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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Cynez on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:00:41

Title: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: Cynez on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:00:41
So I purchased a keyboard in the classified section back in October but haven't been able to really use it since because it would stay connected.  What I mean is that the stabilizer "pins" won't stay connected to the spacebar.  Not sure what they're actually called, but that's all I can really think of to call them.  I'm referring to the little plastc crosses the connect to the metal bar underneath.  They are too loose, so they fall out and the key stops responding because it gets stuck.

Is there any way to fix this without gluing them into the spacebar key?  I really want to use this board for more than 1 minute.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: SmallFry on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:01:56
Take a piece of tape, overlay the stem, insert the white piece. (Tape mod) Often a problem with SP keys as well.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: Cynez on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:05:20
Take a piece of tape, overlay the stem, insert the white piece. (Tape mod) Often a problem with SP keys as well.

Can't buy any larger stems that could solve it?  Guess I'll try some packing tape when I get home, thanks.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: SmallFry on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:07:06
You can also use paper. Anything that would increase the size a hair amount.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:15:07
I used small pieces of tissue paper.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: SmallFry on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:16:34
What a crappy solution Moose! :P
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: jeroplane on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:28:43
Take a piece of tape, overlay the stem, insert the white piece. (Tape mod) Often a problem with SP keys as well.

Most popular and most effective solution. It means there's no chance of anything getting stuck inside the key, and the tape is easy to peel off the inserts.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 19 December 2012, 09:50:00
I use small paper tabs from credit card receipts.  Its thin and resistant to ripping.

Very common problem, always with SP keys on my Filco.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: precarious on Wed, 19 December 2012, 12:44:06
Seconding the tissue/toilet paper, I've done this for a lot of Cherry keycaps.  Just make sure you use an appropriate amount; you don't really need much.  Sounds kind of silly, but the stuff completely disappears into the stem, solves the problem, and doesn't cause any others.  Sounds perfect to me.

Unless you don't wipe your ass.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: clickclack on Wed, 19 December 2012, 12:57:52
I find that a tiny bit of Saran wrap (plastic wrap) works exceptionally well. Those cheap plastic grocery bags are not too bad either. Even part of a disposable glove does the trick!

Good luck, and don't worry it's not that uncommon. Cut it, Stick it, Click it.  =)
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 19 December 2012, 13:17:32
I use a 1cm square piece of clear plastic sandwich bag.  Doesn't need to be any bigger than that.  Can't be any smaller than that as I have big fingers ;)
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 19 December 2012, 13:20:41
That's too big IMHO.  I use a square about the size of confetti.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: Cynez on Thu, 24 January 2013, 10:39:02
Wow, thanks for all the responses guys.  I know it's a bit late but just decided to check back and look at Smallfry's suggestion again (holidays sucked up my free time to mess with my KB :P).
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: remmeh on Thu, 24 January 2013, 10:43:28
Saran wrap sounds like a good idea, I've always just used a tiny square of clear plastic from a plastic bag.

SP keys in particular seem to need the little shim as the stabilizer inserts always fall out without them.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: cobraj on Thu, 24 January 2013, 14:52:42
Um, I'm not sure if the problem was fixed or not, but I had a similar problem.
And what was happening with my Filco (happened to my backspace actually; whenever i pressed down, the key just got stuck, and i would have to use a pincer grip to just lift it up again).
So what was happening was that I had my stabiliser pins 180 degrees the wrong way. When I changed them around, it seemed to fix it perfectly. (I didn't actually realise that the stabiliser pins are NOT symmetrical lol :P).
Also, you can buy some new stabiliser parts from WASDkeyboards, if you think any of the parts are damaged. They are pretty cheap, and I've had good service from them =D

Hope it's all fixed =D
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 24 January 2013, 16:00:25
Saran wrap sounds like a good idea, I've always just used a tiny square of clear plastic from a plastic bag.

SP keys in particular seem to need the little shim as the stabilizer inserts always fall out without them.

This worked really well for me. I didn't have any tape around my house which is why I resorted to using plastic bags.
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: ekzunk on Thu, 24 January 2013, 20:08:00
anyone knows too how to fix the right side rattle on the filco, i read that is a common problem, but someone said wasd fixed it on their keyboards, its just lube or its a different stabilizer wire?
Title: Re: Need help fixing Filco spacebar
Post by: PointyFox on Sat, 26 January 2013, 02:09:29
Use tissue.  Even if it manages to get stuck, you can just rinse it out with water.