I think hot-swap sockets are overrated for most builds

I've been building boards for about 5 years now, and I see everyone raving about hot-swap PCBs like they're the greatest thing since sliced bread. But after swapping switches on three different hot-swap boards last year, I noticed the sockets started getting loose on two of them within 6 months. One board in my shop actually had a socket pop off the PCB when I pulled a switch out, and that was a $40 fix I didn't expect. Meanwhile, my soldered boards from 3 years ago are still rock solid with zero issues. I get that hot-swap is convenient for trying out switches, but if you're not swapping every week, soldered is way more reliable long term. Has anyone else had sockets wear out on them after just a few switch changes?

2 comments

2 Comments

simoncarr11d ago

Had a socket lift right off a kbd75 board after only three swaps, was so annoyed. Soldered builds are just tanks in comparison, never going back for my daily driver.

colemiller10d ago

Did you try cleaning the socket first or just yank it out raw?