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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: gh_pp on Sun, 15 December 2013, 10:56:04

Title: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: gh_pp on Sun, 15 December 2013, 10:56:04: Before I replaced the QFR stock keycaps, the spacebar already clacks a bit but it's not as bad.

Now that I have the vortex PBT set on, it's a lot worst and quite annoying.

My guess is that the clack is caused by the wobbling of the spacebar as illustrated in this video

(the alpha keys have a very solid sound, whereas the spacebar clacks badly and wobbles)

I examined the pbt spacebar and it's quite straight. I put the OEM spacebar back on again and it's equally bad.

Is it because of the costar stabilizer? I have already taken it off a few times and the stabilizers are very loose (attached to the keycaps) at this point.

Any suggestion or ideas to fix this will be appreciated.

Thanks
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:18:44: You can fix this by wrapping a small piece of scotch tape around the part of the stabilizer that makes contact with the white stabilizer insert.

I had the same problem and it was fixed using this method.

Here's a picture from reddit:

(http://i.imgur.com/XHOW5dC.jpg)
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:58:40: If the actuation is smooth.. just leave it alone...

There is also no "ping" in that video.. it's a total n00b video.
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 12:56:35: Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:58:40
If the actuation is smooth.. just leave it alone...

There is also no "ping" in that video.. it's a total n00b video.

Why did you even bother posting?
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: TrueOP on Sun, 15 December 2013, 17:04:31: Quote from: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:18:44
You can fix this by wrapping a small piece of scotch tape around the part of the stabilizer that makes contact with the white stabilizer insert.

I had the same problem and it was fixed using this method.

Here's a picture from reddit:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XHOW5dC.jpg)

I did tape before for same issue... it worked but got dislodged over time.

True fix is to use keyboard mech lube http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,misc&pid=mechlube

everything will feel smooth and very solid. You will want to lube the rest of your stabilizers afterwards because it feels so dang good hit those keys xD
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: CommonCurt on Sun, 15 December 2013, 17:30:00: Quote from: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:18:44
You can fix this by wrapping a small piece of scotch tape around the part of the stabilizer that makes contact with the white stabilizer insert.

I had the same problem and it was fixed using this method.

Here's a picture from reddit:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XHOW5dC.jpg)

Good info. Thanks :)
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 15 December 2013, 17:56:21: Quote from: TrueOP on Sun, 15 December 2013, 17:04:31
Quote from: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:18:44
You can fix this by wrapping a small piece of scotch tape around the part of the stabilizer that makes contact with the white stabilizer insert.

I had the same problem and it was fixed using this method.

Here's a picture from reddit:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XHOW5dC.jpg)

I did tape before for same issue... it worked but got dislodged over time.

True fix is to use keyboard mech lube http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,misc&pid=mechlube

everything will feel smooth and very solid. You will want to lube the rest of your stabilizers afterwards because it feels so dang good hit those keys xD

If people want lube I recommend the krytox from originative http://www.originativeco.com/collections/accessories/products/lube-kit

Most don't recommend the mechlube from EK.
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 19:47:51: Quote from: CommonCurt on Sun, 15 December 2013, 17:30:00
Quote from: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:18:44
You can fix this by wrapping a small piece of scotch tape around the part of the stabilizer that makes contact with the white stabilizer insert.

I had the same problem and it was fixed using this method.

Here's a picture from reddit:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XHOW5dC.jpg)

Good info. Thanks :)

You're welcome. I was relieved when I finally found that fix. Lube can fix the problem temporarily, but it can also make a mess and doesn't last very long in my experience.
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: gh_pp on Sun, 15 December 2013, 20:43:45: neunelfer thanks for the tip.

man taping a small piece of clear tape over that slippery tiny wire is tiresome.
took me several tries.

now the insert and the wire has a much tighter fit

but the clack is still quite prominent. i can feel that the wire is still bouncing off something inside

i guess i'll order some lube and grease from sherryton and see if that helps.

thanks
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: CommonCurt on Sun, 15 December 2013, 21:47:28: Quote from: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 19:47:51
Quote from: CommonCurt on Sun, 15 December 2013, 17:30:00
Quote from: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 11:18:44
You can fix this by wrapping a small piece of scotch tape around the part of the stabilizer that makes contact with the white stabilizer insert.

I had the same problem and it was fixed using this method.

Here's a picture from reddit:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XHOW5dC.jpg)

Good info. Thanks :)

You're welcome. I was relieved when I finally found that fix. Lube can fix the problem temporarily, but it can also make a mess and doesn't last very long in my experience.

I will try it out next time I change my caps. Iam using lube at the moment and it seems to help on some key cap sets. However it does have me wondering what kind of mess Iam going to have under there
when I go to change them out.
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: terran5992 on Sun, 15 December 2013, 22:28:55: Might it be due to warped spacebar?
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: neunelfer on Sun, 15 December 2013, 23:37:37: He said the spacebar was straight and not warped so
I guess it can't be that.

It is a pain to get the tape on there. It helps if you clean any existing lube off, as that will make the tape adhere better and be less prone to sliding off. My only suggestion is that maybe you need more than you put on. A small amount of lube should help too. If the white stabilizer inserts are loose in their holes, cut a small square piece of tape and put it on each stem before you push them in. This could also be part of the problem.
Title: Re: How to fix spacebar wobble and clack
Post by: gh_pp on Thu, 13 February 2014, 02:18:56: Thanks for everyone's help.
So the tape method doesn't help much, but lubing the stabilizer makes a big difference!
Just got these babies from EK
(http://elitekeyboards.com/proddata/images/th/ml2_iso1000_th620x400.jpg)
(http://elitekeyboards.com/proddata/images/th/mechlubeblack_000_th620x400.jpg)
And followed WFD's tutorial here
It looks like the lube that WFD used is much thinner than both EK #1 & #2
I don’t know where to use #1 & #2 (wires/stabilizer/insert) so I just tried different combos.
The shift, enter, backspace are smooth as silk right now. The spacebar is also improved but nowhere near as good as the other keys.

Anywhere, I'm quite satisfied right now 
Is there any video tutorial for taking apart and lubing topre switches like WFD's?
I found this thread, according to bro caps you only need to lube the case? So no need to lube the black switches?
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49741.0
Thanks.