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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Unkas on Sat, 17 December 2011, 21:05:10

Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Unkas on Sat, 17 December 2011, 21:05:10
Hello!

New geekhacker here and mechanical first timer.
Got my Filco Majestouch-2 tenkeyless with brown switches this friday and it has been a joy typing on; a vast improvement over the razer lycosa I had earlier that made me cry blood when I couldn't hit a key because I wasn't hitting it from a proper angle.

Anyways, enough of that and on to my problem!

The thing is that my arrow keys seem to be a bit off (I don't know if misaligned is a word or if I made that up in the title as I do not yet fully master the English language like Julia Child mastered the kitchen).
The left arrow has more resistance than the left arrow (not very noticable) but the up arrow is nudged to the left a bit, making it hard to get out with a key puller.

Is this a common problem and is there anything to do other than get a new one? (Not that it bothers me THAT much but if I could DIY fix it that would be great!)

Thanks for your patience!
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Nighted on Sat, 17 December 2011, 21:13:57
My arrow keys aren't perfectly centered in the keyboard chassis either. Mine are closer to the right edge. Never noticed it until just looking now though. Not a big deal to me. As far as differences in resistance, I couldn't say. I'm sure that will go away with use or by just popping off the key and checking the post. I dunno.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Unkas on Sat, 17 December 2011, 21:34:11
Oh hello there and I just noticed that I was being a bit confused. Where I said left I meant right. The arrow keys are more aligned to the right just as you have it.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: litster on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:20:24
search around.  This topic came up a few times before.  It is normal.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: demik on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:21:51
im surprised ripster hasn't come in here and posted.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Unkas on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:37:37
Is saying his name enough to summon him or is he like Beetlejuice and you have to say his name three times? :confused:
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: demik on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:40:19
i'll save you the sarcastic remarks and just tell you to search his all knowing sig and im sure you'll find what you're looking for.

or go to his subforum, because chances are all he's going to do is link you to his subforum.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Unkas on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:43:50
Quote from: demik;473062
i'll save you the sarcastic remarks and just tell you to search his all knowing sig and im sure you'll find what you're looking for.

or go to his subforum, because chances are all he's going to do is link you to his subforum.

Well to be honest I'd say I am content with the answers I have received so this thread could get locked down and thrown away where dead threads go!
Cheers!
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: demik on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:45:21
good to know :)
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: clickclack on Sat, 17 December 2011, 23:53:07
Hi Unkas,  Welcom to GH!  =)

This situation you describe regarding the alignment of the keys (or slight lack there of) in relation to the case is a common one across most if not all mechanical keyboards. Especially noticable or more common on the peripheral keys. I would not at all worry about it. If the keyboard has a slight misalignment or bias towards one side sometimes you can "shift" the chassis one way or the other within the case.
This is unlikely to work in your case (no pun intended) though. Many keyboards have this but many go unoticed, white or lighter colored keys and cases tend to show the issue more than fully black keyboards.

These sorts if issues occur because unlike most rubber dome keyboards which would only usually have to worry about the alignment of the keys in relation to the case, mechanical keyboards often have a case, switches, switch plate, PCB, and keycaps that all need to be in alignment. Not much room for any kind of tolerance slip up.  

The only real options you have for potentially fixing it is to swap the arrow keys around and see if that does the trick, just to see if it's the keycap that is off (unlikely though). You could try unsoldering the switch and swaping it with another one. In the case of the die stamping for whatever reason the plate hole slightly off then you are kinda stuck with it.

Unfortunately it's quite likely the following scenario-
The key cluster section of the plate is stamped off center to the arrow cluster cutout in the case, AND the cutout is a tiny bit off in it's dimensions (less than 1mm). The up arrow cutout is biased slightly towards the left, making the keys seem even closer to the right.

As for getting the keycap out easier try and slide the keycap puller in from the left and not the top or bottom. Easy if you use an IC puller. If you use a wire puller just put in one side (left side) and pull up while stablizing the keycap with your finger on the right.

=)

EDIT: Oops, I took too long to respond, haahaa! Uber ninjad!  =P

To the OP, you can close the thread yourself if you want since you created it. There are some drop down menus at the top right of your thread that you can use.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Unkas on Sun, 18 December 2011, 00:03:09
Quote from: clickclack;473069
Long text..
Thanks for a very informative answer!
I did as Nighted suggested and took the keycaps off and now the left and right buttons have the same feel to them so there is no difference.
As for the up arrow it is still a bit aligned to the right but I came up with the majestic solution to turn the key puller (wire) 90 degrees so I go around it from the other sides and then it was no problem reaching.
As for deleting this post I am not really sure of how you guys work over here but I am used to keeping my forum posts so that others that seek may find answers.
(something that I in hindsight see I should have done!)
But by closing you maybe mean that you can't post anymore but it is still visible in the listed threads?
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: ClackFactory on Sun, 18 December 2011, 00:34:31
You're welcome. =)

The 90 degrees is what I was talking about (just in a long and drawn out way). I clearly need some sleep.  =P

Yes, I meant closing the thread, not deleting it. It will remain in the forum.

=)
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: clickclack on Sun, 18 December 2011, 00:37:06
You're welcome. =)

The 90 degrees is what I was talking about (just in a long and drawn out way). I clearly need some sleep.  =P

Yes, I meant closing the thread, not deleting it. It will remain in the forum. Just go to the "administrator" tab on the top right hand side of your post/thread.

=)
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Unkas on Sun, 18 December 2011, 01:00:01
Quote from: ripster;473094
Inb4closedthread!

McRip Effect!
(Attachment) 35335[/ATTACH]

See my sig for a link.
I visited your subforum and if I had a face it would've melted. It was like the ark man.
I'll close it as soon as the dude stops stirring his white russian.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: Bry on Sun, 18 December 2011, 01:48:31
Quote from: Unkas;473106
as soon as the dude stops stirring his white russian.

Probably not gonna happen, sorry man.
Title: Misaligned arrow keys?
Post by: BossBorot on Sun, 18 December 2011, 02:18:46
(http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3623/alienssquareh.png)