I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, >but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip >like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, >but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip >like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian <${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
I may have several hundred to do...
It would be easy to glue them, like with a UV-cure adhesive.
On 19/01/2026 16:00, john larkin wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian
<${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com>
wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>> through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
Dab of hotSnot?I may have several hundred to do...
It would be easy to glue them, like with a UV-cure adhesive.
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:14:43 +0000, The Natural Philosopher
<tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 19/01/2026 16:00, john larkin wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), IanDab of hotSnot?
<${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >>> wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>>> through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
I may have several hundred to do...
It would be easy to glue them, like with a UV-cure adhesive.
Try that and let us know how it works.
I had in mind Bondic or an eqivalent. Use a UV flashlight, not the
dinky blue LED that comes with it. Dab and flash in maybe 8 seconds.
On 19/01/2026 12:31, Ian wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that pokeIt's outside my experience - but apparently it's called Thermal Staking,
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
and does indeed use ultrasonics in a factory situation.
There do seem to be a few DIY options - see https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&sca_esv=92a4bc9839683100&cs=0&sxsrf=ANbL-n576D7R8snGWz0Lixz3mYHDljUGXg:1768836969939&q=Thermal+stake+tool&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjM4Iea95eSAxUsa0EAHUncExsQpboHKAV6BAgDEAc&biw=1376&bih=979&dpr=1.1&aic=0
but nothing specifically for your Weller
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, >but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip >like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian ><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, >>but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip >>like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
On 19/01/2026 12:31, Ian wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that pokeIt's outside my experience - but apparently it's called Thermal Staking,
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
and does indeed use ultrasonics in a factory situation.
There do seem to be a few DIY options - see
<snip>
but nothing specifically for your Weller
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >>wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>>through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes
other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>wrote:
On 1/19/2026 5:31 AM, Ian wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
Usually, they nestle into structures created to hold them where intended.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
Yes. Or, see below.
I may have several hundred to do...
These then become disposable items? No real chance of repair? (as long
as you think that appropriate...) I consider my enclosures to be discardable >but replaced at the depot (reusing the "guts")
Screws? Mechanically clamping it in place with a boss extending from
the other half of the enclosure?
Roger Mills <mills37.fslife@gmail.com> wrote:
On 19/01/2026 12:31, Ian wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>> through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or holdIt's outside my experience - but apparently it's called Thermal Staking,
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
and does indeed use ultrasonics in a factory situation.
There do seem to be a few DIY options - see
<snip>
but nothing specifically for your Weller
<https://youtu.be/U86GsflNjJQ>
pertains to a DIY tip for a Weller. It looks easy enough.
One professional product's pricier than a piece of copper wire from
your junk drawer:
<https://www.jensentools.com/product/673SO553-C245053>
<https://www.jensentools.com/product/10053441-AD-SF>
On 19/01/2026 12:31, Ian wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Buy 'starlock washers' from Ebay etc. Push on, don't come off- so long
as you use the right diameter- not hard if going over a plastic 'stud'.
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian
<${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com>
wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun, >>but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip >>like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
On 1/19/2026 5:31 AM, Ian wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold
non-electrical things like light guides in place.
Usually, they nestle into structures created to hold them where intended.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
Yes. Or, see below.
I may have several hundred to do...
These then become disposable items? No real chance of repair? (as long
as you think that appropriate...) I consider my enclosures to be discardable but replaced at the depot (reusing the "guts")
Screws? Mechanically clamping it in place with a boss extending from
the other half of the enclosure?
I may have several hundred to do...
These then become disposable items? No real chance of repair? (as long
as you think that appropriate...) I consider my enclosures to be discardable
but replaced at the depot (reusing the "guts")
Repair would be to cut off the fixings with side-cutters / scalpel, desolder and replace (it's for components, not the case).
Screws? Mechanically clamping it in place with a boss extending from
the other half of the enclosure?
It's for keyboard switches, which are a given, so I have to work with what they
are.
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net>
wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >>>wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>>>through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:03:52 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net>
wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >>>>wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>>>>through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
Yes, but "press fit" implies a pretty strong push.
Maybe a push fit is better, although imprecise.
Temperature will matter. The failure mechanism is stress cracking.
Only Delrin is reliable in such setups.
Joe
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:10:34 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net>
wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:03:52 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>>>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >>>>>wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke >>>>>>through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>>>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>>>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
Yes, but "press fit" implies a pretty strong push.
