max sockets!

[@jw_25]

Great video! I personally did it differently. I used tweezers to place the Mill-Max sockets into the PCB, but put a strip of heat resistant tape over a row of them, then repeated for the other 4 rows of my WhiteFox 65% keeb. Flipped the PCB over to the underside, and began soldering away. I repeated the process for the two-pin LED sockets as well. The end result was a completely hot-swappable WhiteFox. Very happy.

[@wyletwo]

oh that sounds much nicer, I was dreading having to desolder every time I got some in the socket

[@julian23561]

I was thinking about the tape on the board to hold them up, thanks for the confirmation.

[@prognostics]

Nobody ever needs to make a video about this again, this is flawless. Thank you

[@andrewhkm1]

Hands down one of the most informative keyboard channels you can find. Thank you!

[@woyaodapian]

That's really a great and thoughtful video. Shelf off many man hours for others.

[@liveresistrebel]

Loved your presentation format in this video, best of luck streaming and with your channel!

[@keybonbon]

Thank you I appreciate that!

[@thewhiteapparation]

Love this video. It has the right amount of detail, and super easy to understand. Keep it up!

[@paulstrong2210]

Baller video. I am making the Milk macropad and I decided to convert my canoe at the same time, so this is super helpful, especially your switch list. Thanks!

[@alexlorenlee]

Great video and great timing! It's kind of sad when you buy an awesome keyboard but dread desoldering switches to customize it, I will likely being doing this to many of my keyboards :)

[@papi6518]

id recommend using a push pin to insert the socket in and taping them down with thermal tape. using switches takes or tweezers take way too long and you may lose a few during that process. having them taped down allows you to solder all at once and add more force to properly secure and use more force to push the sockets in further. you think that it's all the way down but really it's not. hope this helps!

[@keybonbon]

Good tip, I’ll try that some time!

[@_iboji]

This was super helpful thank you! I bought my first solder only PCB custom and decided to install 7305 sockets in them because I'm so indecisive about switches. I think the consensus now is to put the sockets on the switches then slot them through a plate into the holes so I will do that instead too. I'm so glad adding these sockets is an option!

[@b1_ferg]

Dude, seriously? Just wow. 👏👏👏 Thank you for taking the time to do this. Holy crap! Your channel is impressing me more and more. Thanks a bunch for all the great info!

[@jasonreviews]

mind blown. this is so sick. basically you can convert any keyboard into hotswap.

[@youhaspokemon]

Very well made video! Definitely the first video I've seen about mill-max sockets, insta-sub!

[@Phil_Goodman]

These adaptors are so nice... I lifted a pad by accident! and luckly shoving one of these mill-max fixed it!

[@OldGum]

Thank you for this video. Great detail, easy to understand your explanations & full of useful info! I've been wanting to start modding my red led corsair k70 recently so being able to have the switches hotswapable is a game changer!

[@gagakserak3914]

This is channel that I need. Subscribed

[@otter-pro]

Thanks for the video. I just ordered 0305 from Mouser for my dz60 keyboard.

[@lovidore]

Thank you very much for such an informative video. I look forward to great things coming from this channel.

[@revraitah]

You’re very underrated man. Keep it up!

[@kbr8ck]

thanks so much for the video. From what I can tell, it is the second number that states the size. So 0395-0 is the same size as 7305-0 and both are much smaller than 0305-2.

[@keybonbon]

Table of Contents: 0:15 Side by side of 7305 and 0305 0:58 How to install and solder Mill Max sockets (step by step) 3:35 How to desolder Mill Max sockets 4:30 Switch compatibility test and results

[@bullmoos211]

You didn't mention the difference in difficulty between the two socket sizes with each switch. Are the end results the same for both sizes?

[@bobertbolero]

Thanks to the sockets surge of availability and this video I was able to complete my first board with sockets!

[@DustinVang]

this video was a life saver when i did my kbd67, Thanks a lot!

[@keybonbon]

Glad you found it useful! Thanks for watching :)

[@DustinVang]

KeyBonbon thank you!

[@Pr0noTrigger]

Good work dude! You did a lot of testing holy cow.

[@wagonet]

Great video, the desoldering section is very useful.

[@erotunr]

Mill max is a great product to make your board hotswap. Been using for awhile now. It also works if you screw up the pad on the pcb too

[@tyt2lynnin1]

this video probably saved my keyboard thank you!

