Are these Mill-Max sockets? No. Are they outstanding? Yes.
At .20 each, these sockets offer both beginners and experienced keyboard builders a viable alternative while saving them money. If you are a complete beginner we suggest watching YT videos on proper soldering techniques to avoid issues.
Remember, you need 2 pins per switch.
1 order equals 100 sockets. enough to do 50 switches.
Here's what our builders said:
A full review with specs by the venerable Klexos:
Sockets-1.pdf - Google Drive
Soldering photos by the talented Sadwitch (thank you), who also said:
I found these to be just as high quality as the OG Mill-Max sockets I’ve used. They are closest in dimensions and appearance to the 7305 version, which is the most expensive and most premium. They sit just as flush to the PCB as the 7305 and look virtually the same. Due to length, the pins of the switches stick out beyond the end of the socket, but the stability of the switch in the socket feels solid.
If these sockets had been available, I’d have passed on the “official Mill-Max” from other vendors due to the value for money. At the price of .20 each, it’s a no-brainer.
A Socket is an individual component primarily used for plugging and unplugging components on printed circuit boards (PCBs). These sockets are particularly suitable for applications subject to high amounts of vibration and shock. Here are some key points about solderable sockets:
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Purpose: Sockets allow for the conversion of a soldered PCB into a hot-swappable one. They enable the easy exchange of switches without the need for continuous soldering and desoldering.
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Construction: These sockets are made by press-fitting a pre-tooled “multi-finger” contact into a precision-machined shell. The contact design features multiple metal fingers that taper to a point inside the socket. When a switch pin is inserted, an electrical contact is established.
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Compatibility: Sockets accept round pins with diameters ranging from 0.008 inches to 0.102 inches, as well as square and rectangular component leads.
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Applications: They are commonly used in mechanical keyboards to create hot-swappable PCBs. After soldering sockets onto a PCB, MX-style mechanical keyboard switches can be easily swapped without soldering or desoldering each switch individually.