Maybe a push fit is better, although imprecise.
Temperature will matter. The failure mechanism is stress cracking.
Only Delrin is reliable in such setups.
Joe
We really don't know what the OP is doing.
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:07:49 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:10:34 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net>
wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:03:52 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>>>>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> >>>>>>wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>>>>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>>>>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
Yes, but "press fit" implies a pretty strong push.
Maybe a push fit is better, although imprecise.
Temperature will matter. The failure mechanism is stress cracking.
Only Delrin is reliable in such setups.
Joe
We really don't know what the OP is doing.
Yeah. I've seen enough to know that the original proposal was iffy
because getting plastics to work that way requires pretty deep
knowledge of the properties of plastics.
As others have said, probably best to use metal screws.
On 2026-01-20, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:07:49 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:10:34 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:03:52 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>>>>>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com>
wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>>>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>>>>>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>>>>>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
Yes, but "press fit" implies a pretty strong push.
Maybe a push fit is better, although imprecise.
Temperature will matter. The failure mechanism is stress cracking. >>>>Only Delrin is reliable in such setups.
Joe
We really don't know what the OP is doing.
Fixing standard keyswitches to a PCB.
Yeah. I've seen enough to know that the original proposal was iffy
because getting plastics to work that way requires pretty deep
knowledge of the properties of plastics.
As others have said, probably best to use metal screws.
They are made with plastic pegs for mechanical fixing, I'm just punting
for a tool to "fix" them. More d-i-y than mass production, but a large
number to do and I want them to be reliable.
The plastic properties are unknown, but inspection suggests "melting" them
is the standard method. Screws aren't an option.
On 2026-01-20, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:07:49 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:10:34 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:03:52 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>>>>>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com>
wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>>>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two >>>>>>>>black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>>>>>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
Yes, but "press fit" implies a pretty strong push.
Maybe a push fit is better, although imprecise.
Temperature will matter. The failure mechanism is stress cracking. >>>>Only Delrin is reliable in such setups.
Joe
We really don't know what the OP is doing.
Fixing standard keyswitches to a PCB.
They are made with plastic pegs for mechanical fixing, I'm just punting
for a tool to "fix" them. More d-i-y than mass production, but a large
number to do and I want them to be reliable.
The plastic properties are unknown, but inspection suggests "melting" them
is the standard method. Screws aren't an option.
On 2026-01-21, Ian <${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com> wrote:
On 2026-01-20, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:07:49 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:10:34 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:03:52 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:43:32 -0500, Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> >>>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:21:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>>>>wrote:
On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:03 -0000 (UTC), Ian >>>>>>>><${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com>
wrote:
I'm looking for a tool to "melt" those plastic stub/peg fixings that poke
through PCB holes to give mechanical strength to large items, or hold >>>>>>>>>non-electrical things like light guides in place.
For a quick bodge I just use the standard soldering bit in a Weller heat gun,
but that always looks messy and probably isn't very secure, see the two
black blobs on this:
https://www.jusme.com/perm/switchbox.jpg
I was hoping there would be a suitable bit for the Weller, with a concave tip
like this, but can't see anyting suitable:
=========================###
#(
===========###
//
============
I suppose I could mod a normal bit to be hollow, but how are these things normally
done (ultrasonics?)
I may have several hundred to do...
Press fit into oval holes.
Press fit does not work for plastics except delrin - the stress causes >>>>>>>other plastics to crack and fracture.
Joe
That depends on how hard you squeeze it.
Yes, but "press fit" implies a pretty strong push.
Maybe a push fit is better, although imprecise.
Temperature will matter. The failure mechanism is stress cracking. >>>>>Only Delrin is reliable in such setups.
Joe
We really don't know what the OP is doing.
Fixing standard keyswitches to a PCB.
I think the dowels are just for alignment, I've never seen them staked.
but I've only looked in about 10 different keyboards.
They are made with plastic pegs for mechanical fixing, I'm just punting
for a tool to "fix" them. More d-i-y than mass production, but a large
number to do and I want them to be reliable.
The plastic properties are unknown, but inspection suggests "melting" them >> is the standard method. Screws aren't an option.
But yeah if they are stakable then the switch datasheet should have
the needed details (temperature and force needed)
Cherry's datasheets don't even have pad and hole drawings, Kailh's datasheet doesn't mention staking.
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