[@PauStrange]

Thank you thank you, you've just saved my life, or at least my keyboard 💖💖💖💖

[@MadBoosterROTMG]

Most helpful tutorial for me

[@keybonbon]

Glad you think so! :)

[@hardlinenexus]

Hey really great video! Millmaxing is one of the things in custom boards I have yet to do. Will refer back to this video once I do :)

[@DarcyPhilippon]

You should do a video talking about your equipment (soldering iron, desoldering gun, etc.)

[@keybonbon]

Great idea! I’ll do that some time for sure :)

[@BenjaminWolfeOnGoogle]

@@keybonbon Yes… for the moment, what magnifying goggles do you recommend? This looks a lot like what I see at 1:47… www.amazon.com/YOCTOSUN-Rechargeable-Magnifying-Professional-Interchangeable/dp/B07T4KPYN2

[@tneswick2]

Needed this video to educate myself and buy exactly what I needed ✌️

[@canersahin]

Thank you for the effort and content. I have been looking for this information for a while :D

[@Spencer-wc6ew]

I'm desoldering switches from an existing keyboard and putting these in their place. So they can't just slide into the holes as it's really hard to get every bit of solder out. I found that putting an awl (the kind used for sewing) in the top of the switch can help you gently slide it into place while you're heating up the solder. Hanging the keyboard over your desk and holding the awl up with your leg also helped me solder on the back side without it sliding out. (There is very little leeway on this case, so I needed the sockets to be as far down as they can get without force.)

[@Spencer-wc6ew]

Another trick I've found if it's sticking up a little too much is to put kapton tape over the socket tightly, then set a chisel tipped soldering iron over it, The tape keeps solder from going into the socket.

[@hrjmwwkwerniejejejjw5011]

thank you so much for this! the video is very professional and easy to understand.

[@keybonbon]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@keebineer]

This is extremely helpful, great video! I literally bought a pack of 200x 0305 sockets last night for my KBD75v2. btw, that's a crap ton of switches you got there!

[@wanzai567]

Good one, I could have used that switch compatibility overview to set some realistic expectations. A Cream broke for me, and my batch of box whites also don't really go into them.

[@lt3997]

Thank you for this guide, really helpful for a first timer

[@flyingwhales1991]

Wow thanks so much for this video. Can't wait till I mod my anne pro 2! So informative

[@mellyell]

Very well done! keep it up!

[@neuropathical]

Cherry blue difficulty: Yes intentional or just crazy difficult?

[@mechgroupbuys1793]

Very helpful!

[@linz7307]

Great video and really useful, thanks!

[@SNIPEYOPIPE]

I plan on cracking open my Corsair K100. You just saved my life and showed me so much new stuff I wanna try for my first try. I wish I could just pay someone to do this for me to be honest. Great video! Thanks!

[@wiwinwintarsih2086]

Old video but still worth

[@blasstois]

These are great videos.

[@xCopyCatz]

Nice great video, on how to solder the mill max into a socket! I am gonna try to install this in my Logitech mouse! Hotswap dem mouse switch

[@MegaLadysman1234]

FYI, Linjar switches, which are a recolored gateron yellow for the most part, have one pin that is too wide to work with these sockets. You have to file the pin down to make them fit.

[@keybonbon]

cool thanks for letting me know! I added to spreadsheet :)

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Excellent presentation. Thanks!

[@NML1288-z9y]

thanks for this video. im going to upgrade my kbd75v2!

[@jtechreviews2021]

gonna try this on the keychron k2.. thanks man!

[@naota3k]

Great video, thanks.

[@Liquidpain3000]

Wow this was very helpful. I’m going to try to add mill-max 0305 to my ducky one 2 sf.

[@ManuelTransfeld]

high quality content!

[@nickmandeville6216]

This is a quality video.

[@CommanderVinegar]

Really informative content

[@felipe2fp]

You deserve a subscription for this nice video. Btw, was you using a wire of 0.6mm?

[@josephangelodelosreyes4206]

Thanks a million for this vid. Helps a lot

[@HuyPham-ls5vf]

This is by far the best guide on how to approach to MilMax socket and the video quality is just top notch. This is just what I have been looking for. Thank you so much. I have some questions though. When you list, for example, Novel cream switches in the difficult category, you mean that it is hard to put the socket on the switches before soldering or to put the switches on the sockets when changing the switches? For the ones that are difficult to insert, have you tried sanding down the the leg a bit? And you have also mention about the deterioration of the socket, I am guessing what you mean is the socket hole becomes loose because the switch legs are too big? Sorry for asking so many question at once. I am currently waiting for my 0305 and trying to do the same. Thank you.

