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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: hglazm on Tue, 07 June 2011, 17:35:46

Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hglazm on Tue, 07 June 2011, 17:35:46: I have a model m, quite like it. However, my cousin was using it and at one point threw a hissy fit, slamming his fists onto it.
I know the running joke is that nothing can destroy a model m, but he found a way. The E key no longer registers unless completely bottomed out. So I figure I need to replace the spring or something?
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: woody on Tue, 07 June 2011, 18:20:00: Step one - try this (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?8731-Broken-spring&p=156128#post156128).
If it doesn't resolve your problem, you'll have to open the case and check the pivots (hammers).
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: TacticalCoder on Tue, 07 June 2011, 18:31:34: Quote from: woody;357000
Step one - try this (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?8731-Broken-spring&p=156128#post156128).
If it doesn't resolve your problem, you'll have to open the case and check the pivots (hammers).

Can the hammers be checked by opening the case without needing the bolt mod?

If so, how comes I can't transform an ANSI to ISO and vice-versa without the bolt mod? (I will try to bolt mod one my Ms one of these days but meanwhile I'm curious)
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: woody on Tue, 07 June 2011, 18:35:58: By opening the case, I meant "it gets complicated".
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hglazm on Tue, 14 June 2011, 05:25:30: Wait no! Success! The E key now actuates when it should. However, I now have the problem of it double tapping occasionally with only one keypress

No, no nevermind. I tried tightening the key slightly and ruined the success I had. No longer activates upon press.

I have also manged to remove the spring for the P key and am having severe difficulty putting it back on. In fact the only spring I can get to go back onto any of the hammers is the one off the E key. Both springs off the P and R keys refuse to go back onto any hammers.
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: chongyixiong on Tue, 14 June 2011, 07:50:23: It's a simple fix - don't worry.

Facts gleamed from this thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?12416-Model-M-key-busted&p=240554)

Step 1:
Try this (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?8731-Broken-spring&p=156128#post156128), this (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?5265-Safely-removing-and-installing-a-spring-from-a-Model-M&p=77400#post77400) or this (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:12093).

Step 2:
Post back when you're successful
(http://mellowdrone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/yeah.jpg)
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hglazm on Wed, 29 June 2011, 23:06:40: After managing to remove the springs from 4 other keys to try and see why I couldn't get any of the springs back in, I called it quits and ordered a 122 key terminal keyboard from unicomp to replace it.

Oh well.
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Thu, 30 June 2011, 00:20:56: You could just buy new hammer/springs from unicomp as well. I imagine that would be easier...
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hglazm on Sat, 08 October 2011, 22:40:41: Alright, after having a bit of a fiasco with getting the wrong 122 key model (I couldnt reassign the keys), I gave up and have been using my DAS blues for awhile.

However, I'm craving that delicious spring action. I've got the keyboard in question here, and the E and P springs don't actuate correctly.
I've tried twisting them every which way but they refuse to either go on at all or actuate correctly. Am I doing something wrong?
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hawkwind on Sun, 09 October 2011, 06:41:43: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?8731-Broken-spring&p=156128&viewfull=1#post156128
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 09 October 2011, 12:03:08: Bolt-modding is pretty tedious, but makes it easy to take care of these kinds of things.

I am also working with trying to re-map a 122-key model F.

KeyTweak worked for all but a couple of keys, and it is free.
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hglazm on Mon, 10 October 2011, 01:16:10: Quote from: hawkwind;427866
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?8731-Broken-spring&p=156128&viewfull=1#post156128
Right, thats what I've been using to take it on/off. But when I put it back on, it doesnt seem to go on right. There's no actuation, though the spring is definitely on.
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: slueth on Mon, 10 October 2011, 01:23:33: You have to twist the spring in, make sure u push it in and compress the spring onto the sping holder thingy. I used a sharpened pencil and put the spring on the pencil point and insert and press into the ^ point. Or take apart the board and put the hammer spring into the correct spot, if the hammer is out of place you can't use the pencil trick.
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: hglazm on Mon, 10 October 2011, 01:55:03: Alright, I got the P key back on and its working fine. The E key is FUNCTIONAL, however its insanely mushy (to the point where I don't even notice its actuation). Do I just need to replace that spring or?
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: slueth on Mon, 10 October 2011, 01:56:05: It is mushy because its not in properly. It might come to the point of having to take it all apart to fixating the spring properly, iono thats such a hassle, keep trying to get it on. Try twisting it in. best of luck.
Title: Replace model m spring
Post by: woody on Mon, 10 October 2011, 07:34:00: I had a board that due to shipping brutality had a key which clicked much softer and could be described as "mushy".
As suggested by Ripster, I tried Sandy's chopstick method and after some attempts (and failures) I got it right. Guess it takes some practice initially.

EDIT: Take some neighboring keycaps off and compare spring direction - that should give you a clue. Also follow the advice of keeping the board in a certain position while re-seating the spring.