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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: AIDS on Fri, 08 April 2011, 13:44:45

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: AIDS on Fri, 08 April 2011, 13:44:45

Hey guys, still a keyboard scrub here, but I had a quick question for you fine folks. I'm trying to replace the key caps on my filco as safely as possible and was just wondering if any ole' key puller would work?

Por ejemplo: http://www.amazon.com/Generic-KEYCAP-PULLER/dp/B0036UQSJ8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302288159&sr=8-3

Thanks!

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: MrSneis on Fri, 08 April 2011, 13:47:38

Looks exactly like the ones I use

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 08 April 2011, 13:54:54

I've pulled at least ten thousand key caps with the screwdriver on a Leatherman Squirt S4 and only broke switch stems off inside the cap on 2 occasions.  The trick is to use the other hand to keep the cap straight as you pry up with the screwdriver.  If it's tough, pry a little on each side til it pops.  Of course you can break anything with anything but if you want to strip a ton of key caps without spending all day then it's hard to beat the speed of a squirt.

BTW, I bought a newer PS4 and the quality of the scissors is terrible.  I'd rather have an original S4.

(http://www.hawills.com/squirt%20s4.jpg)

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: Quest- on Fri, 08 April 2011, 14:09:48

That one on amazon looks ok.

I think its best to stay away from these:
(http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/img/products/6/0/6087889ef641d40c5804fa52689c3398-0.jpg?200)

Can anyone confirm if these mess up the keys? (might have read that somewhere)

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: wanabe on Fri, 08 April 2011, 14:13:47

yeah those are not the best - they can squeeze the keycap really hard (may be a problem if the keys are old), and the prongs are really fat which makes it hard to pull some keys like esc where there's not a lot of wiggle room

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: AIDS on Fri, 08 April 2011, 14:24:19

Thanks for the speedy responses guys! Awesome community here.

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: spolia optima on Fri, 08 April 2011, 15:01:50

Quote from: AIDS;326875

All keypullers created equal?
 
Thanks!

1. no
2. you're welcome

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: AIDS on Fri, 08 April 2011, 18:08:45

^ Particularly useful info bro.

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: Lpb45 on Fri, 08 April 2011, 18:13:51

Try and stick to the filco and filco like keypullers, I know the plastic ring one has a history of scratching the keys on the sides when pulling them and the topre puller also seems like it my scratch the sides or disfigure it when pulling it

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: Brummell on Fri, 08 April 2011, 18:41:41

The Topre puller sucks.

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: wanabe on Fri, 08 April 2011, 18:47:02

yeah it does.  its better than the plastic ring type, but it's still prone to scratch your keys if you're not careful with it.

Title: All keypullers created equal?
Post by: AgentHeavy on Fri, 08 April 2011, 19:15:38

Scratching the bottom of the key is not that important.