[@keybonbon]

Happy to answer all questions! Regarding difficulty, yes, difficult means it is hard to insert the switches in the sockets (they require more force than inserting other switches). Regarding using a dremel to sand down the legs, I have heard others having to do that, but personally I have not tried it (seems like a lot of effort but maybe it’s worth it if inserting is a big struggle). For the most part you can shove the switches into the sockets without having to dremel. Sometimes it helps to “wear in” the sockets into the switches before soldering. Regarding the deteriorating friction, I noticed that switches with thinner pins did not feel as secure after having used the socket on thicker pins, so some of the switches would come off along with keycaps when pulling keycaps. Overall I think the sockets are worth using if you really want hotswap :)

[@HuyPham-ls5vf]

@@keybonbon Hey thanks. I have never thought there are certain switches that have thicker pins than others because many post on reddit seems to agree that 0305 sockets are compatible with is "99.99%" of switches. This new factor makes me really have to consider the switch choices. Is there anyway to tighten the socket holes? Ex use a tweezer.

[@keybonbon]

Huy Pham hmm as far as I know there’s no way to tighten them after they’re loose. It’s really small so you would need some kind of special tool, but I’m not familiar with any way to do it

[@AnthonyJames7]

Awesome thanks for this video

[@k.c4931]

Not gonna lie this video saved my ass from buying these for my box Jades. Thanks!

[@patiszejuicebox]

You think you could try Tescee switches on the Mill Maxes, such as the Blue Velvets and the Neapolitan?

[@CDKing_]

The way I solder millmax sockets is by first filling the holes on the pcb with a small amount of solder, then removing it afterwards with a solder sucker. Then I push the sockets through the hole and lay the soldering iron on them for 3 or 4 seconds so the remaining solder on the pads flows onto the socket. Less risk of clogging them with solder I've found.

[@keybonbon]

Oh interesting! So you prep each hole with solder before soldering? Do you find that the solder interfere with pushing the sockets into the hole?

[@Camdem]

great video. would love to see a similar video with the 3305 sockets which were designed for mx switches

[@katanalama2174]

What's the difference?

[@Camdem]

@@katanalama2174 3305 were designed specifically for hotswapping keyboards. I think they're a little bit lower profile

[@katanalama2174]

@@Camdem ah okay

[@denniswigand8066]

Great video! Keep it up!

[@madyogi6164]

I'm just about to start with more 'serious' mechanical keyboards and was wondering what's with the ones where manufacturer put switches directly into the PCB. So there is a way out - desolder and buy the sockets. Thank-s for sharing.

[@fernandochavez3221]

Hello nice video mi question is: this can be used for mouse (similary at Rog chakram by ASUS)

[@root_not_sudo]

I’m guessing Kailh has changed their legs a bit since this came out because using the Box Jades in the 7305 worked perfect for me-one leg is tighter, but still very easy to get in

[@JosepHo14]

Kind of curious why the Creams were difficult and the NK Blueberries weren't. Aren't their housings the same and the only difference between the two are the stems?

[@keybonbon]

I found that curious as well! I’m going to double check that

[@geeklevelasiantech]

Hey love this video and thanks for the info. Subscribing now. I have a Durgod Fusion (not hot swap) board, and I'd love to install Mill Max's. But they already have sockets in them. How do I get those out?

[@sabrinav]

When you explain how to desolder the Mill-Max, wouldn't you have a plate between the switch and the solder?

[@vonhumai3]

hello there, does the Glorious Panda fit in the 7305 socket? btw thank you for great content

[@olafschermann1592]

Are they compatible with Kailh choc switches? Thank you for all your work.

[@smashingpumpkinsxD]

Thanks for avoiding me from wasting time and damaging my keyboard trying to do it with cream yellows

[@hiddenstar1363]

Really helpful video! Usually for hotswap PCBs, there will be standoffs and screws to attach the PCB to the plate (esp so for top mount). Will it be an issue if I use a millmax-installed PCB without it being attached to the plate?

[@keybonbon]

I’m glad you brought this up! Yes, you may have issues with hotswap in general if you use it on a mounting style that is not tray mount (meaning it has the standoffs) unless you go with a stiff plate material like brass. Basic rule of thumb is don’t use hotswap with builds that have a lot of flex as the bending might cause switches to slowly move out of their sockets. I’ll cover this in a follow up vid

[@hiddenstar1363]

KeyBonbon Awesome! Looking forward to the follow up video :) Assuming it’s not tray mount, the thought of a PCB hanging onto the plate by mere friction between the switch pins and mill max sockets is pretty scary!

[@hermant3593]

Oh my gosh, thanks so much for the spreadsheet! Just wondering, have you tested this with multiple switches or just one on hand? I'm concerned that there may be manufacturing variability in the size of the switch pins, causing some switches to be easier or harder to hotswap than others in a given line. For instance, all Kailh switches are difficult, but most Gaterons except for two don't give you any trouble. Is there a possibility that the Zealios and Gateron Yellow switches you tested happened to be switches with slightly oversized pins for their line?

[@SynergistN7]

Lovely, think I'll solder the 7305's into the KBD8X pcb to make it hotswap.

[@C4mpblor]

Just ordered some Kailh Jades awesome...

[@idel8002]

4:40 Me: So, how difficult is Cherry blue? Cherry blue: Yes.

[@Roux-yg1rs]

is the jwk yellow will work on those socket?

[@danidotexe_]

i purchased mill max 7305s from mouser. i had two very notable issues with these sockets: 1) on my vortex tab 90m, they didn't fit into the holes correctly at all. they could be coaxed if i took a tiny cylindrical file to the inside of the hole, but for obvious reasons i didn't feel comfortable with that approach. 2) my cherry switch pins didn't fit inside the sockets. these were newly bought cherry mx clears, and the pins were too wide for the socket themselves. moral of the story: your mileage may vary with this technique depending on manufacturing tolerances of your keyboard and your switches.

[@disasterbean]

very informative :)

[@Alekouzos]

wow what a video. Question. I have an Razer Blackwindow V3 TKL and i want to make it hot swap. Which i need to get?

[@howardsohn]

Hi, I got those exact 0305's and found one of the legs on Zealios and Gateron switches to be too big to insert into the Millmax sockets. Do I just need to use more force to insert it?

[@keybonbon]

hey! I updated the spreadsheet to put the zealios V2 in the “Difficult” category. It turns out the ones I tested were V1s. Which gateron switches were you having difficulty with?

[@howardsohn]

@@keybonbon Gat Browns. Not sure if there's a version...

[@keybonbon]

Howard Sohn ah interesting, gateron browns were one of the ones I tested and they seemed to insert with little force, any chance the pins were maybe not aligned when you were inserting them? I’ll give it another shot tomorrow on a fresh set of sockets to double check

[@TROY-MCCLURE-1991]

@@howardsohn you can tell which Gateron Browns your are using. If it has a black bottom housing those are regular, opaque white housing are milky switches, clear housing for RGB, and milky bottom and clear top are SMD switches.

[@balajikrishnan9885]

Unsung hero

[@kravenaaa1986]

Hi Can you also teach us how to desolder millmax? Is that easy?

[@Potatoman554]

Can you use them on a plate mounted switches?

[@MarvinGreyPhoto]

Great video! I have zilentsv2, any advice or technique to plug them in? I haven't soldered the 0305 yet because of the fear of not being able to plug the switches. Hope you can help.

[@chrheca]

what if the switch has LEDs? I assume there will be additional sockets that feed power into the RGB contact points for the LED?

[@niqu9814]

Which solder did you use I saw that thinner solder makes it easier to solder these sockets but yours is not linked. Would love to know :)

[@TheVinn3h]

Whats the usecase for this? over just getting a hotswap board?

[@_fatalruin]

What is the insertion lifetime of these sockets? Thanks for the well made vid.

[@keybonbon]

Thanks for watching!! And do you mean how many times you can swap before issues arise? I’m actually not sure of the exact number they’re rated for, but I can tell you that by the end after swapping in and out 30+ switches the sockets were getting pretty loose in terms of friction. They seem to hold up better than kailh sockets though, which tend to fail for me in as little as 10 swaps

[@luisromero9507]

I'm thinking on doing this to the Ducky mecha mini and the Durgod Venus. I really love both boards but i was wondering if it's worth it.

[@pratikbhusal2711]

Hi could you please test the difficulty of Aliaz switches?

[@keybonbon]

hey I actually have some aliaz switches on the way for a vid comparing all silent tactiles, I’ll test them as soon as they arrive :)

[@Awwstinnnn]

Heyyy! I was listening to your video and noticed you said you don’t recommend mill max with plateless builds. What about half plates? Thank you :)

[@keybonbon]

Hello! Thank you for watching! I wouldn’t recommend it on half plates either because there wouldn’t be anything supporting the switches in the middle except for the sockets themselves, which lose friction over time, so you’ll end up with unpleasant wobbly switches